Exploring eSIM Connectivity in Hong Kong: Comprehensive Assessment and Speed Tests

In the course of my multiple visits to Hong Kong and Indonesia, I conceived an intriguing notion: to experience the locales through the guidance of a native resident. Such an approach promised a unique perspective distinct from that of a conventional tourist. Alas, the advent of the pandemic thwarted our plans, as the city-state sealed itself off from the rest of the world. Following in the footsteps of its northern neighbor, Hong Kong implemented a stringent zero-COVID policy, necessitating a deferment of our intended exploration.

Our hopes were rekindled when the country declared its intent to reopen, sans quarantine requirements, in December 2022. Seizing the opportunity, I embarked on a two-month sojourn in Hong Kong in January 2023. During this period, I meticulously examined the efficacy of local SIM cards and various travel eSIMs, subjecting eight travel eSIMs to scrutiny, including Simify's China Unicom Hong Kong eSIM, four Hong Kong SIM cards, and a dedicated travel SIM card for use within the region. The comprehensive review incurred an expenditure of approximately 2560 HKD (approximately 326.15 USD) – a testament to the extent of my commitment to providing you with thorough insights.

In numerous countries, acquiring a local SIM card remains the most economical means of ensuring connectivity. However, the convenience offered by travel eSIMs is unparalleled in certain regions, where circumventing stringent SIM card registration requirements is a considerable advantage. Hong Kong, as of March 2022, implemented SIM card registration rules, marking a departure from its previous exemption and making it the final East Asian country to do so.

This prompts the crucial questions: Is Simify's China Unicom Hong Kong eSIM a viable choice? How does it fare in terms of cost compared to local alternatives and rival travel eSIMs? What is the quality of its reception, and how does it perform in terms of speed? This review endeavors to address these inquiries comprehensively. Let's dive into the assessment.

Determining Compatibility: Which Phones Work with Simify eSIMs?

Prior to delving into the intricacies of Simify's eSIM tailored for use in Hong Kong, it's essential to ascertain whether your phone is compatible with Simify's eSIMs in the first place. Unlike many other travel eSIM providers, Simify asserts that virtually all phones equipped with eSIM functionality can seamlessly utilize the majority of its eSIM offerings, simplifying the compatibility assessment.

This assertion provides a user-friendly approach to the compatibility issue. Now, having clarified this aspect, let's delve into a more detailed exploration of the Simify Hong Kong eSIM!

Pricing for Simify's Hong Kong eSIM

The cost of acquiring the Simify eSIM tailored for use in Hong Kong is quite straightforward. You have two pricing options to choose from:

1. 10 GB for 30 days, priced at 18 USD, 15 GBP, 25 AUD, or 25 CAD.
2. 25 GB for 90 days, available at a rate of 25 USD, 20 GBP, 35 AUD, or 35 CAD.

The transparency of these pricing options is quite evident. However, it's worth noting that I wasn't privy to these prices until I embarked on this review. You might wonder how that's possible. Well, it's because I had the privilege of being an early tester for Simify's eSIM, as they had recently partnered with China Unicom Hong Kong to offer their new eSIMs in Hong Kong and other Asian regions.

Simify extended an offer for me to trial their eSIM before it became available to the general public, and I gladly accepted. Throughout the course of this review, you'll gain insight into my experience with this eSIM (spoiler alert: it was a positive experience). Consequently, Simify now offers the Hong Kong eSIM to the broader market.

Setting Up Your Simify Hong Kong eSIM: A Step-by-Step Guide

Configuring your Simify Hong Kong eSIM is a straightforward process, akin to most travel eSIMs. The setup can be accomplished either by scanning a QR code or manually entering the activation code. For simplicity, scanning the QR code received in the second email from Simify, titled "Here's your Travel eSIM/s! – OrderNumber," is the recommended method. This email, sent from hello@simsdirect.com.au, contains an attachment with pertinent details.

Upon opening the email, the confirmation of the order is presented, and scrolling down reveals the purchased eSIM(s) information, including the QR code, phone number, and activation code. It's noteworthy that Simify's eSIMs are primarily data-only, lacking the capability for calls or texts.

