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OK, I know they're very popular in many places around the world, I know they can be very useful in terms of using two tariffs and/or two numbers at the same time, but how do they actually work in practice?

I'm aware that most dual SIM phones thus far have one SIM bay that's 2G only, so that's not much good for data, But how do they work in terms of incoming calls and texts - are both SIMs active at the same time? How well do the phones flag up calls and texts to the different numbers? Are there different SMS/MMS inboxes? Is switching between SIMs for outgoing calls and texts easy? If one is say downloading something via 3G/4G data and gets a call on the other (2G only) SIM, does the data connection drop?

I assume much depends on how the individual phone works. Are there any oddities or other potential problems or common issues with dual SIM phones?

Thanks!

[Stereo Steve]

I've got a ZTE Blade S6 and it's OK. I think that if one SIM is in use the other is not available. There are other phones which allow both to work at the same time I think. I have SIM1 on 3 for data and SIM2 on VOD for calls (2G only). Works pretty well for me at the mo. Phone always rings and I get good data most places.

If you send an SMS you can select which SIM to send it with (green or blue send button). For calls I can set that in the options to either SIM or ask when you make a call. It does work quite well IMHO. I would rather just have one network but EE/3 can't compete with VO2 on call coverage around here and VO2 have next to no data coverage. I think that will change in the very near future.

[mici01]

Well mostly both SIMs are active at the same time. But how the phone handles a phone call on SIM2 while you have one on SIM1 is probably down to the phone itself.

On my Moto X Play you can set some preferences on which SIM is used for what.
Here the menu for Dual-SIM settings: http://imgur.com/Sm6aGl0

The SMS/MMS app shows you on which number you receive a text and on which one you will send one. http://imgur.com/MLrzvRF

The data connection doesn't drop if you get a call on the other SIM.

[lightspeed2398]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mici01

Well mostly both SIMs are active at the same time. But how the phone handles a phone call on SIM2 while you have one on SIM1 is probably down to the phone itself.

On my Moto X Play you can set some preferences on which SIM is used for what.
Here the menu for Dual-SIM settings: http://imgur.com/Sm6aGl0

The SMS/MMS app shows you on which number you receive a text and on which one you will send one. http://imgur.com/MLrzvRF

The data connection doesn't drop if you get a call on the other SIM.

Are you using a German AldiTalk SIM in that or are you roaming?

[mici01]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightspeed2398

Are you using a German AldiTalk SIM in that or are you roaming?

I'm roaming and because Germany isn't included in 'Feel like Home' I have a local SIM.

[lightspeed2398]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mici01

I'm roaming and because Germany isn't included in 'Feel like Home' I have a local SIM.

Ah makes sense. Are you using the 24 Hour 1GB plan with that and how's the 4G on e-Plus, when I was there last year it was shocking compared to Vodafone.De but the Germans I know gave their kids SIMs on it because it was cheap.

[mici01]

Nah, I'm on the 5GB plan for 15 eur.

And yes the 4G is quite 'limited' to say it nice, because they cheeped out in not buying any new spectrum for LTE and they use 1800mhz spectrum they already had (originally for 2G). It should get better with the ongoing merger with o2, but their 4G also isn't that good in coverage. Well it's the two cheepo networks what do you expect?

And kids: Even on 2G it mostly is enough for a Facebook, WhatsApp and call home.

But don't let us go totally OT here.

[John_Patrick]

Im thinking of buying a dual SIM phone too - primarily so I could use one handset for personal and work.

When the handset is just sitting there on standby I assume it would work so that either SIM could accept a call/text?

[mici01]

Yes..

[GreenLantern]

One Plus 2 is dual sim - haven't tried it out yet though.

Might interest me as I have a SIM from an exorbitantly priced country where I need to keep a number and might stick a data SIM in as well, to use for the data only part of the SIM.

Will see as I do like my iPhones.

