The cheapest phones with eSIM you can buy new in 2026 start at about $260. Three of the four phones under $350 carry a battery of 7,000 mAh or more. All four have a 120 Hz screen.
We picked seven phones, from the Motorola Moto G57 Power to the Apple iPhone 17e. For each one, we checked how it handles eSIM. How many lines run at once? Can two eSIMs run together? Which versions ship without eSIM?
Prices are the lowest listed on Heureka.cz, a Czech price comparison site, as of 26 Sep 2026. We converted them at the Czech National Bank rate of 21.359 CZK per US dollar [1] and rounded to whole dollars. Heureka.cz lists prices with Czech VAT included, so the same phone can cost a different amount where you live.
Article Contents
Cheapest Phones with eSIM in 2026: 7 Picks from $260
Here are all seven phones, cheapest first. You can sort them by battery or screen size, or show only the phones that run two eSIMs at once. The SIM details on each card are for the version sold in Europe.
- Screen
- 6.72" IPS LCD, 120 Hz
- Chip
- Snapdragon 6s Gen 4
- Battery
- 7,000 mAh, 30 W wired
- Camera
- 50 MP + 8 MP ultrawide, no OIS, 1440p video
- Toughness
- IP64 splash-proof, MIL-STD-810H
- Weight
- 210.6 g
- Updates
- No promise published by Motorola
- Extras
- 3.5 mm headphone jack, FM radio
Two lines at once, EU version
- Line 1nano-SIM
- Line 2eSIM
- Two eSIMs at once
- Not stated
- eSIMs stored
- Not published
Best for the lowest price and a battery that lasts days. The Indian version has two nano-SIM slots and no eSIM.
- Screen
- 6.7" Super AMOLED, 120 Hz
- Chip
- Snapdragon 6 Gen 3
- Battery
- 5,000 mAh, 45 W wired
- Camera
- 50 MP with OIS + ultrawide + macro, 4K video
- Toughness
- IP67, Gorilla Glass Victus+
- Weight
- 195 g
- Updates
- 6 OS upgrades, 6 years of security updates
- Extras
- Stereo speakers, NFC
Two lines at once, EU version
- Line 1nano-SIM
- Line 2eSIM
- Two eSIMs at once
- Not stated
- eSIMs stored
- Depends on chip memory
Best for the cheapest Samsung here, if you check the version.
Check before you buy: Samsung turns on eSIM only in A36 versions for Europe, North America and Korea. Look for the model code SM-A366B.
- Screen
- 6.79" AMOLED, 120 Hz
- Chip
- Snapdragon 6 Gen 4
- Battery
- 7,500 mAh, 66 W wired
- Camera
- 108 MP with OIS + 5 MP ultrawide, 4K video
- Toughness
- IP68 and IP69K, drop-tested to 2.5 m
- Weight
- 189 g
- Updates
- No promise published by HONOR
- Extras
- 7.5 W reverse charging, NFC
Two lines at once, EU version
- Line 1nano-SIM
- Line 2nano-SIMeSIM
- Two eSIMs at once
- No
- eSIMs stored
- Not published
Best for a tough phone with a big AMOLED screen.
- Screen
- 6.83" AMOLED 1.5K, 120 Hz
- Chip
- Snapdragon 6s Gen 4
- Battery
- 8,340 mAh, 67 W wired
- Camera
- 50 MP with OIS + 8 MP ultrawide, 1080p video only
- Toughness
- IP66 and IP68, Gorilla Glass Victus 2
- Weight
- 223 g
- Updates
- 6 years of security updates
- Extras
- 22.5 W reverse charging, IR blaster
Two lines at once, EU version
- Line 1nano-SIM
- Line 2nano-SIMeSIM
- Two eSIMs at once
- No
- eSIMs stored
- Not published
Best for the longest time between charges. The Chinese version has two nano-SIMs and no eSIM.
