3 Pros and Cons of Using a Dual SIM Smartphone

There are always two sides to a story. A dual SIM phone is just like that. Mobile phone users were already celebrating transition from landline phones to hand-held cell phones when in the late 2000s dual SIM smartphones attracted mainstream attention. Since then there has been no looking back. The advantages raised by proponents of dual SIM are toned down by equally convincing drawbacks from skeptics. We present here 3 in each category. Check out.

Pros

1. Flexibility

With a dual SIM, a user can enjoy the benefits of 2-in-1. They can use the services of two different carriers without the need of carrying two single-SIM phones. These SIMs can be put to two different uses such as one for personal and another for official contacts. You get to choose SIMs with better connectivity and better call rates among available service providers.

2. Increased Connectivity

Smartphones with dual SIM facility are useful when users combine the benefits of two SIMs from two different suppliers. But sometimes same suppliers also make regular offers such as free calls and free SMSes. Whichever SIMs one uses, one thing is certain - double SIMs mean double advantages. Moreover, if one of the SIMs runs out of balance, you can still have access to the other.

3. Better Reception

For those people who travel frequently, dual SIM phones are helpful. Not all SIMs enjoy good network. Some of them perform better in particular regions with stronger reception than other SIMs. Also there are differences in call rates in different areas. Using a dual SIM, one can easily switch the SIM according to what works better in a particular area for your convenience.

Cons

1. Battery Guzzling

When you are connected to two SIM networks simultaneously, the chances of battery consumption and faster depletion increase. This is the case especially in smartphones with dual active SIMs where both the SIMs are active all the time. Many users take advantage of this phone type to call someone from SIM1, put it on hold, and use the other SIM to connect another person. This obviously drains the battery fast.

2. Complicated and Confusing

Another issue with such phones is that a user always needs to take an extra step whenever they phone or text someone. The prompt “Which SIM do you want to use?” is pretty common. To make the matter worse, dual SIM phones also up the chances of user making wrong calls or sending wrong text messages to people. When the person at the other end doesn’t recognize the number, they will think it’s a wrong number.

3. Low Developer Support

Till today, most leading developers do not support smartphones with dual SIM. The concept is not so common in countries such as the U.S., though some premium companies like Samsung do develop dual SIM system. Also many popular apps such as WhatsApp lack the support for such system. Another valid reason for non-support of dual SIM phones is ergonomics. Single SIM card slots require less hardware and keep the phones slimer.

In Conclusion

The discussion is best kept open-ended thereby allowing readers (and users of smartphones) decide for themselves whether they want to use phones with dual SIM. If you are one of those who prefer to look at the brighter side of things, you may think such phones are still a good buy for yourself or for someone you love. So, why don’t you make it one of the gifts this Christmas?