SIM card tray

Everything about eSIM support and use eSIM on Galaxy S20

Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra have eSIM support in most regions. But your carrier may not support eSIM on Galaxy S20.

This Galaxy S20 guide explains what eSIM is, the advantages of using eSIM on Galaxy S20, how to check eSIM support on Galaxy S20, how to add eSIM Profiles on Galaxy S20, and how to use eSIM on Galaxy S20 together with physical SIM cards.

What is eSIM?

Traditionally, you need to get a SIM card from your phone company to make and receive phone calls, send and receive text messages, and use mobile data.

The SIM card is your ID. It is unique in the whole global mobile networks. The mobile operators use the SIM card to identify the company issued the card, whether this card can connect to their network or not, and what resources (mobile plan) you can use if you can connect to the network.

As the SIM card is unique, you have to get the physical card from the carrier. When you change carrier, you cannot use the old SIM card, and you have to get a new SIM card from the new carrier.

The process can be painful. Sometimes, you have to visit a physical store and queue there for one or two hours for the tiny SIM card. Or sometimes, you have to wait a few days before it is delivered to your mailbox.

It is even more painful or some frequent travellers who prefer using a local SIM card (to avoid exacerbate roaming charges). Every time, when you reach the destination airport, you have to walk around the airport to get a local SIM card. In some countries, the SIM card sold in airports is usually not good for value.

eSIM, embedded-SIM (or more officially, embedded universal integrated circuit card, eUICC), was proposed to tackle this issue (and other provisioning issues). The standard is maintained by GSMA.

In a nutshell, eSIM is embedded storage for SIM cards in your phone. You can save each SIM card info as a Profile.

And, you can save multiple Profiles on it. GSMA does not limit the maximum Profiles you can save on one device. It is only limited by the storage capacity and the size of each Profile.

You can delete or add Profiles, which are [rovided by carriers. But you cannot modify the Profiles.

You can imagine the eSIM actually … Read the rest

Galaxy S20 layout

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You need to know the Galaxy S20 layout if you want to use Galaxy S20, S20+, or S20 Ultra properly.

This Galaxy S20 guide shows each part of Galaxy S20 layout and explains to you the functions of these parts on Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra.

The layout of Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and Galaxy S20 Ultra are almost identical, although the 3 models differ significantly in size and camera features (as explained in this page).

So, this guide applies to the layout of Galaxy S10, S20+, and S20 Ultra. In the text, we use the Galaxy S20 layout refers to all of these 3 models.

Why do you need to know about Galaxy S20 layout?

After unboxing Galaxy S20, the first thing you want to do is powering on the phone.

But where is the power button? If you are an owner of Galaxy Note 10 (or Note 10+), then you may find the power button (side key) is not relocated back to the right.

If you want to record an audio clip (especially in the interview mode), you probably need to know the location of the two microphones.

If you want to use NFC, use wireless charging, or use wireless PowerShare, you need to know the location of antennas and coils.

If you are new to the in-display fingerprint sensor, you need to know where to put your fingers on.

Anyway, all Galaxy S20 owners need to know the layout of Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra so that you can use the phone effectively.

Galaxy S20 layout

In the picture below, 15 items of the Galaxy S20 layout are illustrated.

Front view

On the front of Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra, you can find the main display (screen), in-display fingerprint reader, and the front camera.

#1. The screen

About 90% of the front part of Galaxy S20 is what Samsung called “Dynamic AMOLED 2X” screen.

It is actually just a new iteration of Samsung’s Super AMOLED. By default, the colour is vivid and sharp, but oversaturated.

Of course, you can change the default Vivid screen mode to Natural mode with more accurate colours.

Please note, the only screen difference of Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra is the size. The technology, resolution and features are identical.

The Galaxy S20 touchscreen gestures were explained in this page.

Galaxy S20 navigation buttons… Read the rest

Unbox Galaxy S20: Understand Items in Galaxy S20 Box

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Once you unbox Galaxy S20, you need to understand the items in the Galaxy S20 box and know how to use them.

This Galaxy S20 guide illustrates the contents in Galaxy S20 box and explains to you how to use them (including the phone, wall charger, clear back cover, USB cable, USB-C headset with additional ear tips, and SIM card tray ejection pin).

The contents (items) in Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra are almost identical except the phone, although there are significant differences among these 3 models.

So, in this guide, Galaxy S20 refers to all of these 3 models: Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra.

What is included in the Galaxy S20 box?

As shown in the picture below, after unboxing Galaxy S20, there are at least following 7 items in the Galaxy S20 box:

The phone.
Clear cover.
USB-C cable.
Wall charger.
USB-C (AKG) headset.
Additional ear tips (small and large).
SIM card tray ejection pin.

Of course, you can also find some leaflets and inserts depending on the region/distributor.

Among the leaflets, you can find the quick start guide and safety information sheet.

In a few regions, a USB adapter may be included in the box.

Understand the contents in Galaxy S20 box

Now, let’s go through the items in the Galaxy S20 box one by one.

#1. The phone: Galaxy S20, S20+, or Galaxy S20 Ultra

Of course, this is the main and the most expensive item in the box. Others are just “accessories”.

In many regions, Samsung does not offer a one-for-one exchange. If you find any problems after leaving the counter, you need to claim the warranty.

So, you should check the phone on the spot. If there are any issues, you can choose not to accept the item.

Because of the ultrasonic in-display fingerprint reader which is one of the worst “innovations”, some tempered glass screen protectors will not work with the fingerprint sensor.

In most regions, Samsung pasted (pre-installed) a plastic screen protector on the screen already. The quality of the screen protector is actually quite good. And most importantly, it works nicely with the in-display fingerprint reader.

If you need a screen protector, you should not remove it before you get a new one. If you try to re-apply the screen protector, very likely, you will get many bubbles.

You … Read the rest