A53 no sim2 - greyed out

[CraigT1]

Hi,

I own a Samsung a53 5g and I'm going on holiday outside of the eu in the next few weeks.

I've been advised an esim would be a great option but when I check the Sim 2 option is greyed out in the Sim Manager settings option.

I was under the impression this was a dual sim mobile when I bought it from ee two years ago?

[Chris_B · Accepted solution]

@CraigT1  That device supports 2 nano sims.  Not a sim and eSIM.  you have a place for a for a memory card you need to remove that memory card so you can put a nano Sim in its place. 

[bristolian]

And to add, it's not necessarily an eSIM that you need.

When you are using your phone abroad, you have the option of either using EE's roaming services, or a local SIM from an operator in the country you're visiting. Both have pros & cons, and both can either be a pSIM (physical) or eSIM (electronic/embedded)

Popular misconception is that a foreign SIM means an eSIM - not true.

[CraigT1]

Thank you for the replies everybody. I’m going on a cruise around Asia. Start in China and finish in Singapore. 
My thoughts were to use an eSIM as I was told my telephone number would stay the same rather than using a physical Sim which I thought would mean a different telephone number? Never done it before so happy to be corrected.

We potentially need to make/receive a couple of calls whilst away with a solicitor and estate agent.

[bristolian]

Forget the difference between an eSIM & a pSIM - they are both SIM. It is the SIM which holds your number and subscription details. That SIM can be embedded/electronic (E) or physical (P) - but it's a SIM regardless. The benefit of an eSIM is that you can load and unload them using onscreen menus rather than physical interaction with the SIM slot - that's it.

An EE SIM has your EE-UK account & UK number. A foreign network SIM will have a number local to the country of issue.

If you are making or receiving calls from the UK, your EE number will likely be easier. The caller dials your UK mobile number as normal, and you pay the "incoming call abroad" rate to cover the international aspect. If you have a foreign network SIM, then that will come with a Chinese/Singapore/whatever number which will mean international calls for anyone calling you.

Cruise ships often have their own on-board networks, these can be particularly expensive (captive audience with no choice!) - if you are connected to land-based networks then those are "standard" charges as per https://ee.co.uk/help/help-new/roaming-costs (ships are listed under "Maritime" on this tool)