The Dual SIM Card technology is pretty easy to understand. A smartphone usually has a slot in which we put one SIM card to access the network. Nowadays, smartphones have come up with two slots for two different SIM cards. Each SIM card has a unique number. Both SIM cards can hold two separate identities. The ‘Dual SIM Card’ technology allows the users to send and receive calls and text messages on both cards simultaneously.

In this blog, we will go over how the Dual SIM technology works and its advatages and disadvantages.

Dual-SIM functioning with a home country and local SIM in the same device is frequently promoted by vendors of foreign SIMs for travel.

How Does A Smartphone With Dual SIMs Work?

The users can use two different numbers on the same device; both these numbers need not be of the same service provider or under registration of the same person. The internet pack can be activated on both simultaneously, but you can’t use both SIM cards service data at once.

The two slots are generally called primary and secondary slots. Some service providers make sure that their SIM card only works if put in the primary slot. This means that if you put this specific SIM card in a secondary sim card slot, you won’t get service.

Dual-SIM phones are pretty popular in regions where data plan and call rates are cheaper. One primary advantage is that people who usually carry two devices now can bring just one device, which has dual SIM cards. Smartphones allow their user to choose which SIM card can be activated in the device and deactivated. Some smartphones also enable their user to choose which SIM to use for calling, texting and data.

How Do Dual SIM Cards Work?

There are usually three modes or dual SIM card types, which is, Single Standby mode, Active mode, and Dual Standby mode.

1. Dual SIM – Single Standby (Passive)

The phone requires any one SIM to be activated; although it has two sim slots, the other SIM is automatically deactivated. When the other sim is inactive, it is shown as “This number is unreachable”.

If you want to activate the other SIM, you have to do it manually, and the previously active SIM will deactivate automatically. This feature is usually in older phones, not new smartphones.

The biggest drawback is that it is highly inconvenient not to be able to use both SIMs at the same time actively. Nevertheless, it is still better than carrying two devices and eliminates the hassle of that.

2. Dual SIM – Dual Active

This is when both the SIM cards in the smartphone are active at the same time. This is the best option as it allows the user to send/receive calls and text messages at the same time. However, at a time, only one call and only one data connection can be active. But, you do get notifications of missed calls on the other sim.

It is a little tough to find smartphones with this feature as it costs extra and requires a high battery consumption, so the smartphone needs to have good battery life. This feature requires devices to have two radio transceivers, one for each SIM.

Sometimes, a smartphone might either have two SIM slots or two slots, one for the SIM card and the other for the memory card. This forces the buyer to choose between dual active features or more memory. The prices of devices with the dual-active feature are as high as mid-ranged Samsung or Apple phones.

The only disadvantage of this feature is that smartphones with this technology are costlier due to their increased manufacturing cost.

3. Dual SIM Dual Standby

Dual Standby is a hybrid model of Single Standby and Active mode. It is an upgrade from the Single Standby method. Both the SIMs are active in this mode, but if one is being used, then the other cannot be used to make calls or use data connection and use only one radio transceiver.

This basically means that both the SIMs are always on standby mode and are only active when you choose to use them to make calls or browse the internet. Switching between SIMs is automatic if both SIMs have been activated in the phone’s settings.

Smartphones that use this technology tend to be less expensive than Dual Active and are more common as well compared to the two above.

To check if your phone supports Dual SIM, go to your phone’s Settings app to discover if it has a dual-SIM option. Select Network and Internet from the drop-down menu. The SIM card choice should be near the bottom of the screen, just below Airplane mode. If you see two spaces for a SIM card in the choice, your phone is Dual-SIM.

The Pros & Cons of Buying A Smartphone With Dual SIM Technology

As with almost all technology, there are certain pros and cons that you need to consider if you’re planning to purchase a smartphone with the Dual SIM technology.

Pros

There are so many benefits of dual SIM technology. You can carry just one device and have two separate numbers. Dual SIM is a good feature for all the people on the business front or anyone that wants to keep their corporate number and personal number separate.

Some service providers have good voice/message plans, and some have a good data plan; you have an option to choose from both and choose the best-suited option for you. A dual SIM is a good option for all those people whose jobs demand two individual phone numbers so they can seamlessly switch between numbers.

For more reasons to buy a dual SIM slot smartphone, look at the advantages listed below.

1. Convenient- Having a Dual SIM card smartphone is way more convenient than carrying and maintaining two smartphones.
2. Network coverage – If ever one of your SIM card’s network goes off as it happens most of the time, you will have a backup SIM card on the same device. This is incredibly helpful in emergencies.
3. Travelling- While roaming, the data plans and calling/texting rates to the home country are expensive. Most people prefer buying a local SIM when roaming abroad. If your device has a dual SIM slot, you can enjoy cheaper data rates and stay active on any one primary number.
4. Back up – SIM cards do have memory storage on them to store contacts etc. If ever any one of the sims gets barred or formatted, you will always have a backup SIM right in your hand.

Cons

Now that you are aware of all the pros, there are certain cons of opting for a smartphone with dual SIM technology as well. Some of these cons are listed below:

1. Dual Active smartphones have a higher manufacturing cost, making them expensive.
2. Dual Standby smartphones don’t usually have a memory card slot as that slot is used for the other sim. This means you’ll have to spend more to buy a phone that has a more extensive memory option, which just adds to the cost that’s already high.
3. Dual sim cards also only allow one SIMs data to be used at a time. In any case, you won’t be able to use both SIM cards at full potential simultaneously.

Conclusion

A smartphone with a dual SIM sure does sound great but is practical and useful only for certain people who need to use two different SIM cards at almost the same time. For example, people working in the corporate sector or healthcare professionals.

However, if you don’t need to use two SIMs, this option is quite expensive and you won’t be benefiting much. So, understand your usage and list down your priorities before making a decision!