Despite the email containing a seemingly lengthy phone number, it serves as the eSIM number for registration on the China Unicom Hong Kong website, a step elaborated on later. Following the scan of the QR code or manual entry of the activation code, your (Android) phone prompts you to confirm the usage of Unicom_Global.

Wait briefly, and the eSIM installation is successfully completed. Consider renaming the eSIM for clarity, such as incorporating the provider's name (Simify) and the two-letter country code (e.g., HK for Hong Kong).

At this point, an optional text message from China Unicom may be received. However, the setup process is not concluded yet; there are two additional steps specific to the Simify Hong Kong eSIM.

Firstly, configuring the Access Point Network (APN) is essential. While not included in Simify's installation guide, China Unicom sends two text messages (in traditional Chinese and English) detailing the APN as "3gnet." Failure to set the APN will result in the inability to connect to the internet.

The APN setup steps are consistent on Android phones (running Android 12 and 13). Navigate to settings > Mobile & internet > SIMs > Select the eSIM > Access Point Names > Create a new APN with the name "China Unicom HK" and the APN "3gnet." Save the settings, and a successful connection should be established.

For any other Simify China Unicom eSIM, this would conclude the setup. However, for the Hong Kong variant, an additional step is mandatory due to the implementation of SIM card registration rules in Hong Kong as of March 2022.

Registering the eSIM is specific to Hong Kong and involves entering the 19-digit eSIM number provided in the email. The process requires selecting your identity type (likely your passport) and confirming the absence of a Hong Kong identity card. A photo of your passport's machine-readable section is then uploaded.

In some instances, online registration may pose challenges, as experienced by the reviewer. In such cases, China Unicom Hong Kong recommends visiting their stores for assistance. Once these steps are successfully completed, you can fully enjoy the benefits of your Simify Hong Kong eSIM.

My Experience with the Simify Hong Kong eSIM

I put my Simify Hong Kong eSIM to the test across various regions within Hong Kong, including Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories. It's important to understand how travel eSIM providers like Simify operate before delving further.

Simify, like most other mobile operators, doesn't have a presence in every country. Instead, they establish roaming agreements with local mobile operators. This strategic partnership allows their customers to stay connected while abroad without incurring exorbitant roaming charges. In the case of Hong Kong, Simify offers eSIMs provided by China Unicom Hong Kong, which operates as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) on the 3 Hong Kong network.

During my trip to Hong Kong, I not only tested the Simify Hong Kong eSIM but also explored the performance of local Hong Kong SIM cards, excluding MVNOs like China Mobile Hong Kong Mobile, CSL Mobile, 3 Hong Kong, and SmarTone Hong Kong. Additionally, I examined various other eSIM options, including Airalo Hkmobile, Airalo Asialink (in Hong Kong and other Asian countries), Airalo Discover Global (in Hong Kong and worldwide), Holafly, Nomad (Hong Kong and APAC), and Ubigi. I also evaluated the 3 (UK) Travel SIM Card by Holidaysimcard, which I used in Hong Kong (as well as Australia and Singapore).

This comprehensive approach allowed me to assess the performance of 3 Hong Kong in comparison to its competitors. However, it's worth noting that 3 Hong Kong did not permit prepaid customers to access its 5G NR network during my evaluation (although this policy may have since changed). A similar restriction applied to CSL Mobile. In contrast, China Mobile Hong Kong and SmarTone Hong Kong exhibited more flexibility in this regard.

When it comes to 4G/LTE availability in Hong Kong, all four major mobile operators offer extensive coverage, with availability exceeding 98.6%. The exceptional 4G/LTE reception in Hong Kong is so pervasive that I was under the impression that 3G had become obsolete (though there were occasional instances where 3 Hong Kong reverted to 3G).

Regarding speed, 3 Hong Kong lagged behind the competition, boasting the lowest median download speed at 32.52 Mbps. In contrast, CSL Mobile achieved a median download speed of 45.96 Mbps, SmarTone Hong Kong reached 48.14 Mbps, and China Mobile Hong Kong led the pack with a median download speed of 66.11 Mbps.

With this background information in mind, let's proceed to compare the performance of the Simify Hong Kong eSIM with that of 3 Hong Kong across various regions in Hong Kong.

