Cheapest eSIM phones for 2026: Affordable phones for as low as AU$199

The cheapest eSIM phones you can buy new in 2026 start at around AU$199 for the Motorola moto g35 5G, and go up to  AU$999 for the iPhone 17e. In between, the Google Pixel 9a ( AU$749) and Samsung Galaxy A37 (AU$599) offer strong performance with eSIM support.

Here’s a closer look at each option and what you get for the price. Once you get your affordable eSIM phone, you can get a travel eSIM and save on your data, as well.

An eSIM you can rely on

Join over 10 million Holafly customers and get connected with our trusted, global services.

Buy eSIM

Top 4 cheap eSIM-compatible phones

Now that any doubts about eSIM technology are cleared up, let’s take a look at some of the best cheap phones with eSIM compatibility you can buy today.

Tip: If you’re not looking to upgrade your non-eSIM phone, you could purchase an eSIM adapter instead. This is an external tool that gives your Android phone/iPhone access to eSIM capabilities.

1. Google Pixel 9a

Price: AU$749

Google has included eSIM capability in all its budget phones since the Pixel 3a, and the 9a is no exception. With Google clearing stock after the Pixel 10a launch, the Pixel 9a can currently be picked up new for  AU$749, down from its original  AU$799 price tag. If you’re looking for an even more affordable option, earlier models like the Pixel 8a can be found second-hand for less. For those willing to spend more, the Pixel 10a at  AU$849 is the latest in Google’s budget lineup and the next best option.

The base model Pixel 9a includes 128 GB of storage, offers solid performance, and even an AI-infused, high-quality camera, making it a solid purchase for anyone on a budget.

Check out our guide on how to activate up an eSIM on Google Pixel and get connected.

2. Samsung Galaxy A37 5G

Price: AU$599

Samsung is another name that has been in the eSIM game for a while. However, they didn’t start offering eSIM support in their budget line until fairly recently. The Samsung Galaxy A37 retails for  AU$599, and it was released in April 2026, making it a relatively new phone.

The base model includes 128 GB of storage, 6 GB of RAM, and a camera with an enhanced sensor, offering solid performance for the price. You may be able to find the phone even cheaper in online stores like Amazon, with some new phones available at a discount.

If you want a cheaper Samsung, be careful here: the more budget A-series models sold in Australia — the Galaxy A26 and A16 — ship without eSIM, so the A37 is Samsung’s entry point for eSIM support locally.

3. Apple iPhone 17e

Price: AU$999

Not a fan of Android phones? You don’t have to spend a fortune to have an iPhone with eSIM capabilities. The iPhone 17e is Apple’s most affordable current iPhone, launched in March 2026 with the latest A19 chip, a 48MP camera with 4K Dolby Vision video, and 256 GB of base storage.

The prices for the iPhone 17e start at  AU$999. If that’s not within your budget, keep in mind that all iPhones since the iPhone XR have eSIM functionality. In Australia, the iPhone 16 is still sold by Apple, and older models like the iPhone 16e and iPhone 15 can still be found at retailers and second-hand at lower prices. Just remember to check the battery health to make sure you’ll be able to use the phone for a while.

Once you have your phone, check out our guide on setting up an eSIM on your iPhone.

4. Motorola moto g35 5G

Price: around AU$199

The Motorola moto g35 5G must be mentioned when we’re talking about cheap eSIM-compatible phones, thanks to its price tag alone. It has an RRP of around AU$199, making it one of the cheapest Android phones with eSIM support in Australia. On top of that, you can often find it cheaper  sometimes bundled with a carrier plan.

At that price, the  moto g35 5G is arguably the cheapest eSIM phone worth buying new —  roughly a fifth of the price for the cheapest iPhone.

The moto g35 5G includes 128 GB of storage, good battery life, a decent camera, and good enough performance considering its price, so it should last you at least a couple of years.

Price comparison of cheapest mobilephones with eSIM

While there aren’t that many other options under  AU$600, here are a few more of the cheapest eSIM phones you can buy new right now. Keep in mind that the prices may differ depending on where you’re buying your phone.

Disclaimer: This article was last reviewed on October 1, 2026. Prices may have changed, and some phone models may no longer be available.

Will cheap eSIM phones work with any carrier?

Finding the cheapest eSIM phone is only half the job. Having eSIM compatibility doesn’t mean you’ll be able to use it with any carrier. Before buying your phone, contact your carrier to make sure it supports eSIM activation on the model you want to buy and isn’t locked to another carrier.

One Australia-specific catch worth checking first: some of the cheapest handsets sold here ship without eSIM at all. The Motorola moto g06 and Samsung’s budget Galaxy A16 and A26 are physical-SIM only in their Australian versions, so look for “eSIM” on the spec sheet before you buy a bargain phone for this purpose.

In some cases, eSIM compatibility can also be affected by the region you’re in. This means that if you bought your phone in a different country, you may not be able to use eSIMs. However, cases like these are rare, and in general, any eSIM phone will work with a majority of carriers.

To ensure you’ll be able to use eSIMs on your phone, check out our blogs on how to check if your phone is eSIM compatible and a list of carriers offering eSIM plans worldwide.

Get unlimited data for less with Holafly eSIMs

Once you get your eSIM phone, it’s finally time to start using your phone without physical SIM cards and get yourself an eSIM plan. No matter if you need a short-term plan for a trip abroad or a long-term solution with coverage in multiple countries, Holafly has got you covered.

Holafly offers single-destination plans in 200+ destinations for as little as $1.55/day, as well as regional and global eSIM plans with flexible plan durations. All of these plans include unlimited data and 24/7 customer support, ensuring that you never lose connection. What’s more, you can get 1 GB of Always On monthly backup data in over 70 worldwide destinations. You’ll see the additional allowance once you activate your Holafly eSIM. All you have to do is keep it installed on your device.

For long-term coverage, get Holafly Plans, a pay-monthly eSIM subscription offering coverage in 160+ destinations worldwide, along with other key features, such as a phone number for 2FA and hotspot sharing. Note for Australian readers: this number is issued for the US, UK, or Canada.  Holafly Plans does not currently provide an Australian (+61) number, so for a local number you’ll still need an Australian carrier.

Get an unlimited data eSIM

Use code MYESIMNOW5 for 5% off at checkout

Explore Holafly eSIMs

FAQs

Plans that may interest you

eSIM Japan

eSIM Turkey

SEO Content Writer

哈囉我是來自台灣的 Wen，平常最喜歡旅遊，也喜歡將旅遊的種種化成文字跟大家分享，希望大家能在我的文章中找到有用的資訊，加上 Holafly 的 eSIM，讓你的旅程更美好！✈️✈️✈️ Hi! I'm Wen, a passionate content writer and travel enthusiast from Taiwan. I transform my wanderlust adventures into engaging stories and practical guides, helping fellow travelers make the most of their journeys.Through my articles, I strive to provide travel tips while introducing how our eSIM technology can enhance your travel experience - keeping you connected wherever your adventures take you!

Read full bio

Related reading