eSIM Supported Phones South Africa: Full List
Check if your phone is eSIM compatible before you buy a plan. Your handset must be carrier-unlocked and eSIM supported to use HelloRoam data plans across 185+ countries. Phones bought through Vodacom, MTN, or Cell C are often carrier-locked. Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer support eSIM, but the popular Samsung A-series (A53, A54, A55) does not. Check your model and unlock status before buying.
Smartphone
HelloRoam works on eSIM compatible phones from Apple (iPhone XS and newer), Samsung (Galaxy S20 and newer), and Google (Pixel 2 and newer). Your handset must be carrier-unlocked. Phones bought through Vodacom, MTN, or Cell C may need to be unlocked before you can add a HelloRoam e-sim plan. The Samsung A-series (A53, A54, A55) is popular in South Africa but does not include eSIM hardware. You need a Galaxy S20 or newer to use eSIM.
- •iPhone 16e, 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max
- •iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max
- •iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
- •iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
- •iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max
- •iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
- •iPhone XS, XS Max
- •iPhone XR
- •iPhone SE (2nd Gen 2020, 3rd Gen 2022)
iPhones sold in mainland China do not support eSIM. Only some iPhone models sold in Hong Kong and Macau support eSIM. If you bought your iPhone in one of these regions, verify eSIM compatibility before purchasing a plan.
- •Galaxy S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, S25 Edge
- •Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra, S24 FE
- •Galaxy S23, S23+, S23 Ultra, S23 FE
- •Galaxy S22, S22+, S22 Ultra
- •Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra
- •Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra
- •Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Fold 6, Z Fold 5, Z Fold 4, Z Fold 3, Z Fold 2
- •Galaxy Z Flip 7, Z Flip 7 FE, Z Flip 6, Z Flip 5, Z Flip 4, Z Flip 3
- •Galaxy Note 20, Note 20 Ultra
- •Galaxy A56, A55, A54, A36, A35, A23
- •Galaxy XCover7 Pro
Samsung devices must be carrier-unlocked to use eSIM. Handsets purchased through Vodacom, MTN, or Cell C may have eSIM disabled by default. Contact your network to unlock your device before adding a HelloRoam plan. Note: the Samsung Galaxy A-series (A52, A53, A54, A55) does not support eSIM. eSIM hardware is only available on Galaxy S20 and newer flagship models.
- •Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, 10 Pro Fold
- •Pixel 9, 9a, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold
- •Pixel 8, 8a, 8 Pro
- •Pixel Fold
- •Pixel 7, 7a, 7 Pro
- •Pixel 6, 6a, 6 Pro
- •Pixel 5, 5a 5G
- •Pixel 4, 4a, 4a 5G, 4 XL
- •Pixel 3, 3a, 3 XL, 3a XL
- •Pixel 2, 2 XL
Google Pixel devices bought in Australia, Taiwan, and Japan may not support eSIM. Verify your device compatibility before purchasing a plan.
- •Razr (2025), Razr+ (2025), Razr Ultra (2025)
- •Razr 60, Razr 50, Razr 50 Ultra
- •Razr 40, Razr 40 Ultra
- •Razr 2024, Razr+ 2024, Razr 2022, Razr 2019, Razr 5G
- •Edge 60, Edge 60 Pro, Edge 60 Fusion, Edge 60 Stylus
- •Edge 50, Edge 50 Pro, Edge 50 Ultra, Edge 50 Neo, Edge 50 Fusion
- •Edge 40, Edge 40 Pro, Edge 40 Neo
- •Edge+, Edge+ (2022), Edge+ (2023)
- •Edge (2022), Edge (2023), Edge (2024)
- •Moto G (2024), Moto G (2025)
- •Moto G34, G35, G53, G54, G54 Power, G55, G75, G84, G85, G86
- •Moto G52J 5G, G53J 5G, G53Y 5G
- •Moto G Power (2024), G Power 5G (2024)
- •Moto G Stylus 5G (2023), G Stylus 5G (2024)
- •ThinkPhone 25
Motorola eSIM availability varies by region. Your device must be carrier-unlocked and purchased in a region that supports eSIM functionality.
- •Find X8, Find X8 Pro
- •Find X5, Find X5 Pro
- •Find X3, Find X3 Pro
- •Find N2 Flip, Find N5
- •Reno 14, Reno 14 Pro
- •Reno 9A, Reno 6 Pro 5G, Reno 5A
- •A77, A55s 5G
Oppo Find X series global variants support eSIM. Oppo phones are sold at Incredible Connection and Takealot in South Africa. Budget Oppo A-series models use physical SIM only. Confirm eSIM on your model.
