topic Re: Can O2 provide me with an eSim? in Tech Support

Can O2 provide me with an eSim?

sunmat — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 01:47:33 GMT

I'm currently traveling in the US and just bought myself an iPhone 15 Pro. To my surprise, the US version doesn't have a Sim card slot, it only accepts eSim. I urgently need to know if O2 can provide me with an eSim for my phone number, and if so, where/how can I ask for it? If not, I will have to return this iPhone to an Apple Store before I return to UK.

Thanks!

Re: Can O2 provide me with an eSim?

MI5 — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 08:10:09 GMT

@sunmat

O2 can provide an esim for monthly contracts (not PAYG) but iy will likely have to be when you return to the UK.

You can get one from any O2 store if you take photo ID with you or by contacting O2

Customers on the new 360 billing system can also switch to an esim online in their MyO2.

Re: Can O2 provide me with an eSim?

Enlli — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 08:47:48 GMT

One problem being restricted to eSim is you lose flexibility

My Samsung is running both an eSim and a normal SIM concurrently One on O2 and another on EE. I can swap to using two normal SIM cards at the flick of a switch.

eSim only seriously limits your options in the UK

Re: Can O2 provide me with an eSim?

MI5 — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 09:19:55 GMT

It's called progress and all phones will be esim only in the coming years.

Re: Can O2 provide me with an eSim?

sunmat — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 14:58:41 GMT

Thanks for the answers. I am not surprised that I would need to be back in the UK to make the switch, I just wanted to make extra sure this switch could be possible (otherwise I would have returned the iPhone to the store I bought it from, and bought one in the UK instead).

Re: Can O2 provide me with an eSim?

MI5 — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 15:08:34 GMT

@sunmat

As long as you have a monthly contract it's a yes.

Re: Can O2 provide me with an eSim?

Enlli — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 15:09:40 GMT

@MI5 wrote:
It's called progress and all phones will be esim only in the coming years.

Progress is not always in a forward direction.

I've got 3 more full updates on my S23 Plus. We'll see the state of play then.

Re: Can O2 provide me with an eSim?

MI5 — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 15:12:58 GMT

I was being a little sarcastic....

Thinking back to the first analogue mobiles that had an "esim" of sorts way back in the 80's and 90's

Re: Can O2 provide me with an eSim?

Enlli — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 15:22:12 GMT

I wonder if Celnet can update mine in my Sony Mars Bar?

Re: Can O2 provide me with an eSim?

MI5 — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 15:39:04 GMT

That's very possible as O2 are still using the same systems

Re: Can O2 provide me with an eSim?

Oxonian — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 21:33:46 GMT

@sunmat

Does having a US handset in the UK not complicate matters if anything goes wrong with it during the warranty period ?

Re: Can O2 provide me with an eSim?

MI5 — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 21:36:50 GMT

Apple warranty will not apply outside of the US so will have to be sent back there, however, some choose to take the risk to get a cheaper phone.

Re: Can O2 provide me with an eSim?

Oxonian — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 18:22:07 GMT

@MI5

That's a matter of personal choice but if you think of the cost of an iPhone, it is one that I would be reluctant to take to save maybe 10 per cent or 15 per cent.

Re: Can O2 provide me with an eSim?

Enlli — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 18:28:07 GMT

It won't be 10 or 15% saving if you are unfortunate to get customs involved

Re: Can O2 provide me with an eSim?

MI5 — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 18:28:41 GMT

Not for me either, but then I wouldn't pay those prices for any phone unless it was machined from a gold nugget.

Re: Can O2 provide me with an eSim?

Oxonian — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 20:36:14 GMT

@Enlli

Agreed. There are a multitude of potential difficulties with buying from overseas.

Re: Can O2 provide me with an eSim?

madasaf1sh — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 20:48:49 GMT

@Oxonian @Enlli

2nd attempt thanks to the f****g pop up..

The savings can be huge, I saved 35% (inc Sales Tax) buy buying a Surface Pro in Boston (US not Lincolnshire ) on the UK Price, and MS in the UK fixed it when in Abu Dhabi, I dropped it and smashed the screen (i had to pay)..

I have bought laptops, phones, lenses and much more in the US , HK and Japan, and as long as the buyer is aware of the risks (which can be mitigated) then no harm in buying an iPhone or any other device.

There are ways round getting support on iPhones such as buying Apple Care which covers the device worldwide (or did)

Never had customs stop me and you have to be very unlucky to be stopped, but again just dont bring packaging back, or fold it down and put it in your carry on...

It is a case of do your research, and buyer beware...

Re: Can O2 provide me with an eSim?

Oxonian — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 15:10:08 GMT

@madasaf1sh

I will bow to your experience in this regard.

If I ever go abroad and am contemplating such a purchase, I will reopen this thread and ask you how to mitigate the risks - unless you want to detail this now, as others might find the information really valuable.