SoSIM and Lucky SIM are the two names that come up every time someone asks about the cheapest SIM in Hong Kong, and for good reason — both are bare-bones value brands riding on big-host networks. SoSIM runs on 3HK’s network and renews monthly; Lucky SIM runs on China Mobile Hong Kong’s network and sells long-validity data packs. Same price range, totally different buying model, so the “cheaper” one depends entirely on how much you use.
SoSIM vs Lucky SIM at a glance
| Feature | SoSIM | Lucky SIM |
|---|---|---|
| Host network | 3HK | China Mobile Hong Kong |
| Typical top speed | 4.5G up to 42Mbps | Most packs up to 100Mbps |
| Starting deal | HK$33: 50GB + 1,500 mins, first 30 days | Buy any pack; no special starter deal |
| Renewal model | HK$48/30 days: 60GB + 5,000 mins (auto-renew) | One-off packs, 30 days up to 3 years |
| Long-validity options | 360-day plan HK$504 (60GB/month) | 365d/20GB HK$100, 2yr/100GB HK$225, 3yr/200GB HK$328 |
| SIM validity | 120 days after activation | Set by pack; top-ups extend it |
| Minimum top-up | HK$20 to extend validity | HK$50 adds 180 days, HK$100 adds 365, HK$200 adds 540 |
| eSIM | Yes, from eShop, instant | Yes, plus SIM↔eSIM conversion |
| Real-name registration | In the SoSIM app, before use | At rnr.luckysim.com.hk, takes up to 2 working days |
| Number porting (MNP) | Online, free, ~3 days | Via authorised Lucky SIM partners |
SoSIM: cheap monthly renewals on 3HK
SoSIM’s whole pitch is one number: HK$33 for the starter card, which bundles 50GB of data and 1,500 voice minutes for the first 30 days. After that you renew at HK$48/30 days and it upgrades to 60GB, 5,000 voice minutes (VoLTE and VoWi-Fi included), 30 on-net SMS, five 24-hour 5G speed passes and five 24-hour YouTube passes — data is capped at 4.5G 42Mbps and slows to 128kbps once you pass the fair-usage limit. If you want 5G on demand, the speed pass costs HK$9.9 per day. Cards are sold at over 400 pickup points including PARKnSHOP, Watsons and Hung Fook Tong counters at MTR stations, plus eSIM straight from the eShop with instant activation. The SIM itself is valid 120 days after activation, a top-up of at least HK$20 extends it, and number porting in is free and can complete in as little as 3 days.
Lucky SIM: bulk long-validity packs on China Mobile HK
Lucky SIM plays a different game — instead of monthly renewals you buy a data pack that runs for months or years. The sweet spots are the long-validity deals: 365 days/20GB for HK$100, 365 days/40GB for HK$120, 2 years/100GB for HK$225 and 3 years/200GB for HK$328, most at up to 100Mbps (there is also a 3-year/30GB pack capped at 42Mbps for HK$138). A 30-day fallback costs HK$60 for 10GB. Every pack needs real-name registration at rnr.luckysim.com.hk before use, and Lucky warns verification can take up to 2 working days — worth doing before you need the data. eSIM works the same as the plastic card, and you can convert an existing SIM to eSIM or back again. If your pack runs out, a HK$50 top-up adds 180 days, HK$100 adds 365 and HK$200 adds 540. New customers port numbers in through authorised Lucky SIM partners rather than online.
Host networks and speed caps: 3HK vs China Mobile HK
Because both are value brands, the network underneath decides the real experience — and neither network is universally better. 3HK and China Mobile HK both cover the urban core densely, but people who live in older housing estates, outlying islands or the New Territories often report one is clearly stronger than the other at a given address, so ask neighbours or trial a cheap prepaid SIM first. On speed, the two brands cap differently: SoSIM is hard-capped at 4.5G 42Mbps (128kbps after fair use), while most Lucky SIM long packs advertise up to 100Mbps — noticeably better for video if the signal allows it. Neither has priority data at peak times, which is exactly how they stay cheap. For the wider trade-off between MVNOs and the big operators, see our MVNO vs operator guide.