- Screen
- 6.3" pOLED, 120 Hz
- Chip
- Google Tensor G4
- Battery
- 5,100 mAh, fast wired, 10 W Qi wireless
- Camera
- 48 MP with OIS + 13 MP ultrawide, 4K video
- Toughness
- IP68, Gorilla Glass 7i
- Weight
- 183 g
- Updates
- 7 years of OS and security updates
- Extras
- Satellite SOS, NFC
Two lines at once, EU version
- Line 1nano-SIMeSIM
- Line 2eSIM
- Two eSIMs at once
- Yes, if your carrier allows it
- eSIMs stored
- Not published
Best for clean Android and the cheapest phone here that runs two eSIMs.
Show a larger photoSamsung Galaxy S26
12 GB RAM, 256 GB
$76316,290 CZK in Czech shops
Two eSIMs at once- Screen
- 6.3" Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120 Hz
- Chip
- Exynos 2600 (European version)
- Battery
- 4,300 mAh, 25 W wired, 15 W wireless
- Camera
- 50 MP with OIS + ultrawide + 3x telephoto, 8K video
- Toughness
- IP68, Gorilla Glass Victus 2
- Weight
- 167 g
- Updates
- 7 years of OS and security updates
- Extras
- Wi-Fi 7, Samsung DeX
Two lines at once, EU version
- Line 1nano-SIMeSIM
- Line 2nano-SIMeSIM
- Two eSIMs at once
- Yes
- eSIMs stored
- Depends on chip memory
Best for a compact flagship with no eSIM surprises. Chinese versions have no eSIM.
- Screen
- 6.1" OLED, 60 Hz
- Chip
- Apple A19
- Battery
- 26 h video (Apple), 20 W wired, 15 W MagSafe
- Camera
- 48 MP with OIS, single lens, 4K60 video
- Toughness
- IP68, Ceramic Shield 2
- Weight
- 169 g
- Updates
- No fixed period published by Apple
- Extras
- Face ID, satellite SOS
Two lines at once, EU version
- Line 1nano-SIMeSIM
- Line 2eSIM
- Two eSIMs at once
- Yes
- eSIMs stored
- 8 or more
Best for the most mature eSIM handling. Versions for the US, Canada, Mexico, Japan and the Gulf states are eSIM-only, with no SIM tray.
No phone on this list matches all of these filters.
Prices are the lowest listed on Heureka.cz on 26 Sep 2026, converted at 21.359 CZK per US dollar and rounded to whole dollars. They include Czech VAT. SIM details are for the European version unless a card says otherwise. The iPhone 17e battery capacity is not published by Apple, so it sorts on the widely reported 4,005 mAh.
How Many eSIMs Each Cheap Phone Holds and Runs at Once
Every phone on this list runs two phone lines at the same time. What differs is what those two lines can be: a physical SIM plus an eSIM, or two eSIMs. This matters if your home number already lives on an eSIM.
On a phone with one eSIM line, only one eSIM can be on at a time. Your home eSIM goes offline while the travel eSIM runs. You avoid that by moving your home number to a physical SIM before the trip.
Stored and active are two different numbers. Apple says an iPhone holds eight or more eSIMs [6]. Samsung says the limit depends on the model, the carrier and the memory of the eSIM chip [4]. We found no published number for the other phones.
| Phone | SIM setup (European version) | Two eSIMs at once | eSIMs it can store | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motorola Moto G57 Power | nano-SIM + eSIM, according to GSMArena | not stated | not published | The Indian version has two nano-SIM slots and no eSIM, according to GSMArena |
| Samsung Galaxy A36 5G | nano-SIM + eSIM [2] | not stated by Samsung | depends on the eSIM chip's memory [4] | eSIM only on versions for Europe, North America and Korea [2] |
| HONOR Magic8 Lite | nano-SIM + a second slot for a nano-SIM or an eSIM [10] | no, one eSIM line | not published | nothing found for the European version |
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 17 Pro 5G | two nano-SIMs, or a nano-SIM + eSIM [9] | no, one eSIM line | not published | eSIM availability varies by country and carrier, says Xiaomi [9] |
| Google Pixel 10a | nano-SIM + eSIM [7] | yes, if your carrier allows it [8] | not published | nothing found for the European version |
| Samsung Galaxy S26 | two nano-SIMs, a nano-SIM + eSIM, or two eSIMs [3] | yes [3] | depends on the eSIM chip's memory [4] | Chinese versions have no eSIM, according to GSMArena |
| Apple iPhone 17e | nano-SIM + eSIM [5] | yes [5] | eight or more [6] | Units for the US, Canada, Mexico, Japan and several Gulf states are eSIM-only and take no physical SIM [5] |
For trips, the easiest phones are the Pixel 10a, the Galaxy S26 and the iPhone 17e. On all three, a home eSIM and a travel eSIM run side by side. On the four cheaper phones, keep your home number on a physical SIM. The travel eSIM then goes in the eSIM slot. Not sure which kind to keep? Read how an eSIM compares with a physical SIM.
