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Dual Sim phone that can do 3/4G on both SIMs
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Stereo Steve
04-05-2016
Got me a ZTE Blade S6 as fed up with the phone not ringing on EE. So VOD sim in slot 2 with my main number, rings anywhere. 3 Sim on slot 1, data pretty much eveywhere outside. Not a bad solution as there is no VO2 data here and EE need to roll out some 800 love before I go back to them. I've taken 2 crucial calls from the RPA this week that I am sure would not have happened on EE.

Problem is the phone can only do GSM on slot 2 so even if I had VOD data, I can't use it. Idea was to get a sure signal for in house calls before I realised this.

So, is there a decent phone out there which can do 3 or 4G on both Sims, is 5" or under and fairly cheap? Just to get me through to when one of the networks gets voice and data working at the same time in my valley? Moto G can switch which sim does data but it's also a bit fat.

I'm sort of hanging on the iPhone 7 but will probably go for the SE, just want to see what the 7 is like. In the meantime, I need some Chinese dual SIM trickery.
Denco1
04-05-2016
Xiaomi Mi 5 does 4G+3G or 3G+3G simultaneously.
But it's 5.15", and about £300 from importers, not exactly the cheapest or simplest purchase.
sills
04-05-2016
Originally Posted by Denco1:
“Xiaomi Mi 5 does 4G+3G or 3G+3G simultaneously.
.”

Doesn't do 4G on band 20 though which Vodafone have a lot of.
d123
04-05-2016
Originally Posted by Denco1:
“Xiaomi Mi 5 does 4G+3G or 3G+3G simultaneously.
But it's 5.15", and about £300 from importers, not exactly the cheapest or simplest purchase.”

Being blunt, but spending £300 these days on a phone that can't do 800Mhz LTE seems stupidly shortsighted.

Are you sure it's capable of doing 3G or 4G concurrently on both sims? Nothing mentioned in the reviews to say that's possible. Have you got personal experience of it working?

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/review/an...xy-s7-3637966/
Denco1
04-05-2016
Originally Posted by d123:
“Being blunt, but spending £300 these days on a phone that can't do 800Mhz LTE seems stupidly shortsighted.

Are you sure it's capable of doing 3G or 4G concurrently on both sims? Nothing mentioned in the reviews to say that's possible. Have you got personal experience of it working?

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/review/an...xy-s7-3637966/”

Indeed, it is a pity it doesn't have 800MHz, but as I'm only going to have the phone for a couple of weeks, and I only frequent places with good EE 1800MHz coverage it isn't a problem for me.

There's a few websites who do report on it's 4G/3G+3G abilities but most sites have tended to overlook this.

Here's a screenshot
http://i.imgur.com/ZofJJAs.jpg
I've previously tested with a Three sim in the secondary slot just to make sure.
d123
04-05-2016
Originally Posted by Denco1:
“There's a few websites who do report on it's 4G/3G+3G abilities but most sites have tended to overlook this.

Here's a screenshot
http://i.imgur.com/ZofJJAs.jpg
I've previously tested with a Three sim in the secondary slot just to make sure.”

Thanks, that is good to see, hopefully an updated version hits the market soon with 800Mhz also included.

I would be tempted to buy one if it had 800Mhz...
Stereo Steve
04-05-2016
It would need 800 for me on both sims. I suspect that by the time such a device reaches the market, EE will have some serious 800 rolling anyway. Or VO2 may have actually considered us peasants worth covering in case Dave C drops in for a cup of zoider.
Orbitalzone
04-05-2016
So are you looking for both sims to be 3G/4G active at the same time or just have the ability for either SIM slot to be 3G/4G?

Moto x Play and Moto G dual SIM's can have data (3G/4G) on either SIM but not at the same time, so one is always 2G. BOth SIMs are active so both are ready to take calls, there's a quirk that data being tethered will stop the 2G sim working for some reason unless you choose the option to drop data in favour of voice on 2G sim....only applies to when you tether and can be switched.

It can take a minute or so to switch modes unless both SIMs are from the same network in which case it takes about 10 seconds on my Moto X Play to flip. (Work sim and Home sim both EE)
d123
04-05-2016
Originally Posted by Orbitalzone:
“So are you looking for both sims to be 3G/4G active at the same time or just have the ability for either SIM slot to be 3G/4G?

