kinggo | # 371 | 2018-05-12, 07:32 | Report

well, I meant the SoC as such. Or whatever the HW combo is inside.

lantern | # 372 | 2018-05-12, 10:27 | Report

Dual-sim doesn't cost much, but massively expands user base.
Those who don't want to use 2nd sim, may leave it empty.

And unlike big phone makers they can't afford to exclusively produce another phone version with 2 sims, so why don't produce it right from the start?

nthn | # 373 | 2018-05-12, 12:34 | Report

[citation needed]

I can see why multi-SIM phones are useful, but I'm going to need some solid statistics to believe that more than a fraction of people use more than one SIM at the same time.

---

Last edited by nthn; 2018-05-12 at 13:00. Reason: Clarified.

Zeta | # 374 | 2018-05-12, 15:07 | Report

I asked google, and a lot can be found in emerging markets, where the ratio is about 50% of dual-sim devices, like this:
https://qz.com/345991/how-nigeria-be...rd-superpower/

And there is a world map of dual-sim usage here:
https://qz.com/334930/one-quarter-of...al-sim-phones/ and there https://opensignal.com/reports/2015/...ices-dual-sim/
with the following conclusion:

pichlo | # 375 | 2018-05-12, 16:02 | Report

4% of Britons? One in 25? I have yet to meet one!

kinggo | # 376 | 2018-05-12, 16:32 | Report

all this is from 2015.....
in many markets things have change and some kind of flat rates exist. Or at least offers with a few x000 minutes.
Then, many cheaper phones do come as dual sim but people don't use two of them any way.
The most recent info I found was from 2017
https://deviceatlas.com/blog/dual-si...one-usage-2017
but again, those are just percetnage of existing phones but not how many of them use two SIMs at the same time.

And finally, there is a question of how many people that do use two SIMs (and that is usually just because of the cost) are potential buyers of phones with niche OS with outdated HW and with the price 5x higher than comparable one running android.

nthn | # 377 | 2018-05-12, 17:17 | Report

I agree entirely. I also think that for most of those people from poor countries who are using two (or even more) SIMs, if/when their countries collectively get wealthier (with better infrastructure and a real choice of operators), they'll stop using multiple SIMs because they'll no longer have a need for them. The cultural entrenchment of dual SIM cards in Nigeria (and possibly elsewhere as well) mentioned in Zeta's article can only last for so long.

Feathers McGraw | # 378 | 2018-05-12, 19:28 | Report

Let's have a beer sometime!

To be fair, I don't use two SIMs anymore, but I have done quite regularly in the last couple of years. It can be useful in an area with poor signal, e.g. with one PlusNet SIM and one GiffGaff SIM you cover the two major networks (EE and O2) for about £15/month combined if you have a cheap rolling contract on both cards.

NX500 | # 379 | 2018-05-12, 19:29 | Report

Im from a wealthy country and would be happy if there was dual sim support. Phone contracts, with a big data volume, are quite expensive here. Using 2 SIM cards, one for data and one for calls/sms is the most cost effective option.

pichlo | # 380 | 2018-05-12, 20:08 | Report

I give you that. That is about the only reasonable use case that I had considered. It could not be the cost, that can be easily sorted out by switching the provider.