AsianFin -- Huawei has unveiled a new tri-fold smartphone supporting eSIM technology, which could become the first commercially available eSIM-enabled handset in China, according to industry sources cited by KeChuangBan Daily. The company is also expected to introduce at least one eSIM-compatible model in its upcoming Mate 80 series.

OPPO executives told the newspaper that the first batch of eSIM-capable smartphones is likely to hit the Chinese market by the end of this year.

An eSIM — or embedded SIM — integrates traditional SIM card functions directly into a device’s chipset, eliminating the need for a physical card and freeing up space inside smartphones, tablets, and other devices.

Chinese carriers launched eSIM services several years ago, but suspended new registrations in 2023 over security concerns. This year, however, China Mobile and China Unicom have resumed eSIM offerings, though so far only for IoT devices and wearable gadgets, leaving smartphone support off the table — for now.