The best smartphones with dual SIM cards. Phones with two active radio modules

A phone with two SIM cards is not new on the market mobile devices. Now almost every model has a slot for a second card, allowing you to use several cellular operators. Such smartphones help make calls with the help of a second operator when the first one does not have coverage, and are also suitable for business people. A review of the most popular devices will tell you about the features of each.

Phone with bright and big screen. The screen diagonal is 5.45 inches with an aspect ratio of 18:9. On a smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 7A offers enormous multimedia capabilities thanks to its wide display. The user can:

• watch your favorite films and TV series;
• examine the smallest details of a photograph;
• engage in gaming: all control elements will be located at a comfortable distance from each other;
• It is better to see the face of the interlocutor when communicating via video conference;
• use navigation maps without zooming out.

The dual-SIM smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 7A is suitable for those who are constantly on business trips and trips.

The phone discharges for a very long time - a full battery charge lasts for 3 days, and during the night in normal mode the smartphone loses only 1% of its charge.

A long operating time is on par with a loud speaker. The interlocutor is clearly audible, even if the volume slider is at its minimum. With such a gadget it is guaranteed high quality connection, however, it is not suitable for those who do not like the elongated shape of the device: the length of the Xiaomi Redmi 7A is 146 mm.

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Sony Xperia XA2 Dual – power and reliability

A smartphone with a high screen resolution and an excellent camera that can replace a professional camera. A 23 MP camera, autofocus and optical stabilization are everything that photography enthusiasts need. All frames are displayed on a 5.2-inch capacitive multi-touch screen.

The large display makes it easy to type text messages. The glass of the smartphone is scratch-resistant, and the body is made of aluminum, so the model is suitable for tourism. The user does not have to worry about the condition of the smartphone if it is dropped or carried in a backpack.

Installed in the system powerful processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 with 8 cores. This improves the performance of the device. The design has a built-in Adreno 508 video processor, which improves graphics performance. The communication function is implemented using GSM 900/1800/1900 standards. The phone is configured satellite navigation using GLONASS or GPS.

The built-in radio module will allow you to receive calls, SMS, and connect to the mobile Internet.

This model has a feature - in some configurations there is no second slot for a SIM card. Instead, there is a slot for a memory card.

This is an excellent and durable smartphone, but it is not suitable for those who prefer lightweight devices. Weight Sony Xperia XA2 Dual 171 g.

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Meizu 15 Lite – business style and high performance

A smartphone with a good juicy screen and stylish external design will appeal to lovers of loud speaker sound and long-lasting battery life. The phone has 1 radio module, with SIM cards functioning alternately. The type of cards used for communication is nano-SIM. High performance is the main advantage of this gadget. It allows you to:

• use applications consistently;
• use communication services even with a minimum percentage of battery charge;
• increase the operating time of the device;
• open several applications at once in running mode;
• use the navigator function when geodata is turned on in full.

Meizu 15 Lite, with the maximum screen brightness turned on, can work autonomously for 7 hours.

U touch screen very thin frames, which visually expands the boundaries of the display. Those who like to use an in-display fingerprint scanner will appreciate this function– the phone responds instantly.

Unfortunately, the device is not suitable for those users who are used to carrying a gadget without a protective case. The surface of the case is made of slippery material; there is a possibility that the gadget will fall out of your hands if handled carelessly.

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Vivo Y91 Dual Sim – big display with dual camera for little money

The smartphone is considered the best in its segment due to the presence of a high-quality camera. A 13 MP rear camera and a 2 MP secondary camera do the photography work for the user. There is no need to process such photos – the smartphone will do everything itself. It will select the right lighting, adjust the white balance, and stabilize the quality of the image if shaking has occurred. There is an LED flash next to the camera, autofocus and video recording.

In Vivo Y91 Dual Sim, the user will find the advantage of a powerful processor.

What does this parameter give:

1. Increased call duration.
2. Improved sound quality.
3. Clear and bright photos - the camera module is directly connected to the high-quality ISP core of the processor.

