This is right. I view eSIMs as one among multiple tools in my connectivity toolkit. Alongside online eSIM providers, I have:
- T-Mobile US with free international roaming or a purchased international high speed data pass
- Local SIMs, either physical or eSIM
- Solis (Skyroam) Hotspot
Each option has its use case. If I don't need high speed data, I will default to using T-Mobile. If I need high speed data, I will either use a high speed data pass, a local SIM, an online eSIM, or Solis. The only time I buy a high speed data pass is if there are local Internet restrictions, such as Mainland China where using a local SIM, an online eSIM, or Solis (which pulls a local virtual SIM) will be subject to the same restrictions. If I'll only be in a place for a day or two or am transiting across a couple of locations, I might use my data bucket or activate a day pass with Solis. The good thing about Solis is that day passes offer unlimited data for a 24-hour period upon activation and will work across any covered service area. For instance, if I'm connecting overnight in Hong Kong on my way to Hanoi, I might activate a day pass upon arrival at HKG that would still be usable upon arrival at HAN until I could get a local SIM or activate an eSIM. If I'm staying in a place more than 2 days, I will either buy a local SIM or an online eSIM through Airalo.
I'll still default to using a local SIM over an eSIM from Airalo unless it is difficult to get a local SIM due to a language barrier and/or regulations. For instance, Japan is a location where unless you speak Japanese and are familiar with the process, getting a local SIM would be difficult for most visitors. (I did it once as a visitor in 2012, but that was with the assistance of a local who works in corporate at NTT Docomo.) Your Turkey example is another good one. Perhaps there are no barriers, but I simply don't want to waste time trying to find a shop that will sell a SIM card with a package that I want.
I have multiple stories from 10+ years ago before EU roaming and T-Mobile's free international roaming where instead of going out and enjoying the sights in a city where I would only be there for a couple of days I would be sitting at the desk in my hotel room trying to activate a SIM card. The most egregious case was when I spent €50 on a SIM I purchased at FRA. The store employee said that it was €10 for the SIM, and I'd have €40 credit on the card. Furthermore, the verbally stated tariff was €1/GB per calendar day and €0.10/minute calling back to the US. I was going to be in Germany for about a month, so I figured this was perfect for data every day plus some calls back home. About 3 or 4 days into my trip the service quit working on my way into downtown Frankfurt, and I received a text message stating something like <<Message in German about topping up the account due to balance of 0,00 EUR>>. I went into a shop with the same branding of the SIM I had bought, and the employee there stated that, no, data was instead €1 per 100 MB without a calendar day limit, and, while calls to the US were €0.10/minute, there was a €1 connection fee. I managed to use €40 of credit in a couple of days.
Buying an eSIM allows a customer to read the tariffs and T&Cs while avoiding ripoffs from unscrupulous SIM merchants. An online eSIM is often not the best value option when comparing solely $/GB, but convenience and peace of mind can be a part of the value proposition.
I'm the same way. I have kept my Optus number active for when I go to Australia although it's now A$10 every 6 months since the A$5 option disappeared. Outside of the pandemic, I could usually time the expiration date to one of my annual trips, and Optus allows top ups using an international credit card. Taiwan Mobile is the same way. I also have a 3 UK SIM for trips to the UK, and I'll buy a top up voucher from WHSmith or Boots upon landing at LHR.