SmarTone SIM cards and eSIM: Detailed Guides for Tourists

SmarTone is one of the leading mobile operators in Hong Kong. This article shows the differences between SmarTone SIM Cards and SmarTone eSIM, and how to get and use them. After going through this guide, you will have all the information needed to select the most suitable eSIM option for your preferences.

I. Quick facts about SmarTone 

SmarTone is one of the leading providers of telecommunications and network services in Hong Kong. It has a wide range of products and services, such as 5G and 4G LTE mobile phones, headsets, 5G monthly plans, roaming, travel and IDD services, and more. SmarTone also has a presence in Macau through its subsidiary SmarTone Macau. In addition, SmarTone is part of the Sun Hung Kai Properties group, which is one of the biggest property developers in Hong Kong.

II. SmarTone Coverage and Speed in Hong Kong

SmarTone asserts its position as the leading 5G network coverage provider in Hong Kong, offering the region’s best 5G network experience.

Following the Opensignal report in May 2023, SmarTone is the joint winner with CMHK in the 5G Video Experiences award, with a good score of 77.1 on a 100-point scale, meaning that its customer have the best quality mobile video experience on video streams when they were connected to 5G in Hong Kong. The average download speed of SmarTone 5G is 127.3 Mbps and the average 5G upload speed is 28.2 Mbps.

Some customers also say that SmarTone has the best 5G network experience, the most comprehensive 5G coverage in Hong Kong, and fast and reliable 4G LTE service.

Here is the SmarTone Coverage Map:

III. SmarTone vs. other Hong Kong mobile operators

SmarTone wins the Availability award, according to OpenSignal statistics from May 2023, slightly ahead of 3HK and csl statistically tied in second place, and CMHK in third place.

SmarTone users in Hong Kong enjoy the highest duration of connectivity to a 3G or superior mobile data connection compared to other providers.

Core Consistent Quality is another award that SmarTone wins in this study, where it received a 92.6% score while placing as joint winner for Excellent Consistent Quality.

This shows that in 92.6% of customer tests, SmarTone met or exceeded the recommended performance standards for basic applications such as SD video streaming, phone calls, and web browsing.

For those visiting Hong Kong and looking for reliable data and video streaming capabilities, SmarTone remains a top contender. With its stable data availability and top-notch video performance, tourists can stay connected and entertained throughout their stay. Despite the many options available, SmarTone’s quality service and reputation make it a smart choice for those looking for a hassle-free mobile experience.

IV. Best prepaid SmarTone SIM cards and eSIMs for tourists & costs

SmarTone offers both prepaid SIM cards and eSIMs for locals and travelers to Hong Kong as well. And this section will be only focused on SmarTone SIM card and eSIM cards for tourists.

1. SmarTone SIM cards for tourists in Hong Kong

SmarTone Local Prepaid SIM Card 

SmarTone offers a prepaid data SIM card that may be suitable for tourists using in Hong Kong and other countries. It has simple charges and a reliable network. However, if you only need data in Hong Kong, Macau, and Mainland China, you may want to consider other options that are cheaper and have more data allowance.

Now SmarTone offers only 2 Data & Voice Prepaid SIM cards for travelers, one to use in Hong Kong-Macau and one for China-Hong Kong-Macau: 

SIM Card	Price	Data	Local Minutes	Validity
Data & Voice Prepaid SIM card (HK-Macau)	78 HKD	5GB Hong Kong & Macau shared data	15 voice minutes in HK & Macau	365-Day Card Validity
Data & Voice Prepaid SIM card(China-HK-Macau)	98 HKD	N/A	N/A	365-Day Card Validity

SmarTone Prepaid Travel Data Card

SmarTone’s prepaid travel data card is a SIM card that allows you to use roaming data in popular travel destinations throughout Asia and even Europe and America. It has no contract and freely enjoys roaming data to travel the world. It includes at least 8 days of unlimited roaming data in China, Hong Kong, and Macau, also Europe and America countries.  

