eSIM North America: Compare, buy, and travel connected

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When we talk about North America, there are plenty of places that come to our minds. We can mention locations such as the United States and Canada, which are famous traveling locations. Therefore, people will surely try to get an eSIM for North America to travel and stay connected in these countries.

So, if you don’t have an idea of what an eSIM is, or you might need to know more about it, this is the perfect place for you. Here we will tell you everything you need to know about the eSIM for North America; how it works, where to get it, and more! 

Contents

Things you need to know about the eSIM North America

When we talk about an eSIM, there are many things people need to know about this service. Whenever people decide to use something new, they need to keep in mind the different features the service might give them.

In this case, we will talk about the main features people must know of the eSIM for North America. Let’s see what we can expect from it.

  • eSIMs can only be used in last-gen devices, such as smartwatches and cellphones.
  • In order to activate an eSIM, people must have access to an internet connection.
  • When making the purchase of the eSIM, people must have access to a valid email and physical address.

As for now, these are the main features people need to know about eSIMs. Once people are aware of them, it is easy to understand how it works. Therefore, travelers can choose which eSIM to use in the future in an easier and faster way. For us, we can recommend the Holafly eSIM for North America as a great option for travelers.

eSIM mobile operators to travel to North America

Now that we have talked about the main features of the eSIM that everyone needs to know, it is time to talk about which mobile operators we can use in North America. We already mentioned one, but are there any other options?

The short answer is yes, so let’s see which are these mobile operators we can rely on to get an eSIM for North America.

  • Holafly
  • Truphone
  • Mobilitypass

Rates and data plans offered by eSIM mobile operators for North America

Once we know which services are available for use, there’s something we can’t forget to mention. Whenever we plan to use a service, we have to take a look at the data plans and rates they offer, and that’s exactly what we will do right now.

Holafly rates and data plans in North America

  • Unlimited data for 5 days at USD 27
  • Unlimited data for 7 days at USD 34
  • Unlimited data for 10 days at USD 44
  • Unlimited data for 15 days at USD 54
  • Unlimited data for 20 days at USD 64
  • Unlimited data for 30 days at USD 87
  • Unlimited data for 60 days at USD 144
  • Unlimited data for 90 days at USD 214

Truphone rates and data plans in North America

  • 5GB for 30 days at $16.
  • 2GB for 30 days at $8.

Mobilitypass rates and data plans in North America

  • 1GB for $10 per day used.

Mobile operators comparative in North America

Mobile OperatorMobile DataDaysPrice (USD)SupportShopping channels
HolaflyUnlimited data5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60, or 90 days27 – 214 USDEnglish, German, French, and SpanishWeb
Truphone2GB or 5GB308 – 16 USDEnglish, French, GermanWeb, Play Store, App Store
MobilitypassAs much as neededAs many as needed$10 per consumed GBEnglishWeb
Table N°1. Price and mobile data comparative of mobile operators offering eSIMs in North America

Characteristics of eSIMs to travel to North America

We know that previously we talked about some features people can’t forget when using an eSIM. But, now it is time to talk about the main characteristics of the service. That way, people will know exactly what to expect from an eSIM.

The good thing about the eSIM service is the fact most of its characteristics don’t change as time passes. So, as long as you get to remember them, you will know how to use an eSIM for future trips too!

  • People can’t add more mobile data to an eSIM.
  • SIM and eSIMs cards can work simultaneously on the same device.
  • Using an eSIM doesn’t provide travelers with a phone number to use at their destination.
  • In some cases, people can share mobile data from their eSIM.
  • eSIMs will, most likely, install a new APN in order to work properly.

eSIM coverage to travel to North America

One of the biggest questions we might get to ask ourselves when using a service such as the eSIM one is: how it will get mobile coverage? Well, it might seem like a doubt for many people out there, but the answer to this question is actually simpler than people might think.

As long as people are using an eSIM, they will get coverage from the local mobile companies. In this case, it will mostly depend on where people travel to as North America is quite a big area to travel to.

But basically, by knowing this, you can get to know how an eSIM will get coverage when traveling out there. Now, as for which services people can get to use in North America, let’s see the available options.

  • Bell Mobility
  • AT&T
  • Movistar

Bell Mobility coverage map

Bell Mobility coverage map in North America, source: NPERF

AT&T coverage map

AT&T coverage map in North America, source: NPERF

Movistar overage map

Movistar coverage map in North America, source: NPERF

Local mobile operators with eSIMs in North America

Now that we have talked about the mobile operators available for use in North America, people might be wondering if they can use them too. Well, we can’t say it is actually impossible to do it.

But, it is by far harder to get an eSIM from these mobile companies as a traveler than getting one from a company such as the ones we mentioned before. As they are easier to buy, it might be the best idea for travelers to use.

Still, people can give it a try to see if they can get an eSIM from these companies. But, what we can anticipate is the fact it can end up being more expensive and might not be as good as the alternatives we mentioned, such as the Holafly eSIM for North America.

eSIM North America FAQ

Up to this point, we talked about many different things people must know when using an eSIM. As for now, there might be other doubts about the service, and that’s what we will talk about right now.

Can people use more than one eSIM on their devices?

No. People can only use one eSIM on their device at a determined moment. 

Can people activate an eSIM without an internet connection?

No. To activate an eSIM, people must have an internet connection or they won’t be able to complete the process.

Which mobiles are compatible with the eSIM in North America?

At this point, people might have some doubts about which devices they can use when using an eSIM. As said before, it only works with last-gen devices, but to be more exact, which devices are we talking about?
There are a lot of devices we can mention, for example, an iPhone 13 or Samsung S20, but what other devices support an eSIM? Well, let’s see the complete list of devices supporting an eSIM: Samsung Galaxy S20, Samsung Galaxy S20+, Samsung Galaxy S20+ Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S21, Samsung Galaxy S21+, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone SE 2020, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, Huawei P40, Huawei P40 Pro, Google Pixel 3a, Google Pixel 3a XL, Google Pixel 4, Google Pixel 4a, Google Pixel 4a XL.

Can people share mobile data with their eSIM?

This will mostly depend on which service people are using. Some companies allow to share data, but others don’t, so that’s something people must investigate when purchasing an eSIM.

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