⚡️💻 README First! How to Select Low Cost SIM Only Plans in Singapore? ✨

[xiaofan]

is eight $14.80/mth 5G plan the cheapest in the market currently?

got any 'bond' before can jump ship to another MVNO?

1) If you ask for 5G plan (not counting SINBA "5G" plan), then M1 Maxx S$12 5G plan and Circles.Life S$12 5G plans are cheaper, if we do not consider special offers (eg: recent S$88 one to one top up offer from eight, or the recent 50% OFF offer from SingTel MVNOs).

StarHub Prepaid S plan is also cheaper at S$10 per month, but then it only gives 80 GB data.

2) Need to serve one month before porting out.

eight:
A fee of $20 is chargeable if port out happens within 30 days of SIM activation.

 

[maumu]

1) If you ask for 5G plan (not counting SINBA "5G" plan), then M1 Maxx S$12 5G plan and Circles.Life S$12 5G plans are cheaper, if we do not consider special offers (eg: recent S$88 one to one top up offer from eight, or the recent 50% OFF offer from SingTel MVNOs).

StarHub Prepaid S plan is also cheaper at S$10 per month, but then it only gives 80 GB data.

2) Need to serve one month before porting out.

eight:
A fee of $20 is chargeable if port out happens within 30 days of SIM activation.

thanks xiaofan.

but I don't see $12 plan for Circles.Life... only $6.70 plan (+$0.30 platform fee) which is promo price for 1st month only, thereafter $15 plan...

actually, which one allows me to collect the sim physically on the spot? or can I just go to one of those resellers, tell them I want to port in, and they will process it on the spot for me and issue the 5G SIM?

 

[xiaofan]

thanks xiaofan.

but I don't see $12 plan for Circles.Life... only $6.70 plan (+$0.30 platform fee) which is promo price for 1st month only, thereafter $15 plan...

actually, which one allows me to collect the sim physically on the spot? or can I just go to one of those resellers, tell them I want to port in, and they will process it on the spot for me and issue the 5G SIM?

Yes, it is easier to go to the dealers if you want physical SIM on the spot.

For SIM Only plans, please check out the following thread.

⚡️ README First! How to Select Low Cost SIM Only Plans in Singapore?
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...low-cost-sim-only-plans-in-singapore.7167328/

Please do not continue here as it is out of scope for this thread.

 

[xiaofan]

Not counting SIMBA, the big three MNOs' true Prepaid services may have better support than the corresponding MVNO under the MNOs.

SingTel hi 4G postpaid vs SingTel hi! Prepaid (now support 5G)

M1 Maxx vs M1 Prepaid

StarHub new Prepaid Plans vs old StarHub Happy Prepaid (no longer exist).

SingTel hi! Postpaid 4G plans get less support than SingTel Prepaid plans.

1) No hotline, only through online chat
2) Not supported by SingTel shops. You can not sign up through SingTel shops, only through online (eSIM) or authorised dealers (physical SIM).

SingTel Prepaid users get support from SingTel Shop Prepaid Counter and also SingTel Prepaid hotline.

M1 Maxx gets less support than M1 Prepaid plans.

1) Not supported by M1 shops. You can not sign up through M1 shops, only through online or authorised dealers.

M1 Prepaid users get support from M1 Shops.

But M1 Maxx does have hotline support. In fact it shares the same 1693 hotline as M1 Prepaid.

Starhub new Prepaid S/M/L plans (Postpaid as per IMDA classification) also get less support than the StarHub Happy Prepaid Cards which are no longer offered.

1) No hotline, only through online chat.
2) Not supported by StarHub shops. You can not sign up through StarHub shops, only authorised dealers.

Last time StarHub Happy Prepaid users get support from Starhub Shops and also StarHub Prepaid hotline.

 

[xiaofan]

Many M1 Maxx Plan users want to drop to base plan and then do not need to pay as long as keeping the line active with some minimum activities.

However if you sign up online, then it becomes a recursive plan and you may not be able to remove the credit card. So there are tricks like mentioned below. But it is still easy to sign up using a physical store (physical SIM cards) unless you really want to use eSIM.

Anyone tried getting it online using virtual card like youtrip, then cancel away the virtual card so it couldn't get charged for 2nd month onwards? Will it become base plan like if we purchase offline?
TIA!

Used revolut but same concept.

Added card, removed original CC, cancel or disabled virtual card and plan went to base after a few days of failed charging

instead of virtual card (which i read here does not work), i use a bank's debit card (used to be a atm card) that i do not use at all. lock the card and as i wrote few days earlier, maxx will try to deduct 3x and failed, it will fall into base plan.

i did that using revolut virtual disposable card.

