Phone with two active SIM cards. Five smartphones with two active SIM cards

Related materials:

In the fourth quarter of 2017, Onyx Boox released the Monte Cristo 3 e-book, a detailed review article of which you can find on our website. The book had everything you could dream of - good lighting, a high-quality case included, powerful hardware and an excellent battery. It seemed that a more ideal reader could not exist, but, as it turned out, it could.

The domestic brand of mobile electronics BQ has begun distributing the new Strike Power 4G smartphone in Russia. At the time of writing this article, its official recommended cost was 7,000 rubles, or about $110 at the exchange rate at the end of February 2019.
When creating this mobile phone, BQ probably tried to pack it as much as possible, but at the same time keep the cost at a minimum level by today's standards. Work was carried out both on the exterior of the device and on its electronic internals, and at the same time the operating system was upgraded. The smartphone turned out to be very balanced for its money, that is, the developers, in our opinion, coped with the task.

A new gadget has appeared in the budget segment of the Russian smartphone market, whose name is BQ Strike Power. This is a new smartphone with an impressive battery capacity with model number BQ-5514G. The model was announced at the very beginning of 2019, and now it can be purchased throughout the country at a price of 6,500 rubles, or about $100 at the exchange rate at the end of February 2019.
It should be noted that BQ already has several smartphones with this name, so be sure to use the model number (index) when searching on the Internet. The new BQ Strike Power is available in black, dark gray and silver. We got the lightest shade, on which you can see all the features and nuances of its appearance.

At the end of December 2018, the Onyx Boox company introduced in Russia a new pocket e-reader Darwin 5 with a 6-inch screen. This is already the fifth generation of the model, which initially combined compact dimensions, developed software functionality and good hardware support.
The new revision has quite a lot of changes, both invisible to the average user and immediately noticeable at the first glance at the device. In general, the new product managed to preserve all the original advantages of the series and supplement them with new, previously unavailable features.

BQ introduced the Mercury smartphone with model number 6016L in the fall. She already has a smartphone with that name, but its number is 5520. Let's assume that these are two generations of the same model, and if so, then the update was more than successful.

The domestic company BQ, which produces smartphones, tablet computers and accessories for them, has developed a new smartphone called Aurora. In the BQ model range there is already a device with this name, and they should not be confused: the smartphone in question can be distinguished by the BQ-6200L index and hardware (and software) capabilities that are more than relevant for 2018 and 2019.

In 2018, smartphones began to stretch out and lose their usual shapes, changing screens from classic 16:9 to newfangled 18:9, 19:9, and in some cases even 19.5:9 and 20:9. However, such long mobile phones are not convenient for everyone - many still want to use devices with a traditional aspect ratio. The new BQ Twin Pro smartphone belongs precisely to this kind of gadget: having very powerful hardware for its price (10,000 rubles at the start of sales), it pleases with a 16:9 display and a number of other features.

The times when one thermometer was enough for an accurate weather forecast are long gone. Along with continuous progress, so-called weather stations came into people’s homes, allowing them to obtain complete information about the situation on the street just by looking at a small liquid crystal screen.

A new inexpensive tablet computer, TurboPad 1016, based on the modern Google Android 7 Nougat OS, has been introduced to the Russian mobile market. The gadget is aimed at performing various kinds of everyday tasks both at home and in the office: this can be watching movies and streaming videos from YouTube, working with email and documents, and, of course, video games.

In 2017, the BQ company released the Jumbo smartphone - a large 6-inch candy bar in a thin body with a strict design. We tested it and made a good impression, but there is one caveat: its exterior no longer meets modern requirements due to the 16:9 screen - this aspect ratio is no longer in fashion, and everyone needs 18:9.

The BQ company has released a new budget smartphone Slim, which can be considered a symbol of spring. After a long winter with its meter-long snowdrifts, even in March you want something light and pleasant, and this smartphone gives just such a feeling. It belongs to the mid-budget segment and can make you happy even with its price.

Smartphones of 2018 will get a new 18:9 format screen, which may not be convenient for everyone, and even a cutout in the display - the so-called unibrow. These changes do not always benefit sales, because many people want classic body proportions.

