eSIM-compatible phones: the full 2026 list

Before the list: the list can be wrong about your specific phone. Manufacturers ship regional variants of the same model with and without eSIM hardware, and a model name alone doesn’t settle it.

The test that always works: open the dialler, type *#06#, and look for a line labelled EID. If there’s a 32-digit EID number, your phone has an eSIM. No EID, no eSIM. Ten seconds, no apps, no guessing. There’s more detail in how to check if your phone supports eSIM.

With that caveat, here’s the model list.

Apple

Every iPhone from the XS, XS Max and XR (2018) onward supports eSIM. That means:

• iPhone XS, XS Max, XR
• iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (2nd generation, 2020) and SE (3rd generation, 2022)
• iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 families, all models
• iPhone Air

Two exceptions worth knowing. iPhones sold in mainland China use dual physical SIM trays and do not support eSIM at all — a common surprise for phones bought while travelling. And from the iPhone 14 onward in the United States, there is no SIM tray: eSIM is the only option, which makes those models the easiest travel phones on the market.

iPads with cellular from the iPad Pro (3rd generation, 2018) and iPad Air (3rd generation) onward also support eSIM, as do Apple Watch models with cellular — though a watch generally needs a plan from the same carrier as the paired iPhone, so travel eSIMs typically don’t work on them.

Google Pixel

• Pixel 3, 3 XL, 3a, 3a XL and every Pixel since — 4, 4a, 5, 5a, 6, 6a, 6 Pro, 7, 7a, 7 Pro, 8, 8a, 8 Pro, 9 series, 10 series
• Pixel Fold and Pixel 9 Pro Fold

The exception: Pixel 3 units sold in Australia, Japan, Taiwan and via some carriers shipped without working eSIM support. Pixel 4 and later are consistent worldwide.

Samsung Galaxy

• S series: Galaxy S20, S21, S22, S23, S24, S25 and S26 families, including Plus and Ultra models. The Galaxy S20 FE supports eSIM in most regions.
• Z series: Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold, all generations
• Note series: Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra
• A series: Galaxy A54, A55, A56 and several other recent mid-range models

Samsung is the manufacturer where regional variants matter most. Galaxy handsets sold in some markets — a number of models sold in the United States on carrier contracts, and certain variants in Africa, South Asia and Latin America — ship without eSIM support despite carrying the same model number as an eSIM-capable phone elsewhere. If you have a Samsung, run *#06# rather than trusting this list.

Other manufacturers

• Motorola — Razr (2019 onward), Razr 40 and 50 series, Edge 40 and later, some G-series models
• Huawei — P40, P40 Pro, Mate 40 Pro (note: no Google services on newer models)
• Oppo — Find X3 Pro, Find X5, Find X8, Reno series from Reno 5A onward in some regions
• Sony — Xperia 10 III onward, Xperia 1 IV and later, Xperia 5 IV and later
• Xiaomi — 12T Pro, 13, 14 and 15 series, some Redmi Note models in European variants
• Honor — Magic 4 Pro and later, Magic V series
• Nothing — Phone (1), (2), (2a), (3) and later
• Fairphone — Fairphone 4 and later
• Rakuten — Mini, Big, Big S, Hand
• Microsoft — Surface Duo and Duo 2, Surface Pro X and later cellular models

Phones that don’t support eSIM

• Every iPhone before the XS, including the original iPhone SE
• Most budget Android handsets under roughly $250, regardless of year
• Most Chinese-domestic-market phones, including iPhones sold in mainland China
• Many carrier-branded and carrier-locked handsets, even when the underlying model supports it

Supported but locked: the other half of the question

A phone can have an eSIM and still refuse to install one. Handsets bought on contract or on an instalment plan are frequently carrier-locked, and a locked phone downloads a travel eSIM profile and then fails to activate it.

On iPhone, check Settings, General, About, Carrier Lock — it should read No SIM restrictions. On Android, ask your carrier; the setting is buried or absent depending on manufacturer.

Unlocking is usually free once the contract or instalment plan is complete, but it can take a few days, so it’s a before-you-book question rather than a night-before one.

What “supported” actually gets you

An eSIM-capable phone can hold multiple profiles — recent iPhones store eight or more, with two active simultaneously. That’s what lets you keep your home number live for calls and verification codes while a travel plan carries the data.

Confirmed your phone works? Pick a destination — Japan from $5, Italy from $5.50, Kenya from $12.50, or browse all 186 destinations — then follow the install guide.