A common thread in electronics is that, as technology advances, components become smaller. Computer chips, storage devices, and your phone’s subscriber identity module (SIM) card have shrunk through the years, yet they’re more powerful than their predecessors. The shrinking is especially noticeable with your SIM because, from having to insert a nano SIM into your phone, you will now find mobile devices with an embedded SIM or eSIM. And a built-in SIM is tiny in size, but great in features.
Your newest phone probably supports eSIM, and you might be here because you want to learn more about it and how to choose the best one for you. You’re in the right place. DITO Telecommunity has put together a guide to buying an eSIM in the Philippines, including the steps you need to take, price range, and factors to consider. Read on to learn more.
Buying an eSIM in the Philippines involves two customer groups: foreign travelers purchasing an eSIM to use during their visit, and locals looking to maximize their new phone’s eSIM functionality. Given that international eSIMs work in the Philippines, this guide focuses on how locals can get new eSIMs, especially those considering subscribing to or switching to local telcos.
If you’re a local, buying an eSIM online is the easiest and fastest way to acquire it. For instance, new and existing DITO subscribers can check the telco’s eShop and look for the eSIM offer. The online purchase takes a few minutes to complete, and you’re supposed to receive a QR code on the payment prompt page and in your email.
The next step is to go to your phone’s settings and add a cellular/mobile plan using the QR code you received. Follow the prompt to install the eSIM, restart your phone, and access your network using your new digital SIM!
An eSIM in the Philippines costs around ₱50 to ₱100. The lower range is slightly higher than physical SIM cards, which usually start at ₱39. When you purchase an eSIM, you don’t just pay for the network access but also for the initial texts, calls, and mobile data allocation that you can use right after activation.
DITO’s eSIM offers one of the most promising inclusions: 9 GB of open-access data, unlimited texts to all networks, unlimited calls to DITO subscribers, and 150 minutes of calls to other networks, all valid for 15 days.
Buying an eSIM in the Philippines involves researching the network carrier. The ability to host multiple profiles, easy activation, and greater security than physical SIMs are advantages all eSIMs share. What sets one eSIM apart from others, however, is how the network carrier delivers speed, reliability, and affordability in terms of mobile data plans to its subscribers.
Depending on what you do most with your phone, the following considerations should inform your choice of your next eSIM:
If you are into gaming, you know that internet speed and low latency are two factors that can make or break your gaming experience. Speed is essential to keep up in online games that involve teamwork, such as massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs). Acceptable download and upload speeds of 50 Mbps and above will allow you to control your character smoothly and communicate with fellow players via chat, among other things.
Low latency, meanwhile, means data transmission from your phone to the server and back will be so fast that any lag is imperceptible. Fast transmission is essential for competitive games, where a slight delay in movement can mean the difference between winning and losing a battle.
An eSIM that supports 5G frequencies is ideal for these needs, provided you are within a 5G coverage area.
Prepaid mobile promos may be your preference for their flexibility, affordability, and variety. That said, you should look into each network carrier’s prepaid offerings, and only get that telco’s eSIM if the options suit your budget and mobile data requirements. The flexibility of promos should allow you to buy load plans that match how much you are willing to pay at the moment.
Take, for instance, DITO’s prepaid mobile data plans, which include bite-sized promos that cost as little as ₱10 for emergency data needs, as well as reasonably priced unlimited data plans to keep you connected during high-bandwidth online tasks.
Data rollovers for some plans are also highly beneficial if you are frugal. After all, you would want to consume all the data you paid for. With promos that support data rollover, you can carry over unconsumed data to the next subscription, effectively increasing the data you can use during your plan.
While 5G offers impressive speeds and high bandwidth, its frequency is still not as widespread as 4G. This slight disadvantage means you need to look for a network carrier whose eSIM supports both 4G and 5G access. Not all locations have established 5G infrastructure, so you still can’t completely abandon 4G frequencies. You will need a wider network reach if you are a remote worker, business owner, or content creator who is constantly on the move.
Given these network limitations, especially in an archipelagic country like the Philippines, telcos like DITO offer prepaid mobile data plans that include both 4G and 5G data. Getting an eSIM for DITO means you can access this flexible connectivity more freely and easily.
Buying a prepaid eSIM from DITO is quick and easy. But before you buy, check out the following promos that you can access by being a subscriber and see if they align with your needs and habits:Level-Up Packs. These are 30-day data boosters you can add to your 5G data allocation.
DITO also offers app-specific combo prepaid plans for gamers and video streaming subscribers, expanding your options. Of course, you can access all of these offers by getting your DITO eSIM today!
Buying an eSIM to use in the Philippines is not limited to foreigners visiting the country. Locals like you who use the newest phones can benefit even more from buying an eSIM. Primarily, to maximize what your device can do, and secondly, to enjoy the convenience only eSIMs offer, such as multiple SIM profiles and easy onboarding.
Choosing which network to get your eSIM from is where you should be discerning. If you've reached this point, you are likely considering DITO’s perks. Learn more about how getting an eSIM from us can be the best decision you can make by checking out our prepaid and postpaid promos!