I saw a youtube video that the latest Pixel 10 doesn't have a physical sim card slot - only eSIM. Just when I thought the sideloading shit was bad enough.
I can swap a physical SIM into as many devices as I want, without the involvement of the network. With eSim my provider gives me "permission" to swap it to a new device maximum 3 times per YEAR. This has been spoken about by cellphone reviewers in particular as a huge headache.
For another example, Mint Mobile now charges $3 per eSim to swap devices. So now you're paying for something that used to be free, and that is likely a preview of what we have to come.
My cell company locks my physical sim to the phone it is plugged into.
If I move the sim, I have to go through similar bullshit as I would if I wanted to move an eSIM (attempts to upsell the plan, charge for the “service” of moving the sim, etc, etc.)
At this point, I don’t see any disadvantages for eSIM, since the backported the enshitification to physical sims.