Sounds mafan. Just sign up from a physical retailer, and issue solved. No need for any card details

There are so many retailers islandwide. Most are at neighbourhood centres with coffeeshop and hawkers.

Anywhere with bengz shop, you are likely to land at a shop that can sign up maxx, simba, or eight, singtel hi! services.

Okay. Unless you are telling me you stay Sentosa Cove, Orchard area or Pulau Ubin. Each neighbourhood centre confirm got a maxx retailer. You will also need to go there to buy your groceries or lunch/dinner.

So getting from retailer is so much faster than signing up online, and need to wait days to receive sim card. Some sim card even lost in transit. Get from retailers, immediate get sim card and activation.

haha, pai seh, I use eSIM nowadays. Immediate activation. No need to go physical shop.

probably that’s why u all dunno why I do online only.

I use Maxx eSIM too, but find it more convenient to visit a retailer than to play with billing card.

 

[Habrosus]

...But it is still easy to sign up using a physical store (physical SIM cards) unless you really want to use eSIM.

A retailer told me they've eSIM too... I've not gone there, though.

 

[xiaofan]

Nice info that normal eSIM can be used for Samsung Watch.

Because I want to get esim for my watch, can only get it via online

Maxx has eSIM for watch?

Normal esim. Samsung watch has a way to manually add esim to the watch

 

[xiaofan]

Singtel MVNOs (Zym, Zero1, VIVIFI and CMLink) are having Christmas promotions for Free 50GB shared roaming data to Japan, South Korea and Australia (Valid one time, for 365 days) for selected 5G plans.

1. Zym: S$15.10 plan and S$22.10 plan
https://zym.sg/

2. Zero1: S$15 pan and S$20 plan
https://zero1.sg/plans/zero1-standard

3. VIVIFI: VIVIFI S$15 "Roam Asia Super 5G+ – 400GB" plan
https://www.vivifi.me/#plansMainPage

Christmas Flash Sale: FREE 50GB Japan / Korea / Australia pack (365 days)

For sign-ups from 23-31 Dec – New numbers & non Singtel-port ins only

4. CMLink: S$15 plan
https://www.cmlink.com/sg/en/

 

[xiaofan]

Interesting info for Ciccles.Life.

Yes, you can port in anytime and not only during sign up.

You can refer to this guide:
https://circlesasiasupport.zendesk....000204403-How-do-I-transfer-port-in-my-number

For Circles Life promo code that does not includes the "$0 New Number fee" add-on, you need to port in to Circles Life within 30 days to be eligible for the $10 Lifelong Port-in discount.

Newer promo code that include "$0 New Number fee" doesn't allow the $10 Lifelong Port-in discount to be stacked.

Using this promo code as an example: PRT1TB650CAIU5YFO2G
You are not eligible for the $10 Lifelong Port in discount. So don't need to rush to port in.

If you are using the "SUPER38" promo code, you need to port in within 30 days to get the $10 Lifelong Port in discount.

For your 2nd question, yes will have 2 number during the interim period (Eight + CL). Since Eight Mobile is free for 88 days, it won't cost extra expenses to delay the extra number.

Since Eight Mobile is offering the 88 Days Free Day Service if you sign up and Port-in by 28 Dec 2025, you can sign up a new number with CL, upon receiving the new CL sim, schedule a port-in about 80 days later. You should give a buffer of about 1 week when porting your number just in case it takes slightly a longer time.

If you do not want to hold 2 numbers during the long interim period, only sign up for a new CL number about 80 days later, but the risk is that the CL promo may get expired.

 

[xiaofan]

Some users may want to have two plans at the same time to back up each other.

1. The following is my Dual plan strategy for your reference.

Better strategy for dual plans with MVNOs, choose one from Bucket 1 and then add another one from Bucket 2 but from different network. And of course you can select from Bucket 1.1 and 1.2 (dual 5G plans).

I tend to recommend eight and SIMBA as the prefer choice from Bucket 2 because of the free roaming voice but you may not need free roaming voice.

Bucket 1: 5G networks but not including SIMBA

B1.1) ST MVNO 5G plans, like Gomo, CMLink or Zym
B1.2) M1/StarHub MVNO 5G plans, like Maxx and eight

2. Bucket 2: 4G network and SIMBA (SIMBA 5G is more comparable to other telcos' 4G)

B2.1) ST MVNO 4G plans, like Gomo, CMLink or Zym
B2.2) M1 MVNO 4G plans, like Maxx
B2.3) StarHub MVNO 4G plans, like eight
B2.4) SIMBA

For Seniors, then dual plans should work pretty well like the following.

1) SIMBA S$5 Senior plan + ST S$5 hi! Senior 4G plan

2) eight S$5 Senior plan + ST S$5 hi! Senior 4G plan

I think 1) is a bit better than 2) because of better roaming benefits.

