Data Speed on an eSIM

[Mokookie]

So I'm proudly showing my Pixel 9 Pro XL to a colleague who has just bought an OPPO X8.

Checking his data speed, he was hitting over 250Mbps on 5G, and there I am on my Pixel next to him, getting a measley 32 Mbps max, also showing on 5G.

He's on a physical SIM, I'm on an eSIM.

Any ideas why he's getting so much faster than me?

My data speeds vary from location to location obviously; the most I've had (at home right now) is 132 Mbps.

[Enlli]

Not an observation that has come up here.

The only difference I know is that unless you have a plastic SIM 5G Stand alone does not work on Android with eSIMs you need an R15 plastic for that. Doubt that is the case here though

If your SIM slot is free call into an O2 store with photo ID and swap to plastic.

Less problems all round

[MI5]

@Mokookie 

Same network or different?

[Mokookie]

We're both on pay monthly O2.

[MI5]

@Mokookie 

You'll need to go in store with photo ID and get a replacement plastic sim to prove the theory.

[japitts]

Do you run any apps capable of identifying the eNB-ID and EARFCN (carrier) in use?

[PixelRosie]

Hi @Mokookie

The only thing i can think of is the oppo find x8 pro is 5g standalone sa compatible, However the google pixel 9 pro xl isnt 5g standalone sa just yet and only 5g non-standalone NSA will work.

There two ways you can find a list of supported O2 5G SA via O2 website by going, Shop > Phone > Filter By > Connectivity > 5G SA Tick and https://www.o2.co.uk/5g and scroll down to How do I get 5G Standalone?

Fair as i know, O2 5G Standalone SA will work with compatible devices from the lists of phones published from O2 above, Also You'll also need an plastic R15 SIM card as mentioned above from @Enlli so when the google pixel's becomes compatible, your good to go.

[Enlli]

5G SA has not been made available to the general customer it seems

https://www.rcrwireless.com/20250214/featured/virgin-media-o2-5g-sa

[madasaf1sh]

5G SA has been made available to general customers, the only caveat is that you need an R15 SIM card or if you can get a new 5G SA enabled eSim 

There is a whole thread on SA on Ispreview and o2 is in there.. 

TBH @PixelRosie  The list on the website is out of date compared to the what is advertised on the o2 shop as my Z Fold 6 is not on the list but supports it on o2, but surprised the Pixels cant support 5G SA seems a bit ridiculous

Update

Actually the Z Fold 6 is listed as the Fold6 (did no one at o2 proof read the updates).

[PixelRosie]

@Enlli Its only pay monthly O2 / VMO2 users that are allowed to use O2 5G SA providing they have a R15 plastic SIM card.

@madasaf1shFair as i know, EE are the only networks that support the Google Pixel 9 series since the December 2024 update however Vodafone has supported the Google Pixel 8 series and + unless they rooted there Pixels to force 5G SA what can be done easy via Google Pixel 7 providing they got 5G SA enabled, Three is just pure Non SA.

Yes, The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 is listed 5G SA via O2 online shop here