The BQ company also moved to produce smartphones with newfangled screens in 18:9 format. It already has several corresponding models, and the Next LTE all-in-one PC recently joined them.
This smartphone stands out in that, despite the novelty of the format, it belongs to the budget segment, thereby allowing you to evaluate for little money (5,700 rubles at the time of writing) whether the new screen standard suits you or not. In addition, the device has been endowed with a modern design, which also sets it apart from the faceless “classmates” with a regular 16:9 screen.

Elephone regularly updates its range of smartphones and always follows trends, tracking what is currently fashionable on the market. The result of recent monitoring was the latest smartphone U Pro, positioned as a flagship and, in fact, is one. It looks the part and has decent filling.

Modern smartphones are similar in appearance, plus or minus, and there is not much difference in the hardware, if we consider devices of the same class and the same price range. What then makes this or that model stand out? Of course, almost the main parameter today is battery life, and this is where the new BQ Intense smartphone will give all its closest competitors a run for their money.

The domestic brand BQ has developed a new smartphone Shark Pro, which is an improved version of the 2017 Shark model. As the manufacturer himself notes, the new device has identified and eliminated the shortcomings of the original Shark, of which, it should be noted, there are very few - we already tested Shark.

Tablet computers running Android OS are either only capable of playing videos and running games, or are prohibitively expensive. Tablets based on Windows 10 have become an excellent alternative to them - the functionality is many times wider at a very reasonable price for most models.

The hardware capabilities of modern smartphones, unless we are talking about $50 models, are enough to run video games with sophisticated, powerful graphics, in which you just want to spend several hours of leisure time. But controlling a character or military equipment directly from the screen is very inconvenient, and there is a risk of dropping the gadget. What is needed here is a radical solution to the problem, and it exists, plus it is already available on the Russian market.

In Russia, under the Artplays brand, a new joystick AS355 was released, endowed with very interesting features. Its functionality is noticeably expanded compared to competing models, and it is positioned as a universal gamepad for tablets, smartphones, game consoles and a personal computer or laptop.
The joystick is characterized primarily by various connection options and a well-thought-out housing design, as well as the ability to play on a smartphone at any time and anywhere.

The domestic brand BQ Mobile presented its new product – the BQ Aurora smartphone. This is a representative of a new generation of smartphones in which the manufacturer has changed everything - screen format, software and positioning. Now this is not just a means of communication, it is a full-fledged pocket computer on a modern Android OS with advanced capabilities.

Many book lovers prefer to take a book with them into a hot bath, but the reality is that paper books are becoming more and more expensive, even though they do not contain gold or precious stones. You can’t read an e-book in the bathroom either: devices are afraid of water, which is quite logical. However, not all: there is an Onyx BOOX Robinson Crusoe reader with moisture protection, compact and quite successful in many respects.

The saying “less is more” may be true, but not in the portable electronics segment. It’s more convenient to work on a full-size laptop, watch movies on a large tablet, and a large smartphone screen will accommodate more information at a time. The same applies to e-books: if you only read books, then 6 inches is enough, but if you need documents, newspapers and magazines, then you need something larger.

There are certain tools and appliances that any man who can fix anything with his own hands should have. These include a multimeter, which will save a lot of money on calling an electrician or auto mechanic if you need, for example, to quickly find a broken wire or measure the voltage coming from the generator to the car battery. And a man must also be able to not only earn money, but also save money, especially in Russia, where prices for everything are, to put it mildly, too high. For example, you can pay less for light if you limit your consumption, and a current consumption meter can help with this. Both of these devices can be purchased from the Cafago online store, and he kindly provided them to us for testing. Let's get started and start with a multimeter.

Frameless smartphones are a trend in 2017 and now in 2018, and the BQ company, well-known on the Russian market, has not remained aloof from it. A few days ago, she introduced the Space X model with a newfangled 18:9 screen, complemented by an all-metal body and very good cameras.

Smartphones that allow their owner to use two SIM cards at once have appeared on the market for a long time. Every year, more and more interesting solutions appear among them, which we want to show you today. In this rating, we have collected the best phones with two SIM cards that you can buy today. Go.

#10 – INOI 2

Price: 4,300 rubles

Our list opens with a smartphone from the domestic developer INOI. The gadget is a representative of the budget price segment, so it is equipped with a modest MediaTek MT6737 processor. Screen diagonal – 5 inches, resolution – 854 by 480 pixels. Main camera – 5 MP, front – 2 MP.

