Boost Mobile has eSIM now, but only through its app

By Alex Choros

Last updated 13 February 2024

Boost Mobile is the latest provider to start offering eSIM mobile plans in Australia, but it currently only allows customers to acquire one through its mobile app. A Boost Mobile spokesperson told our sister website Reviews.org/au this is to ensure only customers who have a compatible device are offered the option.

This makes Boost unique in the eSIM space, with most other providers typically giving customers the choice of eSIM or a physical SIM when checking out through their website. Vodafone MVNO felix does however also use its app to pre-qualify customers for eSIM, and sets it as the default option if applicable.

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.

While Telstra has technically offered its MVNO partners like Boost Mobile eSIM support from 2021, adoption has been quite slow. Until last year, Everyday Mobile (formerly Woolworths Mobile) was the only Telstra-powered provider to offer eSIM. Tangerine, More, Superloop, and Exetel started offering the tech last year.

Tangerine and More CEO Andy Branson last week told WhistleOut that implementing eSIM wasn't an easy feat for the telco, and took "many months". He described the option as "hugely successful", however, and said that over 8,000 customers activated a Tangerine or More eSIM in the first eight weeks.

eSIM-compatible handsets have been available for several years now, with Apple introducing the tech in 2018 and Samsung in 2020. It is still however largely limited to premium devices, which historically was a reason why value-focused providers didn't rush to implement it.

Outside of the Telstra network, many smaller providers including iiNet, TPG, Kogan Mobile, Circles.Life, SpinTel, and amaysim all support eSIM now. Here's a look at the most popular SIM-only plans from providers that offer eSIM:

#1	TPG Editor's Pick	TPG Editor's Pick 25GB Small Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: 50% off - $12.50/mth for first 6 months, then $25/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $12.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$12.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#2	iiNet	iiNet 25GB Small Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: 50% off - $12.50/mth for first 6 months, then $25/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $12.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$12.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#3	SpinTel	SpinTel $22 Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Enjoy $8 off for the first 6 months for new customers - $14/mth for first 6 months, then $22/mth $14/mth Min. cost $14 Go to Site	$14/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
#4	felix mobile	felix mobile felix 25GB Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $12.50/mth for first 3 mths, then $25/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T&Cs apply $25 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$25 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#5	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile $26 Prepaid 17GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 17GB data for the first 3 recharges, then 7GB from 4th recharge. New customers only. Activate by 07.07.25 $26 Per 28 Day Renewal Go to Site	$26 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#6	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 25GB 5G Mobile SIM 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: Bundle your mobile and nbn plans on the same account to get 10% off your mobile SIM-only plan fees. T&Cs apply. $29/mth Min. cost $29 Go to Site	$29/mth Min. cost $29	Go to Site
#7	Optus	Optus $55 Optus Choice Plus Plan 50GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device $55/mth Min. cost $55 Go to Site	$55/mth Min. cost $55	Go to Site
#8	Vodafone	Vodafone $49 Small SIM Only Plan 100GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 100GB for $39 (incl. 50GB bonus + $10/mth off) on the $49 Small plan. T&Cs apply. $39/mth Min. cost $39 Go to Site	$39/mth Min. cost $39	Go to Site
#9	Kogan Mobile Editor's Pick	Kogan Mobile Editor's Pick Small Monthly Plan 15GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network $20 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$20 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#10	Lebara Mobile	Lebara Mobile $19.90 Extra Small Plan 10GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: $19.90 SIM for $8 online until 04.05.25 New customers only. T&Cs apply. $19.90 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$19.90 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site