eSIM is a digital SIM card that is built directly into your phone. Unlike a traditional SIM card that you physically insert into a slot, an eSIM is embedded inside your device from the factory and activated by scanning a QR code.

The "e" stands for embedded. Once activated, it works exactly like a regular SIM card: it connects your phone to a mobile network so you can use data, make calls, and send messages.

The biggest advantage for travelers? You can buy a data plan online before you leave home, receive a QR code by email, scan it, and have your phone ready to use the moment you land in another country. No airport SIM store. No plastic card. No waiting in line.

How is eSIM Different from a Physical SIM Card?

Both eSIM and physical SIM cards do the same job: they connect your phone to a mobile network. The difference is in how you get them, how you manage them, and how convenient they are for travelers.

Format

A physical SIM comes as a small plastic card that you insert into your phone's SIM tray. An eSIM is built directly into your device from the factory. There is no card, no tray, and nothing to insert.

How to activate

With a physical SIM, you buy it at a store and insert it manually. With eSIM, you buy online, receive a QR code by email, and scan it with your camera. The whole process takes less than 5 minutes and you never have to leave your house.

How to switch plans

With a physical SIM, you need to physically swap out the card every time you want to change plans or travel to a new country. With eSIM, you switch plans digitally in your phone's settings. No touching the hardware at all.

Multiple plans at once

A physical SIM can only hold one plan at a time. eSIM can store up to 5 to 8 plans on your device simultaneously, so you can keep your home plan and a travel plan active at the same time. No juggling. No losing your number.

Can you lose it?

Yes, a physical SIM is a tiny card that can be lost, damaged, or stolen. eSIM is embedded inside your phone, so there is nothing to drop or forget in a jacket pocket.

Environmental impact

Physical SIM cards generate plastic waste: the card itself, the packaging, the SIM tray adapters. eSIM is 100% digital. Zero plastic, zero waste.

Which Phones Support eSIM?

Most smartphones released after 2018 support eSIM. Here is a quick overview by brand:

iPhone

eSIM is supported on iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR, and on all iPhone models released after that. From the iPhone 13 series onward, dual eSIM is supported, meaning you can run two eSIM plans at the same time. On iPhone 14 and later models sold in the United States, there is no physical SIM slot at all. The phone is eSIM only.

Samsung Galaxy

eSIM is supported on the Galaxy S20 series and all newer S-series phones. The Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip foldable series also supports eSIM, as does the Galaxy Note 20 series and newer.

Google Pixel

Google Pixel 3 and all newer Pixel models support eSIM.

Other Android brands

Several other manufacturers also support eSIM, including Motorola's Razr series, Sony's Xperia 10 IV and newer, and select models from Xiaomi and Huawei. Support varies by region, so it is worth checking your specific model.

Not sure about your phone? The easiest way to check is to open Settings, go to About Phone on Android or General then About on iPhone, and look for a number labelled EID. If you can see an EID number, your phone supports eSIM. You can also dial the code star hash zero six hash on your keypad. If an EID appears alongside your IMEI, you are good to go.

Here is exactly what happens when you buy and activate a Datapang eSIM:

Step 1: Choose your plan

Go to datapang.com, search for your destination country or region, and pick a data plan that fits your trip. You can choose by country, by region (for example, an Asia bundle or a Europe bundle), by data size, and by validity period.

Step 2: Complete checkout

Pay securely online. Within minutes, you will receive a QR code by email. This QR code is your eSIM. Treat it like a ticket and do not share it with anyone.

Step 3: Scan the QR code

On iPhone: open Settings, tap Cellular, then Add eSIM, then Use QR Code, and point your camera at the QR code in your email. On Android: open Settings, tap Connections or Network, then SIM Manager, then Add eSIM, and scan the QR code. The exact steps vary slightly depending on your phone model, but the process is always the same: Settings, SIM, Add, Scan.

Step 4: Install and label your eSIM

Your phone will download and install the eSIM profile in a few seconds. You will be asked to give it a name. Something like "Japan Trip" or "Datapang Data" helps you keep track of which line is which.

Step 5: Set it as your data link

Go back into your SIM settings and set the Datapang eSIM as your mobile data source. You can keep your home SIM active for calls and texts at the same time.

Step 6: Turn on data roaming

when you land That is the only thing you need to do when your plane touches down. Switch on data roaming in your phone settings, and your phone is immediately connected. No queues. No stores. No stress.

The entire setup process takes less than 5 minutes and you can do it at home before you even pack your suitcase.

