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Which Phones Support eSIM?: eSIM & Mobile Connectivity Explained

Which phones support eSIM? iPhone XS and newer, Pixel 3 and newer, and many Samsung Galaxy models do. See how to check yours before you travel overseas.

Updated 16 October 2026

In one sentence

An eSIM-compatible phone has a built-in digital SIM chip, so it can install a mobile plan without a physical SIM card, and most flagship phones released since 2018 have one.

In detail

Apple added eSIM with the iPhone XS and XR in 2018, so every iPhone from those models onward supports it, including the iPhone SE (2nd generation, 2020) and later. Google Pixel phones have supported eSIM since the Pixel 3 (2018), and Samsung brought it to the Galaxy S20 series in 2020, along with later S-series, Z Flip and Z Fold models. Many other Android brands, including Motorola, OnePlus and Oppo, offer eSIM on recent models, but support varies by model and by country of sale. Two catches matter: the phone must be network-unlocked, and some regional versions of the same model ship without eSIM (for example, certain models sold in mainland China). The most reliable check is your phone's settings or the manufacturer's official support page.

How it works

Instead of a removable plastic card, an eSIM-compatible phone has a small chip soldered inside that can store mobile plan profiles digitally. When you buy an eSIM plan, the provider sends an install link or QR code, and your phone downloads the profile over Wi-Fi and activates it. Most phones can store several eSIM profiles but run only one or two at a time, so you can keep your home SIM active while using a travel plan for data.

Why travellers should care

Checking compatibility before you fly takes about 30 seconds and saves you from landing without data. With a compatible, unlocked phone you can buy a plan online and install it before you leave, with no hunting for a SIM shop at the airport. With Fresim-powered stores, the plan arrives by email and you tap Install on iPhone (iOS 17.4+) or Install on Android (Android 10+) to set it up in one tap; the QR code is there too if you want to share the eSIM or install it from another screen.

Related terms

  • iPhone eSIM
  • Samsung eSIM
  • Pixel eSIM
  • Device list
  • Unlocked phone

Example

Maya, a travel blogger, is flying from Sydney to Lisbon next week with a Galaxy S23. She opens Settings, finds a Add eSIM or SIM manager option, and checks that her phone is carrier-unlocked. She then buys a Portugal data eSIM from a creator's Fresim-powered store, opens the confirmation email on her phone, and taps Install on Android. By the time she lands, the eSIM is installed and ready to switch on, and her home number stays active on her physical SIM for calls and texts.

Key takeaway

If your phone is a recent iPhone, Pixel or Samsung Galaxy and is network-unlocked, it very likely supports eSIM; confirm in your settings before you buy a plan.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my phone supports eSIM?

The quickest way is to check your settings. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > About and look for an entry labelled Digital SIM or EID, or look under Settings > Cellular for Add eSIM. On Android, look under Settings > Connections (or Network & internet) > SIMs for an Add eSIM option. On Samsung, you can also dial *#06# and look for an EID number, which means the phone has an eSIM chip. If you are still unsure, check your model on the manufacturer's official support page.

Which iPhones support eSIM?

All iPhones from the iPhone XS and iPhone XR (2018) onward support eSIM, including the iPhone SE (2nd generation and later) and every iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 model. Some newer iPhones sold in certain countries have no physical SIM tray at all and rely on eSIM only. For the one-tap Install on iPhone button in a Fresim eSIM email, your iPhone needs iOS 17.4 or later.

Do Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones support eSIM?

Yes, on most recent models. Google Pixel phones have supported eSIM since the Pixel 3 (2018), though a few regional Pixel 3 variants lack it. Samsung added eSIM with the Galaxy S20 series (2020) and supports it on later S-series, Z Flip and Z Fold models. Some regional versions of Samsung phones, particularly those sold in a few Asian markets, may not include eSIM, so check your exact model. Android 10 or later is needed for the Install on Android button.

Does my phone need to be unlocked to use a travel eSIM?

Yes. A phone locked to one carrier will usually refuse to install an eSIM from another provider, even if the hardware supports it. Check with your carrier, or look in your phone's settings for a Carrier Lock or SIM lock status (on iPhone, Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock). If it says No SIM restrictions, you are good to go. Contact your carrier to request an unlock before you travel, as it can take a few days.

What if my phone does not support eSIM?

You have a few options. You can use a physical travel SIM from a local shop or kiosk at your destination, rely on roaming from your home carrier (often more expensive), or borrow or buy a cheap eSIM-compatible phone or a portable Wi-Fi hotspot for the trip. If you are about to upgrade your phone anyway, choosing an eSIM-compatible model makes future trips much simpler, since you can set up data before you leave home.

Where you'll use this

More esim glossary

Sources

  • Apple Support — Use eSIM on your iPhone: supported models and setup
  • Google Pixel Help — Use eSIM on your Pixel phone: compatible devices and setup
  • Samsung Support — Galaxy eSIM: supported devices and how to add an eSIM
  • GSMA — Embedded SIM (eSIM) specification and consumer overview