paperwastage

Note that I'm using esim.me , not a true esim phone.

See this post for screenshots
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/34848505-post703.html


Ubigi esim (there's a 10% off code floating around).

Pros:.

1. 3GB/30day@$8 , 10GB/30day@$17 , and others. Pretty cheap
2. exit IP is in Japan (owned by Transactel), so google incognito tab shows me in Japan , but see the ping con below
3. You can test Ubigi before buying(activate free esim on your phone, make sure you can connect to network), and can purchase data plan without any wifi connection ( use Ubigi data connection to purchase even if u don't have an active plan as long as you activated esim already)
4. Tethering worked
5. Zero issues on LTE (phone isn't 5G capable)
6. Anyone connected thru tethering, can load Ubigi.me webpage on browser without authentication to show leftover data/time (or you can use app)
7. Ubigi eSIM can be moved to another device (up to 5 times).

Cons:.

1. ping shows it's proxying via Singapore (meter.net global proxy shows Singapore lowest at 120ms and Japan at 180ms, even if IP geolocates to japan

Others:

1. cheap for Japan, but not cheap elsewhere. In USA, exit IP was NYC transactel with low ping
2. ​​​​​​I believe i was connected to softbank but not 100% sure (the network operator shows up as Ubigi)
3. Based on this, might worth it to activate free Ubigi sim, and use it if you are in a desperate situation (in any supported country) with no wifi access

Airalo ($3 off referral or 10% off code floating around)
Pros.

1. 20GB /30day@$26 is cheapest, 10gb/30day @$18 and 3gb/30day@$8.5 is on par with ubigi
2. App works on non-eSIM phone (it does warn you that phone doesn't support esim... After purchase, you have access to the QR code or manual SM-DP activation code
3. Tethering worked

Cons

1. Exit IP is Singapore (Singtel 140ms) , so geolocated stuff might not work as well.

Others

1. I had poor experience with airalo, not sure if it's related to my use of esim.me
   1. 2 of the 3 phones refuses to work. After toggling airplane mode, LTE connected to KDDI, but disconnect immediately after 5s (i used one of these two phones to load the SM-DP code onto esim.me
   2. DOCOMO refuses to work on any phone even though app says it should
   3. Manual connect to DOCOMO/KDDI did not work
   4. Third phone connected to KDDI, but periodic issues (1-3 times a day, full signal/bars, but data stuck. Cycling airplane mode would work). One time inside don quijote, full signal/bars but no data even after cycling. Softbank via T-Mobile USA worked