Can I keep my current mobile number?

Yes. Text PAC to 65075 from your existing phone, then give the code to your new provider when the SIM arrives. Your number transfers, normally within one working day.

What if I have poor credit or no credit history?

Rolling SIM only plans are paid in advance, so providers are not lending you anything. Bad credit, thin files, recent arrivals to the UK and under-18s in some cases are all accepted.

How do you make money?

When you click through to a provider and buy a SIM, we may receive a commission from that provider. It never changes the price you pay, and it never changes the order of the table — that is sorted by price and data only.

Will the SIM work in my phone?

Any unlocked handset works. If your phone is locked to a network, ask that network for a free unlock code before you switch. Most listed providers ship a triple-cut SIM and several offer eSIM.

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Format comparison

Physical SIM vs eSIM — Which Should You Choose?

Q: Do pay monthly SIM only plans need a credit check?

Contract plans of 12 months or longer usually do. Every plan listed here is a 30-day rolling or pay as you go SIM. These are not credit agreements and are generally supplied without a hard credit search, though a provider may still carry out identity, address or fraud-prevention checks.

A clear comparison of the two SIM formats: how eSIM works, where it differs from a physical card, which phones support it, and which providers on GetSIMSmart offer it. Everything here reflects the live plans currently featured on the site — no invented features or compatibility claims.

Read the main guide Compare today's plans

What an eSIM Is

An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM built into a compatible phone. Instead of posting you a plastic card, the provider sends a plan that you download and activate in your phone's settings — usually by scanning a QR code or tapping an activation link.

Once activated, an eSIM behaves exactly like a physical SIM: it connects you to the network and carries your number, data, calls and texts. The difference is purely the format. You can also hold more than one eSIM plan on a single handset, which makes switching networks or running two numbers far simpler.

The trade-off is compatibility. A physical SIM works in any unlocked phone; an eSIM only works on handsets that explicitly support it. We cover that in the compatibility section below.

Physical SIM vs eSIM

Feature	Physical SIM	eSIM
Format	A removable card you swap between phones	A digital plan downloaded to the handset
Setup	Wait for the card to arrive in the post	Add a plan in settings — no card to wait for
Switching networks	Order and swap a physical card	Add a new plan in settings in minutes
Dual numbers	One per phone (unless dual-SIM)	Hold multiple plans on one handset
Compatibility	Any unlocked phone	Newer handsets only — check your phone supports eSIM
Losing your phone	Thief can remove and use the SIM	eSIM cannot be physically removed
Best for	Any unlocked phone, occasional switchers	Frequent switchers and dual-number setups

Compatibility and Device Support

eSIM support is not universal. Before ordering an eSIM plan, confirm your exact handset model supports it — support varies even within a single product line.

Apple: iPhone XS, XS Max and XR (2018) and newer support eSIM, including the iPhone SE (2nd gen, 2020 and 3rd gen, 2022). iPhone 14 and newer sold in the US are eSIM-only — they have no physical SIM tray at all.
Google Pixel: Pixel 3 and newer support eSIM on most models, though some early handsets and every Pixel sold in Hong Kong do not support eSIM.
Samsung Galaxy: the S20 series and newer, the Note 20 line and the Z Fold / Z Flip foldables support eSIM — but some regional variants (US, Hong Kong and South Korea) and the Galaxy S20 FE do not support eSIM.
Other Android: many recent handsets from Motorola, Oppo, Sony and others support eSIM, but support is patchy and varies by region and carrier — even within the same model.
Always confirm on the manufacturer's spec page for your exact model and region before ordering an eSIM plan.

How to check whether your phone supports eSIM

The quickest check is in your phone's own settings — no app or website needed.

iPhone: open Settings → Mobile Data (or Cellular) and look for Add eSIM or Convert to eSIM. If neither appears, your model does not support eSIM.
Android: open Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs and look for an Add a SIM or Download SIM option. The exact wording varies by manufacturer.
You can also dial *#06# — if an EID number is shown alongside the IMEI, the handset has eSIM hardware.

If your phone does not support eSIM, a physical SIM is still a perfectly good option — every plan on GetSIMSmart ships a triple-cut physical card that fits any unlocked handset.

