Best eSIM-compatible Android phones

Android phones support cellular standards like 5G and connect with a variety of carriers and networks, but to do so, they use SIMs. These Subscriber Identity Modules, whether on a removable card or on a chip built into your phone, help power your digital life. While eSIM is still relatively new, it's a technology that could make international travel easier while enhancing security.

Rather than putting your entire user identity into a tiny physical chip, eSIMs (or Embedded Subscriber Identity Modules) digitally preserve all of this information, so you don't need to worry about it. This means that you can swap your eSIM to different phones or easily change wireless carriers when you're traveling internationally, plus there's an inherent security benefit when you don't have a physical card that could be tampered with or stolen. Some Android phones even let you have multiple eSIM cards active at the same time.

Of course, not every Android phone is eSIM-compatible, and the ones that are can cost a pretty penny. But fear not — I've gathered all of the best eSIM-compatible phones below, with options for every need and budget under the sun.

At a glance

Best overall

The Samsung Galaxy S26 received a surprising amount of changes this year, even if they weren't what users clamored for. The Galaxy S26 sports a new design and a larger 6.3-inch display, so it's not longer in the small phone category. We didn't see a camera upgrade, but almost everything else saw major improvements.

The phone is still light and slim for its size, while the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 construction ensures you can count on the phone's durability no matter where you are in the world. The flagship phone is also driven by the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset that powers the Galaxy S26 Ultra and OnePlus 15, plus you get stellar AI-boosted software features, 12GB of RAM, and seven years of OS/security upgrades straight out of the box. The Galaxy S26 also boasts eSIM and dual-SIM support in both the United States and internationally, making it a versatile device for traveling overseas.

Again, the Galaxy S26 is unfortunately not a major upgrade over its predecessor in the camera department. That's not to say that these specs are bad, but they feel a bit underwhelming when you consider today's competitive Android landscape. Still, if you want a compact smartphone with eSIM support, the Galaxy S26 is going to be the best choice for most folks.

Best budget

The latest in Google's affordable A-series, the Pixel 10a packs all of the latest AI features and a ton of flagship-quality specs into a device that usually retails for only $499. It's virtually identical to the Pixel 9a, down to the processor. The price point is still incredible and the back is completely flat for the first time, so there's plenty to like about the Pixel 10a.

The vibrant 6.3-inch display is the same size as the Pixel 10, while the 3,000 nits of peak brightness and 120Hz refresh rate makes the screen an absolute pleasure to use (assuming you don't suffer from PWM sensitivity). Under the hood you'll also enjoy Google's Tensor G4 processor, 8GB of RAM, and some feature-packed cameras that are nearly unrivaled at this price point. The reused processor is a bit of a bummer, but the price is unchanged from last year's model.

All of that is well and good, but the Pixel 10a's 5,100mAh battery is where the device really shines. In all of our testing, we found that the midrange phone could easily last well beyond a day with casual use, while heavy gaming, streaming, and AI use gave us a full day of battery life before the Pixel 10a needed another charge.

The problem is that once the phone does need juice, the 23W charging speeds are a bit slower than we'd like. Nevertheless, when you pair the Pixel 10a's flagship-level specs with the accessible price tag and yes, eSIM support, you get an affordable device that's worth a closer look.

Best premium

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra might be the most powerful Android phone ever built, coming complete with a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, comprehensive suite of AI-boosted software features, and a gorgeous 6.9-inch display with embedded S Pen stylus. The new Privacy Display keeps prying eyes away from your screen's contents, but it might come at the expense of display quality and brightness.

Like the rest of the S26 lineup, you get seven years of guaranteed OS and security upgrades, plus the S26 Ultra is equipped with one of the best camera systems that Samsung has ever produced. This year, there's a new 200MP primary shooter and an upgraded 50MP ultrawide lens. The Galaxy S26 Ultra also supports eSIM with one physical nano-SIM slot in the United States, while international versions of the phone boast two physical SIM slots with eSIM.

So yes, everything is great until you look at the cost. With a starting retail price of $1,299.99, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is simply out of reach for most folks, and its large size means that it's not the most portable device out there. Fortunately, there are plenty of Galaxy S26 Ultra deals that should lessen the blow — just be careful buying a locked device if you plan to use eSIM functionalities.

Best foldable

When the Motorola Razr Ultra (2025) was announced in April, I admit I was pretty skeptical. Sure, Motorola has been producing excellent foldable phones for years, but a new addition to the Razr lineup that costs over $1,000? Sounds more like a Samsung move to me, and not in a good way.

