Reply to: Dual Sim Phones

[getusama]

You've got two options.

Dual Active.
Phones that supports both SIM cards in parallel. These cost more but allow you to receive calls on both cards and choose which one you want to make calls with when you dial the number.

Dual Standby.
Get a cheaper phone that only ever has one SIM card active at a time. You have to manually switch between them in the phone settings. The main advantage is that you don't need to manually sward the cards out.

Good review of what's available here.
20 Best dual-SIM smartphones | 20 Best dual-SIM phone reviews - Test Centre - PC Advisor

The above is incorrect. Check the links below:
https://community.giffgaff.com/t5/Bl.../ba-p/17747164

Best Dual-SIM Phones 2017: Top Dual-SIM Smartphone Reviews & Buying Advice - Tech Advisor

Acitve = both sims can active be used SIMULTANEOUSLY
Standy By = When one sim will be IN USE (e.g. when talking) the other will be on STAND BY.

Both the types can receive calls and does not need to be manually switched.

[Contreras]

I understand the principle, one phone, two SIM cards so can be on different carriers, but how are the carriers prioritised?

Mine's a cheapo Nokia candy bar and the way it works is you can define for each of Call, SMS, MMS, Data, whether it goes to SIM1, SIM2, or to ask each time. That much works well at least.

Other stuff - SIM2 slot in the side without needing to take the phone apart, which is nice. Battery life is maybe 6-8 days with standby / light use, not the 35 (!) claimed. Screen is unreadable in direct sunlight. Oh, and it's a phone not a computer.

[zazou]

I have a Sony Xperia Z5 Premium dual just for that, private and agents.

When calling and texting you always choose which sim card to use. Data goes via sim 1, both sims active when there's mobile coverage.
Does what it says on the tin. Could be smarter about a default sim to use when texting based on history.

[seanraaron]

"Data only" because an iPad is not a phone. (but you get around that by using data calls, such as Tu-go)
iPad only because the phones are locked to networks (a feature requested by the networks to tie you in to a contract) when you first put a sim in them.

Far as I know 3 no longer locks iPhones when they provide them. I've not had reason to test this as I've never had an issue with their customer service or contract terms, however.

[WTFH]

Interesting that it's data-only and restricted to iPad...

"Data only" because an iPad is not a phone. (but you get around that by using data calls, such as Tu-go)
iPad only because the phones are locked to networks (a feature requested by the networks to tie you in to a contract) when you first put a sim in them.

[TheFaQQer]

When I get close to my piddly data limit, I activate my second giffgaff SIM for the data.

Not that that happens very often, since I don't leave the house.

[SimonMac]

Interesting that it's data-only and restricted to iPad...

As I said, some progress

[seanraaron]

Apple SIM seems to be making some progress in this area

Apple*SIM - Apple (UK)

Interesting that it's data-only and restricted to iPad...

[SimonMac]

As brilliant as removable SIMs are, I wonder if their time has come. I can't imagine a modern smartphone would be unable to accept incoming calls for multiple numbers from multiple networks as-is.

Apple SIM seems to be making some progress in this area

Apple SIM - Apple (UK)

[seanraaron]

I have property in both the UK and Spain, so go to Spain a lot, I needed a Spanish number for people to call when I am over there, also when I signed up to the bank etc it was a requirement, so at the moment I have three phones.

Personal = iPhone
"Work" Phone = Lumia 435
Spanish = Very old school unlocked Samsung Note which battery lasts about an hour!

If I can combine 2 & 3 into one handset that has a cracking battery life but no functions that would save me a headache

As brilliant as removable SIMs are, I wonder if their time has come. I can't imagine a modern smartphone would be unable to accept incoming calls for multiple numbers from multiple networks as-is.

[SimonMac]

Three includes data, which is great as I use FaceTime and iMessage to call family/friends. You just need to make sure you have an appropriately sized data plan. The SIM only ones are pretty decent; after my two-year deal finishes I'll switch to one of those with 5-10gb which should be plenty.

Scrap that, Three was what I was thinking but they can't do business tarrifs, didn't know EE did it too

[SimonMac]

I'm not surprised other carriers are following suit. I guess if you want two phone numbers but only one handset it makes sense, but I can't see using a dual sim phone for roaming purposes alone unless you're spending a lot of time in a country with massive roaming charges.

I have property in both the UK and Spain, so go to Spain a lot, I needed a Spanish number for people to call when I am over there, also when I signed up to the bank etc it was a requirement, so at the moment I have three phones.

Personal = iPhone
"Work" Phone = Lumia 435
Spanish = Very old school unlocked Samsung Note which battery lasts about an hour!

If I can combine 2 & 3 into one handset that has a cracking battery life but no functions that would save me a headache

[seanraaron]

Yeah, I have seen that, there are about 17 countries that are included, Spain has only recently been added to the list. Its called EE Extra, only works on calls and text though

Three includes data, which is great as I use FaceTime and iMessage to call family/friends. You just need to make sure you have an appropriately sized data plan. The SIM only ones are pretty decent; after my two-year deal finishes I'll switch to one of those with 5-10gb which should be plenty.

[SimonMac]

One of my contractor colleagues here at ClientCo lives in Spain most of the time. His phone contract is with EE and his calls are included

Yeah, I have seen that, there are about 17 countries that are included, Spain has only recently been added to the list. Its called EE Extra, only works on calls and text though

[seanraaron]

I'm not surprised other carriers are following suit. I guess if you want two phone numbers but only one handset it makes sense, but I can't see using a dual sim phone for roaming purposes alone unless you're spending a lot of time in a country with massive roaming charges.