For many people, travelling to new countries means scratching off a new destination on their scratch map or adding another stamp to their passport.
For me, it used to be about the SIM cards I collected in my wallet. And I have to admit, it got a little out of hand. It was tough to remember which was which and how to top each one up. And I’d regularly lose them, because, well, have you seen how tiny they are?
Thankfully, in recent years, a new technology has eliminated the need for physical SIM cards – eSIMs. These are SIM cards built into most modern smartphones, and data plans can be installed digitally (via providers). They don’t necessarily replace the physical SIM that you use at home (unless you’d prefer to). But they have simplified my travels!
I use Saily as my go-to travel eSIM, and my wallet is now significantly less chaotic! In this post, I’m going to break down exactly what an eSIM is, how it stacks up against a traditional physical SIM, and whether you should consider trying one out also!
What is a physical SIM?
A physical SIM is that small chip you slot into your phone to connect to a mobile network. It’s what links your device to your phone number, along with your data allowance.
I have been using physical SIMs most of my life, the moment I got my hands on my first Nokia brick. It used to be all about texts and phone calls, but nowadays they are mostly centred towards internet data packages.
Most phones have just one physical SIM card slot, and typically, the physical SIM you use at home will charge extortionate roaming fees when travelling abroad.
So, to keep on using a physical SIM during your travels, it usually requires you to purchase a new one whilst in the country you need it in, and swap it out for your home SIM, losing access to your texts and calls.
Pros
- Works with pretty much any phone, old or new
- Usually cheaper for everyday use at home
- Texts and calls are typically included as standard
Cons
- Easy to lose (they are really tiny)
- Expensive roaming fees when used abroad
- Faff of buying a new one in each country you visit
- Only one SIM card slot on most phones
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM does the same job as a physical SIM, but without the tiny plastic card. It’s a digital SIM that’s built directly into your phone, meaning you can download and activate a data plan without ever needing to swap anything out.
Most modern smartphones now come with eSIM capability, and the process of getting set up is straightforward. You purchase a plan, scan a QR code, and you’re connected.
No risk of losing a tiny chip down the back of the bed in your hotel room! Or storing them up in your wallet just in case you return to that country in the future.
You can find out even more about what an eSIM is in my handy guide!
Pros
- Set up in minutes from anywhere
- Nothing physical to lose or store
- Can run alongside your home SIM
- Easy to switch plans or top up through an app
Cons
- Old phones may not be compatible
- Often doesn’t include texts and calls, just data
Physical SIM vs eSIM
So, now you know a little more about the difference between a physical SIM vs eSIM, I will go into greater detail about my experience using each and how they compare across the most important factors: setup, convenience, cost, coverage, speeds, device compatibility, and security.
Setup and convenience
This is where the gap between the two really shows up. Getting a physical SIM sorted whilst abroad usually means tracking down a shop, working out which plan suits you, handing over your passport, and then swapping the card out. All before you’ve even got your bearings for the place.
Not only will a physical SIM stop you from accessing your phone number back home (useful when you need to receive texts), but as I’ve already mentioned, physical SIMs are tiny and easy to lose. Mine used to live in the corner of my wallet with all the others, and more than once, I have lost my home SIM card and had to get it replaced upon my return.
With an eSIM, like Saily, the whole setup happens in the app. I can download a plan before I’ve even left the house, activate it when I land, and top it up in seconds if I run out of data. If I switch to another country, I just buy another plan in the app (or buy a regional plan).
No locating shops, no queuing, and no tiny plastic cards to safeguard!
The cost
Cost is where physical SIMs still have an edge, but only in certain situations. At home, my GiffGaff SIM is hard to beat on price for what I get.
It’s a different story abroad. Buying a physical SIM in the country you are visiting can still be relatively cheap, but you are paying in time and hassle as well as money.
And if you skip the local SIM altogether and just use your home physical SIM abroad, the roaming fees can be eye-watering.
An eSIM like Saily falls somewhere in between. It isn’t always the absolute cheapest, but reasonably priced for the convenience.
Coverage and data speeds
Not entirely sure why, but I had assumed my home physical SIM would outperform an eSIM whilst roaming, but that wasn’t really the case. Particularly when using Saily.
Coverage was often pretty similar between the two. Sometimes one would drop to LTE whilst the other held onto 5G, but most of the time they were both on 5G without issue. With both attaching to the top local network providers.
Where Saily consistently edged ahead was in speed. Download speeds were a touch faster on the eSIM, and upload speeds were noticeably better, which made a real difference when I was uploading photos on the go (see images above).
Device compatibility
Pretty much any phone made in the last twenty years will take a physical SIM. And if you are travelling with an older device, it may be your only option.
eSIMs are a more recent addition. Most modern smartphones support them, including iPhones from the XS onwards and the majority of recent Samsung, Google, and other Android flagships.