The user can use all the new applications, which are equipped with each update additional parameters. A smartphone with two SIM cards Vivo Y91 Dual Sim allows you to install cards mobile operator type nano-SIM, and they will function in alternating mode.

This model is suitable for photography enthusiasts, but is not relevant for those who use the device autonomously for a long time.

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Nokia 4.2 Android One – an ergonomic classic

High quality build and fast work applications are the advantages of this model. The phone fits comfortably in the hand, has a classic body, and a capacitive touch screen. 1 radio module is installed, so the SIM cards work in alternating mode. The device has 2 rear cameras and one front camera - this means that the quality of the photos will be high.

Nokia 4.2 Android One is suitable for those who love compact gadgets. The system has an improved voice assistant, which allows you to quickly build navigation routes, as well as search for the necessary information on the Internet.

The 5.71-inch diagonal screen provides a smooth picture without blurry pixels. The phone will easily fit into a clothing pocket, but is not suitable for those who like wide bezels on the screen.

The GSM 900/1800/1900 standard is used for communication; LTE bands are also supported. In navigation, in addition to GLONASS and GPS, it is possible to use the BeiDou satellite system.

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ASUS Zenfone Max (M2) ZB633KL – excellent build at an affordable price

The first thing that attracts users to this smartphone is the presence of a large memory capacity of 32 GB. Additionally, you can install a 512 GB card, which significantly expands the capabilities of the device. Photography lovers will love the huge screen with a resolution of 6.3 inches, as well as a 13 and 2 megapixel rear and front camera.

The smartphone is characterized by a long operating time thanks to a powerful 4000 mAh battery. Despite the fact that the battery is not removable, this autonomy allows for a long time talk with the interlocutor - for this there are 2 SIM cards, they work alternately.

The card slot is provided for a nano-SIM. This smartphone has a powerful processor - Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 with 8 cores.

ASUS Zenfone Max(M2) ZB633KL is well assembled and receives communication and navigation signals well. The gadget has a thin metal cover on the body and a loud speaker sound when listening to audio recordings and talking with an interlocutor. The phone is suitable for those who do not turn off wi-fi and GPS and constantly use these services - with the modes turned on, the battery will last up to 2 days without recharging.

Huawei Honor 8A – with two active radio modules

Due to numerous requests from our regular readers (and we are sure that all our visitors are regular :)), our article today will be devoted to smartphones with two radio modules. Smartphones with two SIM cards It’s already difficult to surprise anyone; almost all manufacturers have started producing such devices. But they have one small limitation. They will not be able to call you on the second phone number if you are speaking on the first one. We see that people are looking for these gadgets, but they are very, very difficult to find.

They have many undeniable advantages:

• you are always connected, both SIM cards are active. If you have one SIM card for “home” and the other for “work”, your colleagues or relatives will always find you;
• more stable Internet operation. When you talk to one number, the second number will still receive messages via email or on social networks;
• significant savings on calls. By connecting to two different operators mobile communications, you can reduce your costs depending on your needs;
• mobility. No need to carry two gadgets with you;

Unfortunately, such phones have one unpleasant feature: they discharge quickly.

But let's talk better about pleasant things, namely, what popular smartphones with two radio modules or two active sim-cards currently available in stores. Manufacturers do not particularly please us with such versions of phones; finding this smartphone is truly a rarity; we tried to select gadgets that can still be found in stores or bought on the Aliexpress site.

Let's start with, perhaps, one of the main hits of 2015. The Asus smartphone comes in three different versions, and in our opinion, version ZE551ML is ideal. This is the epitome of simplicity and reliability. Beautiful 5.5-inch screen, Full HD IPS with Gorilla Glass 3 and oleophobic coating. Shows in the sun sufficient brightness and excellent color rendition. The cameras also pleased us: 13 MP main and 5 MP front, which is enough for video calls and excellent selfies. The cameras have many settings, so you can create real works of art. The amount of RAM is as much as 4 GB; we could not find applications or games that would slow down the work. 32 GB is available for storing personal data, i.e. In addition to a smartphone with two active SIM cards, you get an ideal, fast phone with excellent performance and NFC support. The battery is a 3000 mAh lithium polymer with fast charging technology. In 40 minutes the phone was charged to 80% from zero.

