eSIM-Compatible Smartphones: Full List by Brand and Model [2026]

In summary: eSIM-compatible smartphones in 2026 include virtually all iPhones since the XS (2018), Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, all Google Pixels since the 3, and a good portion of Motorola, Xiaomi, OPPO, and Sony's high-end ranges. Check by dialing *#06# on your mobile before traveling: if an EID number appears, your phone has eSIM.

If you're about to book a trip and wonder if your phone will be able to use an eSIM at your destination, the short answer is: probably yes. The list of eSIM-compatible smartphones in 2026 is huge, because almost all major manufacturers have adopted it as a standard in their mid-to-high-end range. Still, not all models have it—especially in the entry-level range—and there are nuances depending on where you bought the phone and which operator sold it. This guide includes the list by brand and model, how to check in 30 seconds, and what to do if your phone is not compatible.

What exactly does "eSIM-compatible" mean?

A phone is eSIM-compatible when it has a programmable chip (embedded SIM) integrated from the factory, where an operator profile can be installed via software, without a physical card. If you've never used one, we explain it calmly in what a virtual eSIM is. For this guide, the important thing is this: that a model "has eSIM" does not always mean that it is activated for any operator in any country. Three nuances are repeated in almost all manufacturers:

• Purchase region: the same model may come with eSIM in Europe but not have it (or have it locked) if purchased in mainland China or, in some cases, in markets with different regulations.
• Carrier lock: a phone purchased with a contract may have the eSIM locked to that carrier for a period, even if the hardware fully supports it.
• Exact model version: within the same family (for example, standard Galaxy A55 and regional variants), there may be hardware differences between countries.

With that clear, let's go to the list by manufacturer.

Complete list of iPhones with eSIM (2018-2026)

Apple was a pioneer in eSIM for mass-market smartphones. Since the iPhone XS (2018), all iPhones include eSIM. Since the iPhone 14 (2022), models sold in the United States removed the physical SIM slot and are eSIM-only. In Europe and Latin America, iPhones still offer eSIM + physical slot (Dual SIM): if you travel with an iPhone purchased in Spain or the EU, you can almost certainly keep your usual SIM and add the travel eSIM without touching anything.

Important note for iPhones purchased in mainland China: iPhones sold in China do not include eSIM, due to Chinese government regulations. If you have an iPhone purchased there, verify the exact model with the EID code before attempting to activate an eSIM, as it is externally identical to the global version.

Samsung Galaxy compatible with eSIM (complete list)

If you have a Galaxy A and are unsure if your unit includes eSIM, don't rely solely on the commercial name: check the EID in settings before purchasing the plan, as there are real differences between variants within the A series.

Google Pixel with eSIM

Google was one of the first brands to embrace eSIM for Android. The first Pixels with Fi support already included a limited eSIM, but since the Pixel 3 (2018), it's standard and works with any compatible operator.

Motorola, Xiaomi/Redmi, OPPO, and other Android brands

Outside the Apple-Samsung-Google trio, compatibility depends much more on the specific model than on the brand. This is where most people make mistakes: they assume that "all high-end devices" have eSIM, which is not always the case.

With Redmi, you need to be careful: the entry-level range generally does not include eSIM, and only some recent Note models have started to incorporate it. Don't assume eSIM is present without checking.

How to check if your smartphone has eSIM (in under a minute)

There are three ways to check, and we recommend doing at least two to be sure before buying anything.

Method 1 — Phone Settings

• iPhone: Settings → General → About → SIM Card Number. If you see "Digital SIM" or "eSIM," your iPhone is compatible.
• Android: Settings → Connections / Network → SIM Manager / SIM Administrator. If the option "Add digital SIM" or "eSIM" appears, it is compatible.

Method 2 — USSD Code

Dial *#06# on the call keypad. If the phone displays an EID (Embedded Identity Document) number in addition to the IMEI, it has an integrated physical eSIM. If you only see the IMEI, it does not.

Method 3 — Directly look for the EID

• iPhone: Settings → General → About → EID.
• Samsung: Settings → About phone → Status → eSIM information → EID.

Once you confirm that your model appears above and that the EID exists, the next step is to install the profile. We explain how to do this step-by-step in how to install an eSIM: it usually involves scanning a QR code and takes less than five minutes.

eSIM vs Dual SIM: what's the difference (and why it matters if you travel)

This is one of the most frequently asked questions, so let's get to the point: a phone can be "Dual SIM" in three different ways, and they are not the same.

For travel, the physical SIM + eSIM setup is the most practical in most cases: you keep your usual number on the physical SIM for SMS and calls, and you activate the data eSIM for your destination without touching any tray. If you also want to understand the difference between this and your operator's traditional roaming, you can find it broken down in eSIM vs roaming.

My phone doesn't have an eSIM: what alternatives do I have?

