With a dual sim phone, you can use two SIM cards in one mobile at the same time. This comes in handy when you want to keep separate work and home numbers.
The difference between SIM1 and SIM2 slots depends on the phone model. Depending on the device, you may have both SIM slots with the same capabilities, different network limitations (4G/3G/2G), different SIM card sizes, and/or different 5G connectivity limit.
- Are the SIM slots in dual SIM different?
- Using different networks on a dual SIM phone
- SIM slot and Internet speed
- Switching your mobile data to a different SIM (Android)
- Using mobile internet on both SIM cards in a dual phone
- Turning off data on a dual SIM phone
Are the SIM slots in dual SIM different?
Dual SIM slots allow users to use two different numbers on one mobile. You can keep a separate number for your home and business, and manage a separate contact list on each SIM card.
If you’re a frequent traveler, having two sim slots allow easy roaming. You can keep using your local sim card while accessing a foreign network with the second sim slot.
In some mobiles, the two SIM slots have different capabilities while in others, both SIM slots are equivalent.
If your mobile phone supports the same capabilities on both SIM slot 1 and slot 2, it doesn’t matter which slot you use. In some dual sim mobile phones, sim slot 1 and 2 have the same capabilities, while in others there are differences. Let’s look at the various configurations found in Dual sim phones.
1. No difference between the two SIM slots
In an ideal scenario, both SIM slots in the phone have the same capabilities. Companies are introducing this feature in most newer smartphones including Samsung Galaxy S9/S9+, and Huawei P20 Pro. Older smartphones often don’t support that feature.
The most common capabilities in both sim slots include:
- Both 3G and 4G are supported on both sim cards
- Sim card sizes are the same
- If the phone is dual voLTE capable, bot sims support that
2. Different network Limitations
This case is not very common, but in some mobile phone models, only the primary sim card can support 4G LTE speed. While the secondary sim only reaches 3G or 2G connectivity and speed.
3. Different SIM card size
Another common difference in SIM slots is in the SIM card size difference. The difference may be in the actual size of the card slot or one of the card slots is embedded.
- The size difference between SIM slots happens when one of the sim cards supports micro-sim while the other allows for a nano-SIM card (or vice versa). There’s a strong chance the difference in sim size comes with a difference in network limitations.
- Embedded SIM slot aka “eSIM” is a feature introduced in many recent smartphones including iPhone 11 Pro max, iPhone SE, and more. In this case, one sim slot comes with a sim that you cannot remove. All you can do is insert another sim in the second slot.
4. 5G Connectivity Limit
5G is available in higher-end models including Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, Motorola One 5G, iPhone 12 Pro Maz, etc. Most mobiles that have a 5G feature offer the same capabilities in both sim slots 1 and 2.
Using different networks on a dual SIM phone
It doesn’t matter which mobile network you use, the two sim slots do not depend on each other in any way. You can use two different numbers from two different networks, and receive phone calls and messages on both numbers on the same device.
Keep in mind you do need to select a default SIM slot for your mobile data connection – it can be changed at any time from mobile settings.
SIM slot and Internet speed
In some mobiles, the internet speed depends upon the sim slot, while in others it doesn’t. Dual sim mobile phones come with switchable network bands. If you put a 4G sim in sim slot 1 and use that slot for data connection, then there shouldn’t be any difference in speed.
On some phones, however, the internet works faster if you insert the sim in the first sim tray. This happens in phones that have 4G only on a particular sim slot. In this case, it’s best to use that slot for mobile data.
If in doubt, putting your sim card in SIM slot 1 is recommended as it’s typically the slot where 4G is enabled by default.
Switching your mobile data to a different SIM (Android)
Here’s how to change mobile data from SIM1 to SIM2 in Android:
- Go to Settings > Mobile Network > Sim Cards and Mobile Networks.
- Set SIM2 as the default sim for calling and mobile data.
Changing mobile data from SIM1 to SIM2 may be slightly different from one device to another. Simply search the settings for SIM Management and change the settings to make the switch.
Some mobile phones offer smart data switch options. With this option, the phone automatically switches mobile data sim card based on network quality.
Solving SIM 2 issues
If the mobile data isn’t working on SIM 2, start by checking if you have mobile data assigned to SIM 1 instead of SIM 2. If you’ve selected SIM 1 for mobile data, then SIM 2 data will not work simultaneously, unless you have a DSDA smartphone.
To resolve the issue, assign mobile data to SIM 2, and it should start working.
Here are a few things to try if SIM 2 mobile data is still not working.
- Check whether you’ve reached your mobile data limit
- Check whether your phone is on airplane mode
- Restart your phone
- Check if you’re using the right mobile network
- Re-insert your sim card
- Switch to another network mode
Using mobile internet on both SIM cards in a dual phone
You can connect mobile internet on two SIMs simultaneously only in DSDA (Dual Sim Dual Active) smartphones. You can even double the LTE internet speed by combining two different LTE networks.
Examples of DSDA smartphones include Samsung Galaxy S21 and Oppo Find X3 Pro.
In older (DSDS) smartphones, you can only connect to mobile internet on one SIM card. You must select which card will be used for internet access from the SIM card settings.
If you have a dual SIM dual voLTE phone, both SIM slots will support 4G or 4G VoLTE SIM cards. However, both sim cards will generally not have an active, 4G LTE connection at the same time. You can use 4G on one sim card while the other stays in standby mode.
Turning off data on a dual SIM phone
In a dual SIM phone, you need to select one SIM for data and calls. You can change the default SIM card by going to Settings > SIM Cards and Mobile Networks .
Turning off data on a dual sim phone is not very different from a single SIM phone:
- Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the status menu.
- If mobile data is turned on, then turn it off by tapping on it.