Dual-SIM phones are mobile phones that support two SIMs. Dual-SIM phones empower users with two phone lines on a single phone. You can take advantage of reduced call rates, without losing your existing line. You can also use one line for your personal life and the other for your professional life. If one network is erratic in a given location, a dual-SIM phone enables you to easily switch to another network with a better signal, giving you a more reliable connectivity. Here we will provide brief overviews of some dual-SIM phones.
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Dual-SIM phones usually come with a dedicated button for switching between SIMs. The SIM that you are currently switched to is the active SIM while the other is the standby SIM. To use a particular SIM to make call or use other mobile services, you have to switch to that SIM.
Some dual-SIM phones enable you to receive calls from both SIMs irrespective of which one is active. Such dual-SIM phones are said to be dual-standby. Dual-SIM, dual-standby phones are truly two phones in one. Without the dual-standby feature a dual-SIM phone cannot truly replace two phones.
Some dual-SIM phones do not have the dual-standby, meaning that you can only receive calls on a particular line when it is active. If you are called on your standby-SIM, the caller will be told that your phone is switched off.
Another interesting feature available in some dual-SIM phones is the hot-swappable secondary SIM, which simply means that you can remove and replace SIMs from the secondary SIM slot without switching off the phone.
The hot swappable secondary SIM feature extends your phone beyond dual-SIM as you can easily swap secondary SIM with another SIM. Some dual-SIM phones will also store settings for each SIM and will remember them whenever you slot them in.
Here are some dual-SIM phones:
Samsung Chat 322
Samsung Chat 322 is one of a few mobile phones to offer dual-SIM support with a full physical QWERTY keyboard. Both SIM slots support quad-band GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz. Samsung Chat 322 is a dual-SIM, dual-standby enabling you receive calls on both SIMs irrespective of which is active. Samsung Chat 322 features a 2.2-inch TFT display, full physical QWERTY keypad, and a 1.3 megapixels camera. Other features include EDGE internet, Bluetooth, USB, Mobile Printing, FM Radio, supports up to 8GB of memory card, etc. This dual-SIM phone is currently available and goes for between N16,000 – N18,000.
Nokia C2-00
Nokia C2-00 was the second dual-SIM phone from Nokia, the first being the C1-00. Both SIMs operate on the same dual-bands 900/1800MHz. Nokia C2-00 is a dual-SIM, dual standby phone with the secondary SIM being hot swappable. It features a 1.8-inch display and a VGA camera (0.3 MP). Other features include GPRS/EDGE, up to 32GB memory card support, FM Radio with FM recording, etc. This dual-SIM is yet to make to market and is one of the most anticipated Nokia phones. When available, the price should be between N10,000 and N13,000.
LG C310
LG C310 is another dual-SIM phone with a full physical QWERTY keypad. Like the Samsung Chat 322, both SIMs are quad-band GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz. It is also a dual-SIM, dual standby phone. LG C310 features a 2.4-inch TFT display, full physical QWERTY keypad, and a 2.0 megapixels camera. Other features include GPRS/EDGE, up to 4GB memory card support, FM Radio, etc. Price: around N18,000.
More on LG C310
Samsung B5722
Samsung B5722 is a touchscreen phone with dual-SIM dual-standby functionality. The primary SIM slot is quad band GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz, while the primary SIM slot is dual-band 900/1800MHz. It features a 2.8-inch touchscreen, 3.15 megapixel camera, stereo FM with recording, GPRS/EDGE, etc. Price: around N23,000.
Nokia C1-00
Nokia C1-00 is a cheap dual-SIM phone. Both SIMs operate on the same dual-bands 900/1800MHz. However, the C1-00 lacks dual-standby functionality. It features a 1.8-inch display, FM Radio, up to 13 hours talktime, etc. Nokia C1-00 is an affordable phone and lacks a camera or internet support. Price: around N4,200.
LG GX200
LG GX200 is a quad-band, dual-SIM phone. Like the Nokia C1-00, GX200 lacks dual-standby functionality. It features a 2.0-inch display, 1.3 megapixel camera, FM Radio, Stereo FM Radio with FM recording, GPRS, up to 8GB memory card. Price: around N13,000
Other Dual-SIM Phones:
- Samsung C5212
- Samsung E2152
- Samsung E1252
- Samsung 3212
- Samsung C6112
- Samsung E1172
So, there is our list of a few dual-SIM phones. Dual-SIM phones are popular in emerging markets like Nigeria, where connectivity is sometimes unstable. Samsung is the major phone OEM with great commitment to producing dual-SIM phones. Nokia has joined with one dual-SIM phone currently in the market and another being expected. LG also has a few dual-SIM phones.
