Quick Article Summary
SMART eSIM is a popular local provider in the Philippines offering competitive data plans with good connectivity. If you're just visiting for a few days, we recommend eSIM4Travel as it offers similar pricing but doesn't require the lengthy registration process that Philippine regulations mandate for local providers. For longer stays or if you need a local phone number, SMART is a good choice despite the registration process and occasional indoor connectivity issues.
SMART eSIM in brief
Local Philippines provider offering competitive data plans, but requires detailed registration process due to local regulations.
Pros and cons
SMART eSIM review contents
Introduction
SMART eSIM is one of the leading mobile network providers in the Philippines, growing in popularity and availability. In the Philippines, you can find SMART stands at almost every corner and even at smaller airports, making it an easily accessible option for both visitors and locals.
If you're planning a trip to the Philippines and need reliable internet connectivity, SMART offers an eSIM solution that might be suitable for your needs. We've thoroughly tested SMART's eSIM service to help you decide if it's the right choice for your stay in the Philippines.
In this review, we'll examine all aspects of the SMART eSIM experience - from purchase and registration to actual performance and pricing. We'll also compare it with eSIM4Travel, a popular travel eSIM provider, to give you a comprehensive understanding of your connectivity options in the Philippines.
Purchase process
The SMART eSIM purchase process is straightforward and user-friendly, following a standard e-commerce flow that most users will find familiar. Here's how it works:
- Visit the SMART website
- Browse and select your preferred eSIM package
- Complete the checkout process
- Receive your eSIM details via email
- Install the eSIM on your device
- Register your eSIM (an additional step required by Philippine regulations)
The website is generally easy to navigate, though we did encounter some technical issues during our testing. Sometimes the site was buggy, requiring us to switch browsers (Firefox worked better) and refresh the page multiple times to complete our purchase.
One significant advantage is that SMART allows you to purchase your eSIM online before arriving in the Philippines, which can save you time and hassle upon arrival. However, keep in mind that you'll still need to complete the registration process (which we'll cover in the next section) before your eSIM becomes active.
For detailed instructions on installing eSIMs on different devices, check out our guides on how to add an eSIM on iPhone or how to add an eSIM on Samsung.
The purchasing interface is clear, showing you the available plans and their details. After selecting your plan, you'll proceed through a standard checkout process, entering your payment information and completing the purchase.
eSIM registration
The registration process is the most challenging aspect of using SMART eSIM, and it's a significant drawback compared to international travel eSIMs. Due to Philippine regulations, all SIM cards (including eSIMs) must be registered with personal information before they can be activated.
This registration requires detailed personal information, including:
- A photo of your passport (or other ID for locals)
- A selfie to verify your identity
- Proof of your stay in the Philippines (we used a Booking.com reservation screenshot)
- Your return ticket
- Detailed address information of your stay in the Philippines
The process is time-consuming and requires access to all these documents. In our experience, the registration took about 2 hours total (1 hour for the first attempt, which was rejected, and 1 hour for the successful second attempt).
One frustrating aspect is that if your registration is rejected, there's little feedback on what exactly was wrong. In our case, the return ticket screenshot was deemed insufficient, but we had to figure this out ourselves. This lack of clear feedback can make the process even more time-consuming.
It's worth noting that all the data you submit is processed by a human reviewer, and activation can take up to 24 hours, though our successful registration was processed in about an hour.
If you're just visiting the Philippines for a short period, this registration process might be too cumbersome, making international travel eSIMs like eSIM4Travel a more convenient option as they don't require this level of registration.
Speed tests
We conducted speed tests in multiple locations across the Philippines to evaluate SMART's performance, comparing it with eSIM4Travel, a popular travel eSIM provider. The results were interesting and varied by location.
Manila Airport - Challenging Conditions
First, we tested at Manila Airport, which represents challenging conditions with many people and potential network congestion. In this environment:
- SMART: Achieved very good download speeds of around 92.6 Mbps and upload speeds of about 30.3 Mbps
- eSIM4Travel: Delivered download speeds of about 4.5 Mbps and upload speeds of around 4.3 Mbps
In this crowded location, SMART had a slight edge in download performance, while upload speeds were comparable between the two providers.
Boracay Island - Ideal Conditions
Next, we tested on Boracay Island, a popular tourist destination that represents ideal conditions with full signal, 5G coverage, and fewer users at the time of testing:
- SMART: Delivered impressive download speeds of 213 Mbps and upload speeds of 44.7 Mbps
- eSIM4Travel: Achieved download speeds of about 61.1 Mbps and upload speeds of around 4.72 Mbps
In these optimal conditions, SMART significantly outperformed eSIM4Travel, showing its potential when network conditions are favorable.
Indoor Performance Issues
One notable issue we encountered with SMART was inconsistent indoor performance. In some indoor locations (hotel bathrooms, corners of shopping malls), we experienced situations where the SMART eSIM showed full signal strength and 4G+ connectivity but had either no internet connection or extremely slow speeds.
Interestingly, in these same locations, eSIM4Travel maintained reliable connectivity. This suggests that while SMART may offer superior speeds in ideal conditions, eSIM4Travel might provide more consistent connectivity across various environments.
For more information about mobile data speeds and what they mean for your usage, check out our guides on what 2GB of data covers, what 5GB of data covers, or 4G vs. LTE explained.
Prices
SMART offers very competitive pricing for its eSIM plans, making it one of the most affordable options for connectivity in the Philippines. The basic eSIM plan starts at just 99 PHP ($1.7) for 2 GB of data with no expiry, which is excellent value.