The 7 Cheap eSIM Phones One by One
The list runs from the cheapest phone to the priciest. For each one, we say who it suits and what to watch for.
Motorola Moto G57 Power: the cheapest phone with eSIM
The Moto G57 Power costs about $260 with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. That makes it the cheapest new phone with eSIM we found. Motorola used to sell a cheaper model with eSIM for roughly half this price, but it is no longer sold new.
Its 7,000 mAh battery is the reason to buy it. The phone is dust-tight and splash-proof (IP64), but not made for a swim. Its Czech listings also mention MIL-STD-810H military-grade testing. It is also the only phone here with a 3.5 mm headphone jack. The trade-offs are an LCD screen instead of OLED and 30 W charging, slower than the HONOR or the Redmi.
The international version pairs a nano-SIM with an eSIM, according to GSMArena. The Indian version has two nano-SIM slots instead, so skip grey imports from India.
Samsung Galaxy A36 5G: the cheapest Samsung here, in the right version
At about $290, the Galaxy A36 5G is the cheapest Samsung on our list. You get a 6.7-inch 120 Hz AMOLED screen, IP67 water resistance and 45 W charging. Its 5,000 mAh battery is the smallest of the four phones under $350.
It is also the one tricky phone here. Samsung turns on eSIM for the A36 only in versions sold for Europe, North America and Korea. Even for listed models, Samsung warns that eSIM can depend on the country of origin [2].
Buyers on Samsung's own user forum report A36 units with no Add eSIM button, bought outside those regions. So check the model code before you pay. European units carry the code SM-A366B, and the Czech listings we checked show SM-A366BZKBEUE. When the phone arrives, open Settings, then Connections, then SIM manager, and look for Add eSIM [2].
If that check sounds like a hassle, Samsung's list shows eSIM with no regional limit on the newer Galaxy A37 [2]. On Heureka.cz it costs about $307 as of September 2026, only $17 more than the A36.
In the US and Canada, Samsung also lists eSIM on the cheaper Galaxy A17 5G and A27. Only their North American versions have it [2].
HONOR Magic8 Lite: big battery and the toughest build here
The Magic8 Lite is a late-2025 model, but little at this price beats it. For about $318, you get a 6.79-inch 120 Hz AMOLED screen, a 7,500 mAh battery and 66 W charging. Its IP68 and IP69K ratings are the toughest on this list [10].
The first SIM slot takes a nano-SIM, and the second takes a nano-SIM or an eSIM [10]. So you get one eSIM line next to your physical SIM, never two eSIMs. The 108 MP main camera has optical stabilization, which helps in low light.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 17 Pro 5G: the biggest battery on the list
Xiaomi is the better-known brand, and the Redmi Note 17 Pro 5G tops the HONOR's battery. Its 8,340 mAh battery is the largest here, and Xiaomi rates it for more than two days per charge. It charges at 67 W and is rated IP66 and IP68 [9].
At about $344, it costs $26 more than the HONOR. The catch is 6 GB of RAM in the cheapest version, which two buyers on Heureka.cz named as its weak spot. For SIMs, you choose two nano-SIMs or a nano-SIM plus an eSIM [9].
