Disadvantages of an eSIM (and How Holafly Fixes Them): Discount Code THEDUFRESNES for Up to 32% Off

Search "disadvantages of eSIM" and you'll find a lot of hand-wringing. Shayna and I have been full-time travelers for nine years, and we've heard every eSIM worry there is. So let's do something the hype articles don't: be totally honest about the real downsides of eSIM technology — and then show you exactly how to sidestep each one. Spoiler: none of them are dealbreakers, and most disappear entirely with the right setup.

Before you read on — here's your discount: Use code THEDUFRESNES at Holafly checkout.

5% off any single-destination eSIM

10% off monthly Holafly Plans

32% off annual Holafly Plans

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The honest downsides of eSIM technology (and the fix for each)

1. Not every phone supports eSIM

The downside: eSIMs only work on eSIM-capable phones. Older handsets and a small number of models sold in certain markets don't have the tech.

The fix: This one's a 10-second check, not a gamble. Most phones from the last several years are ready — roughly the iPhone XS and newer, plus recent Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy models. Holafly has a free compatibility checker on every product page, so you confirm before you spend a cent. Just make sure your phone is carrier-unlocked, and you're good.

2. You need internet to install it

The downside: You can't install an eSIM out of thin air — you need a connection to scan the QR code and set it up.

The fix: Install it before you leave home, on your own Wi-Fi. The plan doesn't start counting down until you arrive at your destination and switch it on, so there's zero penalty for setting it up early. We do this the night before every trip. Print or screenshot the QR code as a backup and you're covered even if you land somewhere with no Wi-Fi.

3. It's harder to move to another phone

The downside: A physical SIM you can pop out and hand to a friend in seconds. An eSIM is tied to your device and can only be transferred a limited number of times.

The fix: For the vast majority of travelers this never comes up — you're using your own phone for your own trip. If you genuinely need to move it, Holafly does allow a transfer (from the original device to one new device), and if you lose your QR code, support will re-send it. Realistically, this "disadvantage" is a non-issue for a normal trip.

4. There's a small learning curve the first time

The downside: If you've never done it, the setup can feel unfamiliar — new menus, "data roaming" toggles, the works.

The fix: It's genuinely three steps: buy → scan the QR code → turn it on when you land. Holafly sends step-by-step instructions with your purchase and has 24/7 chat support if you get stuck. The first time takes a few minutes; every time after that, it's muscle memory.

5. No physical card to hold as a "backup"

The downside: Some people like having a tangible SIM as a security blanket.

The fix: The QR code is your backup, and it lives in your email — much harder to lose than a fingernail-sized chip in an airport bathroom. If you misplace it, Holafly's support team can resend it any time.

6. Fear of running out of data

The downside: With many data plans, you're constantly rationing gigabytes and topping up mid-trip.

The fix: This is where Holafly quietly removes the whole problem. Every Holafly travel eSIM is unlimited data — no meter, no top-ups, no math. On top of that, the Always On feature gives you 1GB of backup data every month across 150+ destinations at no extra cost, so even between plans you've got a safety net. (Worth knowing: that Always On backup data is for your personal device only — it doesn't cover hotspot sharing.)

So — is an eSIM worth it despite the disadvantages?

Line them all up and here's the honest verdict: the "disadvantages" of eSIMs are mostly first-timer friction, not lasting problems. Check compatibility, install before you fly, and choose an unlimited plan — do those three things and every item on the list above evaporates. For us, an eSIM is the single easiest travel upgrade there is: you walk off the plane already online, with your own number intact.

How much does a Holafly eSIM cost?

Holafly keeps pricing refreshingly simple — one identical ladder across nearly every single destination, all unlimited data:

Plan length	Price	With code `THEDUFRESNES` (5% off)
3 days	$11.90	$11.31
5 days	$20.50	$19.48
7 days	$27.50	$26.13
10 days	$36.50	$34.68
15 days	$50.50	$47.98
30 days	$73.90	$70.21

(Verified live in July 2026 — Holafly changes prices often, so confirm the current rate at checkout.)

And a value tip worth its own line: the Europe regional eSIM covers 33 destinations for the same price as a single one. Country-hopping across the continent? One eSIM does the whole trip. For frequent travelers, monthly Holafly Plans give you a single worldwide eSIM — 10% off monthly or 32% off annual with THEDUFRESNES.

What travelers on Reddit are saying

Scroll the travel subreddits and the pattern is clear: the people most worried about eSIM "downsides" going in are often the ones most relieved afterward. The recurring theme is how painless it turned out to be — set it up at home, land, connect, done. Skeptics who expected a fiddly ordeal tend to report the opposite, and Holafly's unlimited-data simplicity keeps coming up as the reason they stopped stressing about staying connected abroad.

Our real-world take

We've run Holafly across Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong Kong, and Bali — most recently on a Bali trip where Shayna and I used Holafly Plans and our son used the Asia regional eSIM. Four stops, full connectivity, no drama. We've also had the emergency version of this: needing to move cities fast with everything depending on instant data. When the pressure's on, an eSIM you set up in advance is exactly the kind of "disadvantage" you'll be glad you ignored.

Frequently asked questions

What is the biggest disadvantage of an eSIM? Honestly, it's device compatibility — but that's a quick free check, and most phones from the last several years already support eSIM.

Do eSIMs drain your battery or slow your phone? No meaningfully. An eSIM behaves like any other data line. Keeping data roaming on for the eSIM is normal and doesn't rack up charges once it's set up correctly.

Can I remove an eSIM after my trip? You don't need to — it stops working when your plan ends. You can delete it if you like, but keeping it installed is what preserves your monthly Always On backup data.

Is an eSIM safe? Yes. There's no physical card to lose or steal, and your plan is tied to your account.

Will an eSIM work everywhere I go? Holafly covers 270+ destinations, with regional plans that span multiple destinations on one eSIM.

The bottom line

The disadvantages of eSIMs are real, but they're small — and with the right plan they mostly vanish. Grab a Holafly eSIM, drop in code THEDUFRESNES for up to 32% off, and skip straight to the good part: being connected the moment you land.

👉 Get your Holafly eSIM and save with THEDUFRESNES

Want to compare your options first? Read our cornerstone guide: Best eSIM for International Travel 2026.

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