You may or may not be familiar with dual SIM phones, however, since they can be a great solution and a much better alternative in comparison with actually having two separate devices, we decided to present you with detailed information regarding dual SIM phones.
If you are buying a new phone you may want to consider going with a dual SIM phone. Luckily there are many amazing phones on the market that offer that option.
Herein you will learn all about why you’d need dual SIM phones in the first place, how they work, and we will take a closer look at 12 best dual SIM phones currently available on the market. Moreover, we will also provide you with a dual SIM phone buyer’s guide that will help you choose the best phone for you even if you decide to stray away from the list of phones below.
We will end up the article by answering some of the most common questions regarding dual SIM phones.
Are you ready? Let’s dig in.
Reasons You May Need A Dual Sim Phone
If you already know a thing or two about dual SIM phones, then you have some ideas, why you might need one. However, if you are just getting to know about dual SIM cards, this section will help you realize how useful can they be.
Here is a list of main reasons for getting a dual SIM phone:
- You need two separate numbers (two lines) but do not want to deal with two phones.
- You are traveling a lot and want to have one USA based SIM and others for foreign countries.
- While you move around the States a lot and wont to get the best coverage in all areas by combining the services of two different carriers in a single device.
- You have a separate home and work mobile numbers and would like to use a single device.
- You have one SIM card that offers you a great data deal and the other for calls.
We’ve listed the most common reason why people need dual SIM phones. To sum things up, dual SIM phones let you use two lines, two separate SIM cards that can be from the same or different carriers in a single device. If that is something you’d be interested in, then you absolutely need to consider dual SIM phones during your next phone upgrade.
How Do Dual Sim Phones Work
Dual SIM phones work no differently than any other SIM-based phones, which are all phones that are operable on 4G LTE networks. There is even a high chance that you already own a dual SIM phone without even knowing.
Dual SIM phones need only one SIM card to operate. In the case of using dual SIM phones with only one SI; card, their operation is no different than the operation of single SIM phones. The things can be slightly different when you decide to use the second SIM at the time.
The SIM card slot on dual SIM phones has two compartments. Normally they are numbers with 1 and 2 and represent SIM card 1 and SIM card 2. If your SIM card has a PIN number, you will have to enter it when turning on the phone. Pay attention to which SIM’s PIN is your phone asking.
NOTE: Our advice to make things more practical is to set the same PIN numbers on both SIM cards, just to avoid confusion and potentially locking your SIM card.
Once your phone is turned one, you get to choose all the details on which SIM card should be primarily used for certain actions (outgoing call, text messages, data transfer). You can also set things in a way for your phone to always ask you which SIM you want to use when sending a text or initiating a call. Moreover, you get to determine, which SIM card is your primary one. The ingoing messages and incoming calls are obviously coming in for both lines (both numbers at the same time). The exact settings and the scope of them vary from phone to phone.
The use of dual SIM phones sure requires some initial getting used to, however, once you are all caught up with the game, you can benefit from this option greatly.
NOTE: Older models were dual SIM standby (DSS), while all newer models are dual SIM active (DSA), which is way more practical. For more information on DSS and DSA see the FAQ section below.
12 Best Dual SIM Mobile Phones in 2024
In this section, we will take a closer look at the 12 best dual SIM phones that are currently available on the market (not necessarily the latest models). Each of these phones offers many incredible features and can make your life a whole lot simpler.
1. Huawei P30
Huawei P30 is an amazing Android smartphone. It packs a lot of amazing and most advanced features, including dual SIM standby option, which means that it allows you to accept calls from two various carriers at the same time. The P30 packs a powerful octa-core 2.6 GHz processor, and 6GB of RAM. It offers different models with different internal storage, however, the 128GB version is the most common one. It shines through a 6.1” display with 1080 x 2340 resolution. The set features intermediate dust and lower end water splash protection (IP53).
It packs awesome rear camera set (40 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide) + 16 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide) + 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto)) and a powerful front camera (32 MP, f/2.0, (wide)). Its 3650 mAh battery should be able to carry you throughout the whole day.
