eSIM - an electronic SIM or embedded SIM - is a rewritable SIM card that’s built into a cellular device like a smartphone or smartwatch. Unlike a physical SIM, there's no need to pop open a slot or pry off a case to put it in; an eSIM never leaves your phone. Instead, you simply download a "software SIM" from your provider of choice.

Can I swap my eSIM for a physical SIM?

If you've swapped to an eSIM and decided you want to go back to a physical SIM for whatever reason, you'll just need to ask your telco for a new SIM card. The easiest way to do this is in store.

[eSIM plans] Compare Australian providers

Q: Does eSIM have better mobile signal than a physical SIM?

No, the type of SIM you have does not affect your mobile coverage . That's up to your mobile provider, network provider and, less often, other aspects of your phone's hardware.

Dylan Crismale - Digital Content Editor

Last updated 21 September 2026

Contents

In this eSIM guide:

Popular eSIM plans for mobile phones
Which telcos offer eSIM plans in Australia?
What is eSIM?
Advantages and disadvantages of eSIM
Is my phone eSIM compatible?
eSIM plans and smartwatches
eSIM FAQs

eSIM plans aren't available from all telcos in Australia, but they're becoming more widely adopted and could one day replace physical SIM cards completely. In fact, there's already a few mobile plans that are eSIM-only.

Let's take a closer look at what the average Aussie consumer can expect to find on the mobile plan market, as well as how eSIMs might affect your day-to-day life.

Popular eSIM plans for mobile phones

Out of the 28 mobile providers in our database, 28 currently offer eSIM plans. So you have a decent range to choose from.

For a quick look at what's available, check out our comparison tables below for eSIM plans across a range of price points, ranked by their popularity with our visitors over the last seven days:

Plans with active links

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SpinTel Editor's Pick	SpinTel Editor's Pick $23 Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT WhistleOut Special: Enjoy $11 off for the first 6 months for new customers - $12/mth for first 6 months, then $23/mth $12.00/mth Min. cost $12 Go to Site	$12.00/mth Min. cost $12	Go to Site
Swoop	Swoop 30GB SIM Only 5G 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes $11 off for first 6 months - $14/mth for first 6 months then $25/mth after that. Offer ends 30.06.27 $14.00/mth Min. cost $14 Go to Site	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site

Plans with active links

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Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 30GB 5G Mobile SIM 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: 50% off plan fees for 4 months - $15/mth for 4 months then $30/mth. Offer available until withdrawn. $30.00/mth Min. cost $15 Go to Site	$30.00/mth Min. cost $15	Go to Site
Dodo Editor's Pick	Dodo Editor's Pick Medium Mobile Plan 40GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: 50% off for first 4 mths! Get the Medium Mobile Plan for $15/mth for first 4 mths. New and returning mobile customers only. Ends 27.10 $30.00/mth Min. cost $15 Go to Site	$30.00/mth Min. cost $15	Go to Site
Superloop	Superloop SuperSim Saver 4G Plan 15GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Uses part of the Telstra 4G Mobile Network Deal: FREE 2nd recharge for existing Superloop broadband customers or new customers signing up for a mobile & broadband service $25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
SpinTel	SpinTel $29 Mobile Plan 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $29.00/mth Min. cost $29 Go to Site	$29.00/mth Min. cost $29	Go to Site
Kogan Mobile	Kogan Mobile Small Monthly Plan 25GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network $23.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$23.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
Swoop	Swoop 60GB SIM Only 5G 60GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes $10 off for first 6 months - $23/mth for first 6 months then $33/mth after that. Offer ends 30.06.2027 $23.00/mth Min. cost $23 Go to Site	$23.00/mth Min. cost $23	Go to Site

