eSIM is exciting new tech gunning for the humble SIM card. Short for electronic SIM or embedded SIM, eSIM is a rewritable SIM card built right into your smartphone. An eSIM never leaves your phone, so there's no need to pop open a SIM tray or remove your case. Instead, you simply download a "software SIM" from the provider of your choice.
Travellers are one of the biggest beneficiaries of eSIM. Instead of hunting around an airport looking for a local SIM, you can just use an app to add a new plan to your phone via the internet. You can even purchase your eSIM before you leave for your destination; if you're prepared, there's no need to screw around with airport WiFi on arrival.
Options for buying travel eSIMs
There are a few different options for buying eSIMs while travelling. Some are sold directly by the provider. For example, if you're travelling in the United States, you can download the T-Mobile prepaid eSIM app on your iPhone to purchase a plan, and add it to your device.
Others come from stores and providers who specialise in travel eSIMs. Airalo is one of the simplest options for buying a travel eSIM. Airalo is essentially a global online store for eSIM phone plans; just search your destination, and pick a data allowance.
Airalo's pricing for a destination eSIM tends to start at around USD$4.50 for a 1GB plan with a seven-day expiry. You can pay more to get a larger data allowance with a longer expiry, if you need it. USD$15 will get you 5GB with a 30-day expiry in the United Kingdom, for example.
Airalo also has travel eSIMs that cover more than one country in case you're visiting multiple destinations. These SIMs are available for Africa, Asia, and Europe. There's also a "global" travel eSIM covering 87 countries with expiry options as long as 120 days, which could be great if you're planning an extended trip.
I've personally used Airalo eSIMs in the United States, New Zealand, and Europe, and the experience has always been reliable. Just note that many Airalo travel eSIMs are data-only and don't come with a local phone number. This is very common for travel SIMs these days, no matter the provider.
Jetpac is another travel eSIM provider that specialises in data-only plans. Depending on your destination, Jetpac can be cheaper than Airalo, but this can come with some trade-offs. For example, for European SIMs, Jetpac covers 28 countries as opposed to 39, and doesn't have 5G.
Jetpac travel eSIMs have a unique perk where you can score for free airport lounge access if your flight is delayed (and meets the threshold). This is done by registering your flight in the Jetpac app. Up to five people travelling with you are eligible to enter the lounge with you.
You can purchase travel eSIMs from Jetpac via its website.
If you want an eSIM that also allows you to make phone calls, there's also SIMCorner. Select SIMCorner travel eSIMs also come with talk and text. Just double-check the fine print, as some of its plans are data-only. Getting a travel eSIM with talk and text tends to make it more expensive, however.
You can purchase travel eSIMs from SIMCorner via its website.
If you want to see a comprehensive list of eSIM plans for the destination you're travelling to, eSIMDB is a handy website for comparing eSIM options for a myriad of countries.
Is an eSIM your best option for travel?
For the most part, buying a local SIM at your destination - whether it's a physical SIM card at an airport or a travel eSIM - is better value than roaming.
Of course, it's also worth considering your international roaming options. If you're a Vodafone customer with $5 per day roaming, it will be the best option for short trips most of the time.
However, given that Telstra's standard postpaid roaming offers are billed at $10 per day, buying a local SIM will almost certainly end up being a better option most of the time - unless you really need to keep your Australian number active.
eSIM-enabled phones
The vast majority of high-end phones from the last few years support eSIM. eSIM support is still absent in most more affordable phones, however. Here are the main devices with eSIM support that have been available in Australia:
- Apple
- iPhone 16 family, iPhone 15 family, iPhone 14 family, iPhone 13 family, iPhone 12 family, iPhone 11 family, iPhone XS family, iPhone XR, iPhone SE (2020 and 2022)
- Samsung
- Galaxy S25 family, Galaxy S24 family, Galaxy S23 family, Galaxy S22 family, Galaxy S21 family, Galaxy S20 family, all Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip devices
- Pixel 9 family, Pixel 8 family, Pixel 7 family, Pixel 6 family, Pixel 5, Pixel 4a family, Pixel 4 family, Pixel 3a
- OPPO
- Find N3, Find N2 Flip, Find X5 Pro, Find X3 Pro,
- Motorola
- Moto G55 5G, Razr 50 family, Edge 50 family, Moto G54 5G, Razr 40 Ultra, Razr 40
Note: We've only included a model if eSIM is available on the Australian version. Double-check compatibility before making a purchase.
If you're looking for a new phone with eSIM support, use the belong widget to check out plans for a few popular eSIM-enabled handsets from the last year, grouped by provider:
iPhone 16 128GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Galaxy S25 256GB
- 6.2 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 10MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Pixel 8a 5G 128GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 64MP, 13MP
- Front Camera: 13MP
iPhone 16 128GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Galaxy S25 256GB
- 6.2 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 10MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Pixel 9 128GB
- 6.3 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 48MP
- Front Camera: 10.5MP
Moto edge 50 Fusion 5G
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 13MP
- Front Camera: 32MP
iPhone 16 128GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Galaxy S25 256GB
- 6.2 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 10MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Pixel 8a 5G 128GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 64MP, 13MP
- Front Camera: 13MP
How to install a travel eSIM
If you have an eSIM-enabled device, all you'll typically need to do to set up a new eSIM plan is scan a QR code - it's one of the biggest advantages of eSIM technology. In the event you don't have a way to scan a QR code (as in, if you're purchasing your SIM on the same device you want to use it on), you can also manually enter SIM details on both iOS and Android. New versions of iOS can even import the QR code from your photo library if you screenshot it.
Alternatively, if you're travelling with friends or family, you can get someone else to take a photo of your QR code, and then scan the code from the photo. We've tested this, and it definitely works.
In some cases, you'll need to change your APN settings to work with the new plan. If this is the case, your new provider should give you instructions. There's a good chance you'll need to also enable Data roaming, which you'll be able to do in the same part of the Settings app.
You'll also probably want to disable your local number to ensure you're not charged for roaming overseas. The most foolproof way is to remove your Australian SIM from your phone, but you can also disable your plan under SIM card manager. Tap on your physical SIM - which should be identified as SIM 1 - and then toggle it to off.
Can eSIM be used internationally?
Yes, you can travel with eSIM. If you have an Australian eSIM, your plan will work overseas exactly the same way a traditional SIM card would. This means you'll pay the standard roaming rates associated with your plan.
Note that 4G-enabled eSIM smartwatch won't have mobile connectivity overseas, however.
These are the most popular SIM-only mobile plans with WhistleOut users this week:
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#1
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TPG
25GB Small Plan
$12.50
Per 1 Month Renewal
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#2
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felix mobile
felix 50GB Mobile Plan
$30
Per 1 Month Renewal
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#3
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Dodo
$28 Mobile Plan
$28/mth
Min. cost $14
|
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#4
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iiNet
25GB Small Plan
$12.50
Per 1 Month Renewal
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#5
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SpinTel
$22 Mobile Plan
$14/mth
Min. cost $14
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#6
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Catch Connect
28 Day Plan - 15GB
$20
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
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#7
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Lebara Mobile
$24.90 Small Plan
$24.90
Per 30 Day Renewal
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#8
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Kogan Mobile
Medium Monthly Plan
$25
Per 1 Month Renewal
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#9
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Everyday Mobile
Pre-paid Mobile $25 Recharge
$25
Per 30 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
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#10
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Vodafone
$49 Small SIM Only Plan
$39/mth
Min. cost $39
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