Is Your Phone eSIM Compatible? Full Device Guide by Brand & Mode

eSIM technology has managed to go from a niche feature to a mainstream standard within a few years. But compatibility is still isn’t universal. Some support eSIM for data only, some are carrier locked or vary by region. Before you purchase a plan or attempt activation, knowing if your device is included in the eSIM compatible phones list will save a lot of frustration.

This guide covers every major brand, model, and what to check before you activate. If you’re new to this tech, it’s worth reading up on eSIM Card and how it works.

What Does eSIM Compatible Actually Mean?

A phone is genuinely eSIM compatible when it meets three conditions:

• The hardware supports an embedded SIM chip
• The software allows third-party eSIM profiles to be installed, and 
• The device is unlocked from carrier restrictions. 

A phone that fails any one of these three tests won't work with a travel or secondary eSIM, regardless of what the spec sheet says. The most common stumbling block is carrier locking - particularly on devices purchased through a network on a contract. 

Always confirm your device is unlocked before purchasing any eSIM plan. Keep reading to see the full eSIM supported phones list.

eSIM iPhone: Every Apple Device That Supports eSIM

Apple was one of the earliest major manufacturers to embrace eSIM at scale, introducing it with the iPhone XR and XS in 2018. Since then, every new iPhone model has included eSIM support, and more recent models have expanded this further. Knowing how to activate eSIM on iPhone is straightforward once you've confirmed your model is on this list.

iPhones with eSIM support:

• iPhone XR, XS, XS Max
• iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
• iPhone SE 2 (2020)
• iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
• iPhone SE 3 (2022)
• iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 16e
• iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, 17e
• iPhone Air

Important notes:

1. iPhones purchased in mainland China generally do not support eSIM, with the exception of the iPhone Air - Apple's first globally eSIM-only device and the first iPhone with eSIM support available in China
2. iPhone 14, 15, and 16 models purchased in the USA are eSIM-only and do not support physical SIM cards
3. The iPhone 17 is eSIM-only in several markets including the USA, Canada, Japan, UAE, and Mexico
4. From iPhone 13 onwards, two eSIMs can be active simultaneously

If you want to understand how eSIM affects your data usage on an iPhone, the data usage on iPhone guide covers what to expect across different plans and settings.

eSIM Android Phones: The Full Brand-by-Brand Breakdown

Android eSIM support is broader than many people realise, covering not just flagship devices but a growing number of mid-range models too. Here's the current picture across every major Android manufacturer and its eSIM supported phones.

Samsung eSIM Compatible Phones

Samsung introduced mainstream eSIM support with the Galaxy S20 series and has included it across flagships and foldables ever since.

• Galaxy S20, S20+, S20+ 5G, S20 Ultra, S20 Ultra 5G
• Galaxy S21, S21+ 5G, S21 Ultra 5G
• Galaxy S22, S22+, S22 Ultra
• Galaxy S23, S23+, S23 Ultra, S23 FE
• Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra, S24 FE
• Galaxy S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, S25 Edge, S25 FE
• Galaxy S26, S26+, S26 Ultra
• Galaxy Note 20, Note 20 Ultra 5G
• Galaxy Fold, Z Fold2–Z Fold7
• Galaxy Z Flip, Z Flip3–Z Flip7, Z Flip7 FE
• Galaxy Z TriFold
• Galaxy A54, A55 5G, A35, A56, A36

Not compatible: Galaxy S20 FE, US versions of Galaxy S20/S21, Galaxy Z Flip 5G (US), Note 20 Ultra (US and Hong Kong), and most Samsung models sold in South Korea up to the Z Fold3 generation.

Google Pixel eSIM Phones

Google has supported eSIM since the Pixel 2 and has made it a standard feature across every generation since.

• Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, 3 XL, 3a, 3a XL
• Pixel 4, 4a, 4 XL
• Pixel 5, 5a
• Pixel 6, 6a, 6 Pro
• Pixel 7, 7a, 7 Pro
• Pixel 8, 8a, 8 Pro
• Pixel Fold
• Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL
• Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, 10a

Note: Pixel 3 devices from Australia, Japan, and Taiwan and all Google Pixel phones sold in Hong Kong are not eSIM compatible.

Xiaomi eSIM Phones

• Xiaomi 12T Pro, 13, 13 Lite, 13 Pro, 13T, 13T Pro
• Xiaomi 14, 14 Pro, 14T, 14T Pro
• Xiaomi 15, 15 Ultra, 15T, 15T Pro
• Redmi Note 13 Pro+, 14 Pro, 14 Pro+, 15 Pro, 15 Pro+
• Poco X7

Motorola eSIM Phones

• Motorola Razr 2019, 2022, 5G, 40, 40 Ultra, Razr+, Razr+ 2024, Razr 2024, Razr 60, Razr 60 Ultra
• Motorola Edge 2022, 2023, Edge+ 2023, Edge 40, 40 Pro, 40 Neo
• Motorola Edge 50 Pro, 50 Ultra, 50 Fusion
• Motorola Edge 60, 60 Pro, 60 Fusion, 60 Stylus
• Moto G Power 5G (2024), G52J 5G, G53J 5G, G54 5G, G84, G34, G35, G53, G54, G Stylus 5G 2024

OnePlus eSIM Phones

• OnePlus 11, 12, 13, 13R, 13T, 15, Open

Oppo eSIM Phones

• Oppo Find X3, X3 Pro, X5, X5 Pro, X8, X8 Pro, X9, X9 Pro
• Find N2 Flip, N3, N3 Flip
• Reno 5A, 6 Pro 5G, 9A, 14, 14 Pro, 15, 15 Pro
• Oppo A55s 5G

Note: The Oppo Lite line does not support eSIM.

