eSIM Android Phones and iPhones: Which Models Work in 2026
In this article
Most Android phones and iPhones from the last few years support eSIM. On Android, that includes the Google Pixel 3a and later, the Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and every Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip. Every iPhone since the iPhone XS and XR from 2018 has eSIM too, although where the phone was first sold matters as much as the model. In China mainland only four iPhone models support eSIM, and three Galaxy A phones have eSIM only in certain regions. The fastest check is to dial *#06# and look for an EID number on the screen.
The model lists below come from Google, Samsung and Apple support pages, checked on October 12, 2026.
Neusuli sells travel eSIMs and doesn't sell phones. The phone details below come from the phone makers' own pages, listed in the sources at the end.
Android phones that support eSIM
Google and Samsung both publish their own lists of phones with eSIM, so those two brands give the clearest answers, while other Android makers add eSIM model by model.
Google Pixel
Every Pixel from the Pixel 3a onward can use an eSIM next to a physical SIM card. Pixel 7 and later phones can also keep two eSIMs active at the same time if your carrier allows it. Google lists one exception: the Pixel 3a bought in Japan, which can't use two SIMs.
| Pixel | SIM setup |
|---|---|
| Pixel 3a to Pixel 9 series, Pixel 9a, Pixel 10a | Nano-SIM and eSIM |
| Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL sold in the US | eSIM only, two active eSIMs |
| Pixel 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL sold in the US | eSIM only, two active eSIMs |
| Pixel 10 and 11 series sold outside the US | Nano-SIM and eSIM |
| Pixel 11 Pro Fold, any country | Nano-SIM and eSIM |
Samsung Galaxy
Samsung's list covers its flagship phones from 2020 onward, all of its foldables and a few mid-range A models.
| Galaxy | eSIM support |
|---|---|
| Galaxy S20 to S26 series, S23 FE, S24 FE, S25 FE, S25 Edge | Supported |
| Galaxy Z Fold2 to Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra, Z Flip to Z Flip8, the original Galaxy Fold | Supported |
| Galaxy A55, A56 | Supported |
| Galaxy A35, A36 | Europe, North America and Korea versions only |
| Galaxy A54 | Europe, North America, Korea and Japan versions only |
| Galaxy Xcover7, Xcover7 Pro | Supported |
Samsung also says that, depending on the country where the phone was sold, eSIM may not work even on a model in this list. A Galaxy A35 bought in Southeast Asia, for example, isn't covered by Samsung's list.
Motorola, OnePlus, Xiaomi and other brands
Motorola, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Sony, OPPO and Honor support eSIM mostly on recent flagship and upper mid-range phones, such as Motorola's Razr and Edge lines. Because the same model name can be sold with or without eSIM in different markets, check your exact model in our compatibility checker and then in your phone's settings.
Which iPhones support eSIM?
Every iPhone from the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR onward supports eSIM. Recent iPhones can store eight or more eSIMs, and supported models keep two of them active at once, such as your home line and a travel eSIM.
Some newer iPhones have no SIM tray at all, and the SIM setup of the same model can differ by country:
| iPhone | US version | UK version |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone Duo | eSIM only | eSIM only |
| iPhone Air | eSIM only | eSIM only |
| iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max | eSIM only | Nano-SIM and eSIM |
| iPhone 17e | eSIM only | Nano-SIM and eSIM |
China has the biggest exceptions. In China mainland, only the iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, 17e and Air support eSIM, so an iPhone 15 bought there can't use one, while the same model from a US store can. Apple also says certain iPhone models from Hong Kong and Macao use two nano-SIM cards.
Phones that only take an eSIM
A growing number of phones have no SIM tray, including the iPhone Duo and iPhone Air, the US iPhone 18 Pro models and iPhone 17e, and the US Pixel 10 and 11 phones other than the Pro Fold.
The SIM setup comes from where the phone was sold, so a US Pixel 11 has no tray when you take it to Spain or Japan, and you can't put a local SIM card in it at the airport. To get data abroad, you need your carrier's roaming plan, a local carrier that sells eSIMs to visitors, or a travel eSIM that you install before you leave.
How do you check if your phone supports eSIM?
Dial *#06# on your phone's keypad. If the screen shows an EID, a 32-digit number, next to the IMEI, your phone has eSIM. If no EID appears, check the settings:
- iPhone: go to Settings > General > About and scroll down to EID. Settings > Cellular should also show Add eSIM.
- Samsung Galaxy: go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager and look for Add eSIM. The EID is under Settings > About phone > Status information.
- Google Pixel: go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Add SIM and look for Set up an eSIM.
- Other Android phones: type "eSIM" into the search bar in Settings.
An Add eSIM option tells you the phone has eSIM, but it doesn't tell you whether a carrier has locked the phone, which would block a travel eSIM from another company. Our guide to using an eSIM on a locked phone shows how to check the lock on iPhone and Android.
