Comparison of SIM only plans - Part 2

[chaiscool]

eSIM then you can just stay home.

"Skip the queue" is for the port-in to get 88 days free, and the top-up to get 141. That's why I said they didn't promote those 2 as 1.

So port in is either go queue collect sim card or use esim, walao make it so complicated.

 

[JAYSCS]

So port in is either go queue collect sim card or use esim, walao make it so complicated.

Any 400+ authorized retail shops can sign up plan easily, I gurantee you you will be in the first Q. Now the concern is whether can top up with temp no. should the port in is still in progress? According to Google AI, yes. But Eight has no info on that. You might take the risk but I do reckon it should be OK.

 

[amazingone]

So port in is either go queue collect sim card or use esim, walao make it so complicated.

There won't be a queue to collect the SIM card, eight didn't restrict to their service centre unlike simba.

 

[JAYSCS]

"Skip the queue.." promo marketing say skip queue yet the only way to get sim card on the same day and port in is to go shop queue. If go online is need to wait for delivery of sim card.

SMH

Essentially no queue, cos there are so many dealers offering 8 Mobile.

 

[pranksterz]

In need of a recommendation!
What will be the current best solution for me as I am looking for an Esim to provide me with a second phone number to create new accounts like telegram/we chat that requires number verification.
No data,talktime etc required, just number for verification, receive OTP.

What do you guys recommend?

 

[JAYSCS]

In need of a recommendation!
What will be the current best solution for me as I am looking for an Esim to provide me with a second phone number to create new accounts like telegram/we chat that requires number verification.
No data,talktime etc required, just number for verification, receive OTP.

What do you guys recommend?

Hi! Card prepaid (not the postpaid), it should be able to renew card validity period for 180 days for every $3 IDD purchase.

 

[pranksterz]

Hi! Card prepaid (not the postpaid), it should be able to renew card validity period for 180 days for every $3 IDD purchase.

Thanks! U have Any preferred telco for Prepaid card or all are the same?

 

[JAYSCS]

Thanks! U have Any preferred telco for Prepaid card or all are the same?

Starhub exits prepaid sector I think. As for best value as of now, ST Hi Prepaid is the best option especially for your need, compared to M1 MCard and Simba Prepaid.

 

[loganrunning]

Essentially no queue, cos there are so many dealers offering 8 Mobile.

verified at neighbourhood shop, no queue. ported into eight on 15th, 16th port in successful.

online top up 1-for-1 on 16th. just got my bonus.

belly happy. 88 days free, plus bonus $88.

 

[JAYSCS]

verified at neighbourhood shop, no queue. ported into eight on 15th, 16th port in successful.

online top up 1-for-1 on 16th. just got my bonus.

belly happy. 88 days free, plus bonus $88.

After seeing your post, I checked my balance, indeed the additional $88 is in.

 

[AMD_Duron]

Are there any more free trial plans nowadays? Back during NDP period got like MyRepublic and SingTel giving out free month trials

Check CL thread. Got free months

 

[xiaofan]

Interesting discussion here.
Is StarHub $5 5G Data-only SIM worth it?
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/is-starhub-5-5g-data-only-sim-worth-it.7176374/

Another pointer for Data-only plans.

SIMBA's data-only 5G plan is $5 per 30 days. Does that one count?

Not for her use case as we still need to call her occassionally (just in case WhatsApp does not work). The data only plan does not have voice/SMS.

Now you mention data only SIM Only plans, I will need to carry out more research on them. I tend to think they are good for some special use cases like iPad or roaming but not for a main line.

Are there any one who really use data only plans as the main line?

 

[JAYSCS]

Interesting discussion here.
Is StarHub $5 5G Data-only SIM worth it?
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/is-starhub-5-5g-data-only-sim-worth-it.7176374/

Another pointer for Data-only plans.





Are there any one who really use data only plans as the main line?

Hmm... No way to use data only as main line cos there is no cellular and SMS function as there is no mobile no. but an 8digit no. assigned to top up only. 1 possible way is to use Maxx $0 Base Plan + $5 data only plan to achieve $5 main line price.

 

[xiaofan]

Check CL thread. Got free months

I thought I have replied to the post but then I noticed it is under moderator approval since Monday.

No idea why...

My reply points to my following post in the CL thread.

Nice. I got the trial from a physical shop.

https://activate-shop.circles.life/circles1/sa_delivery?esim=true&ps=true

Check to make sure everything looks right​

If you have a promo code, now's the time to use it.

