Best Dual-SIM Android Phone
Having a dual-SIM phone is convenient if you travel a lot, as it gives you the flexibility of using a local SIM while still receiving texts and calls from your primary number. Right now, the best option is the Galaxy S7 edge.
Best overall
Samsung Galaxy S7 edge
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The Galaxy S7 edge is one of the most feature-rich phones available today. You get a gorgeous 5.5-inch dual curved Super AMOLED display, Samsung's own Exynos 8890 SoC, microSD slot, a 12MP camera that can hold its own, 5MP front camera, and a 3600mAh battery with wireless charging. There's also IP68 water resistance, which makes the phone immune to the occasional splash of water or a trip to the pool.
The carrier variants of the Galaxy S7 edge offer a single SIM card slot, but you can pick up an unlocked international model with dual-SIM connectivity (SM-G935FD). The unlocked models are costlier than carrier editions, but on the bright side, you don't have to deal with any bloatware.
Bottom line: If you're looking for a high-end phone with two SIM card slots, look no further than the Galaxy S7 edge.
One more thing: Your best bet for an unlocked Galaxy S7 edge with dual-SIM connectivity is the SM-G935FD. The phone is compatible with LTE bands in the U.S., UK, India, and Canada.
Why the Galaxy S7 edge is the best
Nearly seven months after its debut, the Galaxy S7 edge is still one of the best phones around. It has all the hardware features you'd want, encased in a gorgeous metal-and-glass chassis with a dual curved panel at the front. The 12MP camera gives the Google Pixel a run for its money, and the sheer amount of features make the phone stand out in the high-end segment.
The U.S. edition is powered by the Snapdragon 820, but the international variant — which has dual-SIM functionality — runs Samsung's Exynos 8890 SoC. There's almost no difference in terms of the overall performance between the two variants, but the Exynos variant has been found to be slightly more frugal with battery consumption.
Buying the dual-SIM variant makes sense if you have two phone plans, or if you travel abroad a lot. With two SIM card slots, you have the option to use your primary number alongside a local SIM, making it much more convenient.
The dual-SIM variant of the Galaxy S7 edge (SM-G935FD) has the following global LTE bands, allowing you to connect to networks across the world: 1 (2100MHz), 2 (1900MHz), 3 (1800MHz), 4 (1700MHz/2100MHz), 5 (850MHz), 7 (2600MHz), 8 (900MHz), 12 (700MHz), 13 (700MHz), 17 (700MHz), 18 (800MHz), 19 (800MHz), 20 (800MHz), 25 (1900MHz), 26 (850MHz), 28 (700MHz), 38 (2600MHz), 39 (1900MHz), 40 (2300MHz), and 41 (2500MHz). It's dual-standby, which means that only one SIM card is active when you're on a call. However, both SIM slots work over 4G.
The phone is still on Marshmallow, but Samsung is running a Nougat beta test until the end of December. The final Nougat build will likely start rolling out from early 2017.
Best mid-range option
OnePlus 3T
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OnePlus carved out a niche for itself in the mid-range segment, and the OnePlus 3T is the most refined offering from the company yet. Externally, there isn't a whole lot to differentiate it from the OnePlus 3, but the OnePlus 3T packs a more powerful Snapdragon 821 SoC, a 128GB storage option, a larger 3400mAh battery, and a new Gunmetal color option. The phone also picked up a new front camera, which is now a 16MP offering with 1-micron pixels. OnePlus has also committed to rolling out Nougat to the phone before the end of the year.
Other specs include 6GB of RAM, a 16MP rear camera, Wi-Fi ac, NFC, Bluetooth 4.2, and USB-C. The standard variant of the OnePlus 3T offers dual-SIM connectivity, so you don't have to look around for a specific variant to use with two SIM card slots.
There isn't a single global SKU, however. The North American model has different LTE bands from the Asian variant. If you pick up the phone in North America, you get the following LTE bands: 1/2/4/5/7/8/12/17/30. The model sold in Europe and India has these LTE bands: 1/3/5/7/8/20/38/40. The primary SIM card slot works over 4G, but the secondary is limited to 3G, and data is active on only work SIM at a time. The phone uses dual-standby mode, which means that only one SIM card slot is active during calls.
