I’m thinking of switching our cellular carrier from Consumer Cellular to Mint Mobile to save $25/month. Mint offers an eSIM or a physical SIM.
I’ve always had physical SIMs, so I have no idea what advantages or disadvantages there might be with an eSIM.
One security advantage of eSIM: if you lose your phone or if your phone is stolen, criminals cannot remove your SIM card and insert it into a phone they control.
One advantage of eSIM for travelers: it leaves the physical SIM slot free for temporary phone numbers/data access, assuming your phone is not carrier-locked.
Advantages: No extra opening for physical card. Can’t lose a card you don’t have. Your provider should be able to update your eSIM with no store visit. More room for battery in mobile phone with only eSIMs.
Disadvantages: Physical SIMs may be more convenient for some travelers, allowing swaps without regard to provider location or business hours.
Experience: My 12 Pro Max needed a physical SIM swap at the store when T-Mobile took over from Sprint. Later, as part of ATT copper usage reduction, T-Mobile put my ATT landline number on the eSIM with no store visit. SIM type does not affect operation of the iPhone 12 Pro Max.