Plans with active links

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Optus	Optus $60 Optus Choice Plus Plan 100GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply. $39.00/mth Min. cost $39 Go to Site	$39.00/mth Min. cost $39	Go to Site
Dodo	Dodo Large Mobile Plan 80GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: 50% off for first 4 mths! Get the Large Mobile Plan for $20/mth for first 4 mths. New and returning mobile customers only. Ends 27.10 $40.00/mth Min. cost $20 Go to Site	$40.00/mth Min. cost $20	Go to Site
Exetel	Exetel Plus One eSIM Plan 130GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks $40.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$40.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
felix mobile	felix mobile felix Unlimited Mobile Plan Unlimited data at download speeds up to 40Mbps On the Vodafone 5G/4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $20/mth for first 3 mths, then $40/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T+Cs apply $40.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$40.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 50GB 5G Mobile SIM 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: 50% off plan fees for 4 months - $18/mth for 4 months then $36/mth. Offer available until withdrawn. $36.00/mth Min. cost $18 Go to Site	$36.00/mth Min. cost $18	Go to Site
Superloop	Superloop SuperSim Essential 5G Plan 35GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: FREE 2nd recharge for existing Superloop broadband customers or new customers signing up for a mobile & broadband service $35.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$35.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site

Plans with active links

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felix mobile	felix mobile felix Unlimited+ Mobile Plan Unlimited data at download speeds up to 80Mbps On the Vodafone 5G/4G Mobile Network $50.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$50.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 75GB 5G Mobile SIM 75GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: 50% off plan fees for 4 months - $21/mth for 4 months then $42/mth. Offer available until withdrawn. $42.00/mth Min. cost $21 Go to Site	$42.00/mth Min. cost $21	Go to Site
SpinTel	SpinTel $50 Mobile Plan 200GB data Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $50.00/mth Min. cost $50 Go to Site	$50.00/mth Min. cost $50	Go to Site
Superloop	Superloop SuperSim Plus 5G Plan 130GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: FREE 2nd recharge for existing Superloop broadband customers or new customers signing up for a mobile & broadband service $50.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$50.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site

Which telcos offer eSIM plans in Australia?

While support isn't quite universal in Australia yet, most providers we track offer eSIM plans and the rest should eventually follow suit. For now, these are the telcos from our database that offer eSIM plans for mobile:

Major eSIM providers in Australia

AGL	EZEE	More	Tangerine
ALDI Mobile	felix mobile	Moose Mobile	Telstra
amaysim	iiNet	Optus	TPG
Belong	Kogan Mobile	Southern Phone	Vodafone
Boost Mobile	Lebara	SpinTel	Yomojo
Everyday Mobile	LycaMobile	Superloop	Aussie Broadband
Exetel	MATE	Swoop	Dodo

There are also providers that specialise in travel eSIM plans as an alternative to international roaming. These include Airalo, GigSky, Jetpac, SimCorner, and Saily.

Travelling with eSIM: Everything you need to know

Instead of hunting around an airport looking for a local SIM, just use an app to add a new plan to your phone via the internet thanks to eSIMs. Find out how by viewing our guide to travelling with eSIM.

What is eSIM?

An eSIM is a rewritable SIM card (also called an electronic SIM or embedded SIM) that’s built into a smartphone, smartwatch or other connected gadget. Unlike a physical SIM card, an eSIM never leaves your device – it simply gets reprogrammed as necessary.

There's no need to pop open a slot on your phone or pry off a protective case to insert a card. You also don't have to throw an old one out every time you change providers. Instead, you get an "eSIM profile" and setup instructions from your provider.

If your phone has both an eSIM and a physical SIM card slot, you can usually use both and have two numbers on the one device, meaning you effectively have a dual-SIM phone. (This also requires you to have two separate mobile plans.)

Advantages and disadvantages of eSIM

If you're interested in using it, there are some eSIM pros and cons to consider:

Convenience

eSIM setup is fast and it makes switching between providers easier. You don't need to pick a new SIM card up in store or wait for one to be delivered. Instead, you just follow some straightforward instructions from your new provider and make the change online.

Dual SIM

You can simultaneously run a physical SIM and an eSIM on most new handsets, basically making it a dual SIM phone. Great for using your phone overseas or using the same phone for home and work.

Number sharing

If you want, you can the same number between your phone and a smartwatch – meaning both devices have the same phone number and share the same plan inclusions. This is has a variety of names, such as number sharing, number syncing, one number, etc. It generally costs $5 or $10 per month extra.

Still not all phones

You can expect to find eSIM support on most new handsets, particularly in the mid-range and up. But it's still not quite universal, and older phones don't necessarily support it.

Smaller choice of plan providers

Not all providers in Australia support eSIM yet, but the list is growing. And the list that supports wearable devices is significantly smaller.