NOTE: If you can spare it, go for Huawei P30 Pro. It offers the highest level of water and dust protection (IP68).
2. Apple iPhone XR
Apple iPhone XR has some of the best reviews. It is known for its all-new Liquid Retina display, which is currently the most advanced LCD in the industry as well as the largest LCD ever on an iPhone. Its 6.1’’ all-screen display fills the whole screen from one corner to the other with vibrant true-to-life colors, which truly makes a big difference. It features an exceptionally durable front glass and other high-quality materials.
It is both waterproof and dust resistant (IP67; maximum depth of 1 meter up to 30 minutes). This phone also has an advanced super-fast Face ID scanner, which you can use for secure authentication as well as for Apple Pay. Apple iPhone XR comes with an Intelligent A12 Bionic – the smartest, most powerful chip in a smartphone, promising the user speed and fluidity in everything they do. This iPhone is also popular due to its breakthrough camera system, which truly does take amazing photos. It has a 12MP camera with OIS and a 7MP True Depth front camera. The model enables wireless charging and it features Memoji, Screen Time, Siri Shortcuts, Group FaceTime, and all the other fun stuff.
3. Samsung Galaxy S8
Samsung Galaxy S8 has a 5.8’’ large super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen with 16M colors and a resolution of 1440 x 2960 pixels. The beautiful infinity display takes the entire screen and it disappears seamlessly into the durable aluminum shell. It has a Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and an Exynos 8895 Octa chipset. The device is driven by the world’s first 10nm processor – a fast and powerful processor that also promises to increase battery efficiency.
Its 12 MP back camera can take very high-quality photos and it also features a slightly weaker front camera of 8 MP. Both cameras are fast and accurate, so you won’t miss a single moment. The device is both waterproof and dust-proof (IP68). This Samsung smartphone also features a lot of different sensors, including an advanced Iris scanner, that will put all your security worries to rest (it works perfectly in rain as well), a fingerprint scanner (rear-mounted), a barometer, an accelerometer, proximity sensor, gyro, compass, heart rate meter, and SpO2.
It packs the device itself, high-quality earphones, a USB cable, a charger, and of course the proper documentation.
4. HUAWEI P8 Lite
Huawei P8 Lite is a great device as well. It has an edge-to-edge 5.0’’ HD IPS display made of Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which offers ultimate media clarity as well as great durability. The device has a sleek, 7.7-millimeter ultra-slim design with a fully integrated metal frame and a very stylish look. It has a 2.75-millimeter narrow bezel design, which enables simple single-hand operation.
The 13 MP rear stacked lens camera with the multi-frame noise reduction algorithm and the 4160 x 3120-pixel resolution and the 5 MP front camera both take HD photos and the all-focus lens enables you to change the depth of field even after the image has been captured. The phone has an octa-core 1.2 GHz processor, a HiSilicon Kirin 62 chipset, and a 16GB (10GB User Available), 2GB RAM + microSD Slot Expandable up to 128GB internal memory.
5. BLU Tank II T193
BLU Tank II T193 is a basic phone (it is not a smartphone). It is most suitable for seniors, people who are craving simplicity and the use of the good old keyboard. This phone will take you on a journey back to simpler times.
This is one of the BLU’s strongest and most durable phones. One of its main advantages is its exceptional battery life. It has a 1900 mAh battery, which can deliver up to three times the battery life of other devices in its class. Its tough frame can take some drops and it won’t break easily. It has a 2.4’’ TFL screen display, which is a lot small than the more modern smartphones, but it gets its job done. The device features a simple VGA camera with a LED flash, which can take 640 x 480-pixel photos and videos. BLU Tank II T193 also has a MediaTek processor, an FM Radio, an MP3/ MP4 Player, exceptionally powerful external speakers, and Bluetooth v3.0, which will allow you to stay connected.
It has a 3.5 mm Audio Jack and a micro SD slot, which can expand up to 32 GB.
