ALDI Mobile has quietly stepped up its game: the Telstra-powered budget provider now offers eSIM mobile plans. With this move, every major Telstra wholesale player finally supports eSIMs – a shift that’s been a long time coming.

For existing ALDI Mobile customers, the switch isn’t as seamless as with some rivals. You’ll need to contact ALDI directly to move from a physical SIM to an eSIM. And if you’re upgrading phones, you’ll also need to request a fresh QR code. New sign-ups, on the other hand, get the choice right away: eSIM or traditional plastic SIM.

What is an eSIM, and why does it matter?

For the uninitiated, an eSIM (short for embedded SIM) is a digital version of the old SIM card. It’s soldered into your device – no trays, no fiddling with pins. You simply download a software profile from your carrier. For travelers and multi-device users, the appeal is obvious: easier switching, less plastic waste, and the ability to manage multiple numbers from a single phone.

ALDI’s SIM-only Plans

Here’s a snapshot of ALDI’s current SIM-only lineup (30-day renewals):

• $23 plan – 12GB at up to 100Mbps
• $29 plan – 29GB at up to 150Mbps
• $39 plan – 75GB at up to 150Mbps
• $49 plan – 120GB at up to 150Mbps
• $55 Family Plan – 50GB at up to 150Mbps
• $59 plan – 175GB at up to 250Mbps
• $95 Family Plan – 100GB at up to 150Mbps
• $125 Family Plan – 150GB at up to 150Mbps

(ALDI plans shown via WhistleOut, last updated October 5, 2025.)

How ALDI stacks up against rivals

On the Telstra wholesale network, competition in the sub-$30 bracket is fierce. Everyday Mobile (Woolworths-backed) and Tangerine are chasing value-driven customers, while Boost continues to lead on data bonuses and full Telstra 4G/5G access.

• Everyday Mobile: $25 for 22GB, plus the perk of 10% off your Woolworths shop.
• Boost: $26 for 32GB on your first three recharges, with full Telstra network coverage (a big differentiator).
• Belong: $30 for 25GB, also now eSIM-ready.

Further up the ladder, Telstra itself offers $39 for 45GB, while Exetel’s $40 for 100GB brings 5G into play. That means ALDI’s $39 plan (75GB at 150Mbps) looks competitive on raw data, but still capped at wholesale speeds rather than Telstra’s full-speed offering.

The bigger picture: eSIM adoption in Australia

ALDI’s adoption comes just weeks after Belong flipped the switch, signalling Telstra’s push to normalize eSIM across all its brands and partners. According to WhistleOut, 23 out of 30 providers in its database now support eSIMs. The laggards? Mostly Optus MVNOs like Coles Mobile, Dodo, and Moose – networks that have been slower to embrace the transition.

This shift also comes in the wake of Apple’s first eSIM-only device, the iPhone Air, which forces providers to adapt or risk looking obsolete. As industry analyst trends suggest (e.g., GSMA Intelligence and Counterpoint Research), global eSIM adoption is accelerating fastest in mature markets where iPhone penetration is high. Australia fits neatly into that pattern.