INOI 2 is a real find for unpretentious users who do not need modern flagships with their bells and whistles. By purchasing this gadget, you will have at your disposal a reliable smartphone that can easily launch a simple game and allow you to always be in touch. A nice bonus is that the model supports 4G LTE, which is rare in budget devices. True, only one of the SIM cards can be active in this mode.

No. 9 – VERTEX Impress Bear

Price: 4,300 rubles

VERTEX Impress Bear is a gadget with a classic design from a company that is not very popular in the mobile device market. The smartphone is powered by a Spreadtrum SC9832 processor. The diagonal of its 5-inch screen is 1280 by 720 pixels. The sensor resolution of the main camera is 8 MP, the front one is 5 MP.

VERTEX Impress Bear deservedly made it onto our list. This is a good solution at an adequate price. Yes, the smartphone does not pretend to be anything serious, but for everyday needs it will be enough. SIM cards work in alternating mode, and one of them can work in 4G LTE mode. The VERTEX Impress Bear has no serious shortcomings; I especially want to praise the build quality of the smartphone.

VERTEX Impress Bear

#8 – Samsung Galaxy J8 (2018)

Price: 14,500 rubles

Samsung Galaxy J8 (2018) with a 6-inch display and an AMOLED matrix, the resolution of which is 1480 by 720 pixels, occupies 8th place in our rating. The smartphone uses Snapdragon 450. Memory configuration is 3/32 GB. The main camera is double, represented by sensors – 16 and 5 MP. Front camera resolution is 16 MP. The operating mode of two SIM cards is alternating.

Like many Samsung smartphones, the main advantage of the Galaxy J8 (2018) is its cameras and screen. The pictures turn out to be detailed with the correct level of color balance; for the average consumer, the camera capabilities will be sufficient. The display, made using proprietary technology, offers its owner a detailed image and maximum viewing angles.

Samsung Galaxy J8

#7 – ASUS ZenFone Max Pro

Price: 14,000 rubles

The product of the popular company ASUS, called ZenFone Max Pro, has at its disposal a display with a diagonal of 6 inches and a resolution of 2160 by 1080. The Snapdragon 636 chipset and 3 or 4 GB of RAM are responsible for the speed of processes. The amount of built-in memory is 32 or 64 GB, so the user can always choose the most suitable option. The dual rear camera consists of 13 and 5 MP modules, the front one is 8 MP. The operating mode of the two SIM cards is alternating.

ASUS ZenFone Max Pro is a quality solution for those users who are looking for a powerful smartphone, but do not have enough money to afford something from the premium segment. The gadget has a good screen with maximum viewing angles and a decent brightness range, cameras capable of taking great pictures and good hardware that can easily handle any modern game.

ASUS ZenFone Max Pro

#6 – Honor Play

Price: 23,000 rubles

Honor Play with a 6.3-inch screen and a resolution of 2340 by 1080 pixels has a powerful Kirin 970 processor in its arsenal. The smartphone has two memory configurations - 4/64 GB and 6/64 GB, so any user can choose the option that best suits his needs . The main camera consists of two modules 16 and 2 MP, the front one is 16 MP. The operating mode of two nano SIM format SIM cards is alternating.

Honor Play is aimed at users who often play a variety of games. That is why it uses unusual GPU turbo technology, which overclocks the graphics processor when standard frequencies are not enough. Contrary to the expectations of many, this is not a marketing ploy and it actually works. We also note a good screen with decent levels of contrast and saturation.

No. 5 – Xiaomi Mi A2

Price: 15,000 rubles

Xiaomi Mi A2, released at the end of July this year, was equipped with a 5.99-inch display with a resolution of 2160 by 1080 pixels. The processor is the Snapdragon 660 chipset. RAM is 4 or 6 GB, storage is 32, 64 or 128 GB. The camera on the rear side is double, represented by a combination of modules with a sensor resolution of 12 and 20 MP. The front one is content with one 20 MP lens. The operating mode of two nano SIM format SIM cards is alternating.

Like all Xiaomi products, Mi A2 has an excellent combination of price and quality. This is one of the best solutions in its category. The smartphone has an excellent screen that has a wide range of brightness, due to which the user will not have problems both in the absence of lighting and in excess of it. The processor is not the top one, but it will run any modern game without much difficulty.