Other Notable eSIM Android Devices

• Huawei P40, P40 Pro, Mate 40 Pro, Pura 70 Pro
• Sony Xperia 10 III Lite, 10 IV, 10 V, 1 IV, 1 V, 1 VI, 5 IV, 5 V, Ace III
• Honor Magic 4 Pro, 5 Pro, 6 Pro, 7 Pro, 8 Pro, Magic V2, V3, Honor 90, X8, 200 Pro, 400 Lite
• Vivo X80 Pro, X90 Pro, X100 Pro, X200, X200s, X200 Pro, X200 FE, X300, X300 Pro, V29, V29 Lite, V40 series
• Fairphone 4, Fairphone 5
• Nokia XR21, X30, G60 5G
• Asus ROG Phone 9, ROG Phone 9 Pro, Zenfone 12 Ultra
• Nothing Phone 3, Nothing Phone 3a Pro
• Realme 14 Pro+, GT 7, GT 8 Pro

For a step-by-step walkthrough of getting set up, the guide on how to install eSIM on Android covers every major manufacturer.

iPads With eSIM Support

eSIM isn't limited to smartphones - several iPad models support it too, provided they have cellular connectivity. Compatible models include the iPad Pro 11″ and 12.9″ (2020 onwards), iPad Air (2019 onwards), iPad Mini (2019 onwards), and iPad 10th generation (2022). Note that Wi-Fi only iPad models do not support eSIM regardless of generation.

How to Check eSIM Compatibility on Your Device Right Now

If your device isn't on any list above or you want to verify before purchasing a plan, here's how to check eSIM compatibility directly on your phone.

On iPhone:

• Go to Settings > General > About
• Scroll down and look for "Available SIM" or "eSIM" - if it appears, your device supports it
• Also check "Carrier Lock" - if it shows anything other than "No SIM restrictions," you'll need to unlock it first

On Android (Samsung):

• Go to Settings > Connections > SIM Manager
• If an "Add eSIM" or "Add mobile plan" option appears, your device supports it

On Android (Other brands):

• Go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs
• Look for an option to add a digital or eSIM plan

Tip: Once you’ve confirmed your device is unlocked and eSIM‑ready, you’re ready to use one of the best eSIM mobile phones for hassle‑free travel connectivity.

Carrier Locks Can Block eSIM Even on Compatible Phones

Carrier locking is the most overlooked barrier to eSIM use. A device can be fully eSIM-capable in terms of hardware and software, but if it was purchased through a carrier on a contract - particularly in the US, UK, or parts of Asia - it may only accept eSIM profiles from that original carrier.

To use any other eSIM, including a travel eSIM from providers like eSIM Cards, the device needs to be unlocked first. Most carriers will unlock a device for free once the contract period has ended - contact your network directly and request an unlock before purchasing any eSIM plan.

If your phone is not carrier locked and is listed in the full compatible list, you can refer to our guide on eSIM not working for troubleshooting steps and fixes.

Make Sure Your Device Is Ready for eSIM

Once you’ve checked that your device is one of eSIM compatible phones and unlocked, setting up a plan is simple and mostly digital. On supported iPhones - including the iPhone 17 series and iPhone Air - and on compatible Androids and iPads, eSIM works just like a physical SIM: no extra hardware, no swapping cards, and two‑line flexibility on newer models. 

If your phone is locked, contact your carrier before buying any eSIM plan, and remember that compatibility is about hardware, software, and carrier status together. With this checklist, you’re ready to stay connected on the go, wherever you travel.

FAQs

Q1. Which phones are compatible with eSIM?

Ans. Most flagship smartphones released from 2018 onwards support eSIM, including iPhones from the XR and XS onwards, Samsung Galaxy devices from the S20 series onwards, all Google Pixel phones from the Pixel 2 XL onwards, and a wide range of mid-range devices from Xiaomi, Motorola, Oppo, OnePlus, Sony, and others. The key requirement beyond hardware compatibility is that the device must also be carrier-unlocked. A full brand-by-brand breakdown is covered above.

Q2. Can I use an electronic SIM card on any smartphone?

Ans. No eSIM only works on devices that have an embedded SIM chip built into the hardware. Older smartphones, budget devices, and certain regional variants of otherwise compatible models do not support it. Even among compatible devices, carrier locking can block third-party eSIM profiles. Always verify both hardware compatibility and carrier lock status before purchasing an eSIM plan.

Q3. Which Android devices support eSIM?

Ans. Android eSIM support spans a wide range of brands and models. The most widely supported include Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, all Google Pixel phones from the Pixel 2 XL onwards, Xiaomi 13 series and newer, Motorola Razr and Edge lines, OnePlus 11 and newer, Oppo Find and Reno series, and selected models from Sony, Honor, Vivo, Huawei, Nothing, and Asus. 

Regional variants of the same model can differ - always confirm the specific model number against the list above.

Q4. Does having eSIM affect my data speed or signal quality?

Ans. No, eSIM does not affect data speed or signal quality in any way. An eSIM connects to the same networks and operates on the same frequencies as a physical SIM card. The only difference is that the SIM profile is stored digitally rather than on a removable chip. Your connection speed depends entirely on the network your eSIM plan runs on and the signal coverage in your location - not on whether you're using an eSIM or a physical SIM.