Simify Hong Kong eSIM Speed Test Across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon & New Territories

Hong Kong, officially a Special Administrative Region (SAR), stands as one of the most densely populated areas globally, surpassed only by Macau (another SAR), Monaco, and Singapore. The urban landscape is so teeming with people that navigating the sidewalks can be a challenge, even during the winter months or, as was the case during my visit, when the China-Hong Kong border recently reopened. One can only imagine the heightened intensity during the summer.

Yet, amid the hustle and bustle, Hong Kong offers a plethora of attractions, from its renowned culinary scene to iconic destinations like Ocean Park and Disneyland. There are also unique features such as the Central–Mid-Levels escalator, hailed as the world's longest outdoor covered escalator, The Peak with its tram, and the Big Buddha cable car in Ngong Ping, spanning an impressive 5.7 kilometers and taking 25 minutes. Adventurous souls can opt for the crystal-clear car option for an added thrill.

Now, let's delve into the much-anticipated Simify Hong Kong eSIM speed test results.

[Speed Test Results Section - details of speed tests conducted across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories, highlighting download and upload speeds, as well as any notable observations or trends.]

In conclusion, the Simify Hong Kong eSIM exhibited commendable speed performance across diverse regions within Hong Kong. The results, coupled with the convenience of setup and competitive pricing, position the Simify eSIM as a promising option for seamless connectivity in this vibrant and densely populated SAR.

My Overall Assessment of the Simify Hong Kong eSIM

In sum, I wholeheartedly recommend the Simify Hong Kong eSIM, and it ranks as one of my top recommendations for anyone seeking a Hong Kong travel eSIM. My endorsement is based on a comprehensive assessment of its performance and usability during my time in Hong Kong.

Acquiring the Simify Hong Kong eSIM, as well as other eSIMs from Simify, is a hassle-free process. Although I dedicated some time to explaining the setup, it's primarily due to the SIM card and eSIM registration requirements in Hong Kong, which are specific to this region. Additionally, the APN setup is not automated, unlike many other travel eSIMs that configure this automatically. While this might seem like a minor inconvenience, I wanted to ensure that users are well-prepared to avoid potential frustrations. It's worth noting that the Simify eSIM installation guide is comprehensive and provides clear instructions.

The Simify Hong Kong eSIM operates on the 3 Hong Kong network, renowned for its near-perfect 4G/LTE coverage, much like its competitors in the region. Users can expect consistent and reliable reception, even in areas like the MTR, where some other eSIMs might falter.

What sets the Simify Hong Kong eSIM apart is its impressive speed performance. In fact, it outpaced all other travel eSIMs I tested, including the 3 Hong Kong eSIM itself. To provide context, the Simify Hong Kong eSIM achieved a download speed of 39.80 Mbps, significantly outperforming the 3 Hong Kong SIM card's 20.30 Mbps. This observation suggests that individuals who wish to access the 3 Hong Kong network may be better served by using its budget brand, SoSIM, to avoid overpaying.

When considering the overall speed performance across 56 speed tests, the Simify Hong Kong eSIM displayed an average download speed of 44.55 Mbps and a median download speed of 34.04 Mbps. In terms of upload speeds, it maintained an average upload speed of 20.87 Mbps and a median upload speed of 19.59 Mbps. These results highlight that an eSIM operated by a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) can outperform the mobile operator itself.

Contrary to some countries where prepaid speeds are deliberately throttled, Hong Kong's 3 Hong Kong network should have offered faster 4G/LTE speeds, as indicated by the Simify Hong Kong eSIM's performance. This raises suspicions that 3 Hong Kong may throttle prepaid speeds without providing explicit notification.

To dispel any doubts about my device's performance, I used the same Google Pixel 7 Pro for testing various eSIMs, including Airalo Hkmobile, Asialink, and Discover Global. The Google Pixel 7 Pro delivered impressive results, with the fastest speed recorded at 243.60 Mbps.

Considering the cost factor, I spent 200 HKD (approximately 25.50 USD) on my 3 Hong Kong eSIM, while the Simify eSIM is available at the same price point, offering speeds twice as fast as 3 Hong Kong itself. This stark difference in performance and affordability underscores the excellence of the Simify Hong Kong eSIM.

In summary, the Simify Hong Kong eSIM combines outstanding coverage, cost-effective data plans, and faster speeds than the primary mobile operator, ensuring a smooth and satisfying browsing experience for users in Hong Kong.