Huawei Ascend Mate7 Premium

• Screen: 6 inches, 1920×1080(FullHD), 367ppi
• Processor: HiSilicon Kirin 925 octa-core processor 4 A15 cores 1.8 GHz + 4 A7 cores 1.3 GHz
• Operating system: Android 4.4 with EMUI
• RAM: 3GB
• Internal memory: 32GB
• Expansion slots: TF cards, support flash cards up to 128GB
• Number of SIM cards: 2 sim cards(micro sim+nano sim)
• Network: GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, 4G LTE
• Wireless: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC
• Navigation: GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS
• Camera: front camera 5 MP, 13 MP rear camera, flash, autofocus
• Ports: microUSB, 3.5 headphone port
• Battery: 4100mA/h
• Size: 81x157x7.9mm
• Weight: 185 grams

Huawei Ascend Mate7 Premium

Brand Huawei This is not the first year that it has been delighting its customers with interesting new products, but the most interesting model smartphone with two radio modules we consider Huawei Ascend Mate7 Premium. Stylish design, durable metal body, minimal screen frames, the screen itself is 6 inches (read also), the sound quality is amazing, in other words, the “stuffing” is state-of-the-art. Android 4.4 is installed, but the manufacturer promised to release an update to 5.0. Fingerprint sensor It didn’t always work correctly, we are generally skeptical about such functions in a phone, but manufacturers think differently and are doing everything to increase the cost of the device. But for those who are afraid for their personal data and who have something to hide, this function may be useful.

RAM 3 GB, adding up to 4 GB would have been a rational decision, but we decided that this would be enough. Support for LTE networks, excellent communication quality, GPS/GLONASS satellite acquisition quickly and with high accuracy. Supports memory cards up to 128 GB, but some users note installation options up to 256 GB. Built-in memory 32 GB. The battery in the smartphone is non-removable, capacity 4100 mAh, withstands 2 days of active load calmly, in addition, it is possible to recharge other devices using a special cord included in the kit.

The smartphone is positioned in the premium class, but it lacks something in terms of speed; there are minor problems with the proprietary EMUI shell. But if this doesn’t scare you, then the Huawei Ascend Mate7 Premium smartphone with two active radio modules will be a real find.

The HTC model is already a little outdated, but among the smartphones with two active SIM cards you can choose from, this phone is one of the best. So, what can HTC ONE M7 Dual offer us? There is no need to delude yourself too much about the capabilities of the device, because... There is nothing outstanding about the smartphone. Unfortunately, there is a limitation on the operation of SIM cards: while the first slot supports 2G and 3G networks, the second slot only works with second generation networks. The smartphone is equipped with an aluminum removable back cover, which significantly makes the gadget heavier, but, at the same time, gives reliability and solidity.

When we saw that the smartphone only had a 2300 mAh battery, we didn’t believe it at first and thought that this was some kind of defective version of the phone, but it turned out that it was a real battery and not a joke. It is sometimes difficult to keep the charge even from morning until evening. You need to reduce the activity of using smartphones to a minimum or carry a PowerBank in your pocket.

Cameras are installed in the device, apparently, in order to simply say that they are there. Front 2.1 MP, rear 4 MP.

In all other respects, it turned out to be an ordinary average phone for those who need a dialer, but with two active SIM cards: RAM 2 GB, built-in 32 GB, proprietary interface HTC Sense UI has always been HTC's signature feature. We personally didn’t have any problems with the work, but some note an “eternal” problem with the microphone, so choose the device carefully and check it directly in the store.

