Not sure if your phone is on the eSIM compatible phones list? You can check in 10 seconds — and if it is, you’ll save yourself the hassle of buying a physical SIM at a European airport. Most phones made after 2020 support eSIM, but “most” isn’t “all.” Some budget Androids, older flagships, and carrier-locked devices don’t.
This guide gives you the complete eSIM compatible phones list for 2026, plus the fastest way to check yours before your trip.
Quick answer: If you have an iPhone XS (2018) or newer, any Samsung Galaxy S20 or newer, or a Google Pixel 3 or newer — your phone supports eSIM. Check below for the full list.
Why trust this guide? I’m based in Portugal and I compare eSIM providers for European travelers full-time. Every device on this list is verified against current manufacturer specifications.
How to Check if Your Phone Supports eSIM (10 Seconds)
iPhone
Go to Settings → General → About → scroll to EID. If you see a long number, your iPhone supports eSIM. If there’s no EID field, it doesn’t.
Also check: Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock. If it says “No SIM restrictions,” your phone is unlocked and ready for a travel eSIM. If it says anything else, contact your carrier to unlock it before your trip.
Android (Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi)
Go to Settings → About Phone → look for EID or IMEI (eSIM). If either appears, you’re good. On Samsung: Settings → Connections → SIM Manager — if “Add eSIM” appears as an option, your phone supports it.
Alternative method (any phone): Dial *#06# — if an EID number appears alongside your IMEI, your phone has eSIM hardware.
Which Phones Support eSIM in 2026?
Most flagship phones released after 2019 support eSIM, but compatibility still varies by brand, model, and region. Below you’ll find the full eSIM compatible phones list for iPhone, Samsung, Google Pixel, and other Android brands.
Other Android brands are also stepping up their game with newer esim compatible phones.
iPhone: Complete eSIM Compatible List
Apple introduced eSIM support with the iPhone XS in 2018, and every iPhone released since then supports it. Newer models support dual eSIM profiles, and US models from iPhone 14 onward no longer include a physical SIM tray.
| Model | Year | eSIM | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 / 16 Pro / 16 Pro Max | 2024 | ✅ | Dual eSIM (US models: eSIM only, no SIM tray) |
| iPhone 15 / 15 Pro / 15 Pro Max | 2023 | ✅ | Dual eSIM (US models: eSIM only) |
| iPhone 14 / 14 Pro / 14 Pro Max | 2022 | ✅ | US models: eSIM only. International: eSIM + nano-SIM |
| iPhone 13 / 13 Pro / 13 Mini | 2021 | ✅ | Dual eSIM support |
| iPhone 12 / 12 Pro / 12 Mini | 2020 | ✅ | Dual eSIM support |
| iPhone SE (3rd gen) | 2022 | ✅ | |
| iPhone 11 / 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max | 2019 | ✅ | |
| iPhone SE (2nd gen) | 2020 | ✅ | |
| iPhone XS / XS Max | 2018 | ✅ | First iPhones with eSIM |
| iPhone XR | 2018 | ✅ | |
| iPhone X | 2017 | ❌ | No eSIM |
| iPhone 8 / 8 Plus | 2017 | ❌ | No eSIM |
| iPhone SE (1st gen) | 2016 | ❌ | No eSIM |
Key note: iPhones sold in mainland China do not support eSIM regardless of model. Hong Kong models from iPhone 13 onward support eSIM.
Samsung: Complete eSIM Compatible List
If your device is not on the esim compatible phones list, you may need to consider alternatives.
Samsung added eSIM support starting with the Galaxy S20 and Note 20 in 2020. All flagship S-series, Z-series foldables, and select budget A-series models now support it. Availability varies by region and carrier.
| Model | Year | eSIM | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S24 / S24+ / S24 Ultra | 2024 | ✅ | |
| Galaxy S23 / S23+ / S23 Ultra | 2023 | ✅ | |
| Galaxy S22 / S22+ / S22 Ultra | 2022 | ✅ | |
| Galaxy S21 / S21+ / S21 Ultra / S21 FE | 2021 | ✅ | |
| Galaxy S20 / S20+ / S20 Ultra / S20 FE | 2020 | ✅ | First Galaxy S with eSIM |
| Galaxy Z Fold 5 / Z Flip 5 | 2023 | ✅ | |
| Galaxy Z Fold 4 / Z Flip 4 | 2022 | ✅ | |
| Galaxy Z Fold 3 / Z Flip 3 | 2021 | ✅ | |
| Galaxy Z Fold 2 / Z Flip (5G) | 2020 | ✅ | |
| Galaxy Note 20 / Note 20 Ultra | 2020 | ✅ | |
| Galaxy A54 5G | 2023 | ✅ | Budget eSIM option |
| Galaxy A34 5G | 2023 | ✅ | Budget eSIM option |
| Galaxy S10 / Note 10 | 2019 | ❌ | No eSIM |
| Galaxy A series (older) | Various | ❌ | Most pre-2023 A series lack eSIM |
Key note: Samsung eSIM availability varies by region and carrier. Some carrier-sold models may have eSIM disabled even on compatible hardware. Check Settings → Connections → SIM Manager to verify.