One very critical way to use eight + M1 Maxx

3) M1 Maxx S$12 5G + eight S$14.8 5G

This option is very ideal especially you can play around as follow: -

- m1 Maxx fall back to base plan after 1 month, wait for eight 5G to have 88 days promo and port to eight 5G
- the other eight 5G line port to m1 Maxx thereafter and fall back to base plan
- rinse and repeat

 

[soongteck]

Apple Watch can connect to 5G on M1 NumberShare.

 

[xiaofan]

Apple Watch can connect to 5G on M1 NumberShare.

This is one area that SingTel, Starhub and M1 MNO plans are still preferred.

M1 NumberShare
https://www.m1.com.sg/promotions/numbershare

SingTel Apple Watch (Cellular) FAQ
https://www.singtel.com/personal/support/mobile-postpaid/applewatch

Starhub NumberShare
https://www.starhub.com/personal/mobile/mobile-phones-plans/value-added-services/numbershare.html

 

[soongteck]

This is one area that SingTel and M1 MNO plans are still preferred.

M1:
https://www.m1.com.sg/promotions/numbershare

SingTel Apple Watch (Cellular) FAQ
https://www.singtel.com/personal/support/mobile-postpaid/applewatch

Yup. They didn’t include inside FAQ but I read that 5G SA (maybe RedCap too) is required for Apple Watch. I went ahead and tested, it works.

 

[xiaofan]

Update from Zym thread. Looks like SingTel and IMDA move the target date to Q1 2026 for 5G NSA shutdown.

ZYM has updated its 5G+ FAQ:

According to IMDA’s coverage targets, the two initial nationwide 5G SA networks are required to achieve 95% outdoor coverage by the end of Q1 2026 (for Singtel). This coverage applies to all Singtel MVNOs, including ZYM Mobile.

Good update.

Again this is a "target", just like the previous 31-Dec-2025 date. But I hope this time they can achieve it.

5G SA network uses 5G Radio Access Network and 5G Core Network.

5G NSA network uses 5G Radio Access Network and 4G Core Network.

Singtel is probably meeting the 95% coverage target for the Radio Access Network but may not be ready on the 5G Core Network side (need to upgrade).

IMHO, Zym 5G+ FAQ much better than Zero1, VIVIFI and CMLink.
https://zym.sg/faq/zym-5g/ (worth reading)
https://zero.zero1.sg/announcement/zero1-5g-plus/
https://www.vivifi.me/5gplus/
https://www.cmlink.com/sg/en/faq/?value=17

Zym also has another quick overview page of 5G+.
https://zym.sg/zym-mobile-5g/

 

[xiaofan]

Nice summary of the differences among Zym, Zero1 and VIVIFI.

Hi guys, I realised both zym and zero1 are quite similar in terms of what they offer. Price only a slight difference.

Given they are both using Singtel line, are there actually any difference in reception locally and overseas?

TIA

Some of the difference between Zym/Zero1/Vivifi :
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...e-telco-zero1.5786406/page-442#post-157439619

Network wise pretty similar, so are the outages.
Here are some known difference for you :

Vivifi & Zym doesn't supports VoWifi, Zero1 has previously claimed VoWifi support, but later denies that. User feedback is that it doesn't work, except a single report of it working.
Zym don't have esim so far, zero1 & vivifi has.
Zym requires an app to do any management, zero1 can use app or web, vivifi only web.
Zero1 has least talk time for plans >=$10, Vivifi has more and zym has even more.
Zym requires IDD add-on plan to call IDD, Zero1 & Vivifi is pay per use.
Vivifi supports number port anytime, zero1 submit at application, zym submit at activation.
Vivifi seems to have a reputation to get the name order mix up resulting in porting problems.
Physical sign up : Zero1 at Harper Point, Vivifi have a few, zym has lots.
Zym send bill by 5th/deduct on 10th, zero1 send bill on 6th/deduct on 8th, Vivifi sends ard 25th.
All 3 use calendar month billing cycle.

For the cheapest plan Zero1 is $7.06, Vivifi $7.70, Zym $7.77.
Next ~ $10, Vivifi is $10, Zym & Zero1 is $10.10.
At ~$15, Vivifi & Zero1 is $15, Zym is $15.10.
Zym's $10.10 plan provides free 5G for 180 days, but later Zero1 & Vivifi also extended to 6 months for their $10/10.10 plans.
Vivifi has 2 different $15 plans, most should prefer the more recent "Roam Asia Super 5G" plan. Note the other plan "Roam MY Super" only includes 5G for 12 months. Roam MY Super has been removed from website.