Moto x Play and Moto G dual SIM's can have data (3G/4G) on either SIM but not at the same time, so one is always 2G. BOth SIMs are active so both are ready to take calls, there's a quirk that data being tethered will stop the 2G sim working for some reason unless you choose the option to drop data in favour of voice on 2G sim....only applies to when you tether and can be switched.

It can take a minute or so to switch modes unless both SIMs are from the same network in which case it takes about 10 seconds on my Moto X Play to flip. (Work sim and Home sim both EE)”

It isn't the issue of having both data active at the same time (there's no real point to that) but the ability to have both sims registered on 3G/4G concurrently is important. It means it's possible to have a Three sim as second sim, with most dual sim phones you can't as the Three sim won't work on 2G.
Stereo Steve
05-05-2016
Originally Posted by Orbitalzone:
“So are you looking for both sims to be 3G/4G active at the same time or just have the ability for either SIM slot to be 3G/4G?

Moto x Play and Moto G dual SIM's can have data (3G/4G) on either SIM but not at the same time, so one is always 2G. BOth SIMs are active so both are ready to take calls, there's a quirk that data being tethered will stop the 2G sim working for some reason unless you choose the option to drop data in favour of voice on 2G sim....only applies to when you tether and can be switched.

It can take a minute or so to switch modes unless both SIMs are from the same network in which case it takes about 10 seconds on my Moto X Play to flip. (Work sim and Home sim both EE)”

The Moto G was the one I was looking at and yes, happy to switch back and forth. It's just a bit bulky really. I don't use a huge amount of data so 3 123 is perfect for me. I could pick up a cheap sure signal, leave 3G on the VOD sim most of the time and switch if I need data elsewhere. It does look like EE will be firing up some 800 around here very soon which might give me the coverage I need depending how far it goes. So I'll probably just stick with what I've got until later in the year.
CheshireBumpkin
05-05-2016
Originally Posted by Stereo Steve:
“The Moto G was the one I was looking at and yes, happy to switch back and forth. It's just a bit bulky really. I don't use a huge amount of data so 3 123 is perfect for me. I could pick up a cheap sure signal, leave 3G on the VOD sim most of the time and switch if I need data elsewhere. It does look like EE will be firing up some 800 around here very soon which might give me the coverage I need depending how far it goes. So I'll probably just stick with what I've got until later in the year.”

If I understand your needs correctly, the Honor 7 might be a good option too. One SIM will be allocated as 2G and the other as 3/4G - you can switch the allocation between SIMs as you choose in a few seconds if needed. Amazing reception too - picks up usable signal where no other phone seems to!
d123
05-05-2016
Originally Posted by CheshireBumpkin:
“If I understand your needs correctly, the Honor 7 might be a good option too. One SIM will be allocated as 2G and the other as 3/4G - you can switch the allocation between SIMs as you choose in a few seconds if needed. Amazing reception too - picks up usable signal where no other phone seems to!”

If Steve is using a Three 3-2-1 sim (or any Three sim) then that phone isn't suitable (nor is ANY dual sim phone that drops the second sim to 2G) as the Three sim won't work in the 2G position, not even for calls. As soon as the other sim is allocated as the 3G/4G sim the Three sim will stop working.
CheshireBumpkin
05-05-2016
Originally Posted by d123:
“If Steve is using a Three 3-2-1 sim (or any Three sim) then that phone isn't suitable (nor is ANY dual sim phone that drops the second sim to 2G) as the Three sim won't work in the 2G position, not even for calls. As soon as the other sim is allocated as the 3G/4G sim the Three sim will stop working.”

Of course, I hadn't considered that a thee SIM simply won't function in something it 'sees' as a 2G device...
Orbitalzone
05-05-2016
Originally Posted by d123:
“It isn't the issue of having both data active at the same time (there's no real point to that) but the ability to have both sims registered on 3G/4G concurrently is important. It means it's possible to have a Three sim as second sim, with most dual sim phones you can't as the Three sim won't work on 2G.”