No. 4 – Xiaomi Pocophone F1

Price: 25,000 rubles

Xiaomi Pocophone F1 is one of the newest flagships on the market. The gadget is equipped with a 6.18-inch matrix with a resolution of 2246 by 1080 pixels. Snapdragon 845 is responsible for the performance of the smartphone. There are two memory configurations – 6/64 and 6/128 GB. The main camera is dual – 12+5 MP, front – 20 MP. You can insert nano SIM form factor modules into the SIM card slot, which will operate in alternating mode.

Xiaomi Pocophone F1 turned out to be a very high-quality flagship without any obvious flaws. The only disappointment is the lack of an NFC module. Among the strengths, we highlight a high-quality screen that demonstrates a gorgeous picture in any operating conditions and powerful hardware that will not require an upgrade for the next few years.

Xiaomi Pocophone F1

No. 3 – Huawei P20

Price: 34,000 rubles

The bronze medalist in our ranking of the best smartphones with dual SIM cards is the Huawei P20. The gadget was released this spring and has already won the love of customers. It offers Kirin 970 as a processor and a 5.8-inch screen with a resolution of 2240 by 1080 pixels. The quality of the images is ensured by a dual rear camera with a combination of 12 and 20 MP lenses and a 24-megapixel front camera.

Huawei P20 intrigues with its glass body and screen, which occupies the entire front surface. The developers did not do without a cutout at the top of the screen and not everyone liked it. Putting this aside, we get a powerful gadget with a gorgeous matrix, a top-end proprietary processor and cameras, the results of which you won’t be ashamed to post on Instagram.

#2 – OnePlus 6

Price: 33,000 rubles

It recently turned out that OnePlus 6 is the most powerful Android smartphone according to test results in one of the benchmarks, but in our rating it is content with only second place. Even a 6.28-inch AMOLED matrix with a resolution of 2280 by 1080 pixels and the Snapdragon 845 chipset were not enough to win. The latter is helped by 6 or 8 GB of RAM. Pictures taken with the main camera, consisting of two modules 16 and 20 MP and a 16-megapixel front camera, can be stored in the built-in memory, which is available in three options - 64, 128 and 256 GB.

It is difficult to single out the strongest side of OnePlus 6 - there is a top-end processor that can easily handle all demanding games, a gorgeous matrix that captures the imagination of any user, and excellent cameras that make every captured moment brighter and more dynamic. OnePlus 6 even has an NFC module, so you can only find fault with the developers for the cutout in the screen, and even then for some this is not a drawback at all.

No. 1 – Samsung Galaxy S9+

Price: 49,000 rubles

The winner of our rating was the Samsung Galaxy S9+, the newest flagship in the arsenal of the popular company. It was equipped with a 6.2-inch diagonal display with a resolution of 2960 by 1440 pixels. As befits a flagship, it runs on a top-end chipset – Exynos 9810. There are two memory configurations – 6/64 GB and 6/256 GB. The rear camera is a combination of two modules with identical resolution - 12 MP, the front sensor is 8 MP.

If even in budget smartphones and mid-segment solutions, the AMOLED matrix produces an excellent picture, then what can we say about premium gadgets. Once you look at the display of the Samsung Galaxy S9+, you will never forget it. The matrix is ​​configured almost perfectly - viewing angles, brightness range, contrast, color rendition, detail and saturation - everything is at the highest level. The hardware is top-end, the Exynos 9810 processor can be compared in performance to the Snapdragon 845, which is one of the most powerful chipsets on the market. Cameras are a separate topic of conversation. The Samsung Galaxy S9+ has a huge bunch of shooting modes, but in any of them the pictures turn out great, and in this parameter the smartphone is one of the leaders on the market and it can easily compete with the best camera phones.

Samsung Galaxy S9+

If the article was useful to you, do not forget to bookmark (Cntr+D) so as not to lose it and subscribe to our channel!

Smartphones with support for two SIM cards have become so widespread over the past few years that it is now easy to buy such a gadget for every taste and budget, from simple dialers to flagships. But almost all of them work with SIM cards in alternating (DSDS) mode, and to find a device in which both SIM cards work simultaneously (DSDA), you will have to try. Today we will talk about modern smartphones with two radio modules, and how such a device can be useful.

Two technologies for two SIM cards: DSDS or DSDA?

In the vast majority of modern communication gadgets, two SIM cards operate in DSDS (Dual SIM Dual Standby) mode, which is usually called “alternating” in Russian. The operating principle of DSDS is that both SIM cards use the same radio module. Smartphones with DSDS can have either one or two IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) numbers, but the presence of a second number is not required according to the rules of the GSM Association.