[Swipe]

I use dual sim on my moto g 2014. I have a very unique number on an EE PAYG sim for recieving calls only (2G) and a Delight mobile sim in sim 2 slot (3G) for data and the odd outgoing call & text. It works great for me as I'm not prepared to port my main number to Delight Mobile plus will consider going back to my 3 sim for data when my current job contract ends (can't get 3 data signal in the building at work)

[Orbitalzone]

I've had the dual SIM moto G and now a Moto X Play and they work the same and it's not bad: both are active and when a call comes in the other SIM stops receiving calls, ie calls to the second SIM would then go to voicemail. Note that as nearly all dual Simmers are only 3g/4G data capable on one SIM the other SIM is 2G only - it rules out using a 3 network Sim in the 2G slot.

One way to get around missing a second call to the second SIM is to use call forward, so I set my second SIM to call forward to my first SIM, if my first SIM is in a call I then get call waiting alerting me of the second call coming in on SIM1 (diverted from SIM2 to SIM1's number). Otherwise you find you hang up SIM1 then find a missed call/voicemail pops up on SIM2.

When sending an MMS it asks which SIM to send from but there's only 1 SMS message box so all messages are in there. It gets confusing for recipients when they text you on SIM1 and you accidentally reply via SIM2 and they don't recognise that number.

Moto dual SIM phones learn your behaviour so you can make a call and tell it to remember the SIM to use for next time you call that number. Either SIM slot can be 3G/4G data so I sometimes flip between using my EE SIM for data or my work Voda SIM, depending on location and available data signal strengths.

The dual SIM Moto X Play has been an excellent phone and a definite improvement on the 3G only Moto G second gen dual SIM phone I had. I use a dual sim as I need to carry a work phone at all times (on call out duties) so one phone means I never forget to take it with me....you might think why not just call forward to my phone? well a dual SIM means I can call clients and they see a work number rather than my personal number.

[CheshireBumpkin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orbitalzone

I've had the dual SIM moto G and now a Moto X Play and they work the same and it's not bad: both are active and when a call comes in the other SIM stops receiving calls, ie calls to the second SIM would then go to voicemail. Note that as nearly all dual Simmers are only 3g/4G data capable on one SIM the other SIM is 2G only - it rules out using a 3 network Sim in the 2G slot.

One way to get around missing a second call to the second SIM is to use call forward, so I set my second SIM to call forward to my first SIM, if my first SIM is in a call I then get call waiting alerting me of the second call coming in on SIM1 (diverted from SIM2 to SIM1's number). Otherwise you find you hang up SIM1 then find a missed call/voicemail pops up on SIM2.

When sending an MMS it asks which SIM to send from but there's only 1 SMS message box so all messages are in there. It gets confusing for recipients when they text you on SIM1 and you accidentally reply via SIM2 and they don't recognise that number.

Moto dual SIM phones learn your behaviour so you can make a call and tell it to remember the SIM to use for next time you call that number. Either SIM slot can be 3G/4G data so I sometimes flip between using my EE SIM for data or my work Voda SIM, depending on location and available data signal strengths.

The dual SIM Moto X Play has been an excellent phone and a definite improvement on the 3G only Moto G second gen dual SIM phone I had. I use a dual sim as I need to carry a work phone at all times (on call out duties) so one phone means I never forget to take it with me....you might think why not just call forward to my phone? well a dual SIM means I can call clients and they see a work number rather than my personal number.

Yep, this is how the dual SIM setup works on the Honor 7 too... I find it works well in day to day use, and with an O2 SIM for 2G voice, and an EE SIM for data (calls forwarded to the O2 SIM), all calls generally get through for me now...

[Markymodem]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swipe

I use dual sim on my moto g 2014. I have a very unique number on an EE PAYG sim for recieving calls only (2G) and a Delight mobile sim in sim 2 slot (3G) for data and the odd outgoing call & text. It works great for me as I'm not prepared to port my main number to Delight Mobile plus will consider going back to my 3 sim for data when my current job contract ends (can't get 3 data signal in the building at work)

i think you will find we all have a very unique number

[natbike]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markymodem

i think you will find we all have a very unique number

First class observation!

[Swipe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markymodem

i think you will find we all have a very unique number

Maybe I should have said memorable repeating number a la 118118