Opera Adds Free 3GB Travel eSIM to Android Browser

The free 3GB allowance is available to users who live in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, or Poland. Users need a carrier-unlocked phone that is eSIM compatible and running Android 10 or later. The data kicks in once they are abroad and can be used in 47 destinations, including Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Türkiye, the UK, and the US.

If users decide to buy an eSIM after the free allowance, Opera says they can purchase and use it in any location covered by Holiday.com, which covers more than 150 countries. Plans are available with 3GB, 5GB, and 10GB of data and last for 30 days after first activation. Opera says pricing is typically 33 percent less than with other major eSIM providers, though TechRadar noted users should shop around before buying.

The eSIM is a data-only product. It does not replace a phone number and works alongside an existing eSIM or physical SIM. It provides access to the web, WhatsApp, Google Maps, and other services that use cellular data. The connection uses 5G when available and falls back to the next best option when it is not.

Unlike standard eSIMs stored in phone memory, travel eSIMs focused on data abroad often require downloading another app from the provider. Opera handles payment, installation, and connection in its Android app. TechRadar said users should set up the eSIM at home on a solid Wi-Fi connection. In the app, they tap their profile picture in the bottom right, then eSIM, then follow the instructions. They tap Claim now and choose a destination country. The allowance is valid for three days after the first connection abroad, and no personal details need to be registered.

After choosing a destination, users go through the eSIM setup process for their device, which varies by Android phone maker. On a Pixel, TechRadar said it takes a couple of taps, and the Opera 3GB eSIM powered by Holiday.com then appears in Settings > Network and Internet > SIMs. The eSIM can be used with Google Chrome, WhatsApp, Instagram, Google Maps, or any app, not just Opera. Users activate it through the phone's SIMs menu and the eSIM menu in Opera, then it is ready once they cross a border.

TechRadar said it tested the eSIM in the UK because the reporter was not vacationing abroad. Speeds were faster than on a regular O2 SIM, which the report attributed possibly to mast locations, and all apps connected without issue. The report noted results may vary by country and cell network coverage, but it had no problems setting up or connecting to the free 3GB plan.