Scenario Matrix
| Scenario | China eSIM | Physical SIM | Home Roaming | Portable WiFi | |---|---|---|---|---| | 1-week trip | ✅ Best value | ⚠️ Ok | ⚠️ Pricey | ⚠️ Daily fee | | 2-week trip | ✅ Best | ⚠️ Ok | ❌ Expensive | ⚠️ Daily fee | | 1-month trip | ✅ Best | ✅ Best | ❌ Too expensive | ❌ Costly | | Group of 3+ sharing | ⚠️ One per person | ⚠️ One per person | ⚠️ One per person | ✅ Best share | | Non-eSIM phone | ❌ N/A | ✅ Best | ✅ Best | ✅ Best | | Needs Chinese number (SMS) | ❌ No | ✅ Best | ❌ No | ❌ No | | Want VPN access | ✅ Both work | ✅ Both work | ⚠️ May be blocked | ✅ Works | | Arrival late at night | ✅ Instant | ⚠️ Need pickup | ✅ Instant | ❌ May need pickup | | Battery anxiety | ✅ No extra device | ✅ No extra device | ✅ No extra device | ❌ Extra device |