When choosing a new smartphone everything is important. Things like battery capacity, storage, camera and lens specifications are the parameters we focus on. However, we sometimes overlook the SIM compartment. Although the feature has undeniable advantages, it also comes with some cons. In this article, and before you head shopping for the best dual-SIM smartphone, we will go through the pros and cons of dual-SIM smartphones but first, let’s review this specific feature quickly.
What is SIM and what is dual-SIM?
To go very quick, SIM is a piece of plastic inserted into a mobile phone. It acts as the ID of your smartphone identifies it on the carrier’s network and (at the end of the line) allows for communication to be routed to you. This happens through the phone number. In short: SIM card links the devices to the phone number. No SIM, no phone number. No phone number, no communications. Each phone is equipped with at least one SIM slot. But some models have a compartment that can host two SIM cards, these are dual-SIM phones.
Although this feature allows great versatility and flexibility, it does come with some caveats. Here are the pros and cons of dual-SIM smartphones.
Pros of dual-SIM smartphones
One device… 2 phone numbers: The obvious advantage of a dual-SIM device is to own 2 different phone numbers while using just one device. Some could find a certain convenience not having to worry about a second device.
Separate private and professional communications… still with one phone: The subsequent advantage to having a dual-SIM smartphone is that you can easily and conveniently separate private communications and contacts from professional ones. You do this by allocating one SIM to one group and the second SIM to the other group.
Avoid roaming fees while traveling thanks to a local SIM card: Another reason why frequent international travelers like dual-SIM phones is that it allows having access to local mobile carriers while they are abroad without cutting ties with relatives back home while abroad. Plus they can save on roaming fees by using a local number.
Cons of dual-SIM smartphones
Carry everything at once… Lose everything at once! It can be convenient to hold everything in one place. But it also bears the worrisome perspective of losing all your information at once if you lose your device or if it gets stolen.
Intrusive professional phone calls, difficult to switch only one SIM off: It is not clear if you actually can turn off one of the SIM cards only in a dual SIM smartphone. You may be able to do so on certain models and not on others. You might have to find some kind of hack. Otherwise, you will have to accommodate intrusive professional phone call after-hours. When you own a physical standalone phone for business purposes, you can easily avoid this when you switch it off.
More battery drain: In a dual SIM device, each of the cards will use the power of the same battery to operate. Therefore the consumption of the device will increase when provided with 2 SIM cards.
Problems with some apps (e.g WhatsApp): Although you may find some hacks here and there, dual SIM smartphones are not compatible with apps like WhatsApp which precisely pairs a phone number (SIM) to a device and identify both of them as a whole. As a result, owning a dual SIM device will likely prevent you to be able to use such apps.
The final thought:
Whether or not you should consider getting a dual-SIM smartphone very much depends on your personal preferences and lifestyle. As we’ve seen, it might suit those who travel abroad a lot. Those owning a business might like the ability to segment their communication between private and professional lives. But such convenience comes with higher costs as well and further consideration regarding the security of the data. In addition, the technology is not compatible with certain apps like whatApps.
We hope this information was useful and helped you in choosing the right feature of your next smartphone. If you need further advice in your search, feel free to consult with Celleo, the virtual smartphone purchase advisor. It will help you choose the right device for you.