It is always worth double-checking your specific model before you buy a plan, but if your phone is only a few years old, you are most likely good to go. Alternatively, check out all the supported devices here.
Security
Security is an often overlooked factor, but it is one I have thought about more and more the longer I have been travelling.
If you lose your phone with a physical SIM inside, whoever finds it could, in theory, pop the SIM out and use it in another device. With an eSIM, the profile is locked to your phone, so there is no tiny card for anyone to swipe.
Saily also comes with some handy built-in security features, including web protection that blocks dodgy links and malicious sites whilst you are browsing. A small thing, but a nice extra bit of peace of mind whilst travelling and using unknown WiFi networks and websites.
The environment
Physical SIM cards are made from a mix of plastic and metal, and every single one has to be manufactured, packaged, and shipped around the world. Add in the plastic packaging they typically come in, and the carbon footprint of producing a physical SIM is surprisingly chunky for something so small.
eSIMs cut all of that out. There is nothing to manufacture, nothing to ship, and nothing to throw away when you are done with a plan. For someone who travels often and would otherwise be collecting a fresh physical SIM in every country, the difference adds up over time.
It is a small thing in the grand scheme of things, but as someone who tries to make more sustainable choices where I can, it is a nice additional bonus.
Why I use Saily eSIM
I have tried a handful of travel eSIMs over the years, and Saily is my favourite. It ticks all the boxes for me: easy to set up, reliable coverage, great speeds, fair pricing, and an app that is easy to use.
The plans are flexible, covering individual countries, regions, and even a global option if you are hopping between continents. Plus, they now offer a subscription plan (Saily Ultra), with monthly data and airport perks (like fast track and lounge access), perfect for frequent travellers.
Top-ups are quick, and I have never had any real headaches getting connected when I land somewhere new.
I also like the little extras. The built-in web protection adds a layer of security when I am using public Wi-Fi, and the virtual location feature has come in handy more than once when I have wanted to access something back home whilst abroad.
If you want a proper deep dive into how it works day to day, you can read my full Saily review here. Alternatively, here is a quick features list:
- Coverage: 200+ destinations
- Plans: Country-specific, regional, worldwide, and a new Ultra subscription plan (with traveller benefits)
- Data: From 1GB to unlimited (depending on destination)
- eSIM downloads: One eSIM for all plans (with the option to create multiple eSIMs)
- Additional features: Virtual location tool, ad blocker and web protection for your mobile
My verdict: Which SIM is better for travel?
For me, when it comes to travel, using an eSIM is a no-brainer. Unless your physical SIM from home offers free roaming (with generous allowances) and great connectivity in the place you are visiting.
There truly is no need to replace your home SIM with another physical SIM in the country you are visiting. It is extra faff, locating a shop to purchase one in, and replacing it with your home SIM, thus removing access to your phone number (unless you have two SIM card slots).
You can download a travel eSIM onto your device, and keep your home SIM running in the background. Useful if you need to access your online banking with two-factor authentication, or receive any important texts from home.
It is a little more nuanced when it comes to replacing your physical SIM with an eSIM for use at home. Typically, it will be cheaper to keep your physical SIM, and it is harder to find eSIMs with texts and calls included. But, if you are a frequent traveller, you may benefit from using something like Saily’s Ultra plan – a monthly subscription with coverage in 120+ destinations.
FAQs
Is eSIM better than a physical SIM?
For travel, yes. eSIMs are quicker to set up, easier to switch between, and save you the faff of tracking down a local SIM whilst abroad. For day-to-day use at home, a physical SIM is often still cheaper and usually includes texts and calls as standard.
What are the disadvantages of eSIM?
The main one is device compatibility. Older phones don’t support eSIMs, so you’ll need a reasonably modern smartphone to use one. They can also be trickier to transfer to a new device compared to simply popping a physical SIM out and slotting it in.
Can I use WhatsApp with an eSIM?
Yes, absolutely. WhatsApp works over data, so as long as your eSIM is providing an internet connection, you can use WhatsApp as normal, including calls, video calls, and messages. Your WhatsApp account stays linked to your original phone number, so nothing changes on that front.
Can I use an eSIM and a physical SIM at the same time?
Yes, most modern smartphones support dual SIM usage, meaning you can keep your home physical SIM active for calls and texts whilst using an eSIM for data abroad. This is exactly how I use Saily alongside my GiffGaff SIM when I travel.
Do I need Wi-Fi to install an eSIM?
Yes, you’ll need an internet connection to download and activate your eSIM in the first place. I’d recommend setting it up before you leave home, or connecting to the airport Wi-Fi when you land, so you’re ready to go the moment you step outside.
Will using an eSIM abroad affect my home phone number?
Not at all. Your home SIM stays active in the background, so you can still receive texts and calls on your usual number. Handy for things like two-factor authentication or keeping in touch with family back home.
My go-to travel health insurance:
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