Prepaid Travel Data Card	Price	Validity	Roaming Data
China, Hong Kong and Macau	88 HKD	8 days	Unlimited
Asia Pacific 9 Popular Destinations*	158 HKD	8 days	Unlimited
Europe**	298 HKD	30 days	Unlimited
America	268 HKD	15 days	Unlimited
China, Hong Kong and Macau	298 HKD	1 Year	10GB roaming data

*Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, China, Macau, Taiwan.

**Albania, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macedonia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom and Vatican City. 

2. SmarTone eSIM for tourists 

SmarTone offers eSIM service for designated devices that allows them to connect to the 4G/5G network independently and enjoy the local data and voice entitled under your service plan. You still can use the Dual SIM function on smartphones with a SmarTone eSIM.

SmarTone offers eSIM service, but you cannot purchase it directly from their website. You have to visit their stores or authorized resellers to register for a SmarTone eSIM.

However, esimhongkong.net provides eSIM Hong Kong with SmarTone as the supported network. You can choose from various packages on esimhongkong.net according to your needs. See our Hong Kong SmarTone eSIM plans here:

V. Where can you buy a SmarTone SIM card and eSIM for tourists?

1. Where to buy a SmarTone SIM card

SmarTone SIM cards cannot be purchased at Hong Kong International Airport. You have two options: buy online and have it delivered to your location or purchase it at a physical store to have it immediately. 

You can buy SmarTone Local Prepaid SIM Card by online methods or at any SmarTone store in Hong Kong. You can also find them at some convenience stores like 7-Eleven or Circle K stores, supermarkets, or vending machines. You can choose from different types of SmarTone SIM cards.

With SmarTone Prepaid Travel Data Card, you can buy online or at any SmarTone stores or SmarTone direct sales team. Only China, Hong Kong and Macau – 1 Year Prepaid Data Card is available at 7-Eleven convenience stores.

2. Where to buy a SmarTone eSIM

Customers can request eSIM when they visit SmarTone stores or authorized resellers in their Major SmarTone Authorized Resellers list. If you are already a SmarTone customer, you can go to a SmarTone store to apply for the conversion of your existing physical SIM card to an esIM card, for which a fee will be charged.

SmarTone also is the supported network for Bytesim eSIM cards which can be utilized in HK-Macau or China-HK-Macau.

For exclusive use in Hong Kong, choose esimhongkong.net. You can easily get your hands on one of these eSIMs and enjoy the convenience without the hassle of purchasing a physical SIM card. Plus, esimhongkong.net is a reliable and trustworthy provider that ensures your privacy and security.

VI. How to use SmarTone eSIM/SIM Card as Tourists in Hong Kong

1. Use SmarTone Hong Kong SIM Card

• Step 1: Insert the prepaid SIM into your mobile device to activate the service.  
• Step 2: After activation, you will receive a confirmation SMS from the system with the mobile number, SIM card stored value, expiry date, and another SMS stating your 6-digit PIN.

2. Use SmarTone eSIM

The SmarTone eSIM may be different based on your device and mobile version. Once you place your order, you will receive an email that will tell you when and how to install the eSIM. Ensure you have WiFi or mobile data before starting the installation process.

• Step 1: Install the eSIM on your eSIM-compatible device by going to its settings and scanning the eSIM QR code with your camera.
• Step 2: After reaching your destination, disable your other SIM cards and only activate eSIM and data roaming to access the internet normally. 

Do not use any other apps or cameras to scan the QR code. Instead, go to your phone’s settings.

VII. Call & SMS rates of SmarTone in Hong Kong

Call & SMS rates of SmarTone vary depending on the type, the destination of the message, and the service plan. The rates often are among the following: 

Service	Rate
Local data	1 HKD/hour
Local calls	0.15 HKD/min
Local SMS	0.1 HKD/SMS
Roaming calls	Varies by destination
Roaming SMS	3 HKD/SMS
Roaming MMS (receiving)	15 HKD/MB

VIII. How to top-up your SmarTone eSIM/SIM card

This section provides a guide for those holding an eSIM/SIM Card directly provided by SmarTone, not those roaming to SmarTone.