Switching phones isn't as simple

While switching between providers is easier, this isn't the case with phones. It's not arduous, but you can't just pop the SIM card out of one handset and put it into another – it takes a bit of time to work through the steps.

The pros of using eSIM outweigh the cons

"Physical SIMs still work, but switching to using eSIM opens up more options. There's no problem if you can't make it to a store or wait for delivery of a new SIM card. In most cases, you can be set up with a prepaid eSIM in just a few minutes via an internet connection.

"The few cons that do exist are largely circumstantial and will reduce over time as the technology is more widely adopted."

Dylan Crismale, Digital Content Editor

Is my phone eSIM compatible?

eSIM phones have been available in Australia since 2018, and most top-tier handsets now support the technology, but it's by no means guaranteed. You can check if your phone has an eSIM by calling *#06#. If a 32-digit EID number appears on the screen, your phone supports eSIM. If you don't see a 32-digit number, your phone doesn't support eSIM.

You can also check out our dedicated guide to eSIM phones in Australia for more details on specific models.

eSIM plans and smartwatches

Even if your smartwatch has an eSIM, you might not be able to sign up to a smartwatch eSIM plan. A provider specifically needs to support wearable device plans and sometimes even your specific watch – just supporting eSIM plans for mobile phones isn't a guarantee.

You can see our guide on setting up and eSIM on your smartwatch for more information, including which providers offer smartwatch plans and step-by-step breakdowns and to see which smartwatches your telco supports. Some of the more important factors to consider include:

Does your smartwatch even have an eSIM?

Many smartwatches are Bluetooth and WiFi only, without eSIM support. These watches can't sign up to eSIM plans of any kind.

Is your eSIM smartwatch supported by a given provider?

Some eSIM smartwatches aren't compatible with smartwatch plans in Australia – or they can sign up with some providers, but not others.

For example, if you have an eSIM Apple Watch, you can sign up to any smartwatch plan from any provider. But this isn't the case with all eSIM Google Pixel Watches, some of which are unsupported. Check with your prospective provider before you buy a smartwatch or sign up to a plan.

Do you want number sharing?

Number sharing is when your phone and smartwatch share the same phone number through the same plan and provider. This usually adds $5 or $10 to your existing monthly bill, rather than being a whole separate plan.

Are you overpaying for your data?

When plans have similar inclusions, the cheapest option isn’t always the best. One way to compare is on the value per GB. As a rule of thumb, anything at $1 or under per GB is good value.

eSIM FAQs

Do eSIM plans cost extra?

For phone plans, choosing an eSIM option doesn't cost any more than a regular physical SIM card. If you want to add a smartwatch to a mobile plan (such as for number sharing), this will usually cost extra per month.

Can I roam with an eSIM plan outside of Australia?

Yes, eSIM mobile plans also support roaming for use outside of Australia. Roaming is billed in the exact same way as the telco's equivalent non-eSIM plan. But no Australian eSIM providers currently support international roaming for wearables.

Does eSIM have better mobile signal than a physical SIM?

No, the type of SIM you have does not affect your mobile coverage. That's up to your mobile provider, network provider and, less often, other aspects of your phone's hardware.

What is iSIM?

iSIM (integrated SIM) is like eSIM, but it's inside your phone's processor instead of needing a separate chip. It's still fairly rare, but it doesn't really matter because iSIM uses the same standards as eSIM, so any eSIM provider will also support iSIM. The user shouldn't even notice a difference.

Can I get an eSIM plan before I arrive in Australia?

Yes, visitors to our country can purchase an Australian eSIM either before or after arrival. You'll need to provide an official identity document, such as a passport, as proof of identity. For more info, you can check out our guide to Australian SIM cards for tourists.

eSIM, e SIM, or e-SIM?

While you might also see it referred to as "e SIM" or "e-SIM", the correct shortening of "Electronic SIM" is "eSIM", as laid out by the GSMA – the global organisation that maintains the eSIM standard.

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Dylan Crismale

Digital Content Editor

Dylan Crismale is a Digital Content Editor at WhistleOut, has been writing for almost a decade across a variety of Australian publications. He previously worked as a writer at Finder covering energy, internet and mobile plans. Dylan is passionate about finding the best deals to save people money and educating people about tech. When he's not sat at his desk Dylan loves working out, bingeing TV and hanging out with friends.

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