When purchasing a smartphone from Lenovo, make sure that the K910 model has two letters “S”, they mean that this is a smartphone with two radio modules. The phone turned out to be classic in design, but, nevertheless, it calmly copes with everyday tasks. On board good processor with a frequency of 2.2 GHz and 2 GB RAM. Unfortunately, only 16 GB of storage is available to the user, so we immediately advise you to purchase an additional memory card. The screen is excellent, with excellent viewing angles, resolution 1080×1920 and a diagonal of 5.5 inches, protected by glass Gorilla Glass 3. It fits comfortably in the hand and weighs only 147 grams. The microUSB port supports OTG technology.

The cameras are ordinary - 13 MP rear and 5 MP front. They are nothing outstanding, but the pictures come out quite decent. When working with two radio modules There were no problems, it’s a little inconvenient to choose which card to call from, but you can quickly get used to it.

Another smartphone from HTC was included in our article. Users call it one of the best smartphones with simultaneous operation of two SIM cards. This is a simplified version of the company's famous flagship. The device works very stable. We did not notice any malfunctions. Looks very prestigious. There are no significant advantages in it, but there is something special about it, an ideal combination of price and quality. There is only 1 GB of RAM, and 8 GB is available to store your files, videos or photos, memory cards up to 64 GB are supported. The screen is 5 inches with a resolution of only 540x960, but it is made quite well and does not cause discomfort when working.

The smartphone uses technology HTC BoomSound, it provides superior sound quality with dual front-facing stereo speakers.

The 8 MP rear camera showed excellent results, even despite its modest characteristics. Video recording occurs in FullHD 1080p format.

Bottom line

That's probably all we wanted to tell you about smartphones with two radio modules. You should determine for yourself whether you need such a gadget or not. Unfortunately, manufacturers believe that it is inappropriate to produce such devices; in some European countries it is even legally prohibited to use such phones. Perhaps in the future the situation will somehow change, but today the forecast is negative. It all comes down to the battery, which, as usual, remains the weak point of all phones. You can have a mega-cool device, but if its battery lasts only half a day, then it is of no use. Tell us about your experience using such gadgets, write about them in the comments, and we will definitely review them in our next articles.

Most modern smartphones have 2 SIM card slots, but only a few are equipped with two radio modules at the same time. At the end of 2018, we managed to find only 2 similar phones on the market - Honor 8 and Conquest S6. They receive calls on the second SIM card while talking on the first. This is a dubious advantage, since during a conversation using one SIM card the person is still busy and in most cases does not answer. In addition, the additional radio module takes up space that is modern devices valuable. Consequently, most smartphones of all price categories are equipped with one GSM module, but two slots for SIM cards, operating in alternating mode: during a call on one number, the second one becomes unavailable.

Below are the best smartphones with 2 SIM cards that are collecting positive reviews.

1st place – Honor 8

This is the only modern smartphone equipped with two radio modules and supports simultaneous operation of both SIM cards. Indicated for people who are forced to always be in touch using two numbers, but do not want to use 2 phones at the same time.

The device itself turned out to be cool - at one time it was almost a flagship, although today it is considered a slightly outdated model. There are already Honor 9 and Honor 10 on the market.

Specifications:

1. 5.2-inch IPS display with Full HD resolution. On top is Gorilla Glass 3.
2. Rear camera with 2 modules of 12 megapixels and f/2.2 aperture. Can record video at 60 FPS.
3. Front camera 8 MP.
4. Processor: flagship Kirin 950, 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of memory.
5. Interfaces: NFC, Wi-Fi 5 GHz, Bluetooth 4.2.
6. 3000 mAh battery.

The phone collects positive reviews, but there are also negative ones. We highlight their advantages and disadvantages.

A reliable and cool smartphone with two radio modules, which is rare - it is recommended to buy.

2nd place – Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus

The leader of the mid-price segment is Redmi 5 Plus from the Chinese brand, which has collected hundreds positive feedback on the web. Among devices costing 10,000 rubles best model not found - subjective opinion.