New eSIM Plans
Here are the main eSIM plans available for new customers:
- Prepaid Digital Tourist eSIM: eSIM + 24 GB for 599 PHP ($10.5), valid for 30 days
- eSIM with Magic Data 99: eSIM + 2 GB for 99 PHP ($1.7), with unlimited validity
Top-up and Additional Products
Once your eSIM is registered and active, adding more data or other products is straightforward. SMART offers various top-up options that are even cheaper than the initial purchase in some cases. Here are some of the available data plans:
All Data Plans
- All Data 50: 2GB for ₱50 ($0.88), valid for 3 days
- All Data 99: 6GB for ₱99 ($1.74), valid for 7 days
- All Data 299: 24GB for ₱299 ($5.25), valid for 30 days
- All Data 599: 48GB for ₱599 ($10.51), valid for 60 days
- All Data 899: 72GB for ₱899 ($15.77), valid for 90 days
Unlimited 5G+ with Non-Stop Data Plans
These plans include unlimited 5G, non-stop 4G data, and unlimited calls & texts:
- UNLI 5G+ w/ NSD 55: ₱55 ($0.96), valid for 1 day
- UNLI 5G+ w/ NSD 115: ₱115 ($2.02), valid for 3 days
- UNLI 5G+ w/ NSD 225: ₱225 ($3.95), valid for 7 days
- UNLI 5G+ w/ NSD 449: ₱449 ($7.88), valid for 15 days
- UNLI 5G+ w/ NSD 799: ₱799 ($14.02), valid for 28 days
Magic Data+ Plans
These plans offer data, calls, and texts with no expiry (requires maintaining ₱1 load to keep SIM active):
- Magic Data+ 199: 4GB, 50 mins calls, 50 texts for ₱199 ($3.49)
- Magic Data+ 299: 10GB, 100 mins calls, 100 texts for ₱299 ($5.25)
- Magic Data+ 399: 19GB, 150 mins calls, 150 texts for ₱399 ($7.00)
- Magic Data+ 499: 30GB, 200 mins calls, 200 texts for ₱499 ($8.75)
- Magic Data+ 699: 50GB, 300 mins calls, 300 texts for ₱699 ($12.26)
- Magic Data+ 799: 64GB, 600 mins calls, 600 texts for ₱799 ($14.02)
- Magic Data+ 899: 85GB, 900 mins calls, 900 texts for ₱899 ($15.77)
Magic Calls Plans
These plans offer calling minutes with no expiry (requires maintaining ₱1 load to keep SIM active):
- Magic Calls 99: 50 mins for ₱99 ($1.74)
- Magic Calls 199: 150 mins for ₱199 ($3.49)
AllNet Plans
These plans include data plus unlimited calls & texts:
- AllNet 30: 100MB for ₱30 ($0.53), valid for 1 day
The process of adding new products or top-ups is very straightforward. You simply select the product you want to add to your eSIM and complete the purchase. Note that each purchase requires OTP verification, so keep your phone handy.
To compare SMART's offerings with other eSIM options for the Philippines, check out the table below:
If you're trying to determine how much data you'll need for your trip, our guide on how much data do you need can help you make an informed decision.
App
The SMART app provides a way to manage your eSIM, check your balance, and purchase additional services. However, our testing revealed some usability issues that might frustrate users.
One significant problem is that the app doesn't allow you to use the same login credentials that you registered with on the website. Instead, you need to create a new login using your mobile number rather than your email address, which can be confusing and inconvenient.
When first opening the app, you're greeted with five different promotional pop-ups, which can be annoying. However, once you navigate past these, the app does provide all the necessary information about your account, data balance, and available services.
A nice bonus is that SMART offers extra points and 2GB of data just for installing and using the app, which might make it worth the initial hassle.
The app has mixed reviews in app stores:
- Android: 3.3 stars from 655K reviews, with over 10M downloads
- iOS: 4.4 stars from 54.9K ratings
These ratings suggest that iOS users generally have a better experience with the app than Android users.
For comparison with other eSIM provider apps, check out our reviews of Airalo or eSIM4Travel.
Result (summary)
SMART eSIM offers a solid connectivity option for travelers to the Philippines, with some significant strengths but also notable drawbacks to consider.
Main advantages of SMART eSIM:
- Very competitive prices (99 PHP/$1.7 for 2 GB)
- Excellent connection speeds in ideal conditions
- Wide range of data plans and add-ons
- Simple online purchase process
- Cost-effective top-ups for existing customers
- Local Philippine phone number for calls and SMS
Main disadvantages of SMART eSIM:
- Lengthy and detailed registration process required by Philippine regulations
- Occasional connectivity issues indoors despite full signal
- Somewhat buggy website that may require multiple attempts
- Confusing product lineup that can be difficult to navigate
- App login issues between web and mobile platforms
During our testing, we found that using both SMART and eSIM4Travel together provided the best overall experience. This combination offered reliable coverage in most locations (thanks to eSIM4Travel) and excellent speeds in ideal conditions (thanks to SMART).
Our recommendation:
For short-term visitors who just need data for social media, navigation, and general internet use, we recommend eSIM4Travel. It offers similar pricing to SMART but doesn't require the lengthy registration process or sharing sensitive personal data like your passport.
For longer stays, those who need fast speeds in ideal conditions, or if you need a local Philippine phone number for calls and SMS, SMART is a good choice despite the registration process.
If you're interested in exploring other eSIM options for travel, check out our guides on eSIM for travel or alternatives to Airalo eSIM. For more information about eSIM technology in general, visit our comprehensive guide to eSIM or frequently asked questions about eSIM.
