What is a Dual SIM and How Does It Work?

Published on 20.01.2023

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Mobile phones have become an essential part of our lives and we all know a mobile phone or smartphone requires a SIM card (Subscriber Identity Module) that helps connect mobile phones to respective cellular networks. Smartphones are available in different variants, such as single or dual SIM options. You might have encountered a dual SIM phone while shopping for a new phone and wondered what exactly is this dual SIM. Do you want to understand how a Dual SIM works and its usage? Read out to find out more.

Dual SIM Technology:

A smartphone that can hold two SIM cards simultaneously is known as a Dual SIM phone. Having a phone with two SIMs means you can use either SIM to make calls or send text messages and use different types of SIM for different purposes.

Here is how a dual SIM works:

There are majorly three types of dual SIM phones:

1. Dual SIM Single Standby (Passive):

These phones enable dual SIM cards, but only one card remains active at a time. This means while there is a call connected using one SIM card, the other SIM remains unreachable. In order to use the other SIM card you need to manually activate it. However, this is an old technology that was used only in older mobile phones.

2. Dual SIM Active:

This technology enables usage of both the SIM cards simultaneously and is used in smartphones. It allows you to make or receive calls on either of the SIM cards while the other also remains active. However, these types of phones consume more battery in order to keep both the SIM cards active at a time.

3. Dual SIM Dual Standby:

This is a hybrid between the first two as it keeps both the SIM card active and open to make/receive calls as long as you are not utilizing any of them. Once you make a call using SIM 1, the other SIM becomes inactive until the first card is no longer being actively used. This technology is implemented in most modern day smartphones.

Uses of Dual SIM:

A dual SIM can be used for maintaining two separate numbers for Work and personal use
It might prove useful to get two different phone plans for voice and data when and as required
You can use a one number for regular usage and recharge the other while traveling

Get a new Vi postpaid SIM/prepaid SIM card or get two SIM cards and explore the dual SIM feature on your phone today!