Parameters:

1. IPS display 6 inches diagonal, with 2K resolution.
2. 12 MP camera with f/2.2 aperture. Front – 5 MP.
3. Chipset: Snapdragon 625. 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of memory. With such components, the phone works quickly and runs heavy applications, although it is a mid-range processor.
4. 4000 mAh battery, providing autonomy for 2-3 days.

Taking into account the disadvantages, it logically fits into the TOP phones. It is recommended to purchase, but we remind you: it only works with SIM cards in alternating mode.

3rd place – Samsung Galaxy J6 (2018)

Parameters:

1. Exynos 7 Octa 7870 chipset with 3 GB RAM.
2. 13-megapixel camera with f/1.9 aperture; front – 8 megapixels.
3. 3000 mAh battery.

The smartphone has NFC, although it is stripped down, supports 2 SIM cards, is made in a solid case and is characterized by optimized energy consumption.

One of best phones with two SIM cards working in alternating mode, although this is normal.

High price segment

The listed phones belong to the low and medium price categories, but flagships also work with two SIM cards, and they will find a place in the ranking of the best smartphones.

The most expensive among the flagships at the end of 2018 is HTC U12 Plus. This is an exquisite and almost revolutionary smartphone with a stunning 6-inch Super LCD display with 2K resolution. The phone supports 2 SIM cards operating in alternating mode, but this is not the main thing here. You can find a detailed analysis of the flagship with example pictures.

Parameters:

1. Processor: Snapdragon 845 with Adreno 630 core.
2. 6 GB RAM and 128 GB storage.
3. Rear camera with 12 (wide-angle) and 16 megapixel modules with f/1.75 and f/2.6 aperture. The sensor records 4K video at 60 FPS and in slo-mo mode at 240 FPS in 1080p format.
4. Set of interfaces: Wi-Fi 5 GHz, Bluetooth 5.0, full NFC, face and fingerprint scanner.
5. Water protection.

Like the previous version, HTC U12+ received compression-sensitive Edge panels on the sides. By squeezing the phone, the user activates certain functions and receives quick access To necessary applications. Due to these panels, the “shovel” is convenient to use with one hand.

In terms of hardware, the device is very fast - the latest Snapdragon shows high performance, so it has a reserve for the future. The best flagship with TOP cameras that surpasses even the P20 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S9+.

2nd place – LG G7 ThinQ

The new flagship from LG with 2 slots for SIM cards that work in alternating mode. The device is made in a housing that protects the insides from water, mechanical and even temperature influences. Its protection complies with Military Standard 810G, which means the device has passed the rigorous test of frost, shock and survived. The flagship is also in 2nd place.

Peculiarities:

1. Cool screen with 1000 nits brightness. No other phone has such a bright display. The colors are accurate.
2. Processor Snapdragon 845; 4 GB RAM and 64 GB memory.
3. 3000 mAh battery.
4. Dual rear camera with 16 megapixel module resolution and f/1.6 aperture.

An excellent, reliable smartphone with some drawbacks: the camera is not the best – photo quality is on par with the Samsung Galaxy S8; poor autonomy - with moderate use the device will survive until the morning; you will have to charge it every evening.

This is not the first time on the pages of our portal that I have raised the issue of phones with two radio modules. It is incomprehensible and incredible that even the world's largest brands have abandoned such devices. But many people need just such phones in which the SIM card will not suddenly disappear from cellular network during a call to the second one (this moment will be excluded at the hardware level) and which simply work stably and maintain excellent communication on both numbers. You can always study the rating of new products on the pages of our special sections.

Need to figure it out

“Something is wrong here,” I thought. There is demand, but supply is rapidly declining, tending to zero. Old phones with two radio modules are worth their weight in gold, but there are still no new ones. This phenomenon cannot be explained by the fact that such phones do not work well on a single charge. Now it is quite possible to create an inexpensive phone with two radio modules and a 2500 mAh battery. And I'm sure Philips would be the first to release such a phone. If not for one thing...

