Going through smartphone specs, you may have found that some smartphones are said to be dual SIM smartphones, while others are said to be hybrid dual SIM smartphones. While to some people it may seem obvious that a dual SIM smartphone can fit two SIM cards inside it, it’s not as easy to figure out what a hybrid version of that might be.
As pictured above, in some instances, dual SIM smartphones have two separate slots for each SIM card. They then either have a third slot for a memory card or no space at all for external storage. In other instances, dual SIM phones have one slot on the side of the phone for a slide-out tray that can accommodate two SIM cards and a memory card on it.
Some trays can only accommodate two SIM cards, but the phone has a dedicated memory card slot. These days, however, some dual SIM smartphone manufacturers choose to exclude support for any memory cards from their dual SIM devices.
But, the question is…
How is a hybrid dual SIM smartphone different?
A hybrid dual SIM smartphone has two SIM card slots, either separate or on a single tray. One slot accommodates the primary SIM card and the other slot can either carry a second SIM card or a memory card. That means you can either have two numbers operating concurrently, or just one number and extra storage space.
A hybrid dual SIM system allows phone manufacturers to save space on the smartphone’s design by combining multiple slots into one.
How does a hybrid dual SIM slot work?
A hybrid dual SIM slot has a removable tray with two slots on it. One slot is a dedicated SIM card slot, the other is a hybrid slot that can either take a second SIM card or a small memory card.
The hybrid SIM slot is designed in such a way that it can hold a SIM card or a memory card despite the differences in size. When positioned identically to the SIM card in the first slot, the second SIM fits perfectly in its place.
Whether or not you can actively use both SIM cards at the same time even when you’re on a call depends on whether the smartphone has dual standby or dual active technology. You can read more on that here.
To use a memory card instead of a second SIM card, all you have to do is remove the tray from the slot, take out the second SIM card, and replace it with a memory card. You will be able to see easily from the shape of the memory card and the size of the slot which way to position the memory card so that it fits properly.
How do you use a hybrid dual SIM smartphone?
A hybrid dual SIM smartphone can be used in the following ways:
- One SIM card + One SIM card
- One SIM card + One Memory card
- One SIM card
- One Memory card (only if you want to use your phone without connecting to a mobile network)
One SIM Card + One SIM Card
In this configuration, you can use two SIM cards simultaneously on one mobile device. You can make and receive calls and texts on either SIM card, and also use data from both numbers.
To what extent you can do this depends on whether the phone’s dual SIM system uses dual standby or dual active technology.
One SIM Card + One Memory Card
An alternate configuration is to use one SIM card along with a memory card. This is a popular setup because a lot of people only have, and use one SIM card. So, naturally, it makes sense to use the other free slot on the hybrid SIM card tray to add more storage to the phone.
One SIM Card
Just because a hybrid dual SIM smartphone has a slot for two cards doesn’t mean you always have to have two cards inserted for it to work properly. You can insert one SIM card only and the phone should work just fine.
One Memory Card
It is possible to use a hybrid dual SIM smartphone with only a memory card inserted in the hybrid SIM card slot, and no SIM card at all. But although you will have access to your files, you will not have access to any mobile network. So, you will not be able to make or receive calls on your mobile number.
Dual SIM vs Hybrid dual SIM
Similar to a hybrid dual SIM smartphone, a dual SIM smartphone allows you to use two SIM cards at the same time. The major difference is that dual SIM phones DO NOT share a slot that can be used for a memory card.
Although dual SIM mobile phones can take two SIM cards at a time, they don’t always share the same slot. On some dual SIM devices, it is possible to take out one SIM card while leaving the other SIM card in place.
This is not the case with hybrid dual SIM card smartphones. In some cases, all three cards share one slot, but only two can be used at a time. So, if you want to access the memory card, you will have to pop the SIM card out, too.
With dual SIM smartphones, on the other hand, it is possible to use two SIM cards and a memory card at the same time, just as pictured above. If a dual SIM phone also has a memory card expansion slot, this can be done easily without coming into contact with the SIM cards. In this instance, a dual SIM smartphone will specify that it has a ‘dedicated slot’ in its specs.
Why do OEMs make hybrid dual SIM smartphones?
One of the main reasons a smartphone original equipment manufacturer (OEM) would choose to put a hybrid dual SIM slot in their phone is space. In order to run faster and smoother, a smartphone needs more RAM and processing power, all of which take up space inside the phone.
By combining two SIM card slots with a memory card slot, manufacturers can have more space inside the smartphone body to fit in more enhancements. And with the space requirements of such technology as periscope zoom, OEMs are desperate to free up as much space as possible.
How do you know if a phone is a hybrid dual SIM smartphone?
If you have access to the smartphone you wish to find out about, you can do so by removing the SIM card tray and checking how many slots it has. If it has two, then it is a dual SIM smartphone. If it has two slots and the second one is labelled SIM2/memory card or has a different shape to the first slot, then it is a hybrid dual SIM smartphone.
If you don’t have the phone you’re curious about, then you can look up its specs online. Websites such as GSM Arena are a treasure trove of information that is anything smartphone-related. A quick search of the phone you’re looking for will give you the information you want regarding the type of SIM card the phone takes and the technology it uses.
Alternatively, you can hear it straight from the horse’s mouth and visit the OEM’s website.
Pros and Cons of hybrid dual SIM smartphones
Advantages of hybrid dual SIM smartphones
From a manufacturer’s point of view, the advantage of hybrid dual SIM slots is that it saves space inside the components of the phone, allowing for bigger and better parts. This could also mean a lower cost of manufacturing for the OEM, and perhaps a reduced device weight.
For the consumer, a hybrid dual SIM smartphone could mean more internal memory. The space created by combining three slots into one could easily make that a reality. The phone could run faster or even have a better quality camera set up.
Hybrid dual SIM smartphones also give the user a choice of whether they want to use two SIM cards or just one with a memory card. For those who only ever use one SIM card, this is perfectly fine and shouldn’t be a bother at all.
Disadvantages of hybrid dual SIM smartphones
One man’s treasure is another man’s trash. If you have two SIM cards that you’d like to use simultaneously on the same phone along with a memory card, then a hybrid dual SIM smartphone is not for you.
The biggest drawback is that the hybrid dual SIM slot does not allow you to use two SIM cards and a memory card at the same time. The second slot on the hybrid dual SIM tray can only be used by a SIM card or a memory card at any given time.
And because a hybrid dual SIM smartphone has no other dedicated memory card slot, if you use two SIM cards with it, you will have to rely solely on the internal storage to save and retrieve files. This can be frustrating if some files are saved on a memory card that you constantly have to insert and remove, never mind the connection you lose on the second number when you take the SIM card out.
Can you use two SIM cards + memory card with a hybrid dual SIM smartphone?
No, it’s not possible to use two SIM cards and a memory card at the same time in a standard hybrid dual SIM smartphone. However, with the use of a hybrid dual SIM adaptor, it’s possible to do so.
The adaptor fits in place of the second SIM and sits underneath the memory card. Once the SIM tray is inserted back into the phone with all the cards in place, part of the adaptor will be left dangling outside the phone. This is the part that takes the second SIM card.
I advise that you use a phone case if you’re going to connect a hybrid dual SIM adaptor so that you can tuck the dangling part of the adaptor between the phone and the case in order to keep it protected.
Conclusion
A hybrid dual SIM smartphone is perfect for those who like the option of having space for a memory card on their phone or occasionally using two SIM cards at the same time. But it does have its disadvantages. If you prefer having a dedicated memory card slot or you constantly use two SIM cards, then a hybrid dual SIM smartphone might not be for you.