Quick answer
Is an eSIM or a physical SIM better for travel?
An eSIM suits travel data when your phone is compatible and unlocked; a physical SIM suits phones without eSIM support or travelers needing a local number. eSIMwithCrypto sells an eSIM paid in crypto: Japan 5 GB for 30 days costs $7.39, with no phone number. Updated 15 October 2026.
What are the key facts?
| Physical SIM needed for travel data? | No, if your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked |
|---|---|
| eSIM-only phones | Apple iPhone 17 models in 12 markets (US, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Gulf states…); iPhone Air everywhere; Google Pixel 10 phones sold in the US, except the 10 Pro Fold |
| Phones with eSIM | Apple iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and later; Google Pixel 3a and later; Samsung Galaxy S20 to S26, Z Fold, Z Flip and some A models |
| Your usual SIM | Stays in the phone: dual SIM keeps it on for calls and bank codes |
| Phones without eSIM | Most iPhones bought in mainland China; some iPhone models sold in Hong Kong and Macao |
| Local SIM | Usually needs a passport and registration; 19 of 28 European countries studied require prepaid registration |
| eSIMwithCrypto | Data-only eSIMs for 202 destinations, from $0.89 |
eSIM vs physical SIM: which is better for a trip?
| Travel eSIM (eSIMwithCrypto) | Local physical SIM | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you get it | Online, before you leave | Usually in a shop in the country |
| ID at purchase | None at our checkout | Passport in most countries we checked |
| Phone number | No: data only | Usually yes, a local number |
| Your usual SIM | Stays in the phone (dual SIM) | Comes out if the phone has one SIM slot and no eSIM |
| Installation | QR code or activation code, on Wi-Fi | Card swap with a SIM tool |
| Phones | Unlocked phones with eSIM | Unlocked phones with a SIM tray |
| Payment | Crypto: USDT, USDC, BTC, ETH, SOL or LTC | Depends on the shop |
Do I still need a physical SIM card to travel?
Not for mobile data on an eSIM phone. A travel eSIM is a digital profile. You install it at home with a QR code or an activation code, and switch it on when you land.
Phone makers are dropping the SIM tray. Apple sells iPhone 17 models without a SIM tray in 12 markets. They are Bahrain, Canada, Guam, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the US and the US Virgin Islands. The iPhone Air is eSIM-only everywhere. Google's Pixel 10 phones sold in the US are eSIM-only, except the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
You still need a physical SIM in two cases: your phone has no eSIM, or you want a local number from a local operator.
Which phones can use a travel eSIM?
Most phones sold in recent years, if they are not locked to a carrier:
- iPhone: iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and later. An iPhone stores eight or more eSIMs, and two lines can be active at once (Apple).
- Google Pixel: Pixel 3a and later; a Pixel 3a bought in Japan does not take two SIMs. From the Pixel 7, two eSIMs can be active, if the carrier allows it.
- Samsung Galaxy: S20 to S26, the FE models, Z Fold and Z Flip, and some A models. Samsung warns that eSIM may not work on a listed model, depending on its country of origin.
To check any phone, dial *#06#: if an EID number appears, the phone supports eSIM. A phone locked to a carrier can install a travel eSIM but will not connect with it. Model by model: eSIM-compatible phones and carrier-locked phones.
Can I keep my physical SIM and add a travel eSIM?
Yes. This is dual SIM: your usual SIM, physical or eSIM, stays on next to the travel eSIM. On iPhone 13 and later, a physical SIM and an eSIM, or two eSIMs, can be active at the same time (Apple).
- Travel eSIM: mobile data, with data roaming on.
- Your usual SIM: calls, SMS and bank codes (2FA), with data roaming off if you want to avoid roaming data charges.
Your operator may still charge for calls and texts you receive abroad. Our eSIMs are data-only, so they never replace your number: what a data-only eSIM is.
When does a local physical SIM still make sense?
When your phone has no eSIM, or when you need a local number. Expect an ID check: at least 155 countries required proof of identity for a SIM in 2020, according to the GSMA. Local registration laws target local SIM cards; we found no rule that targets travel eSIMs in roaming (checked October 9, 2026).
Local SIM rules we found (checked October 9, 2026)
| Country | What a local SIM requires | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | Passport and real-name registration | Goods Across Borders |
| Thailand | Passport and registration in person; at most 3 SIMs per operator for foreigners since 16 May 2026; live face check since 18 August 2025 | Tilleke & Gibbins; MobileIDWorld |
| UAE | Passport with a visa, or an Emirates ID | Gulf News |
| South Korea | Facial recognition or a mobile ID for new lines since 6 July 2026 | The Korea Times |
| Japan | ID for voice SIMs; a law amended on 22 May 2026 extends ID checks to data SIM contracts (entry into force not found) | Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications |
| Europe | Prepaid registration in 19 of 28 countries studied; ID required in Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Belgium and Cyprus | Cullen International |
eSIMwithCrypto asks for. Local laws still apply in the country you visit.
