Opera for Android users can now buy a travel eSIM without leaving the browser, the company says, with the feature rolling out today. The eSIM covers 47 destinations and is sold inside the browser itself, so there is no separate app to download before a trip.
The hook for travelers is a free 3GB data allowance that lasts three days, offered in selected markets. Opera says claiming it requires no payment details and no email address. The free plan is available to users in the US, UK, Germany, France, Canada, UAE, Brazil, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Poland, and the data can be used in any of the more than 45 supported destinations.
Paid top-ups come in 3GB, 5GB or 10GB sizes, and prices depend on the destination, the amount of data and the local currency. Opera displays the price in the browser before payment. Top-ups are added to the eSIM already installed on the phone, so there is no need to reinstall anything, though an internet connection is needed to complete the purchase. The eSIM is powered by Holiday.com.
Setup can be done at home before departure, but the data countdown does not start until the user lands in the destination country. The eSIM activates on the first network connection there. Buyers get a year from purchase to make that first connection before the eSIM expires.
The eSIM supplies data only and does not replace a phone number. It provides internet access to the whole device rather than just the browser. Opera says the connection offers 5G quality where local networks can provide it, falling back to the next best option where they do not.
To claim the free data, users tap the profile icon, scroll to the eSIM option and select Claim now, then choose a destination country and confirm. An installation prompt follows. A stable connection is required before travel to complete setup.
The requirements are narrow. Users need the latest Opera for Android, Android 10 or newer, and a phone that supports eSIM and is carrier unlocked. The feature is not available in Opera Mini or Opera GX mobile. The eSIM can be bought worldwide for any destination country.
The launch follows Opera's recent push on privacy and browsing features, including a free VPN that can now switch on automatically when a desktop user joins a public Wi-Fi network. That VPN has been built into the browser since 2016 and carries no account, bandwidth cap or cost. Opera has also been reworking parts of its browser interface, most recently with changes to Vertical Tabs in Opera One.
