FlyerTalk Forums - eSIM thread

Free data/trials (control-f to find the actual section for each provider)

Eskimo 1GB 2year - Note: Even though Eskimo is based in Singapore, Singapore is not one of the included countries, probably due to regulatory reasons
RedBullMobile 100MB 1year
Yesim 350 coins 1 year
ExtremeConnect

Device
Be ADVISED: ALL Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong version of EVERY Phone DOES NOT HAVE SUPPORT for eSim

Best device = Apple iPhone
1. Supports dual eSIM (most android phones w/ eSIM have 1 physical + 1 eSIM slot, but cannot use 2 eSIMs together)
2. Depending on carrier, supports DSDV (VoLTE voice calls on sim1 gets routed through sim2.data, as though you were doing WiFi calling)
3. Some androids might support DSDV
esim.me
1. Allows you to use eSIM on non-native eSIM device
2. Requires supported/modern phone
3. Pricey / confusing options

Useful search sites

eSIM features to consider

Network coverage
1. which networks are supported (not all eSIM list the networks, and networks can change overtime)
2. You may want to avoid lower-tier networks or if your phone doesn't support their LTE/5G bands
Amount of data
1. "Unlimited" data typically has fair usage in ToS/fineprint, eg 0.5-1GB per day or 1GB every 3 days, reset on 4th day midnight. may or may not allow hotspot
2. Generally data-limited plans allow full-speed w/ hotspot, some offer slow 128kbps after you hit the limit while others cut you off immediately)
length of coverage
1. eg: 1 day, 3 day, 7 day, 30day, 180day, 365day, noExpiry
Country coverage (single country, regional/EU, global)
Proxy/Latency/IP
1. Most eSIM providers route you back to their main network, which can incur latency
2. Your searches will probably geo-locate back to that main network (instead of the country you're in)
3. Some of your apps may not work (eg Pandora radio only works in USA, won't work in another country)
Data sharing / transfering of eSIM to new device
1. A few providers allow you to share data, so you can split one plan with multiple eSIM devices (Eskimo, Dent, Vegolink)
2. Many providers only allow you to activate eSIM profile once. if you have to switch phones, you either lose that data, or have to pay a token amount to get a new eSIM profile with the remaining balance
Price/GB
How data is counted per session
1. Usually in ToS, usually its rounded up per 1KB/10KB/100KB/1MB increments. Obviously smaller increment is better
Method of activation
1. Some providers require you to use their app to load the eSIM
2. Others send you QR code and/or activation URL, for you to manually load onto phone
3. You need valid network access (via wifi or existing mobile data) to activate eSIM
Expiry countdown
1. Some providers start counting down expiry once you purchase, or once you activate eSIM onto phone, or once you set foot into country
Speed
1. generally these eSIM providers get low priority, could be a problem if there is network congestion
2. you may want to consider a proper provider over an MVNO
Visual Voicemail - it seems depending on the phone and carrier, Visual Voicemail might require a Cellular Connection through your provider or their roaming partners. So, Visual Voicemail might not work if you are using a data-only eSIM with roaming turned off for your "home line"

Unique feature

Ubigi
1. free eSIM profile. If you don't have valid plan, the eSIM still allows you to connect & browse ubigi.me (and purchase data via creditcard/paypal)
2. Seems native geo-located IP but still through a regional proxy with some latency (Transactel owns part of Ubigi, and Transactel has their own backend)

Longer term data (180day to no expiry)

Yesim (coins expire 1 year)
Dent (1 year)
Eskimo (2 year)
Esimplus (no expiry)
AIS eSIM2Fly topup (365 day)
3HK (365 day)

PAYG data

Yesim (varies, deducts from sharedWallet)
Dent (10/GB)
RedBullMobile (varies, need to prepay per GB)