Apple introduced eSIM support with launch of iPhone XS series and iPhone XR back in 2018. At that time, the dual SIM support worked with a physical SIM and an eSIM. At the iPhone 14 launch event, Apple has announced that it will be removing the physical SIM slot from all the iPhone 14 models in the US, as rumored earlier.
Apple said that iPhone 14 models that are eSIM only can activate without a Wi-Fi network. To activate your eSIM using eSIM Carrier Activation, eSIM Quick Transfer, or another activation method, you can follow the instructions when you turn on your iPhone.
Some carriers support SIM transfers from your previous iPhone to your new iPhone without needing to contact them. You can also convert your current physical SIM card to an eSIM.
Apple already introduced support for two active eSIMs starting with the iPhone 13. The iPhone 14 models without a physical SIM tray also support two active eSIMs. You can have multiple eSIMs with multiple cellular plans and activate only two of them when needed. Apple says that this is more secure since eSIM can’t be removed if your iPhone is lost or stolen, unlike the physical SIM cards.
So, if you buy the iPhone 14 in the US and travel or move to a different country, you will have to activate the eSIM which the local carrier instead of buying a physical SIM and swapping the SIM cards easily.
In India, eSIM is supported by all the three major carriers – Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vi. eSIM Carrier Activation is only supported by Reliance Jio, and none of them support eSIM Quick Transfer.