The 64GB variant of the OnePlus 3T retails for $439 in the U.S., with the 128GB model on sale for $479. In the UK, it costs £399 for the 64GB version, and £439 for the 128GB model. The handset is available for CA$599 in Canada for the 64GB variant, and CA$639 for the 128GB variant. The OnePlus 3T is also up for sale in India, where it costs ₹29,999 for the 64GB model and ₹34,999 for the 128GB version.
Bottom line: The OnePlus 3T gets all the basics right, and does so for several hundred dollars less than other flagships.
One more thing: If you're going to load up movies and music when you travel, you should consider the 128GB storage option.
Best on a budget
Moto G4 Plus
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The Moto G4 Plus isn't the fastest phone around, but it does offer a lot of value. The phone features a plastic body, but it doesn't feel cheap. Similarly, the internal hardware isn't outstanding, but it will serve you just fine for everyday use. There's a 5.5-inch Full HD display, Snapdragon 617 SoC, 16MP camera, microSD slot, 5MP camera, and a 3000mAh battery. Motorola has done a decent job of rolling out platform versions on time, and while the G4 Plus is slated to pick up the Nougat update shortly.
There are several configuration options of the G4 Plus available based on the region. You can get the phone with 2GB RAM/16GB storage, 3GB RAM/32GB storage, or 4GB RAM/64GB storage. Dual-SIM options also vary based on the country, but in markets like India and the UK, the dual-SIM variant is available direct from Motorola.
Bottom line: The Moto G4 Plus is still the benchmark for the budget segment. For under $250, this is the best option if you want two SIM card slots.
One more thing: Generally, you're better off selecting a model with at least 3GB of RAM and 32GB storage.
Best for India
Lenovo Z2 Plus
The Lenovo Z2 Plus is one of those rare phones that ticks all the right boxes in the budget segment. Available for the equivalent of $300 (₹19,999), you get a 5-inch Full HD display, Snapdragon 820 SoC, 4GB of RAM, 64GB storage, 13MP camera, 8MP front shooter, Wi-Fi ac, and a 3500mAh battery.
The phone is limited to Asian markets, and as such has LTE bands limited to the region: 1 (2100MHz), 2 (1900MHz), 3 (1800MHz), 4 (1700MHz/2100MHz), 5 (850MHz), 7 (2600MHz), 8 (900MHz), 38 (2600MHz), 39 (1900MHz), 40 (2300MHz), 41 (2500MHz). The phone offers a dual-standby mode, and as such only one SIM is active when you're on a call. The phone runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, and Lenovo hasn't detailed Nougat update plans just yet.
Bottom line: The Lenovo Z2 Plus is an incredible value proposition. If you're on a tight budget, there isn't a phone that offers as much for under ₹20,000.
One more thing: As the Z2 Plus doesn't come with expandable storage, you should consider springing for the 64GB variant.
Conclusion
There are several great dual-SIM phones available across price points, but if you're looking for the best, you can't go wrong with the Galaxy S7 edge. The phone offers a great design along with high-end internals, and Samsung has thrown in additional fringe features that aren't found in other high-end phones.
Best overall
Samsung Galaxy S7 edge
See at Amazon See at B&H Photo See at Amazon UK See at Amazon Canada See at Amazon India
The Galaxy S7 edge is one of the most feature-rich phones available today. You get a gorgeous 5.5-inch dual curved Super AMOLED display, Samsung's own Exynos 8890 SoC, microSD slot, a 12MP camera that can hold its own, 5MP front camera, and a 3600mAh battery with wireless charging. There's also IP68 water resistance, which makes the phone immune to the occasional splash of water or a trip to the pool.
The carrier variants of the Galaxy S7 edge offer a single SIM card slot, but you can pick up an unlocked international model with dual-SIM connectivity (SM-G935FD). The unlocked models are costlier than carrier editions, but on the bright side, you don't have to deal with any bloatware.
Bottom line: If you're looking for a high-end phone with two SIM card slots, look no further than the Galaxy S7 edge.
One more thing: Your best bet for an unlocked Galaxy S7 edge with dual-SIM connectivity is the SM-G935FD. The phone is compatible with LTE bands in the U.S., UK, India, and Canada.
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