Can a travel eSIM work on a tablet, a watch or a laptop?
On a tablet with cellular data, yes; on a watch or a Mac, no.
- iPad: cellular iPads support eSIM from the iPad (7th generation), iPad mini (5th generation) and iPad Air (3rd generation) onward. iPad Pro models from 2018 support it too. The iPad Pro (M4) and iPad Air (M2) are eSIM-only. Wi-Fi-only iPads have no eSIM.
- Apple Watch: travel eSIMs generally do not install on the watch, which shares the iPhone's number (esimdb). Install the eSIM on the iPhone: the watch uses its connection when they are close.
- Mac: no Mac had cellular data or eSIM in July 2026, according to Firsty. Share the phone's connection instead, where your plan allows hotspot: hotspot rules.
What else should I know before buying?
Do I need a physical SIM card for international travel anymore?
Not if your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked. A travel eSIM installs with a QR code over Wi-Fi, before you leave. Keep your usual SIM in the phone for calls and bank codes: dual SIM runs both. You still need a physical SIM only if your phone has no eSIM, or if you want a local number.
Can I use an eSIM and a physical SIM at the same time?
Yes, on dual SIM phones. On iPhone 13 and later, a physical SIM and an eSIM, or two eSIMs, can be active at once (Apple). Use the travel eSIM for data and your physical SIM for calls and SMS. Turn on data roaming for the eSIM only, so that your data stays on the travel plan.
My phone has no SIM tray. Can I travel with it?
Yes: an eSIM-only phone works with a travel eSIM. In 12 markets, including the US, Canada, Mexico and Japan, iPhone 17 models are eSIM-only. The iPhone Air is eSIM-only everywhere. Pixel 10 phones sold in the US, except the 10 Pro Fold, are eSIM-only too. Install the travel eSIM before you leave.
Do I need my passport to buy a travel eSIM?
Not at eSIMwithCrypto: there is no ID, no selfie and no document at checkout, and you pay in crypto. A local SIM is different: China, the UAE, Thailand and South Korea check ID for new local lines. Local registration laws target local SIM cards; we found no rule that targets travel eSIMs in roaming (checked October 9, 2026).
Will a travel eSIM work on an iPhone bought in China?
Only on some models. According to Apple, only five iPhones bought in mainland China support eSIM: the 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, iPhone Duo, iPhone 17e and iPhone Air. Other China-bought iPhones have two nano-SIM trays and no eSIM. Some models sold in Hong Kong and Macao also use two nano-SIM cards.
Can I put a travel eSIM on my Apple Watch?
No: travel eSIMs generally do not install on Apple Watch, which shares the iPhone's number (esimdb). Put the eSIM on your iPhone: the watch then uses the iPhone's connection over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi when they are close. A cellular watch can roam only if the iPhone's carrier supports it (Apple).
Which sources support this guide? (21)
- Set up eSIM on iPhone (Apple Support 118669) — Apple (checked 2026-10-15)
- Dual SIM on iPhone (support article 109317) — Apple (2026-09-17)
- eSIM on iPhone and China mainland (support article 123879) — Apple (checked 2026-10-15)
- Use an eSIM on your Pixel phone — Google (checked 2026-10-15)
- Galaxy eSIM and supported network carriers — Samsung UK (checked 2026-10-15)
- iPhone 17: eSIM-only markets — heise online (checked 2026-10-09)
- Canadian iPhone 17 models will only have eSIM — MobileSyrup (2025-09-09)
- iPad models with eSIM (iPad User Guide) — Apple (checked 2026-10-09)
- iPad models eSIM-only (Apple Platform Deployment) — Apple (checked 2026-10-09)
- Thailand mandates biometric verification for SIM card registration — MobileIDWorld (checked 2026-10-09)
- International roaming on Apple Watch (support article 119601) — Apple (2026-09-15)
- Does Apple Watch work with a travel eSIM? — esimdb (checked 2026-10-09)
- eSIM for MacBook firsty.app/esim-for-macbook — Firsty (checked 2026-10-09)
- Can I use an eSIM on a locked phone? firsty.app/post/can-i-use-esim-on-a-locked-phone — Firsty (checked 2026-10-09)
- Access to mobile services and proof of identity (2020) — GSMA (2020-03)
- 19 EU countries mandate the registration of prepaid customers — Cullen International (2025-10-08)
- Thailand tightens telecom registration rules — Tilleke & Gibbins (2026-05-19)
- Mobile phone activation rules tighten with a facial recognition option — The Korea Times (2026-07-05)
- SIM registration in the UAE: what you need to know — Gulf News (checked 2026-10-09)
- SIM cards in China: rules for visitors — Goods Across Borders (checked 2026-10-09)
- Press release on identity checks for data SIM contracts — Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan (2026-08-03)
Ready to choose your travel eSIM?
Keep your SIM for calls, add a data-only eSIM from $0.89, paid in crypto.