eSIM is here: HONOR Magic9 Pro Max and Vivo X500 Pro Max

“A China phone? No thanks, it won't have eSIM.” That objection no longer holds for the HONOR Magic9 Pro Max and Vivo X500 Pro Max. Both have eSIM built in, alongside Android Auto. If you passed over these camera flagships before, it is time for another look.

eSIM is finally built into the phone

China smartphones have long been tempting purchases with a small catch: impressive hardware, but a few everyday features needed a closer look. eSIM was often one of the missing pieces. That barely mattered if you kept the same physical SIM in your phone for years. Frequent travellers and people already using an eSIM plan had a good reason to buy something else.

The Chinese versions of the HONOR Magic9 Pro Max and Vivo X500 Pro Max now include eSIM. Both manufacturers confirm it on their Chinese websites; this is not a specification borrowed from a global model. HONOR lists storage for up to two eSIM numbers. Vivo also spells out the combinations: two physical SIMs, one physical SIM plus an eSIM, or two eSIMs. You can use two numbers at the same time. Four stored numbers do not mean four active lines.

We are talking about native eSIM here. There is no extra adapter card to put in the SIM tray. Adapters can still help with older phones; our guide to adding eSIM to a China smartphone explains that option.

Android Auto is already here. Time to retire an old objection.

Your route on the car display, music from your favourite app and familiar controls on the road: if you use Android Auto, you want to keep it when you change phones. China versions have made noticeable progress here over the past few years.

This did not begin with these two new phones. The HONOR Magic7, Vivo X200, OnePlus 13 and OPPO Find X8 generations brought Android Auto to supported China firmware. Newer flagships in these ranges continue that support. The blanket claim that China phones cannot use Android Auto is out of date.

• HONOR from Magic7: Android Auto arrived through a MagicOS update in April 2025 for use outside mainland China.
• Vivo from X200: Tested in a car with the X200 Pro mini, and now explicitly listed in the X200 Pro shop specification.
• OnePlus from 13: Added through a firmware update, with buyers reporting successful car connections.
• OPPO from Find X8: The Find X8 generation gained support through suitable updates; a hands-on Find X8 Ultra test confirms it working.

Our current product pages list the HONOR Magic9 Pro Max and Vivo X500 Pro Max as Android Auto compatible. Paired with native eSIM, that makes both worth a closer look. The exact firmware and your car still matter, particularly if you want a wireless connection.

Support on many current models is not a promise for every China phone. The China-version realme GT8 Pro, for example, is still listed without Android Auto. Checking the actual model is more useful than relying on a blanket statement about its brand.

Xiaomi is opening up on languages

Xiaomi has moved forward too. The China HyperOS firmware currently offered for the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max lists German, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Chinese. If the system language was what held you back, it is worth taking another look. Italian is not currently listed for this firmware.

Android Auto and eSIM are still marked unavailable on this China version. More system languages and more Google features are separate changes. The progress is welcome, but it arrives at a different pace for each model and manufacturer.

What remains? A little tidying up and personal preferences

A China phone still includes some apps and services intended for its home market. Many preinstalled apps can be removed or disabled. A short tidy-up after setup is often enough to get your home screen how you like it. Some system services remain part of the firmware; you cannot assume every Chinese feature will disappear.

Google Maps Timeline is another feature to know about. It is unavailable on some China ROMs. This is your personal location history, letting you look back at places you visited. It is separate from navigation. If you would rather not keep a long-term record of your movements, you probably will not miss it. If you enjoy documenting trips that way, check that it is available. Google makes Timeline optional and leaves it switched off by default.

Before buying, also run the compatibility check for your country and network provider. Frequency bands and services such as VoLTE or Wi-Fi calling depend on the specific phone and operator. That is a useful check, rather than a reason to rule out an interesting import.

HONOR · China version

Magic9 Pro Max

Worth a look if you want a camera flagship with eSIM and Android Auto. Explore its features, available versions and current offers.

View HONOR Magic9 Pro Max

Vivo · China version

X500 Pro Max

For photo fans who want an easier travel setup too. Take a closer look at the China version with native eSIM.

View Vivo X500 Pro Max

Compatibility depends on the model, firmware, car and mobile provider. Research checked on 6 October 2026. We have not performed a device test or confirmed activation of a foreign eSIM profile for this article.