explainers
- Unlimited or fixed data eSIM: which should you buy?Unlimited eSIMs usually have a daily full-speed allowance or a fair-use clause. A fixed pack costs less when your trip needs only a few gigabytes.
- Travel plug types by countryGermany, France and Spain all list Type C, Japan mostly accepts only Type A, and Thailand's sockets take three types at once. Here is how the letters map to trips.
- eSIM vs carrier roaming: how to work out the costAT&T and Verizon day passes both charge per day used, Google Fi's Flexible plan charges per gigabyte. The cheaper option depends on trip length.
- Can you use an eSIM as a hotspot?Yes, but the plan decides. The Holafly unlimited plans I read share 1 GB a day over hotspot, while Maya lists hotspot as included.
- Does your phone support eSIM?Apple says an iPhone XS or later can run an eSIM, and Google's help page says all Pixel 4 and later phones work with eSIM. The carrier lock is the check people skip.