- •Xiaomi 15, 15 Ultra
- •Xiaomi 14, 14 Pro, 14T, 14T Pro
- •Xiaomi 13, 13 Pro, 13 Lite, 13T, 13T Pro
- •Xiaomi 12T Pro
- •Redmi Note 14 Pro, 14 Pro+, 14 Pro 5G, 14 Pro+ 5G
- •Redmi Note 13 Pro, 13 Pro+
- •Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G
- •Poco X7
Xiaomi 14 and 15 global variants support eSIM. Chinese models do not. Buy from Incredible Connection or Takealot. Check the exact model number for eSIM hardware.
- •Huawei Pura X Foldable
- •Huawei Pura 70 Pro
- •Huawei 80 Pro, 80 Pro+, 80 Ultra
- •Huawei Mate 40 Pro
- •Huawei P40, P40 Pro
Huawei phones have limited eSIM support in South Africa. Most models at Incredible Connection and Takealot use physical SIM only. Check with Vodacom or MTN for compatibility.
- •Xperia 1 VII, 1 VI, 1 V, 1 IV
- •Xperia 5 V, 5 IV
- •Xperia 10 VI, 10 V, 10 IV, 10 III Lite
- •Xperia Ace III
Sony Xperia 1 V and Xperia 5 V support eSIM in their global variants. Available from Takealot. Confirm the eSIM model before purchasing.
- •Honor 400, 400 Pro, 400 Lite
- •Honor 200, 200 Pro
- •Honor 90, Honor 50
- •Honor Magic7 Pro, Magic7 Lite
- •Honor Magic6 Pro, Magic6 Pro RSR
- •Honor Magic5 Pro
- •Honor Magic4 Pro
- •Honor Magic V5, Magic V3, Magic V2, Magic Vs3
- •Honor X8
Honor eSIM works on select flagship models outside China. Budget Honor phones at Incredible Connection use physical SIM only. Check the Honor spec page for your model.
- •OnePlus 13, 13R, 13T
- •OnePlus 12
- •OnePlus 11
- •OnePlus Open
OnePlus eSIM works on the 9 series onwards. Buy unlocked from Takealot or OnePlus.com. OnePlus phones are not sold through Vodacom or MTN stores.
- •Vivo X200, X200 Pro, X200s, X200 FE
- •Vivo X100 Pro
- •Vivo X90 Pro
- •Vivo V50, V40, V40 Lite
- •Vivo V29, V29 Lite 5G
Vivo eSIM is limited to select flagship X-series global models. Vivo phones at Takealot vary by variant. Check the Vivo support page for your exact model.
- •Nokia G60 5G
- •Nokia X30 5G
- •Nokia XR21
Nokia eSIM works on select models. Nokia phones are sold at Incredible Connection and Takealot. Check the Nokia spec page for eSIM on your model.
- •Rakuten Hand 5G
- •Rakuten Hand
- •Rakuten Big, Big-S
- •Rakuten Mini
Rakuten phones are sold only in Japan. They are not available from SA retailers and do not support SA network bands.
- •AQUOS R10, R9, R9 Pro, R8, R8 Pro, R8s Pro, R7
- •AQUOS sense9, sense8, sense7, sense7 plus, sense6, sense6s
- •AQUOS sense4 lite
- •AQUOS wish3, wish2, wish
- •AQUOS zero6
- •Simple Sumaho 6
Sharp AQUOS phones are sold only in Japan. They are not available from SA retailers. eSIM works on select AQUOS models with Japanese carriers only.
- •Fairphone 5
- •Fairphone 4
Fairphone is a European brand not officially sold in South Africa. Fairphone 5 supports eSIM in European markets. If you imported one, check SA band compatibility.
- •Nothing Phone (3)
- •Nothing Phone (3a) Pro
- •Nothing Phone Pro
Nothing Phone (2) and (2a) Plus support eSIM. Buy from Nothing.tech or Takealot. Nothing phones work on Vodacom, MTN, and Cell C networks in South Africa.
- •TCL 60, 60 XE NxtPaper
- •TCL 50 5G, 50 NxtPaper, 50 Pro NxtPaper
- •TCL 40 XL
TCL eSIM works on select 5G models. TCL phones are available at Incredible Connection and Takealot. Confirm eSIM on your model spec page before buying.