If, after checking with *#06#, you find that your smartphone does not support eSIM, don't worry, you have three reasonable options:

1. Local physical SIM: buy a SIM card at your destination. This is usually the cheapest option, but it means finding a store as soon as you land and dealing with paperwork. Compare both routes in detail in international chip vs eSIM.
2. MiFi router with eSIM: an eSIM-compatible pocket router acts as a WiFi hotspot, and your phone (even if it doesn't have an eSIM) connects via WiFi. Also useful if you are traveling in a group.
3. Roaming from your usual operator: the most convenient option, but in most cases also the most expensive outside the EU. We only recommend it for very short stays.

Common errors and myths about eSIM compatibility

What almost no one tells you before buying a travel eSIM, and that can save you a disappointment:

"If my phone is recent, it surely has an eSIM"

Not always. Some models launched in 2024 and 2025 in the entry-level range (especially affordable Androids) still do not include it. The release date gives an indication, but does not replace checking the EID.

"If it has an eSIM, any operator will work"

Compatible hardware is only the first requirement. A phone bought with a contract may have the eSIM locked to that company for a period, which is independent of the classic "factory unlocked" we know for physical SIMs. Ask your operator before traveling, not upon arrival.

"Bought in any country is the same"

No. It has already been mentioned with China, but it also happens with some regional models where the eSIM comes disabled by software even if the physical chip is present. If you bought the phone outside your usual country, that's the first thing to check.

"Activating the eSIM before leaving home is always the best option"

It depends on the profile. Some eSIMs activate upon installation and others only when they first detect the destination's network; installing the profile at home with WiFi (without activating it yet) avoids relying on airport WiFi, but it's advisable to check the plan's details on how activation works before assuming anything.

"With eSIM, I no longer need to worry about battery life or data consumption"

On the contrary: because it's so easy to switch profiles, it's easy to leave mobile data active in the background for apps you don't need at your destination. A little-known trick: check which apps have access to roaming data and disable those you won't be using daily. You'll find specific saving tips in how to save data with your travel eSIM.

Frequently asked questions about eSIM-compatible smartphones

Which phones are eSIM compatible in 2026?

Generally speaking: all iPhones since the XS (2018), all Samsung Galaxy S since the S20, all Z Fold and Z Flip series, all Google Pixels since the 3, and a good part of the high-end from Motorola, Xiaomi, OPPO/OnePlus, Sony, and Huawei. The entry-level range of almost all brands remains the most irregular, so it's advisable to check model by model with the code *#06#.

Does the second-generation iPhone SE have an eSIM?

Yes. The second-generation iPhone SE (2020) includes eSIM. The first-generation (2016) does not. If you have doubts, dial *#06# and check if an EID appears.

Does PuraSIM eSIM work with Samsung Galaxy A?

It depends on the model. Galaxy A55, A54, A53, and A35 generally do have eSIM. Galaxy A25, A15, and more affordable models may not. Verify with the EID method (*#06#) before purchasing.

Can I use two eSIMs at once on the same phone?

iPhones since the 14 (US eSIM-only version) and some premium Androids (Galaxy S21 onwards, Pixel 7 onwards) support Dual eSIM: two active profiles at once without any physical SIM. In most current Androids, the usual setup is 1 physical SIM + 1 eSIM, switching between profiles from settings.

Do Xiaomi Redmi phones have eSIM?

Entry-level Redmi phones generally do not. In Xiaomi, it's mostly available in high-end Xiaomi (not Redmi) models, like the 13/14 Pro. Some recent higher-end Redmi Note models (Note 13 Pro+, Note 14 Pro) do include it; it's advisable to check the official specifications.

Can my eSIM-compatible phone be locked to an operator?

Yes. Some phones with an operator contract may have the eSIM locked to that company for a period, usually between 12 and 24 months, which is independent of network unlocking for physical SIMs. To use a travel eSIM, your phone also needs to be unlocked for eSIM: ask your operator before traveling.

My phone is compatible, how do I activate an eSIM for my next trip now?

Install the profile (usually with a QR code) before or upon arrival at your destination, depending on the plan. If your next destination is Europe or the United States, check out eSIM for Europe or eSIM for the United States; if you're staying in Spain, you have eSIM for Spain.

In summary: check your model before booking the plan

In 2026, eSIM compatibility is almost universal in mid-range and high-end smartphones: any iPhone since the XS, practically all Samsung Galaxy S and Z, all Google Pixels since the 3, and a significant portion of high-end Android phones have eSIM. If your smartphone was launched after 2022, it is very likely to have it. Even so, the only step that truly confirms compatibility is to dial *#06# and check the EID before purchasing any plan. With a compatible phone, you'll land with active internet from the first minute, without roaming and without stress.

Written by Marc González Sáez Founder of PuraSim and a specialist in eSIM and connectivity for travelers. He has been helping people travel connected worldwide for years without overpaying for roaming, and personally tests eSIMs in each destination before recommending them.