Most affordable smartphones with eSIM support in South Africa

Most of the cheapest smartphones supporting eSIM in South Africa are older flagships from Apple, Google, and Samsung, although the latter recently also introduced a mid-range option with this capability.

eSIMs — or embedded SIMs — are digital SIM cards that function similarly to a regular physical card.

However, they don’t require users to first buy a card from a store and open up their device to insert and start using it.

Instead, eSIMs can be downloaded and activated wherever you have an Internet connection. The capability is supported by a dedicated built-in chip.

eSIM-supported phones allow for storing multiple eSIMs at a time, allowing users to easily jump between networks as they enable and disable one or the other.

When combined with physical SIM cards, a user could theoretically have access to the five major mobile networks in South Africa — Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, Cell C, and Rain — at the tap of a button.

The big four all support eSIM on prepaid and contract phones.

You could also have one physical SIM and one eSIM from the same operator running at the same time, allowing you to use one for calls due to its low voice minute prices and another with the best prices on mobile data for using online services.

There are also three mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) that support buying and activation of prepaid eSIMs online — Afrihost Air Mobile, Melon Mobile, and uConnect.

One mid-ranger among the old flagships

MyBroadband compiled a list of the ten most affordable smartphones with eSIM support in South Africa.

eSIM has only gained traction in the past few years and has primarily been limited to flagship devices from major manufacturers.

While certain models of Samsung’s mid-range Galaxy A54 sold in other countries had eSIM support, the Galaxy A55 version that has launched in South Africa is the first mid-ranger to support eSIM capability locally.

It is currently the most affordable eSIM-supported smartphone officially for sale in South Africa, with pricing going as low as R9,999 from Bob Shop.

However, if you are willing to buy from a specialist importer like Connected Devices, you could also get the Google Pixel 6a for R500 cheaper.

Google smartphones are not officially supported in South Africa, so bear in mind that you will have to work with Connected Devices for warranty claims.

iPhone fans will have to be satisfied with a significantly older device if they want one that competes on price with these Android phones.

At R10,199 on Takealot at the time of publication, the iPhone 11 was the most affordable Apple smartphone with eSIM that could still be bought new in South Africa.

While the iPhone XR and 2020 iPhone SE could be had for cheaper from various outlets, these will be refurbished models.

The other options on our list consisted of older Apple, Google, and Samsung devices, most of which were their flagship offerings from a few years ago.

Below are the ten most affordable smartphones with eSIM support that you can buy in South Africa in April 2024.