Payments can be made at SmarTone stores. You can also send a cheque, pay cash, or settle the payment through a debit card. You can also pay cash at designated bank counters, apply for a bank account, credit card autopay service or you can settle payment or top-up through MPay apps. Here are all the methods you can choose to top-up your SmarTone eSIM/SIM card: 

There are several convenient methods available to make payments for your SmarTone services. You can visit any SmarTone store to make a payment in person. You also have the option to send a cheque, use a debit card or pay in cash. Additionally, you can make cash payments at designated bank counters, apply for a bank account or credit card autopay service, or utilize MPay apps to settle payments or top-up your SmarTone eSIM/SIM card. Here is a comprehensive list of payment methods you can choose from for topping up your SmarTone eSIM/SIM card:

Methods	How to do	Lead Time
Recharge via the SmarTone Prepaid app	SmarTone Prepaid app supports various e-wallets.1. Open the SmarTone Prepaid app and choose the “Top-up” icon;2. Click “E-wallet” & choose recharge amount;3. Select one of the e-wallets to process the payment. SmarTone Prepaid can be used on smartphones running ios 11.0 or above and AndroidTM 5.0 or above. You can download SmarTone Prepaid from App Store or Google Play.	Instant
Recharge Voucher	Buy a recharge voucher at any SmarTone store, SmarTone Online Store, SmarTone direct sales team, or sales outlets like 7-Eleven or Circle K stores in Hong Kong. Simply follow the easy steps mentioned on the voucher to recharge your card whether you’re in Hong Kong or abroad.	Instant
Recharge via the Internet	Visit smartone.com → Click “Local Prepaid SIM/Prepaid Travel Data Card” in Service Plans & Prepaid Cards category → Choose “Recharge” → Key in your mobile number and follow the instructions to recharge with your credit card.	Within 5 mins
Recharge via the Alipay HK app	Only the Chinese version is available for this service	Within 5 mins
Recharge via WeChat Pay(Hong Kong wallet)	1. Open the WeChat app and tap the “Wallet” icon under “Me”2. Press the “Telecom Payment” icon, and choose “Prepaid Card Top-up”3. Enter your mobile number → choose “SmarTone” → recharge the amount → press “Recharge Now”4. Follow the instruction to input the payment passcode to recharge your prepaid card	Within 5 mins
Recharge via ec2home	Online recharge with these e-wallets: Alipay, WeChat Pay, UnionPay, Octopus, TNG, PayPal, or PayMe.*	Within 5 mins

* VISA/Mastercard/ UnionPay credit card, WeChat Pay, MPay, ALIPAY, MACAU Pass and ICBC ePay are also available in designated direct sales booths, please call the SmarTone hotline at 1628 for details.

IX. How to check SmarTone Balance (SmarTone USSD code)

SmarTone USSD code

You can check by calling 1628 – 24-hour SmarTone Hotline. After selecting “Account information and payment methods”, press 1 to check “the airtime and account balance”, and simply press 1-2-1 for checking the balance.

You also can view your account information and manage your account by logging into My Account via the SmarTone website or SmarTone CARE app:

• Via the SmarTone website: Key functions and features in My Account: My Statements – Check your statement balance, your detailed bill for up to the last 12 months, and the latest data and voice minutes usage details.
• Via the SmarTone CARE app: With My Account on the SmarTone CARE app, you can check your usage, bill, and subscription information from your smartphone.

Use the SmarTone CARE app on your smartphone for the following functions: 

1. recharge your SIM with a credit card;
2. check account information, the nearest store and authorized reseller, roaming and IDD tariffs, the latest promotions, and exclusive offers;
3. manage your data packs and value-added services.

X. FAQs about SmarTone in Hong Kong 

XI. Final words

SmarTone is considered one of the leading mobile operators in Hong Kong. It offers a wide range of products and services. However, SmarTone offers eSIM services but is not public on the SmarTone website, so it’s maybe difficult for travelers to Hong Kong to buy SmarTone eSIM on their own. Some customers also review that its service plans are too expensive or SmarTone customer service is not satisfactory. It might also be noted it depends on your needs and preferences.