Checking eSIM support before you travel
Before buying a travel eSIM, it is worth spending two minutes confirming your phone actually supports it. Most phones released from 2018 onwards do, but there are real exceptions, especially on budget Android models, and the difference between an eSIM-capable phone and one that isn't can mean the difference between a five-minute setup and a frustrating discovery at the airport.
The quickest check: go to Settings → General → About (iPhone) or Settings → Connections → SIM manager (Samsung/most Android). If you see any mention of "Add eSIM" or "Download a SIM", your phone supports it. On iPhone specifically, you can also check under Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM — if this option exists, you're set.
What exactly is an eSIM?
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM built directly into your phone's hardware, rather than a physical card you insert. Instead of receiving a plastic SIM card in the post, you scan a QR code provided by your network or travel SIM provider, and the profile downloads directly onto your device. This typically takes a few minutes and can be done anywhere with WiFi, including before you even leave home.
The technology has existed since around 2018 but has become genuinely mainstream only in the last few years, as more networks and travel SIM providers have built proper eSIM support into their offerings.
eSIM compatibility by brand
Apple: iPhone XS, XR and every model released since supports eSIM. This includes iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 across all variants and storage sizes. iPhone X and earlier do not support it at all, and if you're using one of these older models, a physical travel SIM remains your only option.
Worth noting: iPhone 14 and later models sold in the United States are eSIM-only, with no physical SIM tray whatsoever. UK versions of the same iPhone models still include a physical SIM tray alongside eSIM support, so this specific limitation generally doesn't affect UK buyers — but it's worth checking if you've imported a device from the US.
Samsung: Galaxy S20 onwards support eSIM, along with the Z Fold and Z Flip foldable ranges, and Galaxy Note 20 and later. This is a genuinely long list of supported devices given how central Samsung is to the UK Android market.
However, many Galaxy A-series budget models — a very common choice for value-focused buyers — do not support eSIM even in current 2026 releases. If you own an A-series phone specifically, this is worth double-checking model by model rather than assuming based on the wider Samsung range, since support varies significantly even within the same product line.
Google: Every Pixel from the Pixel 3 onwards supports eSIM, making it one of the most consistently eSIM-friendly device lines on the market. This includes the full Pixel 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 series across all their variants (standard, Pro, and where applicable, XL models).
Other Android brands: OnePlus, Sony, and other Android manufacturers have varying levels of eSIM support that depend heavily on model and region. If you own a device from a brand not listed here, checking the settings menu path above is the most reliable way to confirm support, since blanket statements about entire brands are less reliable outside Apple, Samsung and Google's more consistent rollouts.
Network locking — the other thing to check
Even if your phone supports eSIM technically, it needs to be unlocked from your current UK network to accept a different provider's eSIM or SIM. Most phones bought outright, SIM-free, are unlocked by default. Phones bought on a contract, however, are frequently locked to that network until the contract ends, or until you specifically request an unlock.
Checking this is straightforward: contact your current network (or check their app/website) and ask directly whether your device is unlocked. Most UK networks will confirm this within a few minutes, and if it's locked, most will unlock it for free once your contract term has been fulfilled, or for a small fee if you're still mid-contract.
This is genuinely the more common stumbling block compared to eSIM compatibility itself — many people assume their phone doesn't support eSIM when the real issue is that it's locked to their current network.
What if your phone doesn't support eSIM at all?
You are not stuck without options if your phone predates eSIM support. A physical travel SIM card works identically in terms of the actual connectivity and pricing — WorldSIM and several other providers on GadgetRank offer physical SIM options alongside eSIM, so you lose no functionality by going the traditional route.
Alternatively, a portable WiFi device sidesteps the SIM question entirely, since it connects to your phone over WiFi rather than requiring anything inserted into, or downloaded onto, the phone itself. This is also a genuinely strong option if you're travelling with an older phone that has neither eSIM support nor accepts a nano-SIM format that's common on newer travel SIM kits.
Choosing between your options
If your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked, read our comparison of KnowRoaming vs WorldSIM to pick between two of the most established providers. If you are travelling with family or a group, WiFi Hire vs eSIM covers when a shared connection works out better value than individual eSIMs for everyone.
The bottom line
For the vast majority of phones bought in the last five to six years, eSIM support is genuinely not the limiting factor — network locking is far more likely to catch people out, and it's worth checking both before you travel. Both checks together take under ten minutes and can save a real headache once you land. If either turns out to be a problem, a physical SIM or portable WiFi device remains a fully capable fallback with no loss of connectivity quality.
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