is eSIM the same as an "unlocked" iPhone?
If I sell an older iPhone with an eSIM, is that the same as an "unlocked" phone?
iPhone 15 Pro Max
Question marked as
No. They're two different things.
"Unlocked" in the context of carrier lock means that one is free to buy service from any cellular phone company (carrier) that offers it. If a phone is "carrier locked", it means that you are forced to buy service from a particular phone company, unless they choose to release the lock. (Which they might or might not do.)
A SIM – whether it is a physical SIM card, or an eSIM – is a way of identifying that your phone is subscribed to a particular phone company; to a particular plan.
If a phone is locked to one phone company, and you try to use a SIM or eSIM from another phone company, you won't be allowed to do it.