Boost Mobile has eSIM now, but only through its app

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 13 February 2024

Boost Mobile is the latest provider to start offering eSIM mobile plans in Australia, but it currently only allows customers to acquire one through its mobile app. A Boost Mobile spokesperson told our sister website Reviews.org/au this is to ensure only customers who have a compatible device are offered the option.

This makes Boost unique in the eSIM space, with most other providers typically giving customers the choice of eSIM or a physical SIM when checking out through their website. Vodafone MVNO felix does however also use its app to pre-qualify customers for eSIM, and sets it as the default option if applicable.

eSIM - an electronic SIM or embedded SIM - is a rewritable SIM card that’s built into a cellular device like a smartphone or smartwatch. Unlike a physical SIM, there's no need to pop open a slot or pry off a case to put it in; an eSIM never leaves your phone. Instead, you simply download a "software SIM" from your provider of choice.

While Telstra has technically offered its MVNO partners like Boost Mobile eSIM support from 2021, adoption has been quite slow. Until last year, Everyday Mobile (formerly Woolworths Mobile) was the only Telstra-powered provider to offer eSIM. Tangerine, More, Superloop, and Exetel started offering the tech last year.

Tangerine and More CEO Andy Branson last week told WhistleOut that implementing eSIM wasn't an easy feat for the telco, and took "many months". He described the option as "hugely successful", however, and said that over 8,000 customers activated a Tangerine or More eSIM in the first eight weeks.

eSIM-compatible handsets have been available for several years now, with Apple introducing the tech in 2018 and Samsung in 2020. It is still however largely limited to premium devices, which historically was a reason why value-focused providers didn't rush to implement it.

Outside of the Telstra network, many smaller providers including iiNet, TPG, Kogan Mobile, Circles.Life, SpinTel, and amaysim all support eSIM now. Here's a look at the most popular SIM-only plans from providers that offer eSIM:

#1	SpinTel Editor's Pick	SpinTel Editor's Pick $23 Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT WhistleOut Special: Enjoy $11 off for the first 6 months for new customers - $12/mth for first 6 months, then $23/mth $12.00/mth Min. cost $12 Go to Site	$12.00/mth Min. cost $12	Go to Site
#2	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile $39 Prepaid 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Grab a $39 SIM for $13 – save $26. Hurry! Offer ends 05.10.26. Terms Apply $39.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Go to Site	$39.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#3	TPG Editor's Pick	TPG Editor's Pick 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
#4	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 30GB 5G Mobile SIM 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: 50% off plan fees for 4 months - $15/mth for 4 months then $30/mth. Offer available until withdrawn. $30.00/mth Min. cost $15 Go to Site	$30.00/mth Min. cost $15	Go to Site
#5	felix mobile	felix mobile felix 25GB Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 5G/4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $15/mth for first 3 mths, then $30/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T+Cs apply $30.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$30.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#6	Vodafone	Vodafone $58 Small SIM Only Plan 65GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes $13/mth off plan fees for first 12 months when you stay connected to this plan. Ends 29.10.26. T&Cs apply. $45.00/mth Min. cost $45 Go to Site	$45.00/mth Min. cost $45	Go to Site
#7	Exetel	Exetel Plus One eSIM Plan 130GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks $40.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$40.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#8	Optus	Optus $60 Optus Choice Plus Plan 100GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply. $39.00/mth Min. cost $39 Go to Site	$39.00/mth Min. cost $39	Go to Site
#9	Telstra	Telstra $54 Pre-Paid Mobile 75GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes 40GB activation bonus for first 3 recharges, 35GB from your fourth. Ends 01.01.2027 $54.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$54.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#10	Superloop	Superloop SuperSim Saver 4G Plan 15GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Uses part of the Telstra 4G Mobile Network Deal: FREE 2nd recharge for existing Superloop broadband customers or new customers signing up for a mobile & broadband service $25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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