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Samsung began the global rollout of Android 12 + One UI 4 for the Galaxy S21 series earlier this week. Expectedly, the update brings a handful of changes that we saw with One UI 4 beta. We’re now learning that the update for customers in the U.S. is also enabling support for eSIM.
First revealed by a user on Reddit, the One UI 4 update for the Galaxy S21 series finally allows the use of an eSIM. Global customers have long enjoyed eSIM support on Samsung’s early 2021 flagship, but this is the first time the feature is reaching Stateside.
eSIM support on the Galaxy S21 was first available with the One UI 4 + Android 12 beta
XDA notes (via) that eSIM support is first rolling out to Verizon and T-Mobile branded Galaxy S21 smartphones. Unfortunately, unlocked variants of the flagship aren’t seeing the feature as of yet, but this could change soon.
So what does an eSIM do? Well, it allows smartphone owners to have a second connection without requiring a physical SIM card. This lets users activate their device with another carrier. This is possible on the Galaxy S21 thanks to the physical SIM card tray and the now-enabled eSIM support.
It’s worth noting that eSIM functionality for the Galaxy S21 was first spotted during the beta phases of One UI 4, so its arrival was always on the cards.
Samsung’s Android 12 rollout is well and truly underway, with the Galaxy S21 already getting the update. Devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and the Galaxy Z Flip 3 are still in beta, though a stable update is expected in December.
Samsung is currently the lone manufacturer to provide timely software updates for its devices. The Android 12 update for the Galaxy S21 arrived just a month after Google sent it to Pixel devices. Meanwhile, some other manufacturers have a slightly different timeline.
A recent leak gave us a good picture of the company’s Android 12 rollout plans for smartphones and tablets. Needless to say, the Korean manufacturer has a busy next few months coming up. The company is also releasing the Galaxy S21 FE in January 2022 and the trio of Galaxy S22 smartphones a month later.
