Do the Pixel 4, 5 and 6 have eSIM? Older Pixels vs Google
Yes, the Pixel 4 has eSIM. Google's own support pages, read on September 30, 2026, cover 9 models from the Pixel 4 through the Pixel 6a and 4 older Pixel models.
| Model | eSIM | Physical SIM also | Two eSIMs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pixel 4 | yes | yes | not named by Google |
| Pixel 4 XL | yes | yes | not named by Google |
| Pixel 4a | yes | yes | not named by Google |
| Pixel 4a (5G) | yes | yes | not named by Google |
| Pixel 5 | yes | yes | not named by Google |
| Pixel 5a (5G) | yes | yes | not named by Google |
| Pixel 6 | yes | yes | not named by Google |
| Pixel 6 Pro | yes | yes | not named by Google |
| Pixel 6a | yes | yes | not named by Google |
| Pixel 3a | not if bought with Verizon service or in Japan | yes | not named by Google |
| Pixel 3 | some carrier and country exclusions | yes | not named by Google |
| Pixel 2 | only if bought with Google Fi service | yes | not named by Google |
| Pixel (2016) | no | yes | no |
The Pixel 4, 5 and 6 all support eSIM
Google's Get a SIM or eSIM page says, “Pixel 4 and later: All phones work with eSIM.” The same page says eSIM use depends on the phone and mobile carrier. The 9 models in this group are Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 5, Pixel 5a (5G), Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6a.
Pixel 4 through 6a support one physical SIM with one eSIM
Google's dual SIM page says a Pixel 3a or later can use two SIMs: one physical SIM card and one eSIM. That covers the Pixel 4 through Pixel 6a models listed above. Google's page names two eSIM profiles at once only for the Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro or later, so it does not name the Pixel 4 to Pixel 6a family for two eSIMs.
For dual SIM mode with 5G, Google names the Pixel 4a (5G) and later phones. That includes the Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 5a (5G) and Pixel 6 family. The Pixel 4 and Pixel 4a are not named for 5G in dual SIM mode.
Older Pixel limits vary by model, carrier and country
Google's Get a SIM page says Pixel 3a phones bought with Verizon service or in Japan do not work with eSIM. Pixel 3 phones bought with service from any US or Canadian carrier other than Sprint and Google Fi do not work with eSIM. Pixel 3 phones bought in Australia, Taiwan or Japan also do not work with eSIM.
For the Pixel 2, Google says only phones bought with Google Fi service work with eSIM. For the Pixel (2016), Google says no phones work with eSIM. Google's dual SIM page also says a Pixel 3a bought in Japan cannot have two SIMs.
In the table, "yes" under "Physical SIM also" for the Pixel 3, Pixel 2 and Pixel (2016) only reflects Google's statement that all Pixel phones can use nano SIM cards. Google's dual SIM page, which covers one physical SIM with one eSIM, starts at the Pixel 3a.
Ask your carrier before buying
Google says some phones can use eSIM depending on the phone and the mobile carrier, and tells you to check with your carrier for details. That applies to the particular phone, carrier and plan, even when Google lists the model as supporting eSIM.