Scenario Matrix
| Scenario | Airalo/Go | Nomad | China Carrier Direct | Google Fi | |---|---|---|---|---| | 1-week tourist, 10 GB needed | ✅ Best | ✅ Good | ❌ Overkill | ⚠️ Pricey | | 2-week traveler, 20 GB needed | ✅ Best | ✅ Best | ⚠️ Complex | ⚠️ Pricey | | 1-month stay, heavy data use | ⚠️ Costly at scale | ⚠️ Costly at scale | ✅ Best | ❌ Too expensive | | iPhone 14+ user | ✅ Best | ✅ Best | ✅ Best | ✅ Best | | Needs Chinese phone number for SMS | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Best | ❌ No | | Non-eSIM phone (older model) | ❌ N/A | ❌ N/A | ⚠️ Physical SIM needed | ⚠️ Physical SIM needed | | Already on Google Fi | ❌ Redundant | ❌ Redundant | ❌ Redundant | ⚠️ Usable | | VPN-required apps (WhatsApp) | ✅ Both work | ✅ Both work | ✅ Both work | ✅ Both work |