Android dual SIM handsets - recommendations and reviews
 

Hello world,

I'd been interested in buying a dual SIM Android handset for quite a while but since most of them were of low quality or had subpar specs, I hesitated until recently when I ordered a Zopo C2/ZP980 (32GB ROM/2GB RAM version).
The only downside of the Zopo C2/ZP980 for me is its UMTS support which is limited to 850 and 2100MHz, a pretty pointless combination of frequencies as these occur together only in very few markets (afaik Australia, New Zealand, Thailand).

As you guys probably consider buying a dual SIM handset, too, here's my personal list of interesting devices:

• Zopo C2/ZP980
  The Zopo ZP980 and C2 share identical hardware, but the later comes with Alyiun OS, a Chinese fork-off of Android, preinstalled which makes it slightly cheaper due to subsidies
  + 5" 1080p IPS screen
  + MTK6589(T) quadcore CPU with up to 1.5 GHz (other versions come with 1.2 GHz)
  + up to 2GB RAM/32 GB ROM (other versions come with 1GB/16GB or 1GB/4GB)
  + microSD slot
  + neat iPhonish design
  + UMTS support for both SIM cards
  + changeable battery
  - limited UMTS frequencies and odd frequency combination (850 & 2100 MHz)
  
  
• Huawei G700
  + 5" 720p display
  + Cortex-A7 quadcore CPU
  + 2GB RAM
  + 8 or 16GB internal storage
  + microSD slot
  + changeable battery
  + high battery capacity (2150mAh)
  + cheap (~ € 240)
  - UMTS support only for SIM1
  - only dualband UMTS (900/2100 MHz)
  - only triband GSM support (900/1800/1900 MHz)
  
  
• ZTE Blade C V807
  + cheap (~ € 90)
  + changeable battery
  - no front-facing camera
  - no magnetometer (electronic compass)
  - only dualband UMTS (900/2100 MHz)
  - only triband GSM support (900/1800/1900 MHz)
  - generally low specs
  
  
• Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini DuoS (I9192)
  + 4.3" qHD sAMOLED display
  + quadband UMTS support (850/900/1900/2100 MHz)
  + microSD slot
  + GLONASS support
  - expensive (~ € 380)
  - battery not changeable
  - low battery capacity (1900mAh)
  
  

I appreciate your thoughts and recommendations on these and further Android dual SIM handsets.

Cheers

I was not totally awake and read this:

• + MTK6589(T) hardcore CPU with up to 1.5 GHz (other versions come with 1.2 GHz)
  + chargeable battery
• Samsung
  + quadband UMTS support (850/900/1900/2100 MHz)

A chargeable battery, how nice.

The Samsung is the only one that has two US UMTS bands.

Perhaps they do not think dual-SIM is that marketable in the US.
This makes a start though.

I've heard pretty good things about the LG E455 Optimus L5 II Dual SIM. Quad band GSM and UMTS.

Details are sketchy on the LG site but I plan on taking a look at it next time I'm in Europe.

Price wise it should be about €170 VAT in.

I have this basic one and it has served me well. I have the 6102-B model. Samsung Galaxy Y Duos S6102 - Full phone specifications

Since the vast majority of phones in the US are sold through the carriers and the carriers have no interest in providing multiple-SIMs, you are probably correct.

I also have a Zopo (The ZP 100) and i am very content with the hardware quality. And the bands too as i ususally use it either in germany or in Thailand ;)

Chris

Unfortunately I was misinformed and in fact the Zopo C2/ZP980 supports UMTS only for the first SIM card. The second radio module supports only quadband GSM.

Brand name Dual Sim (only) available for chineese market
 

e.g. the HTC one Dual Sim for the chineese market offers also a µSD-Slot!

Strangely even though HTC is located in Taiwan, but I couldn't buy it in Taipee when I was there. The chineese market seems to be large enough for manufacterers to produce and limit products to/for china.

A final note on the Zopo C2/ZP980's dual SIM functionality:
Both SIM slots support UMTS but only alternately, so one of the SIMs will always be restricted to GSM. 3G assignment can be switched under
Settings > More... > Mobile networks > 3G service > Enable 3G > Select desired SIM

All other dual SIM-related settings can be found under Settings > SIM management where preferences for voice calls, video calls, SMS and data connections are being set. "Contact binding" allows specific phonebook items to be always called/texted through one of the SIMs.

'It's a feature and not a bug.'
 

Well, if you had not started this interesting thread you [and we]
would not have found out this important bit of info---and have prevented much sim-swapping.
Could this be seen as a battery-saving feature?
'It's a feature and not a bug.'