ENC Mobile eSIM or physical SIM? Most China-model iPhones only take a physical SIM, so here is how to choose (2026)
ENC sells both eSIMs and physical SIMs. If you are in China with a mainland China iPhone, most models can only take a physical SIM: according to Apple, the only mainland China iPhones with eSIM are iPhone Air, 17e and the 18 Pro models, while XR through 17 Pro Max use physical SIM slots. An eSIM suits phones that support it, such as overseas iPhones: scan a code and skip the delivery wait. The US T-Mobile physical SIM (ENC) is a physical SIM that fits any iPhone 6S or later, mainland China or overseas: $28 (about ¥199) including the first month's 30 minutes and 100 texts, shipped to China and tested before dispatch, working after 3 steps and about 5 minutes.
On this page
- 1. The short version: eSIM vs physical SIM
- 2. Can a mainland China iPhone install an ENC eSIM?
- 3. When an eSIM makes more sense
- 4. When a physical SIM makes more sense
- 5. Physical SIM: buy from ENC or from LarkSIM?
- 6. Why buy this SIM from LarkSIM
- 7. Choose by phone: a mainland China iPhone means a physical SIM
- 8. FAQ
- 9. Related guides
Official rules follow ENC's plans page and FAQ as of 21 October 2026, eSIM support on mainland China iPhones follows Apple's support article, and the SIM's rules follow the LarkSIM product page.
The short version: eSIM vs physical SIM
| Compare | ENC eSIM | ENC physical SIM |
|---|---|---|
| How you get it | A QR code after buying on the ENC site; scan to install, no delivery wait | Shipped; ENC delivers free to mainland China, usually in 2–3 business days, and LarkSIM ships within China too |
| Phones | Unlocked phones that support eSIM and pass ENC's compatibility check | Unlocked phones with a SIM slot; the LarkSIM SIM needs iPhone 6S or later |
| Mainland China iPhones | Most models have no eSIM | All have a SIM slot except iPhone Air |
| Changing phones | The QR code works once; request a replacement in the account centre, free the first time per number, then $10 | Move the SIM to the new phone and turn Wi-Fi Calling back on |
| Refunds | ENC does not refund eSIMs | ENC refunds a new, unactivated SIM returned within 7 business days; the LarkSIM SIM cannot be returned once shipped |
| Texts in China | Both rely on Wi-Fi Calling over Wi-Fi | Same |
Can a mainland China iPhone install an ENC eSIM?
Apple's support article (Apple: Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards) says iPhones bought in mainland China work like this: XR, XS Max, the 11 to 16 series, 16e, 17, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max take two physical nano-SIMs; iPhone Air is eSIM-only; 17e, 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max can use either eSIM or a physical SIM. Mainland China models from iPhone 6S to X, plus XS, 12 mini, 13 mini and the SE range, have a single physical slot.
So the vast majority of mainland China iPhones have no eSIM at all and need a physical SIM. Apple does not say whether the few China models with eSIM accept a foreign carrier's eSIM. If you want an ENC eSIM, dial *#06# for the IMEI and check it in ENC's device compatibility check before paying; ENC does not refund eSIMs, so do not skip this.
When an eSIM makes more sense
- check_circleYour phone supports eSIM: an overseas iPhone, for example, or a model confirmed by ENC's compatibility check.
- check_circleYou want it working now: scan and install without waiting for delivery; keep the phone on stable Wi-Fi while installing.
- check_circleYou are short of SIM slots: keep the Chinese SIM in the slot and put the US number on eSIM.
Two things to watch: the QR code can be used once and the eSIM is usually tied to one device. When you change phones, request a replacement in the account centre, and do not delete the eSIM on the old phone until the new one is installed.
When a physical SIM makes more sense
- check_circleYou use a mainland China iPhone: most China models only take a physical SIM.
- check_circleYou change phones often: move the SIM across without requesting a new code.
- check_circleYou want a tested card and Chinese-language after-sales: from LarkSIM, every card is checked before dispatch, and renewals and support happen by email.
Physical SIM: buy from ENC or from LarkSIM?
ENC also sells physical SIMs directly, with free delivery to China, Alipay and WeChat Pay, and plans from $10 a month (2GB high-speed data and unlimited talk, plus tax; see the ENC plans page). How the two compare:
| Compare | Direct from ENC | US T-Mobile physical SIM (ENC) |
|---|---|---|
| Buying | Free SIM and delivery; register an account, pick a plan and pay yourself | $28 (about ¥199), SIM plus the first month's 30 minutes and 100 texts |
| Renewals | Self-service in the account centre, plans $10–50 a month plus tax; $3-per-30-days keep-number service available | Email support to top up, ¥66–99 a month including tax |
| If you do not renew | Permanently deactivated after 90 consecutive inactive days | Cancelled after 30 days suspended |
| Refunds | New SIM returned unactivated within 7 business days is refundable | Special item, no returns once shipped |
| Support | ENC support | LarkSIM support for orders and renewals; ENC's Chinese support for activation and signal |
If you want to run an ENC account yourself and care most about the monthly cost, buying direct is cheaper. If you want a SIM that receives codes out of the box and renews with one email, choose LarkSIM. A detailed rule comparison is in ENC Mobile FAQ explained.
Why buy this SIM from LarkSIM
With a mainland China iPhone and a need for a long-term US number for codes, these are the reasons to order here:
- check_circleFits China-model iPhones: a physical SIM for any iPhone 6S or later, mainland China or overseas, whatever its eSIM support.
- check_circleFirst month included: $28 (about ¥199) covers the first month's 30 US minutes and 100 US texts, so you can receive codes as soon as it is set up.
- check_circleTested before dispatch: shipped to your address in China and working after 3 steps and about 5 minutes.
- check_circleA real carrier number: a T-Mobile +1 mobile number, not VoIP.
- check_circleRenew with one email: no ENC account login; email support before the plan ends, ¥66–99 a month.
Buy the US T-Mobile physical SIM (ENC) now: $28 (about ¥199) including the first month.
Choose by phone: a mainland China iPhone means a physical SIM
If your phone supports eSIM and you want it working now, buy an ENC eSIM on the ENC site after checking compatibility. If you use a mainland China iPhone, or want a tested card with renewals handled for you, the US T-Mobile physical SIM (ENC) fits better: $28 (about ¥199) including the first month's 30 minutes and 100 texts, a real T-Mobile +1 number, shipped to China and tested before dispatch, renewed by email.
Order the US T-Mobile physical SIM (ENC) now and set it up in 3 steps with the activation guide when it arrives.
FAQ
Can a mainland China iPhone use an ENC eSIM?expand_more
Which is better, ENC eSIM or physical SIM?expand_more
Does LarkSIM sell ENC eSIMs?expand_more
Can I get a refund on an ENC eSIM?expand_more
What happens to an ENC eSIM when I change phones?expand_more
Can a physical SIM be switched to eSIM?expand_more
Real +1 number · T-Mobile network · Card checked before dispatch
US T-Mobile physical SIM (ENC)
A real US +1 mobile number, not VoIP, delivered as a physical SIM to your address in China. Check the current price, Wi-Fi Calling and keep-number notes on the product page before ordering.