Switching Networks With eSIM

This is where eSIM shines. With a physical SIM, switching networks means ordering a new card, waiting for it to arrive, and physically swapping it. With an eSIM, you add a new plan in settings — often in minutes — without waiting for anything in the post.

You keep your number in exactly the same way: text PAC to 65075 from your current phone, then give the code to your new provider when activating the eSIM. The number transfers across, normally within one working day.

For frequent switchers — people who like to chase the best rolling deal each month, or who travel and want a local plan alongside their UK one — eSIM is the more convenient format. For the full switching walkthrough, see our guide on switching SIM without losing your number.

Security Considerations

An eSIM cannot be physically removed and swapped into another phone, which makes a stolen handset less useful to a thief.
You can remotely lock or erase an eSIM-enabled handset through your account, just like a physical-SIM phone.
A physical SIM can be secured with a SIM PIN; an eSIM is tied to the handset and your account credentials.
If your phone is lost or destroyed, restoring an eSIM to a replacement handset is usually a quick support request to your provider.

Neither format is inherently risky. The bigger security steps are the same for both: set a strong screen lock, enable remote find-and-erase through your phone's account, and never share your PAC.

Providers on GetSIMSmart That Offer eSIM

Three of the live providers on GetSIMSmart offer eSIM alongside a physical card. The plans below are the current featured offers — confirm eSIM availability on the provider's site before ordering, as it can change.

Lyca Mobile

EE network

£10/mo

pay as you go

30GB4G/5G eSIM available

No credit check
EU roaming 12GB
Unlimited UK calls & texts
100 International minutes free
eSIM also available

1pMobile

EE network

£10/mo

30-day rolling

50GB4G/5G eSIM available

No credit check
EU roaming 50GB
Unlimited UK calls & texts
eSIM also available

1pMobile

EE network

£25/mo

30-day rolling

UnlimitedUnlimited 4G/5G eSIM available

No credit check
EU roaming
Unlimited UK calls & texts
eSIM also available

Looking for the cheapest eSIM plan? iD Mobile's 20GB plan at £6/mo is the lowest-price eSIM option on the site. For the widest data allowance on eSIM, 1pMobile's 50GB plan at £10/mo is the pick. See our cheapest SIM-only deals guide for more budget options.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a physical SIM and an eSIM?

A physical SIM is a removable card you swap between phones. An eSIM is a digital plan downloaded straight to a compatible handset — no card to wait for in the post, and you can add or switch networks in settings. A physical SIM works in any unlocked phone; an eSIM only works on newer handsets that support it.

Which providers on GetSIMSmart offer eSIM?

Three providers currently offer eSIM alongside a physical card: iD Mobile (20GB, £6/mo on Three), Lyca Mobile (30GB, £10/mo on EE) and 1pMobile (50GB, £10/mo on EE). Check the provider's site for the latest eSIM availability before ordering.

Will an eSIM work in my phone?

Only if your handset supports eSIM. Apple iPhone XS, XR and newer support it (iPhone 14 and newer in the US are eSIM-only), Google Pixel 3 and newer support it, and many recent Samsung Galaxy models do too. Always confirm on the manufacturer's spec page for your exact model before ordering.

Can I have two numbers on one phone with eSIM?

Yes — one of the main benefits of eSIM is holding multiple plans on a single handset, so you can run a personal and a work number, or a UK plan and a travel plan, at the same time. Some phones also combine eSIM with a physical SIM slot for dual-SIM use.

Is eSIM safer than a physical SIM?

In some ways, yes. An eSIM cannot be physically removed and swapped into another phone, which makes a stolen handset less useful to a thief. If your phone is lost, restoring an eSIM to a replacement is usually a quick support request to your provider.

Do eSIM plans require a credit check?

The eSIM rolling and prepaid plans on GetSIMSmart are not credit agreements and are generally supplied without a hard credit search. A provider may still carry out identity, address or fraud-prevention checks, but these are not credit searches and will not appear on your credit file.

For the full picture across every plan type, read our complete guide to the best SIM-only deals in the UK.

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