Staying connected while traveling is often very important. Having internet access is the backbone of planning your days out, booking and preventing getting lost. It is essential for your safety to be able to call your family or friends. But the way holidaymakers communicate is changing.
At the vanguard of the technological revolution is eSim, a chip that replaces the traditional, transferable Sim card in your mobile phone. With most major mobile operators reintroducing data roaming charges in Europe since Brexit, this new technology offers travelers the chance to save money when calling, texting and using the internet on holiday.
Find out here everything you need to know about the device and how it can help you on your next holiday.
What is eSim?
A Sim or subscriber identity module usually takes the form of a small plastic card. It plugs into a mobile phone and holds important information like your contact number, as well as allowing you to make calls and use data to get online.
eSim contains the same information as a physical Sim card, but takes the form of a built-in chip in your mobile phone and is operated through an app. Unlike a physical card, you can have multiple eSims on your phone, each with their own phone number and data plan.
The new technology has proven popular with people who use two numbers, such as those with separate home and work accounts. Only one account can be running at any one time, but this means there is no longer any need to carry multiple Sim cards or indeed handsets.
Are all mobile phones compatible with eSim?
Many phones no longer have the plastic tray that the physical Sim sits on; There is only one eSim. But be warned: since eSims are relatively new, they may not be compatible with every phone. If you’re using an Apple phone, everything on the iPhone XS, which was first released in 2018, should work. It’s likely that all iPhones in the future will ditch the physical Sim tray and instead rely entirely on eSim.
Most high-end Samsung devices released from 2020 onwards, like the Galaxy XS, are also likely to work, but mid-range options like the Galaxy A53 won’t. All Google Pixel phones released after 2018 support eSims. Older phones or phones released by other manufacturers may still use the traditional Sim.
Should I buy an eSim for my holiday?
Getting an eSim for your holiday can be a way to save on excessive roaming costs abroad. Following Brexit, most major phone operators have reintroduced data roaming costs; This means UK travelers could face huge bills if they use their usual phone contract in Europe.
Purchasing a physical Sim at the airport upon landing was one way to alleviate this (allowing travelers to use a local service at cheaper prices). Some providers in the UK also offer upfront data packages (but these are often more expensive than options from local firms).
Now eSim means you can buy and activate a plan from a cheaper provider via an app. You can use your phone right away for a fraction of the roaming charge that your existing UK network usually charges.
What are the best eSim providers?
There are several eSim providers, all of which can be operated through your phone. Airalo, for example, offers eSims for more than 200 countries. Download the app, select the country you’re traveling to and your preferred contract, and then activate eSims. The amount of data and time can be customized, which means you’re not likely to overpay. For example, get a 2GB package for 15 days for travel in France. It costs around £6 with top-up options if you find you need more data. If you’re traveling between countries, you can choose a regional eSim instead of a local one; This means you can buy options that work on all continents.
Other companies such as Holafly, Airhub, Simify and Nomad all offer similar deals to tourists. Holafly is particularly popular among those who need large amounts of data, as their eSims usually have unlimited internet access. The disadvantage of this is, of course, that it is more expensive than its competitors. A 15-day package for France with Holafly costs around £40, but this includes unlimited data and calls within the country.
Nomad claims to offer ‘near local’ pricing in France, with plans starting from £6.50 for 3GB of data for 30 days. Airhub allows users to compare local carrier prices, giving users more control. Simify, known for providing physical Sim cards to travelers, is now moving into the virtual space.
What should I pay attention to when choosing eSim?
Your specific needs will likely vary; Therefore, it’s best to compare the eSims on offer and make a choice based on how much data and messaging you’ll be using on holiday. The most basic options include data only; This means you can use Whatsapp to send messages and make calls over the internet, but you cannot send texts or make calls. Paying a little more also lets you text and call people, though probably from a local number instead of your regular number. Prices also fluctuate greatly, so always check the overall cost before traveling.
It’s also worth finding out the data usage rates on your current contract while abroad. If you don’t use your phone much, a £5 daily charge and a little less internet may be enough and you may not need the extra eSim at all.
This story was first published in September 2023 and has been revised and updated.