Google Pixel: Complete eSIM Compatible List
Should you find yourself with a non-compatible device, remember the alternatives to esim compatible phones.
| Model | Year | eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Pixel 8 / 8 Pro / 8a | 2023-24 | ✅ |
| Pixel 7 / 7 Pro / 7a | 2022-23 | ✅ |
| Pixel 6 / 6 Pro / 6a | 2021-22 | ✅ |
| Pixel 5 / 5a | 2020-21 | ✅ |
| Pixel 4 / 4 XL / 4a | 2019-20 | ✅ |
| Pixel 3 / 3 XL / 3a | 2018-19 | ✅ |
| Pixel 2 and older | 2017 | ❌ |
Other Android Phones with eSIM
| Brand | Models | eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| OnePlus | 12, 11, 10 Pro | ✅ (varies by region) |
| Xiaomi | 13, 14 series | ✅ (varies by region) |
| Huawei | P40 Pro, Mate 40 Pro | ✅ (no Google services) |
| Oppo | Find X5 Pro, Find X3 Pro | ✅ (varies by region) |
| Motorola | Razr (2022+), Edge 40 Pro | ✅ |
| Sony | Xperia 1 IV, 5 IV, 10 IV | ✅ |
Important: “Varies by region” means the hardware supports eSIM but your specific carrier or country version may have it disabled. Always check Settings → About Phone → EID before purchasing an eSIM plan.
Phones That Do NOT Support eSIM
Take time to explore various esim compatible phones to find the best fit for your needs.
If your phone is on this list, it does not have eSIM hardware:
| Brand | Models Without eSIM |
|---|---|
| Apple | iPhone X, iPhone 8/8 Plus, iPhone 7/7 Plus, iPhone SE (1st gen) |
| Samsung | Galaxy S10/S10+, Galaxy S9, Galaxy Note 10/9, most A-series before 2023 |
| Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, and older | |
| Huawei | Most models (limited eSIM + no Google services) |
| Budget Android | Most phones under $200 released before 2023 |
If your phone is here, see the section below for alternatives.
What If Your Phone Doesn’t Support eSIM?
Three options, ranked by convenience:
1. Buy a physical SIM at your destination. Works on any unlocked phone. Costs €15-30 at airport shops. Requires passport registration in Germany, France, and Italy. See my eSIM vs Physical SIM guide for the full comparison.
2. Rent a pocket WiFi device. Creates a portable hotspot that any phone connects to. Costs $8-15/day. See my eSIM vs Pocket WiFi comparison — eSIM is cheaper, but pocket WiFi works for non-compatible phones.
3. Upgrade your phone before your trip. If your phone is from 2017 or earlier, a budget upgrade to a Pixel 6a or Samsung A54 (both under $300) gives you eSIM plus years of updates. The upgrade pays for itself in saved SIM costs over 2-3 trips.
Don’t forget: Check if your current phone is simply carrier-locked rather than incompatible. Many phones have eSIM hardware that’s disabled by the carrier. A quick call to your provider to unlock it may be all you need.
FAQ
How do I know if my phone supports eSIM?
The fastest way: go to Settings → About Phone and look for “EID.” If you see a long number, your phone supports eSIM. On iPhone: Settings → General → About → EID. On Android: Settings → About Phone → EID. You can also dial *#06# to check.
Does iPhone support eSIM?
All iPhones from the XS (2018) onward support eSIM. US models from iPhone 14 onward are eSIM-only with no physical SIM tray. If your iPhone is from 2018 or newer, it works with any European travel eSIM.
Does Samsung support eSIM?
Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, Galaxy Z Fold/Flip 2 and newer, Galaxy Note 20, and some newer A-series models (A54, A34) support eSIM. Older models like the S10 and Note 10 do not. Check SIM Manager in Settings to confirm.
Can a carrier-locked phone use eSIM?
It depends. Some carriers block eSIM profiles from other providers on locked phones. Contact your carrier to request an unlock — many do it for free if your contract is complete. Unlocking takes minutes to 3 business days depending on the carrier.
Do I need to remove my physical SIM to use eSIM?
No. Most eSIM-compatible phones support dual SIM — your physical SIM stays in place for calls and texts, while the eSIM handles European data. Both work simultaneously. See my How to Activate eSIM guide for the full setup.
Will my eSIM work on any European network?
Ready to Get Your eSIM?
If your phone is compatible, the next step is choosing a provider. Here are the top picks:
Best value: Nomad — $22/20GB or $29/50GB across 35+ European countries.
Best unlimited: Holafly — ~$27/7 days, unlimited data, no daily cap.
Best app for first-timers: Airalo — $5/1GB, 42 countries, guided setup.
For the full comparison, see my Top 7 eSIM Providers for Europe ranking. For setup help, follow my step-by-step activation guide.
This article contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. All prices verified on official websites in March 2026. Device lists verified against manufacturer specifications. Prices may change without notice — always confirm at checkout.
Last verified: March 2026.
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