Yes that is a problem with Three and dual SIM phones, quite annoying really and one of the main reasons I dropped Three as I needed a dual sim phone.
Orbitalzone
05-05-2016
Originally Posted by Stereo Steve:
“The Moto G was the one I was looking at and yes, happy to switch back and forth. It's just a bit bulky really. I don't use a huge amount of data so 3 123 is perfect for me. I could pick up a cheap sure signal, leave 3G on the VOD sim most of the time and switch if I need data elsewhere. It does look like EE will be firing up some 800 around here very soon which might give me the coverage I need depending how far it goes. So I'll probably just stick with what I've got until later in the year.”

I had the Moto G 2nd gen dual sim and wasn't overly impressed with call audio quality on either SIM, when in a call you always heard static in the background, the sort of cellular interefence you can sometimes hear breaking through onto speakers. Maybe mine was a poor model but it was never good. I got a Moto X Play dual SIM and the audio in calls is infintely superior.

You probably know this but don't assume the Moto G is dual SIM, the 2nd Gen 3G UK model is but the 2nd gen UK 4G isn't and the 3rd Gen isn't (UK version) same with the Moto X Play, I ordered mine from Amazon France to get dual sim version.
Stereo Steve
07-05-2016
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorola-Mo...oto+g+dual+sim

Might just get one so I can check VOD coverage. I think there is stuff going on around here that doesn't show on their map at all. Got to have a bit of a drive around this afternoon so put the VOD sim in slot 1 on my phone and will see if anything is up.

Edit http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_mot..._gen)-7469.php

Seems to suggest it doesn't do 800LTE so that's no good to me. Ho hum.
Stereo Steve
07-05-2016
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wileyfox-Sw...ct_top?ie=UTF8

This looks interesting.
CheshireBumpkin
07-05-2016
Originally Posted by Stereo Steve:
“https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wileyfox-Sw...ct_top?ie=UTF8

This looks interesting.”

I bought one of these for my mum a while ago - it's a good solid phone. She's only ever used it with one SIM though, so I'm afraid I can't comment on the dual SIM setup. I'd forgotten it even had it to be honest! I won't see her for another week or so, but if you're still deliberating then I can put another SIM in it and see how it works...
d123
07-05-2016
Originally Posted by CheshireBumpkin:
“I bought one of these for my mum a while ago - it's a good solid phone. She's only ever used it with one SIM though, so I'm afraid I can't comment on the dual SIM setup. I'd forgotten it even had it to be honest! I won't see her for another week or so, but if you're still deliberating then I can put another SIM in it and see how it works...”

Only 1 sim is 3G/4G, the second sim is 2G only.
CheshireBumpkin
08-05-2016
Originally Posted by d123:
“Only 1 sim is 3G/4G, the second sim is 2G only.”

There's a theme developing here....

Do most have this setup because it's simply cheaper to include a second 2G radio rather than a 3G/4G radio, or is there another technical barrier?
Andrew_Reid
08-05-2016
What about this one http://www.xiaomidevice.com/xiaomi-r...ote-3-pro.html It says it has dual 4g.
Stereo Steve
09-05-2016
I believe the Wilyfox can do 3/4G on both sims, just not at the same time. You have to select as with the MotoG.
Stereo Steve
09-05-2016
Originally Posted by Andrew_Reid:
“What about this one http://www.xiaomidevice.com/xiaomi-r...ote-3-pro.html It says it has dual 4g.”

Thanks, I did look at that one but don't really want to go over 5 inches, if anything would like something smaller. I'm not a power user, just want it to ring and do basic stuff like whatsapp, sat nav etc. when I need it.
d123
09-05-2016
Originally Posted by Andrew_Reid:
“What about this one http://www.xiaomidevice.com/xiaomi-r...ote-3-pro.html It says it has dual 4g.”

Considering its using a radio chip that doesn't support band 20 800Mhz it's highly unlikely to have simultaneous dual 3G/4G capability.
Stereo Steve
09-05-2016
Found quite a few promising phones that don't support 800LTE.

Think I'll get a Wilyfox and stick with VOD on 2G and 3 on 3/4G. At least I'll be able to quickly switch to VOD data if I want to test or there is VOD data but no 3 (not likely). Currently if I switch SIMs I have to re-provision TinT which is a PITA.

Probably get a 7 / SE on EE once they roll out some 800 around here and use the VOD / 3 PAYG phone as backup on holidays or give it to one of the kids.
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