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Cheapest eSIM phones for 2026: Affordable phones for as low as $199
Google Pixel 9a, Samsung Galaxy A36, iPhone 17a, and Motorola Moto G are the best affordable eSIM phones that you can buy brand new today.
The cheapest eSIM phones you can buy new in 2026 start at $199.99 for the Motorola Moto G and go up to $599 for the iPhone 17e. In between, the Google Pixel 9a ($399) and Samsung Galaxy A36 ($399.99) 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
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 9a is no exception. With Google clearing stock after the Pixel 10a launch, the Pixel 9a can currently be picked up new for $399, down from its original $499 price tag. If you’re looking for an even more affordable option, earlier models like the Pixel 8a can be found second-hand for under $200. For those willing to spend more, the Pixel 10a at $499 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 A36
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 A36 retails for $399.99, and it was released in March 2025, 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 an even cheaper option from Samsung, look at their Galaxy A26 phone at $299, which offers many of the same features, including eSIM support, at a lower price point.
3. Apple iPhone 17e
Price: $599
Not a fan of Android phones? You don’t have to spend $1,000+ 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 $599. If that’s not within your budget, keep in mind that all iPhones since the iPhone XR have eSIM functionality. The iPhone 16e and iPhone 15 can still be found at carriers and retailers at lower prices, and you can get even better deals buying second-hand, with iPhone 15 models starting around $300. 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
Price: $199.99
Motorola Moto G must be mentioned when we’re talking about cheap eSIM-compatible phones, thanks to its price tag alone. The 2026 model is priced at $199.99, 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.
At that price, the Moto G is arguably the cheapest eSIM phone worth buying new — less than a third of the price for the cheapest iPhone.
The 2026 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.
Price comparison of cheapest cell phones with eSIM
While there aren’t that many other options under $500, 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.
| Cheapest eSIM phones with eSIM | Price |
|---|---|
| Motorola Moto G (2026) | $199.99 |
| Samsung Galaxy A26 | $299 |
| Google Pixel 9a (clearance) | $399 |
| Samsung Galaxy A36 | $399.99 |
| Google Pixel 10a | $499 |
| Samsung Galaxy A56 | $499.99 |
Disclaimer: This article was last reviewed on March 27, 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.
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 is amongst the cheapest phones with eSIM technology. Both retail for less than $200, 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.