For port in Zym & Vivifi can use with temp no. once activated, Zero1 doesn't provide temp number & needs to wait for port in (including esim, totally no connection before port in is complete, Also sim pick up on Fri-Sun can only activate next business day after 2pm.)
For port out Zym just have to be done by end of month, Vivifi appears to be the same, for Zero1 I can't find anything but there are reports of billing after port out so there might be a notice period there.
For termination Vivifi/Zero1 both ask for 7 day's notice (Zero1 by 3pm), Zym did not specify.

Port back :
Zym - promo doesn't apply for numbers that was with Zym in the past 12 months
Zero1 - if number was with Zero1 in the past 3 Months, there is a one-time registration fee of $10.90 + $5.45 for the cost of the SIM card.

Change of plan :
Vivifi - 5 business days (no longer charge, prorate, lose existing discount),
zero1 - 7 business days ($10.90 for downgrade, prorate, subsequent change a month later),
zym - 5 working days (no longer charge for downgrade, prorate, lose any promotional benefits)

Minimum subscription :
Vivifi - 2 bills (2 months + any prorated part of a month)
Zero1 - 1 month+7 day's notice (b4 3pm) if that exceed the billing cycle, another month will be billed.
Zym - 2 months

 

[xiaofan]

Update Page 1 posts on 5G and 4G low cost plans.

1) MyRepublic 4G plan at S$6 per month promotion ended, now the lowest cost is at S$7.9 per month.

2) There are more CL 1TB data promotion codes.

There are multiple 1TB promo code, and 2 different base plan each with its own link.

1) https://activate-shop.circles.life/...ale=en&plan_name=Circles18&ps=true&reset=true
$6.30 forever - 4G 1TB forever w Free 5G addon, 500 SMS, no roaming PRTAI6EATG4

2) https://activate-shop.circles.life/circles1/sa_delivery?esim=true&locale=en&ps=true&reset=true

$10.30 "forever" - 5G 1.01TB w 8GB roaming PT1TB88RUSHVB

$9.90 for 1year - 5G 0.98TB w 8GB roaming PRT1TB990OO3YK / PRT1TB9904T84Q
The 2x 5G code are listed as for 1 year, but the discounts are listed as forever, which is a contradiction.
So it is unclear if after 1 year it will remain or becomes $15/mth.

$6.50 "forever" - 4G 1TB forever, no roaming PRT1TB65096PE3/PRT6504GTY93N. (why even have these ?)

$5.30 "forever" - 4G 1TB forever, no roaming PRT1TBX5NOICS.

All plans comes with only 25 SMS.

 

[xiaofan]

Actually you can try out China Mobile to see if it is better. Often it is better than China Unicom.

Gomo: China Mobile and China Unicom
Zym: China Unicom and China Telecom
Zero1: China Mobile and China Unicom
VIVIFI: China Unicom and China Telecom

I believe China Telecom roaming for SingTel MVNOs do not support VoLTE and 5G (same as SingTel). So China Telecom is the worst among the three roaming partners for China Roaming.

So in this aspect, Gomo and Zero1 have a bit of advantages as they support China Mobile, which is often better than the other two in China.

SingTel SIM Only supports all three.

Singtel MVNO China Roaming differences.

CMLink will of couse use China Mobile.

 

[Fellowes]

Update Page 1 posts on 5G and 4G low cost plans.

1) MyRepublic 4G plan at S$6 per month promotion ended, now the lowest cost is at S$7.9 per month.

2) There are more CL 1TB data promotion codes.

@xiaofan so I can port my parent GOMO $7.18 4G plan to the promo $5.30/mth 4G plan with eSIM first then again port to SingTel Hi! senior $5/mth 4G plan with eSIM?

Is there minimum period for CL before port out since Hi! only allow non-SingTel to port in for now.

 

[xiaofan]

@xiaofan so I can port my parent GOMO $7.18 4G plan to the promo $5.30/mth 4G plan with eSIM first then again port to SingTel Hi! senior $5/mth 4G plan with eSIM?

Is there minimum period for CL before port out since Hi! only allow non-SingTel to port in for now.

CL is said to have two months minimum subscription period.

M1 Maxx is easier, it is said you can immediately port out after port-in.

 

[xiaofan]

Note from CMLink thread.

CMlink offers cheaper S$7.7 and S$10.10 plans, but look like that you can not change to those plans if you are on a higher plan.
https://www.cmlink.com/sg/en/

CMLink has yet again sneakily remove the option to change plan to $10.10/mth. Now the lowest is $15/mth but with enhanced benefits.
Previously was the removal of China roaming data add-ons to lower allowance at much higher cost after DEC 2023...

It is a recent change, If you check under "Change Plan", the lowest option is $15/mth.
From CMLink CSO, the $10.10/mth has been removed after OCT 2025, and currently only available for port-in/new customers.