- •Realme 14 Pro+
- •Realme GT 7
Realme eSIM is limited to select GT flagship global variants. Budget Realme at Takealot use physical SIM only. Check specs before buying a plan.
- •ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra
- •ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1, Max Pro M2
ASUS Zenfone and ROG Phone support eSIM on select models. Buy unlocked from Takealot. They are not sold through Vodacom, MTN, or Cell C stores.
- •Hammer Explorer PRO
- •Hammer Blade 3, Blade 5G
- •Hammer Construction
- •myPhone NOW eSIM
Hammer rugged phones are a European brand not sold in South Africa. eSIM works in select European markets only. Check compatibility if you imported one.
- •T-Mobile Revvl 7
- •T-Mobile Revvl 7 Pro
T-Mobile Revvl devices are sold only in the US and are not available in South Africa. These phones do not work on SA networks.
- •Surface Duo, Duo 2
- •ZTE nubia Flip2
- •Alcatel V3 Ultra
- •Nuu X5
- •DOOGEE V30
- •Gigaset GX4 PRO
- •EVOLVEO StrongPhone G9
- •Gemini PDA 4G+Wi-Fi
- •Razer Edge 5G
eSIM support depends on the exact brand and model. Most budget phones at Game, Pep, and prepaid carrier outlets use physical SIM only. Check your phone spec page for eSIM before buying.
FAQs
eSIM cannot run on every phone. It needs an embedded eSIM chip built into the hardware at the factory. Compatible phones include iPhone XS and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, and Google Pixel 2 and newer. Handsets released before 2018 and most budget Android models do not have this chip. HelloRoam works on any eSIM supported phone that is also carrier-unlocked.
Checking eSIM support on your handset takes under a minute. On iPhone, open Settings, then General, then About, and look for an EID number. On Android, dial *#06# and look for an EID next to your IMEI. If an EID appears, your phone has eSIM hardware. South African phones bought through Vodacom, MTN, or Cell C may also be carrier-locked, so confirm your unlock status before buying a HelloRoam plan.
Old phones cannot use eSIM. The embedded eSIM chip must be physically present from the factory. No software update can add it later. Phones released before 2018, including iPhone X and earlier and Samsung Galaxy S10 and earlier, will never support eSIM. To use a HelloRoam plan, you need an eSIM supported phone from 2018 or later.
Not all iPhones support eSIM. Compatible models start from the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR released in September 2018. Every iPhone 11 through 16 model supports eSIM, along with the iPhone SE 2nd and 3rd generation. Older models including iPhone X, 8, 7, and 6 do not have eSIM hardware. iPhones bought in mainland China and some Hong Kong models also lack eSIM support even on newer versions.
Google Pixel phones support eSIM from the Pixel 2 onwards. All Pixel models through to the Pixel 10, including the Pixel Fold and Pixel 9 Pro series, include eSIM hardware certified by the GSMA. Pixel 7 and newer can run two active eSIMs without a physical SIM card. Your Pixel must be carrier-unlocked to set up a HelloRoam plan.
The Honor 200 Lite does not support eSIM. Honor limits eSIM to select flagship models sold outside China. Budget and mid-range Honor phones, including the 200 Lite, use physical SIM cards only. If you are travelling to Mauritius, Dubai, or London and need data on arrival, you will need a different handset. Check our full e-sim compatible device list for alternatives.
The Honor 50 does not support eSIM in most markets. Honor limits eSIM to select high-end models sold outside China. The Honor 50 uses a physical dual SIM setup instead. Travellers heading to Thailand, the UAE, or the UK who want to avoid per-MB roaming charges from Vodacom or MTN will need an eSIM compatible handset to use a HelloRoam plan.
iPhone 13 supports eSIM on all four variants: iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max. Apple made the iPhone 13 the first model to run two active eSIMs at once without any physical SIM card. HelloRoam eSIM plans work on iPhone 13 across 185+ countries. Your iPhone 13 must be carrier-unlocked to install a third-party eSIM plan.
iPhone supports eSIM from the XS, XS Max, and XR released in September 2018 onward. Every model in the iPhone 11 through 16 range includes eSIM, and so does the iPhone SE 2nd and 3rd generation. What iphones support esim? Every i phone from XS onward supports it, covering the full 11 through 16 lineup. Your iPhone must run iOS 12.1 or later and be carrier-unlocked to install a HelloRoam e SIM plan. Phones bought in mainland China do not support eSIM regardless of model.
