An eSIM is a SIM chip soldered into your phone at the factory. Instead of swapping plastic, the carrier details are loaded onto that chip as software. Getting a line abroad is no longer a trip to a shop - it is a profile download.
When you buy a package on Penyu you receive a QR code and activation details. Scanning that code installs a partner carrier line for your destination. When you land, your phone connects to that network on its own.
Physical SIM, roaming and eSIM compared
| Your line + roaming | Local SIM abroad | Penyu eSIM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ready when | Instantly | After queueing at the airport | Days before you travel |
| Your number | Kept | Changes | Kept - your own line stays on |
| Price | The most expensive | Varies, needs haggling | Fixed and known upfront |
| ID / registration | Not needed | Passport required in most countries | Not needed |
| Swapping cards | None | You remove your own SIM | None, nothing comes out |
What a Penyu eSIM actually gives you
- Mobile internet (data). All plans are data-only.
- No phone number, calls or SMS. Everything that runs over the internet - WhatsApp, FaceTime, Telegram, Zoom - works normally.
- Hotspot and tethering are included; connect your laptop or a travel companion at no extra cost.
- Your own line stays active on the phone: you still receive the SMS from your bank while data flows over the eSIM.
The plan starts counting the first time the eSIM connects to a network at your destination. That is why installing it at home, on a calm Wi-Fi connection, costs you nothing.
Does my phone support eSIM?
As a rule of thumb: iPhone XS and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer. Two caveats: the phone must not be carrier-locked, and some regional models (notably mainland-China iPhones) ship without eSIM hardware. Check your exact model below.
Vérification de compatibilité de l'appareil
Saisissez le modèle de votre appareil et découvrez s'il prend en charge l'eSIM