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Cheapest eSIM phones for 2025: Affordable phones for as low as $199
Google Pixel 8a, Samsung Galaxy A35, iPhone SE, and Motorola Moto G 5G are the best affordable eSIM phones that you can buy brand new today.
Need an eSIM-compatible phone but don’t want to break the bank just to get one? Thankfully, there are many affordable eSIM phones by top brands available today, from the iPhone SE to Samsung Galaxy A35 or Google Pixel 8a, so you can enjoy the most modern way to stay connected at an affordable price.
Let us aid you in your search for the cheapest eSIM phone. Follow along for a list of the best affordable options that you can buy brand-new today.
An eSIM you can rely on
Get an eSIM trusted by 10+ million users for as little as $1.55/day
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.
1. Google Pixel 8a
Price: $399
Google has included eSIM capability in all its budget phones since the Pixel 3a, and the 8a is no exception. It’s the cheapest Google Pixel phone that’s still sold new and costs $399. Earlier models, such as the 7a and 6a, are no longer available but can still be a great option if you come across a clearance sale or decide to buy one used.
The base model Pixel 8a 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 set up an eSIM on Google Pixel and get connected.
2. Samsung Galaxy A35
Price: $399.99
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 A35 retails for $399.99, and it was released in March 2024, 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 for as low as $300.
If you want an even cheaper option from Samsung, look at their Galaxy A55 phone. It was replaced by the A35 earlier this year, so any retailers with remaining stock might be offering some good sellout deals.
3. Apple iPhone SE
Price: $429
Not a fan of Android phones? You don’t have to spend $1,000+ to have an iPhone with eSIM capabilities. The first iPhone SE was launched in 2020. The model was then re-released in 2022 and is still sold in Apple stores to this day.
The prices for the iPhone SE start at $429 for the base model, which includes 64 GB of storage, 4 GB of RAM, and a camera with filming at up to 4K quality.
If that’s not within your budget, keep in mind that all iPhones since the iPhone XR have eSIM functionality. You can get some pretty good deals when buying these phones second-hand. 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 G 5G
4. Motorola Moto G 5G
Price: $199
Motorola Moto G 5G must be mentioned when we’re talking about cheap eSIM-compatible phones, thanks to its price tag alone. The 2024 model is priced at $199, making it one of the cheapest Android phones with eSIM support. On top of that, you can get even better deals directly from your carrier. For example, T-Mobile currently has the phone listed at $168.
This pretty much eliminates the need for looking into the used phone market, since you’ll be getting a new phone for less than half the price of the cheapest iPhone.
The 2024 model 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.
Comparison of prices of cell phones with eSIM
While there aren’t that many other options under $500 on the market, let’s take a quick look at a few more affordable eSIM phones you can buy new right now. Keep in mind that the prices may differ depending on where you’re buying your phone.
| Cell phone with eSIM | Price |
| Google Pixel 8a | $399 |
| Samsung Galaxy A35 | $399 |
| iPhone SE | $429 |
| Motorola Moto G 5G | $199 |
| Nokia X30 | $349 |
| Samsung Galaxy A54 | $399 |
| Honor 200 | $449 |
| TCL 50 5G | $199 |
Will cheap eSIM phones work with any carrier?
Having eSIM compatibility doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to use your phone 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.
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.
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.
An eSIM you can rely on
Get an eSIM trusted by 10+ million users for as little as $1.55/day
FAQs
Motorola Moto G 5G and TCL 50 5G are amongst the cheapest phones with eSIM technology. Both retail for $199, with some carriers offering them even cheaper than that.
iPhone has taken eSIM adoption to a new level by ditching physical SIM cards for all iPhone 14 and later models sold in the US. This means that all iPhone 14, 15, 16, and 17 models in the US only support eSIMs. On top of that, iPhone Air is the first phone to only support eSIMs worldwide.
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A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.
