Android dual SIM handsets - recommendations and reviews

[inquisitor]

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

[rfranzq]

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.

[VladS]

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.

[Bossman]

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

[DRNewcomb]

Originally Posted by rfranzq

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

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.

[dg7feq]

Originally Posted by inquisitor

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).

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

[inquisitor]

Originally Posted by inquisitor

• Zopo C2/ZP980
  + UMTS support for both SIM cards

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.

[snn47]

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.

[inquisitor]

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.

[rfranzq]

Originally Posted by inquisitor

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.

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.'