PROMOCODE​

CLMC1400GB5GIPHONE17A

• Enjoy 400GB of 5G data FREE for 3 months with your iPhone purchase, reverts to 400GB for $15 after
• FREE 8GB monthly roaming across 7 popular countries
• Unlimited incoming and outgoing calls
• FREE AI bundle powered by the latest paid models - OpenAI GPT-5 and more
• Exclusive access to movie tickets at $10

 

[xiaofan]

Good use cases of data only plans.

1) For data enable iPad, Fixed or Portable SIM wireless router, and other devices without voice function.

2) For roaming, like those data-only eSIM for roaming. For examples, roaming data only eSIMs from Shopee.

3) As a backup line to complement main line (eg: SIMBA).
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/is-starhub-5-5g-data-only-sim-worth-it.7176374/

my main line under Simba... would've ported out if i hadn’t topped up too much from their previous promotions... for their signal really unbearable

4) Special use case for hearing impared users.

How about for hearing impaired users?

Good point.

But there are technologies for deaf users to make phone calls now.

Reference:
S’pore-developed app helps deaf people take and make calls using speech-to-text technology
https://www.straitstimes.com/singap...nd-make-calls-using-speech-to-text-technology

 

[AMD_Duron]

I thought I have replied to the post but then I noticed it is under moderator approval since Monday.

No idea why...

My reply points to my following post in the CL thread.

Good deal need moderator to validate???

 

[xiaofan]

Data only plans.

1. Starhub data only plan, 5G
https://consumer.starhub.com/personal/store/mobile-plans

5G Data Only Core at S$5.00/mth, 20GB data, 1GB global roaming data (165 destinations). This may be interesting to some users.

5G Data Only Plus at S$15.00/mth, 100GB data, 1GB global roaming data (165 destinations). This may not be worth it due to the higher cost.

2. SIMBA data only plan, 5G (but SIMBA 5G speed is usually only comparable to other telcos' 4G). This seems to be of pretty good value for roaming.
https://simba.sg/data-only

3. Circles.Life data only plans -- maybe the special S$5.3 peer month 4G plan is better than the two 4G data only plans. Then the S$12 CL 5G plan is better than the S$20 5G data only plan.
https://www.circles.life/sg/data-only-plan/#data-only-plans

4. Eight data only SIM, no discount compared to normal plans.
https://www.eight.com.sg/plans-data-only

5. gigaBuddy data-only plan, only for existing giga users.
https://www.giga.com.sg/gigabuddy-data-only-plan

6. MyRepublic may have offered an S$4.2 data only plans in the past as per the following post, but I cannot find the info now.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/is-starhub-5-5g-data-only-sim-worth-it.7176374/

7. Any other data only plans by local telcos? Not including travle eSIMs.

 

[JAYSCS]

circles $5.30 1tb is the most value plan now, without roaming. otherwise it is eight with roaming $8 plan with clicked shopee coins around $5.60 monthly and sometimes eight have topup promo, below $4 monthly.

somemore you all should try the circles 5G free trial + $5.30 plan and remember to remove the 5G add on. you will know why.

Simba and Eight will still offer better values as they cover most aspects of services, CL is lacking in SMS and roaming. Moreover, both will give 1-for-1 promo once in a while making them go below CL price. But should you need 1 TB data to replace home fibre bb, CL has no contest. Given CL strategy in many hidden catch, it is still advisable to avoid CL if possible though.

 

[xiaofan]

Let's see what will happen to CL in 2026. I tend to believe that they will still be there.

MVNO under M1 now left Circles and MyRepublic Mobile 4G.

Later MyRepublic Mobile may well be absorbed by Starhub in 2026, then only left Circles.Life.

On the other hand, M1 and SIMBA merger may happen in Q1 2026 as well. Let's see what will happen to Circles.Life.

I remember seeing somewhere, Simba does not like the idea of MVNO. They wanted to be the King, holding on to the power.

They might even eradicate Circles.life for good

singtel and starhub both have their in house MVNOs.
Simba operates more like a MNVO by itself

circles will be eradicated sooner or later,
they alternate between offering good deals and customer unfriendly gimmicks,
not looking good

 

[xiaofan]

But should you need 1 TB data to replace home fibre bb, CL has no contest.

Indeed the CL S$5.3 for 1TB promotion is a good one for Fibre Internet replacement if M1 4G network coverage is good at the particular location. If the coverage is not good and the speed is slow, then it may not be useful.

Of course it depends on the use case as well but I would expect the speed to be above 50 Mbps to be really useful if the user needs to support things like Windows Updates.

Even iOS/iPad OS and Android OS updates can be pretty big.