6. Samsung Galaxy S10
Samsung Galaxy S10 is another great smartphone. It has a 6.1-inch QHD Dynamic AMOLED infinity display of 1440 x 3040 pixels. On the backside, it has a triple camera (12 MP, f/1.5-2.4, 26mm (wide)+12 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto)+ 16mm f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide)) and on the front side, it has a solid selfie camera (10 MP, f/1.9). The camera has dual Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and a 4K UHD video recording at 60 fps (3840×2160) with a super slow-mo 720p video support at 960 fps and a Video Digital Image Stabilization (VDIS). It has a stylish front and backside, both made of the super tough and durable Gorilla Glass 6, and an aluminum frame.
The device is both dust-proof and waterproof (IP68; up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes). This Samsung smartphone has a 128 GB storage, 8 GB RAM and a micro SD up to 512 GB. It also features a 64-bit Octa-Core Processor, an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor for maximum security and a non-removable Li-Ion 3400 mAh battery.
7. Honor View10
The Honor View10 is a stylish and efficient smartphone able to compete with all the other high-demand smartphones on the market. This high-quality device has a beautiful 5.99’’ full view screen with an 18:9 display ratio and a good-looking yet durable black or blue frame.
One of its main advantages is its large 3750 mAh battery and the smart ai power management designed to observe and learn from the user’s behavior, thus optimizing the maximum battery life. You can super-charge the battery in a few minutes and it should last for the whole day, even if you intend to use it for watching movies or playing games. Gaming is also supposed to be a pretty special experience on this device, as it offers an uninterrupted gaming function and network acceleration, which should reduce performance latency. The phone also features a fast and strong Kirin 970 chipset, a dual 20 MP monochrome and 16 MP RGB camera with an f/1.8 aperture and AI-motion detection, a great front camera with the ability to deliver a shallow depth of field, and a fast face ID scanner.
8. Xiaomi Mi 9
Xiaomi Mi 9 is a great device, especially suitable for those who want to take their photography to the next level. This Xiaomi phone offers the world’s highest resolution image sensor and light sensitivity ever. It has a triple rear camera with a 48 MP ultra-high-resolution primary lens, a 12 MP telephoto lens, and a 16MP ultra-wide-angle lens. Besides, it has a 20 MP front camera with a 0.9μm ƒ/2.0 aperture. The photos are incredibly detailed and alive with color. The device takes amazing video footage as well (4K recording at 60fps / 30fps, 1080p slow-motion recording).
This phone also has an extremely fast Snapdragon 855 processor and the world’s first 20W wireless quick charging, able to fully charge the device wirelessly in just 90 minutes. The full-screen display is 6.39 inches large (2340 x 1080 FHD+ 403 PPI), made of super-tough Corning Gorilla Glass 6 with an anti-oil and anti-fingerprints protective coating and it features an in-screen fingerprint sensor, micro selfie camera, as well as an ultrasonic proximity sensor. When it comes to photography and wireless charging, this device really is a masterpiece worth every penny.
9. OnePlus 7 Pro
OnePlus 7 Pro is a great dual SIM phone option. The stylish device with a curved edge-to-edge design, a high resolution 6.67’’ display with a 90 Hz fresh rate and a fast and safe screen unlock with the fastest in-display fingerprint sensor on any smartphone is another gem for photographers.
It features a great triple rear camera with a 48 MP f/1.6 main lens, a 16MP f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle lens, and an 8 MP f/2.4 telephoto lens. It has dual-LED flash and takes 4K resolution videos at 30/60 fps. The phone also has a 16 MP front camera. It features a cutting-edge 7-nanometer processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, which has a 45% better performance than its predecessor and an up 12 GB RAM for smooth switching between the apps.
10. Sony Xperia XZ3
The popular Sony Xperia XZ3 is another photo with a dual SIM option. The manufacturers are particularly proud of its 6’’ QHD + HDR OLED display, which promises more detail, depth, and color. The sleek 3D glass design is made of Corning Gorilla 3D Glass 5 and a 7000-series aluminum alloy frame, which makes the device durable and light at the same time.