The Oppo Reno 14 supports eSIM on its international variant. Oppo's global flagship and mid-range models, including the Reno 14 series, support eSIM in markets outside China. Chinese domestic versions do not. Oppo and Vivo devices require ColorOS 12 or later for eSIM functionality. Always confirm your specific regional variant before buying a HelloRoam plan.
The LG V40 ThinQ does not support eSIM. LG's eSIM hardware was limited to the LG G8 ThinQ and select US carrier models. The V40 was not included. LG stopped making smartphones in 2021, so no future update will add eSIM support. If you need a travel e-sim for Mauritius, the UK, or Dubai, you will need a handset from a brand on the eSIM supported phones list.
Your phone shows eSIM support through a quick settings check. On iPhone, go to Settings, General, About, and look for an EID number. On Android, dial *#06# and check whether an EID appears next to your IMEI. An EID confirms your phone has eSIM hardware. South African handsets bought from Vodacom, MTN, or Cell C may still be carrier-locked, so verify your unlock status before buying a HelloRoam plan.
Most phones store between 5 and 10 eSIM profiles but can only run 1 or 2 at one time. iPhones before the 13 store up to 8 profiles and activate one at a time. iPhone 13 and newer can run two active eSIMs without a physical SIM card. Samsung phones typically store 5 to 7 profiles. You can switch between saved HelloRoam profiles instantly without scanning a new QR code each time.
Dual SIM and eSIM are different things. Dual SIM means the phone can hold two lines at once, either two physical cards or one physical card plus one eSIM. An eSIM is a chip embedded in the phone's hardware that stores SIM profiles digitally with no physical card needed. Phones like the iPhone 13 and Samsung Galaxy S21 support both at once. This means you can keep your Vodacom or MTN number active on your physical SIM while your HelloRoam e-sim plan handles data abroad.
eSIM is not available on all carriers. In South Africa, Vodacom and MTN support eSIM on eligible handsets, while Cell C support is more limited. You can activate your Vodacom or MTN eSIM in settings without visiting a store. Internationally, major networks in the UK, UAE, USA, and Australia support eSIM. HelloRoam provides its own eSIM data plans that work independently of your home carrier across 185+ countries. Your handset just needs eSIM hardware and a carrier-unlock to get started.
The Honor 400 Lite is not confirmed to support eSIM as of April 2026. Honor typically keeps eSIM for premium flagship models sold outside China. Budget models in the Honor 400 range use physical SIM cards only. Check the Honor specifications page for your exact model before purchasing. For travel data, browse our full eSIM compatible device list to find a handset that works with HelloRoam.
Your iPhone is eSIM compatible if it is an iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, or any model released from September 2018 onward. Open Settings, then General, then About, and check for an EID number. If an EID appears, your iPhone has the eSIM chip. Your iPhone must also run iOS 12.1 or later and be carrier-unlocked to install a HelloRoam plan. iPhones bought in mainland China do not support eSIM.
The LG V60 ThinQ supports eSIM on select US carrier variants, specifically models sold through AT&T and Verizon in the United States. Models purchased in South Africa or other regions may not include eSIM hardware. LG stopped making smartphones in 2021, so no future software updates will add eSIM to unsupported variants. Confirm your specific model before buying a HelloRoam plan.
Android phones with eSIM support include Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, Google Pixel 2 and newer, OnePlus 9 series and newer, Motorola Razr 40 and Edge 50 series, and select global Xiaomi 13 and 14 variants. In South Africa, Samsung A-series models (A52, A53, A54, A55) are best-sellers but they do not have eSIM hardware. You need a Galaxy S-series from the S20 onward. Budget and mid-range Android models generally do not have eSIM hardware. Chinese domestic versions of even flagship phones typically lack eSIM. Always check your exact model before buying a plan.
eSIM compatible devices include smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and certain laptops. Phones with esim include iPhone XS and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, and Google Pixel 2 and newer. Every i phone from XS onward qualifies, from the iPhone 11 through to the 16 series. Compatible tablets include cellular iPads from 2019 onward and Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 and S9 LTE models. Compatible smartwatches include Apple Watch Series 3 cellular and newer, and Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and newer. All devices must be carrier-unlocked to use HelloRoam across 185+ countries.