The ability to receive calls to any of the SIM cards is due to the fact that in standby mode, SIM cards can “communicate” with the network simultaneously thanks to time multiplexing. If a call arrives on one of the SIM cards, the second one is simply turned off - at that moment you can neither call nor send a message to it.

Another disadvantage of DSDS is the lower quality of communication compared to phones with a single SIM card. The radio module constantly has to carry a double load and, as a rule, “communicate” with different base stations of different operators. For the same reasons, everything is not so smooth with the mobile Internet: it is almost impossible to obtain the maximum data transfer speed on DSDS devices.

Of course, in reality, everything is not so bad: DSDS smartphones usually cost less and last longer on a single battery charge, and modern models are quite capable of providing decent call quality.

But if you want to get the most reliable “dual SIM” gadget, you need to look among devices that support DSDA (Dual SIM Dual Active) mode. Such smartphones are equipped with two radio modules independent of each other, each of which must have its own IMEI. Thanks to the presence of two radio modules, communication is usually more stable. Plus, they allow you to simultaneously receive calls on both SIM cards or talk on the phone and at the same time view the necessary information on the Internet. But such gadgets consume more energy - this feature is worth keeping in mind. Also, the second radio module in DSDA smartphones is often limited to 2G or 3G networks, but this is done to reduce the cost of the device and increase its autonomy.

Smartphones with DSDA
ASUS ZenFone 2 (ZE551ML)

One of the smartphones that supports DSDA mode is ASUS ZenFone 2 (model ZE551ML), released in 2015. It is equipped with a quad-core Intel Atom processor, a 5.5-inch HD display and 2 or 4 GB of RAM. The device has two radio modules, but only one of them can work in 3G and LTE networks. The second radio module is designed for calls and SMS, since it only supports second generation networks.

Honor 7

The DSDA type is found in many Huawei smartphones, including the Honor 7 model. This gadget has a combined slot, and a second SIM card is installed instead of a microSD memory card. But you don’t have to think about which slot to insert the card into to use LTE - you can select any of them in the smartphone settings. Other specifications of the Honor 7 include an octa-core HiSilicon Kirin 935 processor, a 5.2-inch Full HD display, and 3GB of RAM.

Lenovo Vibe Z (K910S)

Lenovo Vibe Z for two SIM cards (model K910S) is also a DSDA type, but, unfortunately, does not support LTE networks, and 3G networks are available only for one SIM card slot - the second is limited to GSM. Other specifications of the device include a 5.5-inch Full HD display, a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor and 2 GB of RAM.

HTC Desire 616

This gadget appeared at the end of 2014, but you can still see it on sale. The smartphone is equipped with an eight-core Mediatek MT6592M SoC, a five-inch HD display, but only 1 GB of RAM. The device does not support operation in LTE networks, but it has two radio modules, i.e. It can work in DSDA mode, and has a very reasonable price - this is the most affordable smartphone in our selection.

Sony Xperia T2 Ultra

Sony's Xperia T2 Ultra is a real heavyweight with a six-inch HD display. The device is equipped with a quad-core Snapdragon 400, 1 GB of RAM and a main 13-megapixel camera. This is also a mid-segment smartphone, which can still be bought at a not too high price. As for working in DSDA mode, like many other smartphones, the Xperia T2 Ultra supports the LTE standard on only one SIM card slot, but the device can connect to 3G networks when using any slot.

DSDA for iPhone

Finding a device with support for two SIM cards on Android is quite simple, and not only with DSDS support, but also, as you can see, with DSDA support. But Apple, despite the huge number of its fans, is in no hurry to release models for two SIM cards. Therefore, third-party developers have to get down to business, producing external radio modules for the iPhone that connect to smartphones via Bluetooth. One of these accessories is called NeeCoo Me 2. Outwardly, it resembles a thin powerbank weighing only 145 grams, but the gadget’s battery capacity is only 380 mAh. According to the manufacturer, the smartphone's battery charge lasts for 72 hours of standby or 4 hours of calls.
To make calls using NeeCoo Me 2 from the App Store, you need to download the official application, which will serve as a dialer and utility for controlling the accessory. And, of course, nothing prevents you from using the device together with an iPad or iPod Touch to be able to make calls from these gadgets. The communication range with NeeCoo Me 2 is limited by Bluetooth technology and is about 10 meters. As a small bonus, we note the ability of the accessory to save SMS and missed calls in a cloud service, even when it is not connected to the iPhone.