It has a simplified 19 MP camera UI with a motion eye main Camera system, a 4K HDR recording, a 1080P full HD slow-motion video capture, and a new streamlined interface, which enables easy navigation between setting and photo/video modes. It also has a 13 MP f/1.9 lens front camera. Besides, it offers large and powerful S-force front surround speakers, delivering exceptional volume, sounds, and sound effects.
It comes preloaded with the latest Android 9.0 Pie.
11. Motorola Moto G7+
The Motorola Moto G7 Plus is a high-quality device powered by a 1.8GHz octa-core processor. The simple yet elegant design has a 6.20’’ touchscreen display with a resolution of 1080 x 2270 pixels, it is covered with Gorilla Glass 3, and splash resistant. The device has a double rear camera with a 16 MP (f/1.7) primary lens and a 5 MP (f/2.2) secondary lens and a 12 MP front camera.
It comes with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage, which can be expanded up to 256GB with a microSD card. The phone is powered by a non-removable Li-Ion 3000 mAh battery that should last quite a while. It features a face ID scanner, a fingerprint scanner, a proximity sensor, and many connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, GPS, USB, and Bluetooth.
12. ASUS ZenFone 5Z
The ASUS ZenFone 5Z is the last on our list of the best dual SIM phones and it’s a good one. It has an elegant yet strong design. Its body is made of special aerospace-grade aluminum, which is very tough yet surprisingly light at the same time. It has a 6.2″ IPS FHD full view display (2160 x 1080 pixels).
It has a 12 MP with OIS/EIS+ 8MP wide-angle rear camera and an 8 MP front camera with 16 different scene types, which will optimize the camera settings, so you can truly focus on the subject instead of the device. The ZF5Z features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Mobile Platform and Qualcomm Artificial Intelligence Engine, designed to combine great performance and long battery life. It also features the new BoostMaster technology, which makes charging extremely fast and slows down battery aging at the same time. It comes with 6GB RAM and 64GB storage.
Things to Consider Before Buying Dual SIM Phones
This section is here to serve you as a buyer’s guide when deciding on which dual SIM phone to purchase. The points that you must consider are no different than the ones when buying a single SIM phone. However, you should keep in mind that newer dual SIM phones offer more advanced dual SIM related settings that make it possible to perfectly meet your needs, while older dual SIM phones come with rather limited dual SIM settings.
Operating System and Processor
There new smartphones coming to the market on a monthly or even weekly basis and generally each next model comes with a better, faster, more capable processor and updated version of operating systems. If you want to be able to perform the most advanced tasks, multitasking and play ultra-high-resolution games smoothly, you want to go with the latest models. However, if you want your dual SIM phone mostly for basic stuff, you can go with older models or even make things super simple by choosing a dual SIM flip phone.
When it comes to the operating system, you basically have two options – Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android. These are very different and it is mostly up to you which you prefer. It is impossible to say which one is better. Apple’s system is way more closed and thus tends to offer more security, while Android offers way better compatibility with various devices.
NOTE: There is one problem; Apple has not offered its dual SIM phones in the US so far. They do offer an option of internal eSIM, which lets you have one regular SIM and another eSIM carrier at the time.
Storage
The latest phone all come with at 32GB of storage room and mostly (at least Android models) let you expand your storage with the use of external microSD card. If you plan on using your phone to take a lot of high-quality photos and HD or even 4K resolution videos, you will need large storage. However, if you plan to store only music, 32GB is usually more than enough.
Display
Display resolutions on the latest phones are all way beyond what the human eye can notice. The more important thing is if they perform well in sunlight so that you can see the display even when the sun is shining on to it. Makes sure display offers enough brightness and ability to turn on night-mode to protect your eyes and brain in the evening.
Camera
If you plan on taking photos and videos just to view them on your phone, then most phones will fully cover your needs. However, if you are enthusiast photographer or even a semi-professional, who wants to use his phone for certain shots and have those photos printed out or used on large screens, then you definitely want to aim for phones that are no more than 1-2 years old or even better go with the latest models. Samsung, iPhone, and Huawei have been brands that have lately been delivering phones with the best camera performances.
