The days when you'd hunt for a prepaid card at Bangkok airport are numbered. Instead of a plastic nano-SIM, more and more travelers are loading an eSIM onto their phone — digital, bought from home, no kiosk sprint in arrivals. According to GSMA figures (Q1 2026), around 65 % of all newly announced smartphones support the technology, and by 2030 it's forecast to be more than three out of four. Time to understand what's behind it.
What is an eSIM technically?
The abbreviation eSIM stands for embedded SIM. While a
nano-SIM is a swappable piece of plastic with a chip (6 × 5 mm
plastic frame), the eSIM is a tiny chip in the MFF2 format —
just 6 × 5 mm in size, under a millimeter thick,
soldered directly onto your smartphone's main board.
The standard comes from the GSMA
(GSM Association) — the same consortium that has defined every mobile standard
since the 1990s. The relevant specification is called SGP.22 and governs
how consumer devices receive, store and activate profiles. Instead of a fixed
subscriber per card, an eSIM can hold multiple profiles at the same time —
you switch between them via a menu.
The actual magic happens via what's called an SM-DP+ server (Subscription Manager Data Preparation). Your provider uploads the profile to this server, you scan a QR code, your phone fetches the profile over WiFi, decrypts it and activates it locally. Time required: roughly 30 seconds.
eSIM vs. nano-SIM: the comparison
At first glance both look identical — you get internet and you can make calls. Under the hood, however, there are clear differences that are felt above all when traveling:
| Property | Nano-SIM | eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Plastic card 12.3 × 8.8 mm | Chip soldered into the device |
| Activation | Insert, call, wait | Scan QR code · ~30 sec. |
| Delivery | Postal mail (1–3 days) | Email instantly |
| Profiles in parallel | 1 | up to 8 stored, 2 active |
| Switching providers | Swap card | Delete profile, scan new one |
| Travel use | Kiosk at the airport | Book at home before departure |
| Phone lost | Card can be removed by anyone | Chip stays soldered in the device |
| Old-school phones | works | needs iPhone XS+, S20+, Pixel 3+ |
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros
- Online instantly after landing — no SIM swap needed
- Multiple profiles in parallel (main contract + travel eSIM)
- No roaming fees: local prices in the destination country
- Tamper- and theft-proof (chip in the device)
- Book before departure, try at home
- No physical card to lose
Cons
- Only newer smartphones support eSIM (from ~2018)
- Phone change = eSIM has to be reactivated
- If the phone breaks, getting at the SIM is harder
- In some countries (China, India) activation restrictions apply
- Profile download needs WiFi or a second SIM with data
Which phones support eSIM?
Apple led the way in 2018 with the iPhone XS, Samsung and Google followed in 2020 and 2018 respectively. Rough orientation for common brands:
| Manufacturer | eSIM-capable from model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | iPhone XS / XR (2018) | From iPhone 14 in the US only eSIM, no SIM slot |
| Samsung | Galaxy S20+ / Note 20 Ultra (2020) | Fold/Flip from Z Flip 3 |
| Pixel 3 (2018) | All subsequent Pixel models eSIM-capable | |
| Xiaomi | Mi 12 Lite 5G NE (2022) | Not all variants — check before buying |
| OPPO / OnePlus | Find X3 Pro / 11 5G | Still patchy in mid-range |
| Huawei | P40 / Mate 40 Pro | Selected regions only |
Activate an eSIM in 4 steps
The process is nearly identical across providers. Plan for 2–3 minutes total:
- Buy an eSIM plan onlinePick the right plan at Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, Simbye or another provider. Pay by credit card, PayPal or Apple/Google Pay. Some providers don't even require an account.
- Receive the QR code by emailImmediately after payment, a QR code plus activation instructions land in your inbox. Tip: take a screenshot or open it on a second device so you can scan the code with your phone.
- Install the profile on your phoneSettings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Scan QR code. The profile is downloaded over WiFi from the SM-DP+ server. Time: about 30 seconds. An internet connection is mandatory for this step.
- Activate and start surfingOnce installed, the profile appears in the cellular overview. Activate it, switch on data roaming (for foreign eSIMs) — done. With travel eSIMs the validity often only starts when you connect to the destination network, not at installation.
When does an eSIM make sense — and when not?
For holidays and business trips outside the EU, an eSIM is almost always the cheaper alternative. Example Thailand, 7 days with 3 GB: €4.50 to €8 via travel eSIM. German roaming is usually €5–9 per day.
Within the EU the case is weaker — since mid-2017 the EU roaming regulation has applied: your home plan works at no extra cost in all 27 member states. An eSIM only pays off here if your home plan has tight data limits or you plan heavy hotspot use.
As an example, three typical travel plans for Spain straight from our current comparison:
| Provider | Data | Validity | Price | €/GB | 5G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best €/GB | 400 GB | 30 days | 18,50 € | 0,05 € | — | Visit deal → |
| 120 GB | 30 days | 15,02 € | 0,13 €+171 % | — | Visit deal → |
| 60 GB | 30 days | 12,70 € | 0,21 €+358 % | — | Visit deal → |
Reasons against an eSIM: if you use an older phone (before iPhone XS, before Galaxy S20), if you frequently switch between many devices (pulling the nano-SIM out and putting it back in is easier), or if you travel to countries with special registration requirements (China, parts of India) where you must register a local SIM with ID on site.
Frequently asked questions about eSIM
Can I keep my old SIM card if I switch to eSIM?
On most smartphones yes. Dual-SIM-capable devices (e.g. iPhone XS+, Galaxy S20+, Pixel 3+) can run a physical SIM and one or more eSIMs at the same time. Handy on the road: your main card (contract) stays active for calls, the eSIM handles mobile data abroad.
What does an eSIM cost?
The profile itself is free — you only pay for the plan behind it. Major carriers issue eSIM profiles for existing contracts at no charge. Travel eSIMs from providers like Airalo or Simbye start at around €3 for 1 GB and 7 days of validity.
Is an eSIM more secure than a nano-SIM?
In principle yes. The chip cannot be physically stolen or moved into another device. If your phone is stolen, the thief cannot pull out the SIM to intercept two-factor SMS. The cryptographic protection matches that of nano-SIMs (same GSMA standard, same encryption).
Can an eSIM be hacked?
The technology itself is just as secure as a physical SIM — same GSMA standard, same encryption. A SIM-swap attack (a fraudster takes over your number at the carrier), however, is significantly easier with eSIMs because no postal shipping is required. Activate carrier PINs or two-factor authentication.
What happens to the eSIM when I change phones?
The eSIM stays on the old device and has to be reactivated. iPhone exception: Since iOS 18.4 there is eSIM Quick Transfer — you transfer the profile via Bluetooth directly from the old to the new iPhone, without contacting the carrier. On other manufacturers you often still need to request a new QR code.
How many eSIMs can I have in parallel?
Depending on the device eight or more profiles can be stored, but usually only one or two are active at the same time. iPhone 13+ for example: up to 8 eSIMs installed, 2 active simultaneously. Ideal for frequent travelers — one profile per country/region on the device, switch as needed.
Does the eSIM work without internet?
No, not for installation. To download the profile you need WiFi or data via another SIM. Once installed, the eSIM works on the mobile network normally — calls, SMS, data without an extra internet connection.
Do I need roaming for an eSIM abroad?
No, that's the point. A travel eSIM from your destination country isn't roaming — it's a local data plan at local prices. You buy the profile before the trip, activate it at your destination and surf without the roaming surcharge of your home carrier.
