I've been on iPhones for quite a while. I'm currently on an iPhone X (which has a physical SIM), and before that was on a 6 Plus (also a physical SIM). So I was able to move my SIM from one phone to the other if needed.
My X is showing its age, so I was looking at the 14 or 15. But both use eSIM, and from what I've read the physical SIM gets shut down when converted to an eSIM.
So are there any methods of using an older iPhone as an emergency replacement, given how eSIMs work? Or would I have to find an eSIM-capable phone for this purpose? Thanks.