Compatibility with Carrier
In order to have the ability to use your dual SIM phones with two different carriers or be able to use any foreign SIM card, we advise you to focus on getting dual SIM phones unlocked. You can initially buy dual SIM phones unlocked (t.i.: able to operate on various carriers’ networks) or request your carrier to unlock your phone (this normally comes with some prerequisites that must be met).
Compatibility-3G/4G/5G
As you probably know, 5G is out and already operations. There are only hand full of phones that offer 5G services at the moment but most new phones that will come to the market will have this function. 4G LTE is still what most phones operate on. Phones that are limited to 3G (normally made before 2015), are not accepted by most carriers (only existing clients can use them) as the 3G network is determined to be put out of operation in 2021.
Battery Life
The era when phones were used only for basic stuff and were as such able to last for days is the thing of the past. These days the majority of people use their phones a lot, besides, with large displays, which drain up the battery, we are mostly pleased if the phone can carry us through the day on a single charge. To be honest, it doesn’t make a huge difference to charge your phone every night or every second night, right?
As such, make sure that your phone will be able to carry you for the whole day (in case of high-demanding games, this won’t be possible).
Audio Experience
Many phones come with some advanced awesome speakers, however, most users don’t pay too much attention to this as the majority uses headphones or earbuds with their phones. If you have a hearing disability or plan on using your phone in a loud environment make sure its volume is loud enough for your needs.
Charging Time
If you plan on charging your phone mostly during the night, this isn’t too important. Moreover, things can be managed with the use of power banks, which are highly accessible these days. However, if you want your phone to charge 50% or even up to 75% in 30 min, chose a phone that comes with fast charging option (this will also require a specific kind of charger).
Budget
The budget is probably the only reason why we all don’t have the latest phones, right? The phone is an important thing these days, however, having the latest smartphone is not. So make sure to consider your budget and spend on your phone only as much as you can spare.
Frequently Ask Questions on Dual SIM Phones
What is the best dual SIM phone in the US?
This is hard to say, but focusing solely on the characteristics, the Huawei P30 Pro is the winner.
Does dual SIM affect the signal?
No, dual SIM does not affect the signal. Some older models experienced network speed, however, the latest dual SIM phones don’t have those issues.
Can dual SIM phones be on different networks?
Yes, if your phone is unlocked or supports operation on different networks, you can have each SIM card operation on its own carrier.
Can I just use one SIM card in a dual SIM phone?
Yes, dual SIM phones work with a single SIM card.
Do dual SIM phones consume more battery?
As you probably know, phones tend to consume a lot of battery when struggling to get a good signal. So if you were in an area with a poor signal and your both SIM cards would struggle to catch it, you’d use more battery. However, if you are in an area with a stable signal, the battery consumption will not be noticeably affected.
Will dual SIM phones work in the USA?
Yes, as long as you use SIM cards that are activated and a phone that is operable with that carrier, you should be able to use dual SIM card phones.
What is the difference between Dual-Standby and Dual-Active?
Dual SIM standby (DSS) requires a user to choose which SIM is in use at the time, while Dual-SIM Active (DSA) lets you use both SIM cards simultaneously. New dual SIM phones all come with DSM functionality.
Does Verizon support dual SIM iPhone?
Verizon supports dual SIM option only on unlocked phones. Their iPhone phones are unlocked, Days after the purchase, however, thus far iPhones in the USA only offer eSIM as a second SIM.
Is dual SIM phone harmful?
No. Theoretically you get twice as much radiation due to two signals coming to your phone, however, the only noticeable amount of radiation is detected when you are actually making or receiving a call, which is the same for single or dual SIM phones.
Does the iPhone have dual SIM card slots?
Yes, but not on the USA market. However, there are places (especially online), where you can purchase iPhones with dual slots that will work in the USA.
Final Thoughts
We did our best to provide as much useful information regarding the dual SIM phones as possible. We hope you will now be able to determine whether dual SIM phones are something you may be interested in. And if so, you may be able to select one of the best 12 dual SIM phones presented herein, or use our dual SIM phones buyer’s guide to make a good purchase.