Google Pixel 10a: the cheapest new Pixel
The Pixel 10a is the cheapest new Pixel you can buy, at about $509. You pay for clean Android straight from Google, and Google promises 7 years of OS and security updates [7]. The hardware is where you give ground. Its 5,100 mAh battery is smaller than three of the four phones under $350. The base version also has only 128 GB of storage.
The Pixel 10a takes one nano-SIM and one eSIM [7]. Google says Pixel 7 and later phones can also run two eSIMs at once, if the carrier allows it [8]. That makes the 10a the cheapest phone here confirmed to keep a home eSIM and a travel eSIM on together.
Samsung Galaxy S26: the entry to Samsung's flagship line
The Galaxy S26 is the smallest phone in Samsung's flagship trio of S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra, at about $763. Samsung's eSIM list shows no regional limit for it [2]. You can run two nano-SIMs, a nano-SIM plus an eSIM, or two eSIMs [3].
You pay more than twice the price of the Redmi Note 17 Pro 5G. In return, the S26 is faster and smaller, and it adds a 3x telephoto camera and wireless charging. Its 4,300 mAh battery is about half the size of the Redmi's, though.
Apple iPhone 17e: the cheapest iPhone with eSIM
If eSIM handling matters most, the iPhone is the safest pick. Every iPhone since the XS and XR from 2018 has eSIM. An iPhone holds eight or more eSIMs [6], and models from the iPhone 13 on run two at once [5].
The iPhone 17e is eSIM-only in the US, Canada, Mexico, Japan and several Gulf states. Units sold elsewhere, Europe included, keep a nano-SIM tray next to the eSIM [5].
The catch is value. At about $794, the 17e has a 60 Hz screen, one rear camera and a 4,005 mAh battery. The HONOR and the Redmi cost less than half as much and beat it on all three. What you do get is Apple's A19 chip, Face ID and 15 W MagSafe wireless charging.
How to Check a Phone Really Has eSIM Before You Buy
Several phones on this list come in versions without eSIM. These steps keep you from buying the wrong one.
- Read the model code, not the name. Regional versions share a name but not a code. For the Galaxy A36, European units start with SM-A366B.
- Look for the word eSIM in the listing. "Dual SIM" alone can mean two nano-SIM slots and no eSIM at all.
- Ask which market the phone was made for. Grey imports can lack eSIM even when the European version has it, as with the Indian Moto G57 Power.
- Buy it unlocked. A phone locked to one carrier can refuse eSIMs from other providers, travel eSIMs included.
- Check it the day it arrives. Look for Add eSIM in the SIM settings. Under About phone, look for an EID number (the ID of the eSIM chip). A free trial eSIM is an easy way to test it while you can still return the phone.
Setting Up an eSIM on Your New Phone for a Trip
A travel eSIM takes a few minutes to install. Do it at home on Wi-Fi before you fly, and check when your plan's validity starts.
- Work out how much data you need for your trip.
- Find a plan for your destination in our comparison tool. It also searches several countries at once.
- Install the eSIM. Follow our steps for adding an eSIM on an iPhone or adding one on a Samsung. On a Pixel, Google's path is Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, Add SIM [8].
- If the provider sends a code instead of a QR code, turn the activation code into a QR code.
- If the eSIM will not connect, work through our eSIM troubleshooting checklist.
Keeping your current Android phone instead? An eSIM.me card can add eSIM to some older Android phones. Our review explains which phones it works with.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cheap eSIM Phones
What is the cheapest phone with eSIM in 2026?
How many eSIMs can a phone hold?
Which cheap phones can run two eSIMs at the same time?
Does every Samsung Galaxy A36 have eSIM?
Is the iPhone 17e eSIM-only?
How much data do I need on a trip?
Summary: The Cheapest Phones with eSIM Right Now
For the lowest price, the Motorola Moto G57 Power starts at about $260. For the most phone per dollar, pick the HONOR Magic8 Lite or the Redmi Note 17 Pro 5G. Both bring huge batteries and water resistance for under $350.
If your home number already lives on an eSIM, spend more. The Pixel 10a, Galaxy S26 and iPhone 17e run two eSIMs at once. If you pick the Galaxy A36 5G, check the model code first. For a wider choice, see every phone that works with eSIM and our picks for the best eSIM phones.
