From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.mobile

I currently have a Moto G8(pwr) which generally works well. It has a
side slot to carry a nanoSIM and either a second nanoSIM or a micro SD
card for storage.

I am looking at upgrading to a Moto G85 (4G & 5G) which is equipped with nanoSIM and eSIM slots. GSMArena also states that has micro SD
capability - which confuses me.

I am looking at the dual SIM capability as I am having some issues with GiffGaff, specifically some thin coverage coupled with 3G still being
active in parts of my area to which my phone tries to register. My
feeling is to stay with GiffGaff (which I like) but using a second SIM
on, say, EE to fill those holes. However I also like to keep pictures on
the microSD.....

My query: if I put my GG SIM in slot 1, can I register an EE eSIM and
then remove it and replace it with a microSD card, or does the eSIM have
to stay in place.

In other words it is eSIM that confuses me!!
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From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.mobile

Woody wrote:

In other words it is eSIM that confuses me!!

You can't physically remove an eSIM, it's just a chip soldered onto the phone's PCB, you load/unload virtual SIMs into it.

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From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.mobile

Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com> wrote:

My query: if I put my GG SIM in slot 1, can I register an EE eSIM and
then remove it and replace it with a microSD card, or does the eSIM have
to stay in place.

In other words it is eSIM that confuses me!!

eSIM is like a virtual SIM - you download it from your operator to the
phone. If you want to move it to another phone you have to download it
there and the operator cancels the one on the old phone.

You can't copy a physical SIM to an eSIM or vice versa, but you can ask your operator to issue a new SIM in eSIM format and you do the download
procedure. If you want to convert back to physical SIM you have to ask them
to send you a new SIM (or maybe you can get them to transfer it to a new SIM pack you bought from the corner shop).

So you'd have:
GG physical SIM (SIM slot)
EE eSIM (no slots needed)
microSD card (SD card slot)

Your network (EE in this case) has to support eSIM for your tariff as you
need to do the download procedure typically via their website.

Theo
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From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.mobile

On Sat 16/08/2025 17:27, Theo wrote:

Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com> wrote:

My query: if I put my GG SIM in slot 1, can I register an EE eSIM and
then remove it and replace it with a microSD card, or does the eSIM have
to stay in place.

In other words it is eSIM that confuses me!!

eSIM is like a virtual SIM - you download it from your operator to the
phone. If you want to move it to another phone you have to download it
there and the operator cancels the one on the old phone.

You can't copy a physical SIM to an eSIM or vice versa, but you can ask your operator to issue a new SIM in eSIM format and you do the download
procedure. If you want to convert back to physical SIM you have to ask them to send you a new SIM (or maybe you can get them to transfer it to a new SIM pack you bought from the corner shop).

So you'd have:
GG physical SIM (SIM slot)
EE eSIM (no slots needed)
microSD card (SD card slot)

Your network (EE in this case) has to support eSIM for your tariff as you need to do the download procedure typically via their website.

Theo

Thanks Theo, that's exactly what I wanted to know.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.mobile

Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com> wrote:

I currently have a Moto G8(pwr) which generally works well. It has a
side slot to carry a nanoSIM and either a second nanoSIM or a micro SD
card for storage.

I am looking at upgrading to a Moto G85 (4G & 5G) which is equipped with nanoSIM and eSIM slots. GSMArena also states that has micro SD
capability - which confuses me.

Be careful with GSMArena as some manufacturers change model spec depending
on the country. Double-check those features on a UK site.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.mobile

On 16:39 16 Aug 2025, Woody said:

I currently have a Moto G8(pwr) which generally works well. It has a
side slot to carry a nanoSIM and either a second nanoSIM or a micro
SD card for storage.

I am looking at upgrading to a Moto G85 (4G & 5G) which is equipped
with nanoSIM and eSIM slots. GSMArena also states that has micro SD capability - which confuses me.

I am looking at the dual SIM capability as I am having some issues
with GiffGaff, specifically some thin coverage coupled with 3G still
being active in parts of my area to which my phone tries to register.
My feeling is to stay with GiffGaff (which I like) but using a second
SIM on, say, EE to fill those holes. However I also like to keep
pictures on the microSD.....

My query: if I put my GG SIM in slot 1, can I register an EE eSIM and
then remove it and replace it with a microSD card, or does the eSIM
have to stay in place.

In other words it is eSIM that confuses me!!

Assuming you want to stay with a similar phone to the Moto G8, you may be interested to know the Motorola Edge 60 Neo could be released soon in September.

This is Moto UK's page but I think the spec may be for the US model:

<https://en-gb.support.motorola.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/185974/ ~/specifications---motorola-edge-60>
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From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.mobile

On 16/08/2025 16:39, Woody wrote:

I currently have a Moto G8(pwr) which generally works well. It has a
side slot to carry a nanoSIM and either a second nanoSIM or a micro SD
card for storage.

I am looking at upgrading to a Moto G85 (4G & 5G) which is equipped with >nanoSIM and eSIM slots. GSMArena also states that has micro SD
capability - which confuses me.

I am looking at the dual SIM capability as I am having some issues with >GiffGaff, specifically some thin coverage coupled with 3G still being
active in parts of my area to which my phone tries to register. My
feeling is to stay with GiffGaff (which I like) but using a second SIM
on, say, EE to fill those holes. However I also like to keep pictures on
the microSD.....

My query: if I put my GG SIM in slot 1, can I register an EE eSIM and
then remove it and replace it with a microSD card, or does the eSIM have
to stay in place.

In other words it is eSIM that confuses me!!

Good answers here. For EE coverage, perhaps consider Spusu who run on the EE
network. Their plans are somewhat less expensive.
--
--
A PICKER OF UNCONSIDERED TRIFLES
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From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.mobile


As the originator of this thread - the answer (for a Moto G86.)

eSIMs - once you have signed up with a provider - are downloaded over
wifi, and that's it!

You put your normal SIM in the appropriate socket in the holder, and put
your microSD memory card (up to 1TB) in the other holder.

Job done - according to Motorola/Lenovo......
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