Fortunately, my concerns were swiftly allayed, as the Razr Ultra might literally be the best flip phone ever made. With this new release, Motorola has taken everything it's learned making Razr phones over the past few years and packed it into a super-premium, super-powered device. The Ultra comes equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and 16GB of RAM for powerful performance, plus you'll enjoy an all-day battery with fast 68W charging. Both the inner and outer pOLED displays on the Razr Ultra (2025) are vibrant and functional, and the upgraded titanium hinge feels sturdy enough to last for years.

True, the Ultra's price tag is still a bit of a problem, and some may wonder if Motorola really needed to make a premium flip phone when the Razr Plus already checked a lot of the same boxes. But I'll leave those questions to my betters. Although the Razr Ultra 2026 is out, it's also $200 more expensive. With current Razr Ultra 2025 prices coming it at around half the cost of the 2026 model, there's no question — older is better in this case.

Best camera

If you want an eSIM-compatible device that takes amazing pictures day or night, look no further than the Google Pixel 10 Pro. Released alongside an equally-great XL version last fall, the Pixel 10 Pro is a beautiful device equipped with an upgraded rear triple-camera system that includes a 5x optical zoom telephoto lens. The big changes are the new chip and Pixelsnap magnetic charging.

Of course, the Pixel 10 Pro isn't just an excellent camera phone. The flagship is also powered by the excellent Tensor G5 processor and boasts outstanding haptics, a vibrant 6.3-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rates, and seven years of guaranteed software support. In the U.S., the Pixel 10 Pro only supports eSIM but you can get the physical SIM variant in other countries.

While the new G5 SoC is an improvement over the G4, it still trails behind Qualcomm's finest. This still isn't the best phone for gaming, and shoppers who don't care about Pixel devices or high-end camera features may be better off going with a Galaxy or OnePlus phone. But if you fancy yourself a photographer on those adventures abroad, the Pixel 10 Pro is one of the best options around.

Best dual SIM

After the OnePlus 13 became one of the few phones to receive a coveted 5/5-star rating here at Android Central, the OnePlus 15 took a natural step back. There are a few downgrades, from the display resolution to the camera hardware, but they all make the OnePlus 15 better at one thing — gaming and raw performance.

The OnePlus 15 is powered by the top-rated Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, plus you get an eye-friendly 6.8-inch OLED screen and IP69 durability certification straight out of the box. The battery is the OnePlus 15's calling card — it's a 7,300mAh lithium-carbon dual-cell battery that can provide true multi-day battery life. If that wasn't enough, charging speeds are insanely fast at up to 120W. The one knock against the OnePlus 15 is that it doesn't support Qi2 for magnetic connections.

The phone also has support for two Nano SIM cards and eSIM, which is awesome when you have an unlocked phone and travel frequently. You can only use two of the three at a time, but it's still stellar functionality — especially considering phones like the iPhone 17 and Google Pixel 10 series are moving to eSIM-only models.

If you're based in North America, you may have trouble accessing the phone's full potential through your wireless carrier, especially if you use an MVNO. Notably, the OnePlus 15's U.S. release date is up in the air, as the company is waiting for FCC approval, since the process hit a snag during the U.S. government shutdown. If you need a dual-SIM phone in a pinch, grab the OnePlus 13 for now.

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How to choose

Given the ubiquity of eSIM compatibility in recent smartphones, it's no wonder that this list looks a lot like our regular guide to the best Android phones of 2025. Indeed, picking the best eSIM-compatible phone is basically the same as choosing a great Android device for any use case, but there are a few details to consider before you make your purchase.

Carrier restriction: If you buy a phone that's locked to a specific wireless carrier, you'll only be able to use that carrier's network when traveling, thereby removing a lot of the convenience and flexibility of an eSIM. In other words, if you found a great Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra deal through your wireless carrier, double check the company's locked device policy. Verizon, for instance, won't let you unlock your phone until 60 days after its purchase, making things tricky if you have a big trip coming up.

Dual-SIM: Some of the best eSIM-compatible phones also support dual-SIM, which means you're getting the convenience of both a virtual eSIM and at least one physical SIM card slot. The problem is that many manufacturers aren't clear about their device's dual-SIM compatibility. Some devices that support dual-SIM in Europe, like the Motorola Razr Ultra, for instance, lack the feature in the US market. If you'd like a phone with dual-SIM support, check the product listings closely and do a bit of research before you commit.

Other considerations: Of course, every traveler has their own priorities when shopping for a new phone. When it's your turn to make the purchase, consider what kind of user you are before settling on a product.

For example, do you need a phone that's rugged enough to take on the trail? The OnePlus 15 might be the best pick for you. Do you need all of the latest camera features to expertly document your travels? Then perhaps the AI-boosted Pixel 10 Pro is the right choice. Needless to say, if you're looking for a great phone with eSIM-compatibility, you can't go wrong with any of the options listed above, it might just take a little extra research to find your dream device.