"Secret" resolution

In March 2012, a secret decision was made that such phones had no place in Europe. Countries in our region soon joined this decision. From now on, a phone with two radio modules, in which two SIM cards are active, will not pass certification...

The reasons for this decision are obvious: on the one hand, two radio modules generate more noise and burn our heads faster, and on the other, operators have never liked phones that can have a competitor’s SIM card installed next to their own.

You can be indignant or indignant, but this cannot be changed. Apparently, this decision was known for a long time, since two active SIM cards began to disappear much earlier than March 2012. Another interesting thing is that I was unable to find records or official documents about this decision. All of them are closed and are not handed out. Electronic copies, if available, are not freely available. Only numerous rumors and very outdated information from a year ago. Rumors may not be believed, and news may be considered fabricated. But reality suggests that such a resolution most likely exists, and it is in effect. As always, they did everything, but didn’t ask the buyers anything.

There is a way out

So if nowadays you really want to buy a phone with two active SIM cards, you need to choose either fairly outdated devices or a few Chinese smartphones, in which one radio module is designed for 3G/WCDMA, and the other for ST-CDMA networks. But no one bothers to install two in them regular SIM cards 2G band. It is clear that you need to order such devices directly from China, fortunately, now this is quite easy to do.

The ZTE U960, which we have already talked about, and the Chinese Samsung Note 2 (HDC Galaxy Note 2 EX) are popular among Russian users. These two phones have been tested in our realities and work fully with all operators.

Why do you need a radio module in your phone?

Radio module in mobile phone plays a vital role. Its task is to receive and transmit network signals, i.e. It is thanks to it that you can make and receive calls, messages, and use the mobile Internet.

The radio module itself occupies a modest area on motherboard. Interference, defective installation of the module, and the presence of large metal elements in the immediate vicinity degrade the quality of signal transmission.

The difference between smartphones with one and two radio modules

The operating features of the radio module in a smartphone will be of interest to users of devices with two SIM cards. Cellular models are divided into those that support the operation of two SIM cards simultaneously and alternately. Thus, one radio module can operate with several SIM cards, i.e. with different networks and different telephone numbers mobile phones, the user can receive calls to two numbers and make outgoing calls from any number, but when one of the SIM cards is active, the other card becomes unavailable for network reception. Thus, in activity mode, for example, a conversation, only one SIM card will work, but in standby mode, the radio is ready to work with any of the cards that becomes active first. This happens because there is actually only one communication channel operating.

Some manufacturers sometimes produce smartphones with two radio modules, in which case both networks are always available, however, this technology increases the cost of production, reduces the autonomy of the smartphone and is not in mass demand. A small percentage of users for whom it is important to have parallel operation of numbers will have to choose from a very limited range of models available on the mobile market.

DSDS

If we delve a little deeper into the nuances, most of the mobile devices on sale with 2 SIM cards operate in DSDS mode. The essence of its operation is alternation and it is based on the operation of one radio module. When the mobile is in standby mode, both SIM cards are connected to their network simultaneously due to transmission channel multiplexing, i.e. at rest, several streams are transmitted at a lower speed over one channel. As soon as a call is received on one of the SIM cards, the second one is automatically turned off and becomes inaccessible for external calls and messages.

If we compare the operation of this mode with the operation of a smartphone with one SIM card, the communication quality of such a device will be slightly lower. This is due to the fact that the radio module constantly carries a double load and is forced to alternately contact one or the other base station of different mobile operators.

DSDA

Probably, it was for users who do not tolerate any compromises that devices supporting the DSDA mode were created. Such phones are equipped with 2 radio modules that are independent of each other in their operation. The advantage of this mode is the ability to receive incoming calls and messages simultaneously on both SIM cards. At the same time, DSDA smartphones mercilessly absorb energy, as already mentioned, and are quite expensive devices.