Dual SIM phones have made communication more convenient and hassle-free for many users. They were (and still are) popular in Asia and parts of Europe and are now a mainstay in Australia's smartphone industry. Some users like to expand their call, text and surfing options, prompting them to buy SIM cards from different service providers. This also gives them a back-up plan to counter network-related problems. In case one provider is down, there is always a spare one to use.
What is a Dual Sim Phone?
Simply put, a dual SIM phone accommodates two SIM cards at once. This also means you have two different numbers from the same or different network providers under one phone. In terms of usage, whether you can use them one at a time or simultaneously, dual SIM phones are classified as either passive or active. Buyers need to check with their selected manufacturer to see if they purchased a passive or active dual SIM unit.
A standard passive dual SIM phone does utilise SIM cards, but one provider automatically deactivates when the other is working. While this means the two numbers cannot co-exist, users will be able to switch between them easily. Activating the second SIM card is often done manually and the first SIM becomes unreachable immediately after.
An active dual SIM, on one hand, allows you to make phone calls, send messages and browse the Internet from the two SIM cards housed by your phone. Both SIM cards receive calls and messages at the same time. They are always active for as long as your unit is active.
More recently, a hybrid version came to the fore, the Dual Standby. Both of your numbers can ring simultaneously, but if you make or receive a call, the other SIM diverts to voicemail or will be unreachable. Several dual SIM phones in the market are launched with this setup.
Brief History of Dual SIM Phones
In the early days of dual SIM phones, manufacturers had to merge two phones to allow the use of two SIM cards. These phones had two modems and two separate antennas. The only thing they shared was the screen and battery. Users were able to make two calls at the same time, which resulted in terrible battery life. Some units also had poor reception due to the extra physical space required by the antennas' design.
As technology developed, manufacturers took advantage of increases in computing speed to allow the two modems to "share" one antenna through a system known as time division. This helped solve the issues with battery life and reception. The development further paved the way to the creation of dual SIM phones we currently use and enjoy.
Why Choose a Dual SIM Phone?
A dual SIM phone is convenient for many reasons. Below we round up its benefits and advantages:
- People tend to separate their work number from their personal number. This is a compelling reason why some of us carry two phones. By purchasing a dual sim phone, you do not have to carry around a second phone and spare more space inside your bag or backpack.
- Two SIM slots is perfect for overseas travels. Take advantage of the cheaper rates available from the country you chose to spend the holidays in. You can set your home SIM to roaming so you can still receive messages, while using the second SIM slot to enjoy the perks of that country's local network provider. This is a huge savings on your part.
- Dual SIM phones provide solutions to reception issues. If you live in an area where your preferred carrier has poor reception, you can use a dual SIM phone to overcome this problem. To get the best of both worlds and experience a wide signal coverage, try purchasing SIMs from Telstra and Optus.
- You have access to a variety of mobile data offers. Carriers have frequent Internet browsing plans. With two carriers at your disposal, you have access to a range of data packages, suitable for different surfing needs. You can spend as little as $1 per month for your main number and make the most out of good deals and other new promos for the other.
- It is easy to separate calls and messages for two numbers. If you are the type to strategically give out your numbers to specific people, the dual SIM setup works to your advantage. Depending on your unit, you can set call, message and browsing defaults. For example, you set SIM 1 to receive calls while letting SIM 2 handle all text messages.
Where to Buy Affordable Dual SIM Smartphones
Being able to use two different numbers and carriers on the same phone relieves you of the need to carry a second phone, which is costly and time-consuming to maintain. It also gives you flexibility with your choice of carriers and a back-up in case reception goes awry or data offers fail to not match your requirements. As dual SIM phones cement their popularity in Australia, be more discerning about your purchases and weigh the pros and cons of shortlisted units before you decide on one. Check out a wide selection of budget-friendly dual SIM smartphones, tech gadgets and accessories only at Mobileciti.