An eSIM is not transferable to a different phone once installed. The profile is tied to the original device and cannot be moved directly. If you replace your handset, contact HelloRoam support with your order number. Our team can re-issue a new activation code for your replacement device, usually within a few hours. Keep your order confirmation email so we can find your account quickly.
Switching between an eSIM and a physical SIM is straightforward. Go to your phone's cellular settings, choose which line handles your default data, and toggle between your physical SIM and your eSIM as needed. No restart is needed and you do not have to remove any hardware. Both lines stay installed at the same time, so your Vodacom or MTN number stays active while your HelloRoam eSIM handles data abroad.
eSIM activation on HelloRoam takes about 2 minutes. Scan the QR code with your phone camera, your device downloads the eSIM profile, and the plan activates automatically. eSIM activation works the same on any compatible i phone or Android phone from the list. No store visit and no SIM card in the post. Do not wait until you reach OR Tambo International or Cape Town International. Install the plan at home a day before you fly. Vodacom and MTN customers can keep their home number on the physical SIM while the HelloRoam e-sim handles data abroad, saving you from Vodacom's R29 per MB charges.
Cellular iPads and Android tablets with eSIM hardware work with HelloRoam data-only plans. Compatible iPad models include the iPad Pro from 2018 onward, iPad Air from 2019 onward, iPad mini from 2019 onward, and the standard iPad from 2019 onward. Wi-Fi-only tablet models cannot use eSIM. Confirm you have the Wi-Fi plus Cellular version of your tablet before purchasing a plan.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 supports eSIM on all three models: S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra. Samsung added eSIM hardware from the Galaxy S20 series onward, and every flagship Galaxy S since then includes it. Your S21 must be carrier-unlocked to install a third-party eSIM plan. Go to Settings, About Phone, and confirm no carrier lock is shown. HelloRoam eSIM plans work on the S21 across 185+ countries.
Getting your handset carrier-unlocked in South Africa means contacting your network directly. Vodacom, MTN, and Cell C process unlock requests within 2 to 5 business days for devices that are fully paid off. Submit the request through their online portals or by calling customer service. On iPhone, check Settings, General, About, then Carrier Lock. If it reads 'No SIM restrictions', your phone is ready for a HelloRoam eSIM plan. On Android, dial *#06# and check for an EID. No EID means no eSIM hardware regardless of lock status.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 supports eSIM across all variants: S22, S22+, and S22 Ultra. Samsung includes eSIM hardware in every Galaxy S flagship from the S20 onward. Your S22 must be carrier-unlocked to add a HelloRoam plan. Go to Settings, About Phone, Status, and look for an EID number to confirm eSIM hardware is present. S22 users can run a physical SIM and an eSIM at the same time, keeping their home number active while using travel data abroad.
To know if your phone is unlocked, check the carrier lock status directly on your device. On iPhone, go to Settings, General, About, and scroll to Carrier Lock. If it reads 'No SIM restrictions', your phone is carrier-unlocked and ready for a HelloRoam eSIM. You can also dial *#06# to display your IMEI number; an EID listed alongside the IMEI confirms your phone has eSIM hardware. On Android, go to Settings, Connections, SIM Card Manager, and look for a carrier lock indicator. If your phone is locked, contact Vodacom, MTN, or Cell C and request a device unlock. South African networks typically process these requests within 2 to 5 business days.
To check if an iPhone is unlocked, open Settings, tap General, then About, and look for Carrier Lock near the bottom of the screen. If it reads 'No SIM restrictions', your iPhone is carrier-unlocked. A second method: insert a SIM card from a different carrier. If it activates, the phone is unlocked. You can also dial *#06# to view your IMEI number; Apple's IMEI check tool at checkcoverage.apple.com shows lock status. Your iPhone must be carrier-unlocked to install a HelloRoam eSIM plan.
iPhone 11 eSIM is fully supported on all three models: iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max. Apple added eSIM to the iPhone XS and XR in 2018, and every iPhone from the 11 series onward includes it. Your iPhone 11 eSIM setup requires iOS 12.1 or later and a carrier-unlocked device. The iPhone 11 runs one physical nano-SIM alongside an eSIM, keeping your home number active while HelloRoam handles travel data in 185+ countries.
Popular eSIM Destinations
Sources
- Apple — eSIM Supported Devices(Accessed April 2026)
- Google — Phones That Support eSIM(Accessed April 2026)
- Samsung — eSIM Supported Devices(Accessed April 2026)