5 best eSim-supported smartphones in India

Unlike physical SIM cards that need to be installed in your smartphone, an eSIM or embedded SIM is built into your phone’s hardware. The advantages of eSIM include better security since there’s no physical SIM to steal, and the fact that swapping between eSIMs and carriers is relatively simple as you don’t need to wait for a new SIM card to be delivered. For this reason, eSIMs are also great to have if you travel frequently.

Best eSim-supported smartphones

Most phones today support eSIMs as they are a part of the smartphone’s chipset by default. 

ALSO READ: eSIM vs physical SIM: Making the right choice for your device

However, if you’re on a much older phone and are looking to upgrade, primarily for eSIM support, here are some of the best phones currently available, that you can consider. 

1. Apple iPhone 16

2. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 5G

3. OnePlus Open 5G

4. Google Pixel 8a 5G

5. Realme 12 Pro+ 5G

1. Apple iPhone 16

Launched last month, the iPhone 16 is an amazing phone to upgrade to. The phone is powered by the A18 SoC from Apple, which is one of the most powerful smartphone SoCs currently available. New features include Apple Intelligence — a suite of AI-enabled features that have the potential to transform how we use our phones, a new camera control button for quick access to the camera and settings, a new macro camera, better battery life, and more. 

2. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 5G

Compact phones are a dying breed, but they might be seeing a renaissance thanks to phones like the Samsung Z Flip6. This is a foldable phone, but unlike most other models, this one looks like a regular phone when unfolded, and flips shut to half that size. But don’t let its tiny stature fool you. 

The phone is big features. The base model comes with a generous 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, while top notch performance is delivered via a flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. You’re also getting a superb 50MP camera — this doubles as a selfie cam — great battery life, and more.

3. OnePlus Open 5G

On the other end of the spectrum we have the OnePlus Open. Arguably one of the best phones OnePlus has made so far, the Open looks and functions like a regular smartphone when shut, but can open into a nearly tablet-sized device. It’s powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, comes with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, includes 64MP and 48MP cameras, and charges at 65W. It’s a great eSIM-supported phone that offers an exceptional foldable user experience.

4. Google Pixel 8a 5G

If photography is your thing, you simply can’t go wrong with Google Pixel 8a. On paper, the main camera is on par with most other phones in that price range, but what sets it apart isn’t the resolution or sensor, it’s Google’s processing. 

Google’s custom processor — the Tensor G3 — uses AI and a custom algorithm to process all images from the camera to deliver images that rival those taken from phones costing 2-3 times as much. The phone supports dual SIM via one nano SIM and one eSIM.

5. Realme 12 Pro+ 5G

The Realme 12 Pro+ is very impressive for a phone that costs just Rs 22,999. eSIM support aside, you’re getting a beautiful 6.7” 120Hz display, 12G RAM, 128GB storage, and Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 power. It sports vapour chamber cooling, 50MP and 64MP cameras, 67W SuperVOOC charging, hi-res speakers, and so much more that you’ll be hard-pressed to find a flagship phone to match these features.

All else being equal, it’s worth choosing an eSIM supporting phone over one that doesn’t support it. That said, it’s not a must-have feature just yet. But given that mobile phones with eSIM support are available at most budgets, this is an easy decision to make when upgrading to a newer phone.