Find out what e-Sims are, how to use them and whether they are really cheaper than passes to use the internet abroad
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Even if the vacation They are made to unplug, many of us prefer to stay connected even when I am on the road. Even just to upload holiday shots on Instagram. But using your phone abroad can be expensive: after the BrexitBritish phone users have said goodbye to low-cost roaming in the European Union, with their operators. The same goes for EU residents visiting the UK. So, depending on the destinationthe length of the stay and the amount of data required, an e-Sim It might be the cheapest option.
What is an e-Sim and how do you use it?
An e-Sim (embedded Sim) is a Sim card virtual which you can download to your phone, via an app or by scanning a QR code.
There are many e-Sim providers to choose from, some of the most popular are Airalo, Holafly and Bouygues. Several traditional telephone networks such as EE, Orange and Vodafone also sell these cards.
How do I know if my phone can use an e-SIM?
Generally, most of the smartphones launched after 2018 support e-SIM. Including the iPhone Of Apple launched in and after 2018 – for example, the iPhone X, XR, and 11 onwards. Just like the phones Google Pixel launched in/after 2018 – like the Pixel 2 with Google Fi service and later. Same goes for phones Samsung Galaxy launched in/after 2020.
e-SIMs can also be used on tablet And smartwatch suitable (if you are not sure, you can check on the manufacturer’s website)
What are the advantages and disadvantages of e-SIMs?
Using an e-Sim in voyage presents numerous advantages. They are easy to purchase and install and allow you to keep your phone number usual. You can switch from your usual SIM to e-SIM in the settings to control when you use your data allowance.
There are country-specific e-SIMs, or regional ones (for example, in Spain), which offer greater flexibility. negative side is that your e-Sim can only cover the data roaming which means you may pay more to make calls and send messages. In this case, it might not be convenient.
What is a data pass and how do I use it?
In some cases, if you have a monthly contract with a network provider, Data roaming may be included in your plan. If not, you can usually purchase a pass lump sumsometimes known as a data passport, foreign roaming pass, or travel pass. This unlocks your plan’s allowance abroad or adds a call, text, and data allowance when you’re traveling.
Like e-SIMs, data passes are virtual and can be purchased through your operator’s website or app.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a data pass?
Additionally, data passes can be added to your next monthly bill, making them quick and easy to activate. As with an e-Sim, you can keep the same phone number, but the main advantage is that Data passes most often include calls and messages in addition to the data.
However, there is less choice than with e-SIMs, which offer country-specific packages, as well as regional, continental and worldwide plans. You may also find that your destination is not covered by your operator’s data pass, as this depends on which partnerships they have in place.
e-SIM and data pass: which is more convenient after all?
When the UK was part of the EU, most providers allowed users British to call while roaming in Europe for only 2 pounds a day (€1.70 based on the December 2019 exchange rate) and was almost always the cheapest option. Likewise, EU residents enjoyed a great deal on roaming in the UK.
After the Brexitprices have increased on both sides of the Channel. However, depending on your phone plan and the length of your trip, it could still be cheaper than an e-Sim. To give you an idea, we compared roaming costs in Europe for a week.
It is therefore essential to get informed to find the best deal for your needs. And remember that you can always avoid additional costs turning off data roaming and rely only on WiFi during your travels.
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