Before you buy
Which Android phones have eSIM: Samsung, Pixel, Xiaomi and the rest
On Android it depends on the model and on the country it was sold in. The families that have it, and the check that never fails.
Dani Requena 6 min Photo by Carlos Aguilar on Unsplash With Android there's no cut-off date after which everything has eSIM, the way there is with the iPhone. There are many manufacturers, many ranges and, above all, many regional versions of the same handset, so the only reliable answer is the one the phone itself gives you.
That said, there's a general map that helps you get your bearings before you look.
Samsung
The flagship range has had it since the S20 series, including the Note20 and the whole folding family, Z Fold and Z Flip. On later series it's standard.
In the mid range it's patchier: some A series models have it in one market and not in another. This is where trusting a list you found online goes wrong most often.
Google Pixel
Pixels have had eSIM for many generations and it's one of the brands where it works best. On some older models sold in certain countries there were operator-dependent limitations, but on recent ones it's standard.
Xiaomi, Oppo, OnePlus, Motorola and Huawei
- Xiaomi includes it in recent flagship ranges sold in Europe, not across every series or every market.
- Oppo and OnePlus have it on several flagship models, again with country differences.
- Motorola includes it in the razr family and in some Edge models.
- Huawei has it on models like the P40 and Mate 40, with the well known caveat that its recent phones don't come with Google services.
The conclusion is the same for all four: the model isn't enough, you have to check the specific version you're holding.
The check that never fails
- Open Settings.
- Go into Connections, or Network & internet depending on the brand.
- Find the SIM or SIM cards section.
- If you see the option to add an eSIM, download a SIM or add a mobile plan, your phone supports it.
There's a second route that's equally valid: dial the device information code that shows the EID. If your phone has an EID identifier, it has eSIM.
And a third, the most direct of all: search for the word eSIM in Settings. Almost every Android skin has a search box inside the settings.
Why the same model has eSIM in one country and not another
Because manufacturers adapt the handset to each market, and eSIM depends both on the hardware including it and on the software enabling it. In markets where operators didn't support it, the same model was sold for years without it.
That's why an imported phone may not have it even though a spec sheet online says it does.
The second condition: an unlocked phone
Just as with the iPhone, a handset locked by an operator won't take anyone else's line, physical or digital. It's the first thing to rule out if the option to add an eSIM appears but the install fails.
The steps to install it, once your phone checks out, are in how to install the eSIM before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Which Android phones have eSIM?
Samsung's flagship range from the S20 series, recent Google Pixel generations, and several models from Xiaomi, Oppo, OnePlus, Motorola and Huawei. It also depends on the country the handset was sold in.
How do I know if my Android has eSIM?
In Settings, in the SIM section, look for the option to add an eSIM or download a SIM. Searching for the word eSIM in the settings search box works too.
Do mid-range Samsungs have eSIM?
Some do and some don't, and it varies by market. It's the range where a generic list is least reliable, so it's worth checking on the phone itself.
Why doesn't my phone have eSIM if its spec sheet says it does?
Because manufacturers sell different versions of the same model depending on the country, and in some markets it shipped without eSIM enabled.
What if my phone doesn't support eSIM?
For travelling there's still a local SIM at your destination or a rented portable router. And when you next change phone, check the new one has it.
