Opera for Android now ships with a free eSIM and 3GB of 5G data

Opera's web browser for Android now comes with a free eSIM and 3GB of 5G data, giving users mobile connectivity in many parts of the world. The digital SIM card is built directly into the browser, so travellers can join a local network abroad without swapping a physical card.

Even though the eSIM sits inside the browser, the connection covers the whole phone, so other apps keep working without roaming fees. All of the settings, however, are managed from the browser app.

Where the eSIM works

The same eSIM works in 47 countries, including Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, so it never has to be switched digitally. The free 3GB of data, by contrast, is only available to users based in the US, UK, Germany, France, the UAE, Brazil, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Poland. Extra plans come in 3GB, 5GB and 10GB versions, with prices that vary by destination.

Limits and requirements

The free data expires three days after activation, and 3GB disappears quickly if you spend a long train ride watching YouTube. Opera, of course, wants people to buy more data, which is why paid plans exist. The company says users do not have to enter payment information to get the eSIM, only later, once the free data runs out.

The feature requires Android 10 or newer, plus an eSIM-compatible phone that is not locked to a carrier. Engadget asked Opera whether the eSIM is coming to iOS, and a company representative said it has nothing to share at this time.

Other recent Opera updates

The Opera mobile browser also includes a VPN. The company has recently updated the app with new features, among them a hub for soccer fans and a refreshed start page. Opera also introduced Neon, an AI-driven agentic browser that costs $20 a month.