I’m currently traveling in Asia using a local SIM (an eSIM) I bought from 3 Hong Kong, which works across many countries. I was able to access this SIM from 3 HK despite never stepping foot in HK because it’s an eSIM that I was able to easily buy from their website.

eSIMs enable this kind of choice and competition that’s impossible with physical SIM cards, where you’re stuck with only the options that are physically in front of you. Physical SIM cards have some advantages over eSIMs, too, but I love eSIMs as a traveler.