URL: https://esimgo.ae/esim-samsung/
Source: eSIM Go (esimgo.ae)
Author: Nadezhda Semenova, entrepreneur, co-founder of the Trippy travel service, https://esimgo.ae/author/
Updated: 15 Oct 2026

# Samsung eSIM phones in the UAE: which models, and the regional catch

Samsung eSIM phones in the UAE include the Galaxy S20 to S26, the Z Fold and Z Flip series, the FE models, the XCover7 and XCover7 Pro, and four A-series phones (A57, A37, A56, A55), according to Samsung's UAE list. The page warns: "Depending on the country of origin, eSIM may not be supported even if your device is listed above." Samsung updated the list on 19 Sep 2026 and we read it on 15 Oct 2026. For a trip you need two lines: your UAE SIM for calls and SMS, and a travel eSIM for data.

## Samsung phones with eSIM

We keep a page for **7 Galaxy models**: 4 have eSIM in the UAE version (S25, S24, A56, A55) and 3 do not (A36, A35, A26).

| Model | eSIM in the UAE version | Samsung UAE's list says |
|---|---|---|
| [Galaxy S25](/esim-compatible-phones/samsung-galaxy-s25/) | Yes | "Galaxy S25 / S25+ / S25 Ultra / S25 Edge", no region limit |
| [Galaxy S24](/esim-compatible-phones/samsung-galaxy-s24/) | Yes | "Galaxy S24 / S24+ / S24 Ultra", no region limit |
| [Galaxy A56](/esim-compatible-phones/samsung-galaxy-a56/) | Yes | "A56", no region limit |
| [Galaxy A55](/esim-compatible-phones/samsung-galaxy-a55/) | Yes | "A55", no region limit |
| [Galaxy A36](/esim-compatible-phones/samsung-galaxy-a36/) | No | "A36(Only Europe, North America, Korea)" |
| [Galaxy A35](/esim-compatible-phones/samsung-galaxy-a35/) | No | "A35 (Only Europe, North America, Korea)" |
| [Galaxy A26](/esim-compatible-phones/samsung-galaxy-a26/) | No | "A26(Only North America)" |

Snapshot 15 Oct 2026. Source: [Samsung UAE, Galaxy eSIM and supported mobile carriers](https://www.samsung.com/ae/support/mobile-devices/galaxy-esim-and-supported-network-carriers/), list updated 19 Sep 2026. "No" means the UAE is not among the regions Samsung names. The caveat covers every row.

The other Samsung eSIM phones, the Z Fold and Z Flip included, are rows in our [eSIM compatible phones](/esim-compatible-phones/) list. Samsung adds that "Wi-Fi only tablet models do not support eSIM functionality."

## Regional versions without eSIM

Samsung eSIM phones bought here and abroad can differ: Samsung limits eSIM by region on **9 of the 13 A-series entries** on its UAE list (our count, 15 Oct 2026); the A57, A37, A56 and A55 carry no limit. A Galaxy A36 bought in the UAE is not in "Europe, North America, Korea", so by Samsung's wording it has no eSIM.

The limits differ by model: the A27, A26, A17 5G and A16 5G are "Only North America", the A25 5G and A23 5G are "Only Japan", and the A54 adds Japan to Europe, North America and Korea. These regional models are the catch: a phone bought in one of those regions may have eSIM although the same name sold here does not, so read the brackets after the model name before you buy. The S, Z and FE entries show no "Only" limit, so for them only the country-of-origin warning applies.

## How to check your Samsung, and add the travel eSIM

To check eSIM support, find your exact model on Samsung UAE's list, then open Settings > Connections > SIM manager and look for Add eSIM. Install the travel eSIM on home Wi-Fi before you fly; on most of our plans its days start at the first connection in your destination.

For a phone that is not on the list, Add eSIM is the only test we have. Samsung UAE's pages say nothing on whether a carrier-locked Galaxy accepts a travel eSIM; the one lock remark concerns eSIM Instant Transfer: "Your new device must be unlocked for the transfer to be successful." If your Galaxy came with a contract, ask your carrier before you buy.

Samsung UAE prints "Go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager", then "Tap Add eSIM then tap Scan QR code"; by hand, "Tap Add eSIM, tap Scan QR code > Tap Enter activation code". A second Samsung UAE page says "Connections > SIM Card Manager > Add Mobile Plan", so some models use those names. The data-line step after landing is in [the Android guide](/how-to-install-esim/android/).

Samsung states: "Only one eSIM can be active at a time on most Samsung Galaxy devices." If your UAE line is itself an eSIM, it and the travel eSIM may not run together, so keep the UAE line on a physical nano-SIM.

Keep the UAE line on for calls and SMS. e& and Virgin Mobile don't charge for SMS you receive abroad; du publishes no price for it, so check with du. Calls you receive are charged per minute (operator pages, 15 Oct 2026). We cannot promise that bank OTP messages arrive abroad. Our travel eSIMs for India, Pakistan, the Philippines and the Gulf are data-only, with no phone number, and our eSIMs do not provide service in the UAE. No signal after landing? Run [the no-signal checks](/help/esim-no-signal/) or see [keeping your UAE number](/help/keep-your-uae-number/).

## FAQ

### Which Samsung phones support eSIM?

Samsung UAE's list, updated 19 Sep 2026, names the Galaxy S20 to S26, the Z Fold and Z Flip series, the FE models, the XCover7 and XCover7 Pro, and the A57, A37, A56 and A55. Nine other A models are listed for named regions only.

### Do Samsung phones sold in the UAE support eSIM?

Some do. The S25, S24, A56 and A55 are listed with no region limit. The A36, A35 and A26 are listed for other regions only, so the version sold here has no eSIM.

### How do I check eSIM support on my Samsung?

Find your exact model on Samsung UAE's list and read the brackets after the name. Then open Settings, Connections, SIM manager and look for Add eSIM.

### How do I add a travel eSIM on a Samsung?

Join home Wi-Fi before you fly, open Settings, Connections, SIM manager, Add eSIM, then Scan QR code. On some models the menu reads SIM Card Manager, Add Mobile Plan. On most of our plans the days count from the first connection in your destination.

## Sources

Samsung UAE, Galaxy eSIM and supported mobile carriers (updated 19 Sep 2026) and How to set up an eSIM and nano-SIM card on your Galaxy device: samsung.com/ae (15 Oct 2026). Our travel eSIM plans: catalogue snapshot (15 Oct 2026). e& and Virgin Mobile, roaming rates: eand.ae, virginmobile.ae (15 Oct 2026).