💡 Pro tip:

Activate your eSIM while you are still at home on Wi-Fi. That way, the moment your plane lands, you just enable data roaming and you are online before the seatbelt sign even turns off.

💭 Can You Use eSIM and a Physical SIM at the Same Time?

Yes. On most modern smartphones, you can run both at the same time. This is called Dual SIM functionality.

The most common setup for travelers is to keep your regular home SIM for calls and texts, and use your Datapang eSIM for local data in your destination country. This means you stay reachable on your normal phone number while browsing on fast, affordable local data. You never have to tell anyone "I have a new number while I am traveling."

💭 How Many eSIMs Can You Store?

Your phone can typically store between 5 and 20 eSIM profiles at once, though only one or two can be active at a time. This means you can keep your Japan eSIM installed even after your trip ends. If you visit Japan again next year, you may not need to buy a new one. As long as your original plan has not expired, you can simply reactivate it.

💭 Is eSIM Safe?

Yes. eSIM is considered more secure than a physical SIM card for several reasons.

First, you cannot physically steal or clone an eSIM the way you can steal a SIM card. Second, if you lose your phone, the eSIM cannot be removed and transferred to another device without your Apple ID or Google account password. Third, eSIM profiles are encrypted and locked to your specific device hardware.

The network connection itself works identically to a physical SIM. There is no difference in signal quality or security once you are connected.

💭 Does eSIM Affect Battery Life?

No. eSIM uses no more power than a physical SIM card. The embedded chip is extremely low-power and has no measurable effect on your phone's battery life.

💭 What Happens When Your Data Runs Out?

When your data plan runs out, your phone simply stops connecting through that eSIM line. You will not be automatically charged anything extra. All Datapang plans are prepaid with no surprise fees and no overage charges.

You can purchase a new top-up plan from datapang.com at any time. You will receive a new QR code by email and can activate it in seconds.

💭 eSIM vs International Roaming: Which is Cheaper?

International roaming through your home carrier is almost always significantly more expensive than buying a local eSIM. Here is a rough idea of the difference:

1GB of data in Japan typically costs between $10 and $30 through home carrier roaming. The same 1GB through a Datapang Japan eSIM starts from $4.90.

5GB of data across Europe typically costs between $30 and $60 through roaming. A Datapang Europe eSIM covering the same region starts from $12.90.

Beyond the cost, roaming data is often throttled after a certain point, and roaming agreements between carriers affect the speed and reliability you get. With a local eSIM, you are connecting directly to a local carrier network at local speeds.

Frequently Asked Questions About eSIM

What does eSIM stand for?

eSIM stands for embedded SIM. It refers to a SIM card that is permanently built into your device rather than being a removable plastic card.

Do I need Wi-Fi to activate my eSIM?

Yes, you need an internet connection (either Wi-Fi or existing mobile data) to download and install the eSIM profile when you scan the QR code. This is why we recommend activating at home before you travel.

Can I use a Datapang eSIM in any country?

Datapang offers plans for 150 or more countries. Check datapang.com for your specific destination before purchasing to confirm coverage is available.

Can I make phone calls with a Datapang eSIM?

Datapang eSIM plans provide mobile data only. For calls and texts, keep your regular physical SIM active alongside your Datapang eSIM. Both can work at the same time on most phones.

Can I use my eSIM QR code on multiple devices?

No. Each QR code can only be scanned and installed on one device. It is locked to that device once activated.

What happens if I get a new phone?

You will need a new eSIM for your new device. Contact Datapang support and we will help you with a replacement where possible.

Can I top up my eSIM if I run out of data?

Yes. Purchase a new plan on datapang.com and activate the new QR code on your phone. It takes less than 2 minutes.

What is an EID number?

EID stands for Embedded Identity Document. It is the unique identifier for your device's eSIM chip, similar to an IMEI number for a physical SIM. If your phone has an EID, it supports eSIM.

Ready to Try eSIM?

If you have never used eSIM before, the best way to start is with a short trip to a nearby country. Try a small plan, see how easy the setup is, and you will never go back to hunting for a SIM card store at the airport.

Datapang offers eSIM plans for 150 or more countries starting from $4.90. Instant QR code delivery by email. Easy 5-minute activation. Real carrier-grade network quality backed by SKT infrastructure.

Browse Datapang eSIM plans at datapang.com

Have a question before you buy? We are on WhatsApp and reply fast. Find our contact details at datapang.com/support