Cheap Android eSIM Phones: What Are Your Options?

Featured eSIM.net Support Team

If you want a phone with an eSIM but don’t want to pay thousands of pounds, good news, you won’t have to. Cheap Android eSIM phones are not a myth.

There are several cheap Android phones with eSIM capabilities that don’t skimp on design, performance, or features.

We have listed all the budget eSIM Android phones currently on the market and covered some common questions about Android eSIM devices.

Most eSIM Phones Are Android

Most of the phones on the market that are eSIM enabled are Android.

Contrary to popular belief, eSIM is not restricted to iPhone. In fact, the first eSIM phones were Android and they have been dominating the market since their debut.

Samsung eSIM phones are the most prolific and best Android eSIM phones by far, but Huawei is a close second. Google has also turned out to be a key OEM of eSIM phones with its wildly popular Google Pixel eSIM smartphones.

See: 3 Reasons Why You Should Buy an eSIM

The Best Budget Android eSIM Phones

You don’t need an expensive smartphone to reap the benefits of embedded SIM technology. But which Android phones are eSIM compatible and don’t cost too much?

These Android phones have an eSIM and are easy on the wallet.

Google Pixel 3 Series (3a, 3a XL, 3 XL)
Google Pixel 4 and 4a (including 5G version)
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
Huawei P40 Series (P40, P40 Pro, P40 Pro Lite)
Huawei Mate 20 Pro

This list will expand as more eSIM smartphones are released.

If you want one of the high-end models but don’t want to splash out tons of cash, you could also consider buying a second hand eSIM phone.

See our complete list of eSIM enabled phones

What You Need to Know About Setting Up and Using eSIM Android Phones

After you have chosen a cheap Android eSIM phone, you need to get and set up your eSIM service. This is how you enable and use an embedded SIM on an Android device.

This may vary depending on the device you have and what country you got it from.

How to Activate an eSIM on Android Devices

Using an eSIM on Android smartphones is extremely easy and eSIM plans are widely available. All you have to do is scan a QR code and your eSIM plan will be activated.

Cancel at any time.

To set up an eSIM service on your Samsung Galaxy phone, follow these steps:

Go to Settings > Connections
Select SIM Card Manager
Tap on Add Mobile Plan
Select Don’t have a SIM card?
Scan your QR code
Tap on Register > OK
Your eSIM should now be active

The eSIM setup process is similar on most Android phones.

Using an eSIM on Android

Your phone must be unlocked in order to use an eSIM service from a provider other than the one you originally bought the phone from.

Read | Port a Physical SIM to an eSIM FAQ

If you are using an eSIM for dual-SIM functionality, you won’t need to worry about managing the two lines. You will need to allocate plans initially, but calls and messages will automatically route to the assigned number or plan after this.

Find out more information on Assisted dialing on Android phones.

Using an eSIM is as simple as that!

What is an eSIM Again?

An eSIM, or embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC), is a programmable chip embedded inside certain phones that serves the same purpose as a regular SIM.

eSIMs use remote SIM provisioning to connect to a wireless network over-the-air (OTA). It is specification realised by the GSMA that makes plastic SIM cards unnecessary.

An eSIM can store multiple profiles on one chip and be programmed and reprogrammed as needed. This means you can store several eSIM plans on one device and switch between carriers as you please, including while travelling abroad.

Are you ready for the embedded SIM experience?

Explore our eSIM plans for cheap Android eSIM phones

About eSIM.net

eSIM.net is a registered MVNO based in the United Kingdom and one of the world’s leading eSIM providers. We offer a range of domestic UK O2 plans.