Dual SIM Android phones, that let you use two SIM cards to make phone calls and send texts, are becoming increasingly popular for many reasons. This is especially the case in countries where it’s common to have one line dedicated to a calling plan with very cheap or even free minutes/texts and another line for data. The problem is that in most cases, only one of your lines can be active at any given time – meaning if you’re on a call with Line 1 (which is on the T-Mobile network) and someone tries to call Line 2 (which is on AT&T), you won’t get the call.
This is where dual active comes into play: A dual active Android smartphone lets you use both SIMs to make phone calls and send texts simultaneously, regardless of what line is active.
If you’re confused by all this, don’t worry – it gets way more confusing when you try to find out which phones are dual active or which are dual standby. Keep in mind these devices may not be available through your carrier/retailer, so check their websites before you buy one if that matters to you.
Dual standby vs dual active
Dual standby means only one of your lines can be active at any given time – meaning if someone tries to call Line 2 (AT&T) while you’re on the phone with Line 1 (T-Mobile), you won’t get the call.
Dual standby phones are extremely common these days, even with smartphones – which is why most people don’t know there’s a better option out there. Dual standby offers you the ability to keep your data connection on while you’re on the phone – so if someone tries to call at the same time, you’ll get their call.
Dual active
Dual active means both SIMs can be active at the same time – meaning if someone tries to call Line 2 while you’re on the phone with Line 1, you’ll answer the call from Line 2 without ending your current call. Realistically speaking, this doesn’t happen very often on most phones since it’s not very convenient for the person calling to have their calls dropped all of a sudden just because they happened to hit redial during a bad timing window. That being said, it can be extremely useful for power users or people on call waiting – taking a second call while you have a current one in progress is generally more convenient than managing two separate lines, especially when you’re in a meeting, at the movies with your significant other, out to dinner with family/friends, etc.
Dual active phones are significantly rarer compared to their standby counterparts and we’re here to list most (if not all) of them for you! We’ve broken down the information into four major categories: Dual standby vs dual active: Which phone offers which?
What do you need to know?
In terms of the advantages that come with dual SIM and dual standby phones for convenience, it is likely that the latter is the primary benefit. Imagine how uneasy you’d be if you had to call your number 1 to take messages from your employer or text back your contacts on a different phone and then the hassle of having more than one phone everywhere you go. As convenient as it may be, however, dual standby does have its own limitations.
The majority of the time, a Dual SIM Dual Standby device utilizes the MicroSD slot to store your secondary SIM. In most cases, you won’t be able to add more storage capacity to your microSD card. As a result, you may have to spend extra on extra internal space.
In many situations, smartphones are designed with the 4G/2G Dual SIM Dual Standby functionality, which means that one SIM’s network may be restricted to calls or messages. Furthermore, dual standby mode uses a lot of power. By using dual standby mode, you may combine two phone numbers into one phone and double the energy consumption as two sim cards are kept on the same phone.
What is the difference between a hybrid dual SIM phone and a regular double SIM smartphone? A hybrid dual SIM phone is similar to a dual SIM smartphone in that it has two slots for SIM cards. The secondary slot on this hybrid dual SIM gadget may only be used to store either a SIM card or a microSD memory card. Dual standby and active are two terms that refer to the same thing, so there’s no reason why a twin SIM phone can’t have both of them. It entirely depends on the manufacturer’s preferences.
However, dual active smartphones are not common. You’re likely to struggle to find a few mixed double SIM dual active phones available.
Are dual SIM smartphones even necessary?
Dual-SIM phones may be beneficial for some people. For example, a professional with a business and personal phone could utilize one instead of two phones if both are attached to the same device. In certain locations, different mobile operators might offer better voice plans than others, as well as other mobile providers offering better data packages. You may take advantage of both deals and save money by using a double SIM phone in this situation.
Another benefit of having two mobile service providers simultaneously is when traveling to another country, as it lets you retain your SIM from your home country in your phone and connect your country’s SIM inside your phone.
Conclusion
Dual SIM card support does not imply that the SIM1 and SIM2 cards will be active at the same time. There’s a difference between dual SIM dual active and dual SIM dual standby.
A SIM card is regarded as active when it receives an incoming call, and a phone’s dual SIM capability allows you to accept calls on both of the phones’ SIM cards at the same time. For example, if you have a call on the first SIM and are receiving another call on the second SIM, you are notified of it. Dual SIM dual standby smartphones, however, have
When you’re purchasing a smartphone, it’s critical to note that the cost differs and, most importantly, that you must clarify whether you want a Dual SIM dual active phone or a Dual SIM dual standby model.
