Aussies with an eSIM are twice as likely to switch mobile providers

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 22 May 2026

Australians who use an eSIM for their primary mobile plan are twice as likely to switch providers, according to new data published by Roy Morgan. The research found that 24% of eSIM users had switched in the last 12 months, compared to 12% for all mobile phone users.

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, a customer downloads a "software SIM" from their provider of choice.

This means a user can switch phone plans without needing to go to a store or wait for a new physical SIM card to arrive in the mail.

Roy Morgan's research also found that 60% of Australians are now aware of eSIMs, which is up from 41% in March 2024. Similarly, eSIM users are now more likely to change providers. In 2024, 15% of eSIM users had switched providers in the last 12 months, compared to the current 24% figure.

One unchanged stat is the percentage of overall mobile phone users who had changed plans in the last 12 months. The stat was 12% in 2024, just like in 2026.

Percentage of users who swapped telcos in the last year

	2024	2026
eSIM users	15%	24%
All phone users	12%	12%

On top of more eSIM awareness, more mobile providers support eSIM. Out of the 31 providers in the WhistleOut database, 23 offer plans with eSIM support. Here are the most popular eSIM-ready plans available right now:

#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	Yomojo	Yomojo Starter 29GB Plan 29GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network $24.90 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$24.90 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#5	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
#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	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
#8	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
#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	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

While eSIM-capable phones have been around since 2018, there have also been a number of eSIM-only devices launched in Australia. No iPad has a physical SIM card anymore, and last year's iPhone Air was the first mainstream phone in Australia to be eSIM-only.

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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