Real annual cost: which wins for light vs heavy users
| Usage | SoSIM cost | Lucky SIM cost | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light — ~2GB/month (24GB/year) | HK$48/month = ~HK$576/year, plus HK$33 starter | 365d/40GB HK$120 covers a full year | Lucky SIM — 4-5x cheaper |
| Medium — ~20GB/month (240GB/year) | HK$48/month = ~HK$576/year | 2yr/100GB won’t cover it; needs a 100Mbps tier | SoSIM — simpler and cheaper per GB |
| Heavy — 60GB+ / month or lots of voice minutes | HK$48/month: 60GB + 5,000 mins, or 360-day plan HK$504 | 3yr/200GB HK$328 = ~66GB/year — not enough | SoSIM — the only one that scales monthly |
The maths is stark. If you use around 2GB a month, Lucky SIM at HK$120/year is a fifth of SoSIM’s ~HK$576/year. But the moment you regularly chew through 20GB+ or make lots of calls, SoSIM’s monthly renewal — 60GB and 5,000 minutes for HK$48 — beats Lucky SIM on both volume and price per GB, because Lucky SIM’s big packs only average 50-70GB per year even on the 2-3 year deals. And SoSIM’s 360-day plan (HK$504, renewing at 60GB/month) removes even the monthly hassle. If you mostly just want an always-alive number for SMS and occasional data, our prepaid vs monthly guide runs through the wider comparison.
When to pick which
- Pick SoSIM for cheap monthly renewals, 4.5G 42Mbps data, 5,000 minutes of voice and unlimited scaling via the HK$48/30-day auto-renew.
- Pick Lucky SIM for bulk long-validity packs — one HK$100-330 payment covers one to three years, ideal for a spare phone, a child’s tablet, or a light user who hates monthly admin.
- Check coverage first: if China Mobile HK is strong where you live, Lucky SIM’s up to 100Mbps packs are noticeably faster; if 3HK is, SoSIM’s 42Mbps cap is rarely the bottleneck.
- Plan ahead on registration: Lucky SIM’s real-name check can take 2 working days, so register before you run out of data; SoSIM activates as soon as the in-app registration completes.
- For travellers or people who want 5G without committing, SoSIM’s HK$9.9/day 5G speed pass works on top of the monthly plan.
The bottom line
There is no single cheaper brand — there are two different products. SoSIM is a no-contract monthly plan that scales from 50GB starter to 60GB/month renewals at HK$48, capped at 4.5G 42Mbps on 3HK. Lucky SIM is a buy-once-stretch-years data pack on China Mobile HK that is unbeatable for light users — HK$100 for 20GB over a year is hard to argue with. Match the buying model to your usage and both are excellent value; if you want 5G speeds instead, our cheapest 5G SIM list is where to look.
Browse the best prepaid SIMs →Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, SoSIM or Lucky SIM?
It depends on volume. A light user on ~2GB/month pays about HK$120/year with Lucky SIM’s 365-day/40GB pack versus roughly HK$576/year renewing SoSIM at HK$48/month. From ~20GB/month upward, SoSIM wins because its HK$48/30-day plan delivers 60GB plus 5,000 minutes and scales month by month, while Lucky SIM’s long packs only average 50-70GB a year.
Do both SIMs need real-name registration?
Yes. Under Hong Kong’s SIM card real-name registration rules, SoSIM is registered in the SoSIM app before the first use, while Lucky SIM is registered online at rnr.luckysim.com.hk and warns that verification can take up to 2 working days, so register before you need the data.
Can I keep my existing number with either brand?
Yes. SoSIM supports number porting (MNP) done fully online, free, and it can complete in as little as 3 days. Lucky SIM also supports MNP but new customers apply through authorised Lucky SIM partner stores rather than online.
Which brand is better for someone who barely uses data?
Lucky SIM, hands down. A 365-day/20GB pack costs HK$100 — about HK$8.33 a month — versus HK$48 a month on SoSIM’s renewal. It also keeps the SIM valid for a whole year without any top-up juggling, ideal for a spare phone or a second number for SMS and WhatsApp.