What to check before buying a used or imported phone
The model name alone won't tell you whether a used or imported phone has eSIM. Before you pay, ask the seller where the phone was first sold and for a screenshot of the *#06# screen showing an EID. This is worth doing for these phones in particular:
- iPhones from China mainland, unless they're an iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, 17e or Air
- iPhones from Hong Kong or Macao, where some models use two nano-SIM cards
- Galaxy A35 and A36 phones sold outside Europe, North America and Korea, and Galaxy A54 phones sold outside those regions and Japan
- Phones still locked to a carrier, which you can check with the steps in our locked phone guide
Can you keep your home number while using a travel eSIM?
You can keep your home number active while a travel eSIM handles your data, as long as your phone runs two lines at once. On an iPhone, Apple says you can use one eSIM for your home number and another for the place you're visiting. Pixel phones from the 3a onward run a physical SIM and an eSIM together, and Pixel 7 and later phones can run two eSIMs.
After installing the travel eSIM, set it as your cellular data line. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data. Your home line still receives calls and texts, although your carrier may charge roaming fees when you answer them. Our eSIMs are data only, so apps like WhatsApp use your travel data for calls and messages.
Travel eSIM prices for the trips in our guides
Once your phone checks out, the plan depends on your destination. For the destinations we've written guides about, 5GB for 30 days costs the following, with the regional plan that also covers each one:
| Destination | Single-country eSIM | Regional eSIM that also covers it |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | $3.97 | Europe 33 Regions, $4.63 |
| Japan | $4.45 | Asia 12 Regions, $20.65 |
| Kyrgyzstan | $5.37 | Central Asia 4 Regions, $10.60 |
| United States | $5.50 | North America, $13.60 |
| Egypt | $8.65 | Middle East & North Africa, $43.15 |
For one country, the single-country plan costs the least, while for several countries in Europe the Europe 33 plan usually costs less. Spain, France and Italy at 5GB each come to $12.39 for 15GB in total, while one Europe 33 plan costs $4.63 for 5GB across all three. For trips that cross regions, two single plans are often cheaper than a global one. Japan and the US at 5GB each cost $9.95 for 10GB in total, while the Global 117 Regions eSIM costs $27.40 for 5GB.
When is a travel eSIM the wrong choice?
A travel eSIM is the wrong choice when your phone has no eSIM, such as an iPhone X or an older iPhone from China mainland. In that case, a local SIM card or your carrier's roaming plan is the better option. It also won't work on a phone that is still locked to a carrier, and it doesn't suit you if you need a local phone number, because our eSIMs are data only.
Install the eSIM on the phone you'll travel with. The QR code for a Neusuli eSIM works on one phone only, and if you delete an eSIM after it has been activated, you may have to buy a new one. If you buy a plan and then find your phone doesn't support eSIM, you can get a full refund within 180 days of purchase, as long as you haven't installed it.
FAQ
Which Android phones support eSIM?
Google Pixel 3a and later, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, all Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip phones, and the Galaxy A55 and A56 support eSIM. The Galaxy A35, A36 and A54 support it only in some regions. Motorola, OnePlus, Xiaomi and other brands add eSIM to some recent models, so check the exact model.
Can I use eSIM on any Android phone?
Only on Android phones that have eSIM hardware and aren't locked to a carrier. Older models and some budget phones don't have it, so dial *#06# and look for an EID to find out.
What is the oldest iPhone with eSIM?
The iPhone XS, XS Max and XR from 2018 are the oldest iPhones with eSIM, while the iPhone X and earlier models don't have it.
Which iPhone models don't support eSIM?
The iPhone X and earlier don't support eSIM. In China mainland, every iPhone except the iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, 17e and Air lacks eSIM, and some Hong Kong and Macao models use two nano-SIM cards instead.
Can I move my travel eSIM to a new phone?
Keep it on the phone where you first installed it. The QR code works on one phone only, and an eSIM deleted after activation may need to be bought again. If you're changing phones before a trip, install the eSIM on the new phone.
What should I do if my phone doesn't support eSIM?
Use a local SIM card at your destination or your carrier's roaming plan. If you bought one of our eSIMs and haven't installed it, you can get a full refund within 180 days of purchase.
Sources
- Google Pixel Help, "Use dual SIMs with your Pixel phone" and "Pixel phone hardware tech specs," checked October 12, 2026.
- Samsung India, Galaxy eSIM supported devices, February 18, 2026; Samsung Hong Kong, "Galaxy eSIM and supported network carriers," last updated September 22, 2026.
- Apple Support, "About eSIM on iPhone" and "Use eSIM while traveling internationally with your iPhone," September 17, 2026; Apple iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 17e, iPhone Duo and iPhone Air technical specifications (US and UK), checked October 13, 2026.
- Neusuli device compatibility checker.
- Neusuli product pages, prices checked October 12, 2026, and the Neusuli refund policy.