Whichever of the cheapest phones with eSIM you choose, the phone is only half of the setup. Before your first trip, compare the eSIM providers we tested.
Sources
We cite only an official body, device makers' own pages and one mobile operator's device page.
Links last checked
Opens in a new tabRegulators and official bodies
- 1 Kurzy devizového trhu
The official rate of 21.359 CZK per US dollar, valid from 25 September 2026, that we used to convert every price in this article.
Device maker and operator pages
- 2 Galaxy eSIM and supported network carriers
Samsung's list of Galaxy phones with eSIM, with the regional limits on the A36, A27 and A17 5G and the menu path to add an eSIM, as stated by Samsung.
- 3 Ondersteunt het toestel SIM, eSIM of Dual SIM?
The SIM options of the Galaxy S26 series (two nano-SIMs, a nano-SIM plus an eSIM, or two eSIMs), as stated by Samsung.
- 4 How Many eSIMs Can I Use on My Samsung Galaxy?
Why there is no fixed number of stored eSIMs on a Galaxy phone: it depends on the model, the carrier and the eSIM chip's memory, as stated by Samsung.
- 5 Learn which size SIM card your iPhone or iPad uses
Where the iPhone 17e is eSIM-only, where it keeps a nano-SIM tray, and which iPhones run two eSIMs, as stated by Apple.
- 6 Set up eSIM on iPhone
Apple's figure of eight or more eSIMs per iPhone and its list of iPhones with eSIM, from the XS and XR on, as stated by Apple.
- 7 Explore the Pixel 10a Specs
The Pixel 10a's SIM setup of one nano-SIM and one eSIM and its 7 years of updates, as stated by Google.
- 8 How to use dual SIMs on your Google Pixel phone
Google's rule that Pixel 7 and later phones can run two eSIMs at once if the carrier allows it, and the menu path to add a SIM, as stated by Google.
- 9 REDMI Note 17 Pro 5G Specs
The Redmi Note 17 Pro 5G's SIM options, 8,340 mAh battery, 67 W charging, IP66 and IP68 ratings and eSIM availability caveat, as stated by Xiaomi.
- 10 HONOR Magic8 Lite
The Magic8 Lite's SIM layout (a nano-SIM plus a second nano-SIM or eSIM) and its IP ratings, as stated by Three UK.
What is eSIM?
eSIM allows you to use a digital SIM card instead of a traditional plastic one. This enables you to purchase a SIM card online for the country you're traveling to.
The most well-known eSIM providers on the market are Airalo, Holafly, eSIM4Travel, Yesim, Saily and others.
Frequently asked questions about eSIM:
- Does my phone have eSIM?
- How to add eSIM to iPhone or Samsung?
- How to install eSIM on an older phone?
- What are the most affordable and best phones with eSIM support?
How to compare eSIM?
Here you can compare eSIM data packages for more than 200 countries, such as UK, USA, Egypt and others. And that for any duration and amount of data.
Along with additional information, such as provider ratings and whether the website is available in Czech.
Compare all eSIMs
Why can you trust Vefru?
Founders František and Jan experienced problems with mobile data every time they traveled outside the EU. As technology enthusiasts, the idea of traveling abroad without a data connection or risking truly insane roaming fees was unacceptable to them. Regardless of how adventurous the story of walking across Toronto on a winter night without an online map might be, it's not something they would want to repeat.
After the emergence of eSIM and later eSIM travel data package providers, they learned a lot about the technology and industry and decided to share their findings and the comparison tool they created for themselves with others. It now contains more than 20,000 updated eSIM mobile data packages from the most popular providers for more than 170 countries around the world.
Every time you read a guide on Vefru, it is created in the same way the author would research the topic themselves. From contacting locals about the best network operators, to recommending the most advantageous plans for what you really need, to technical guides on how to create a QR code for eSIM or how to troubleshoot eSIM issues. Most articles are created based on topics that the authors themselves have dealt with and for which they found the best solutions.
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