Every tech question answered

That's what I want. It's probably what you want, too.

The problem is that that's an impossible question to answer.

Which device are you taking?

Where are you going?

What do you seek (data, text, calls)?

How important is it to you?

How much do you plan to use your device?

What do you want your device to do for you?

How much are you willing to spend to get it to do that?

These are questions with "intangibles" that I can't measure, and maybe you can't, either. My answers depend largely on your answers, and - here's the real insult - my answers depend further on my interpretation of your answers, because I'm neither a tech expert nor a mind-reader.

Ouch.

The introduction of eSIMs, while not new, has certainly changed the landscape of communication. So...

Are you going to buy or rent a phone for your getaway?

Will it be delivered to you before you depart, or will it be delivered to you at your new location?

Are you "techy?" (I used to be, but less so now)

How patient are you in learning new technologies and with the people who are trying to teach you new technologies?

My personal solution, which may not be your solution, is to take my existing phone, remove the existing SIM (storing it in a specialized container I'm prepacking), buy and insert a physical SIM card in the destination country, and then replace that "foreign" SIM when I return, assuming that I didn't inadvertently damage the SIM when I removed it. Damage has happened, it's not fun, it's not visible and I don't recommend it for a fun time.

I might pay more and buy the new SIM before our next trip so that I can insert the new SIM just before I leave. That way I'll have the "new phone number" - you'll get a new phone number when you get a new SIM, although it's temporary and you keep all your personal info and contacts - and I can tell family and close friends what it is.

Or I might opt for a combination approach, paying the exorbitant cost from my wireless service for a couple days while I get the "foreign" SIM purchased.

There's no way for anyone else to know how easily or how arduously I would adapt to any of these options, and there's no way for me to know that about you, either. See how many options you have?