For most travellers, yes — and here’s the honest reason. With a local SIM, you land at the airport, find a vendor, queue up, explain what plan you want, and hope your phone unlocks correctly. With an eSIM, I activate my data plan the night before I fly, switch profiles when I land, and I’m connected before I leave the arrivals hall. No queue. No plastic. No SIM ejector tool.

The only time a local SIM wins is if you need a local phone number or you’re staying somewhere long enough to justify a monthly plan. For trips under 30 days, eSIM is almost always the smarter move.

Most modern smartphones released after 2018 support eSIM — but it depends on your model and where it was purchased.

iPhone: iPhone XS and later all support eSIM. iPhone 14 and later (US models) are eSIM-only.
Samsung: Galaxy S20 and later, most Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip models.
Google Pixel: Pixel 3 and later.
Other Android: Many Motorola, Oppo, and Huawei models — check your settings under Mobile Network or SIM Management.

Important: some phones bought from certain carriers are locked to a single SIM. Check with your carrier before travelling if you’re unsure. The quickest way to check: go to Settings → Mobile Data → Add eSIM.

Yes — I’ve used eSIMs in all three and they work reliably.

In Vietnam, I used Ubigi across Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Hoi An with consistent 4G coverage — including in rural areas that surprised me. In Malta, eSIM coverage is excellent across all the islands (Malta, Gozo, Comino). Across Asia more broadly, providers like Airalo and Saily cover 200+ countries and regions, including Japan, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia.

The key is choosing a provider with regional or global plans rather than single-country plans if you’re hopping between destinations. I use Saily for longer trips and Airalo when I need a quick top-up for a single country.

Yes — iPhone has supported eSIM since the XS (2018), and since the iPhone 14 (US models), Apple removed the physical SIM slot entirely. iPhones can hold multiple eSIM profiles and switch between them, which makes them ideal for travel.

To add an eSIM on iPhone: go to Settings → Mobile Service → Add eSIM. You can scan a QR code from your provider or install directly through their app. Most major eSIM providers (Airalo, Saily, Ubigi) have dedicated iPhone apps that walk you through the process in under 5 minutes.

One thing to check: if your iPhone was purchased through a carrier on a locked contract, it may not support third-party eSIMs until it’s unlocked. Contact your carrier if you’re unsure.

This is the part that catches people out — but it’s easier than it sounds. Here’s exactly how I do it:

1. Choose your provider and plan — pick the country or region you need, and the data amount. I usually go slightly over what I think I’ll need.
2. Purchase and receive your QR code — arrives by email or directly in the app within minutes.
3. Install the eSIM — go to Settings → Mobile Data → Add eSIM, then scan the QR code. On iOS you can also tap a link in your email.
4. Set it as your data SIM — keep your home SIM active for calls and messages, set the eSIM as your data connection.
5. Turn it on when you land — some plans activate on first use, others activate immediately. Check with your provider.

The whole process takes about 5 minutes. I do it the evening before I fly.