Conclusion

Despite all the advantages of smartphones that support DSDA mode, their variety is significantly inferior to DSDS gadgets. Should you consciously choose a new smartphone only among DSDA devices? It all depends on your requirements. If you prioritize the quality and reliability of communication, then purchasing a device with DSDA should be considered first. In other cases, a smartphone with DSDS will suit you. In the end, in most cases the difference between them is not that big, and each way of organizing work with two SIM cards has both its advantages and disadvantages.

What kind of smartphone technology would you prefer?

Let's start with the most technically advanced devices in which manufacturers have made a hybrid slot. Either a nano-SIM or a MicroSD memory card is inserted into it. This saves space in the case, which in thin modern smartphones is already worth its weight in gold. Well, the user has to choose whether to use a second SIM card or listen to the music stored on the memory card. But in fairness, we note that with a storage capacity of 64 GB or more, it is not a fact that MicroSD will be needed at all.

In addition to its attractive design, the device features a dual main camera sensor - one of the modules is widescreen. The case is protected against impacts according to MIL-STD-810G and water penetration according to IP68.

LG G6 also works with two SIM cards, the second slot is hybrid. In principle, this can be survived with a 64 GB drive. Although the possible capacity of MicroSD is not limited to the standard 256 GB - memory expansion with cards up to 2 TB is allowed.

HTC U 11

HTC finally managed to launch a new smartphone: it looks interesting, has top-end hardware, a high-quality camera, decent battery life and high-quality sound. Moreover, the smartphone is equipped with the Edge Sense function - the edges of the body shrink slightly, responding to the strength and duration of touches. Edge Sense can be used with gloves and some cases. The system's reaction to handshakes can be adjusted by the user independently, which is very nice. By default, a short press launches the camera or allows you to take a photo, a long press launches Google Assistant.

In terms of filling, the HTC U11 is a pure flagship: a fresh Snapdragon 835 chip, 4 or 6 GB of RAM, a screen resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels, a 12-megapixel camera with an optical stabilizer and an f/1.7 aperture, support for LTE CAT 16 networks. The optional storage capacity is 64 or 128 GB: even in the first case, not to mention the second, the user may not be confused by the hybrid MicroSD slot.

Smartphones with a separate slot for MicroSD

Fortunately for those who like to use both a second SIM card and a memory card, smartphones with separate slots for them are still being produced. It is quite possible to choose a device with modern filling, with which you do not have to make compromises.

LG V20 is a device in a practical case: slots for SIM cards and MicroSD are separate, and the battery is removable. Above the large 5.7-inch screen, which takes up almost the entire front panel, there is a secondary display for notifications, controls and favorite applications. Another feature of the device is a dual main camera module (16 + 8 megapixels), which until recently was only available in premium models. One of the sensors has a viewing angle of 135°.

At the helm here is a fairly fast Snapdragon 820 chip with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal memory. The smartphone runs on Android 7.0 Nougat. The LG V20 never officially arrived in the Russian Federation; it would have been a bit expensive - at the start of sales it cost from $810 (48,000 rubles). But in small stores the device can now be found for 26,000 rubles.

Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017)

Until recently, the J-series could only scare off buyers with its unsightly appearance and completely “sad” characteristics - only the screen was decent. The line update released this year received many advantages characteristic of more expensive smartphones, and the design completely refers to last year’s flagships of the Galaxy S series. The device still has the ability to separately install two nano-SIM and MicroSD - no sacrifices or compromises. Moreover, a memory card will not hurt here - the storage capacity is only 16 GB.

It received a thin and first in the series metal body, as well as a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED screen rounded and frameless at the edges. Compared to last year's version, the agility has not increased much: it still has the same eight-core Exynos 7870, but with 3 GB of RAM. The battery capacity was increased to 3600 mAh. Full support for Samsung Pay (NFC + MST) has also appeared. The price at the start of sales is 20,000 rubles, but it will probably fall in the near future.

Made in an aluminum case, supports fast charging and runs on pure Android 7.0 out of the box. Belonging to the middle class is indicated by the solid size of the frame around the 5-inch screen. The heart of the smartphone is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 with 2 GB of RAM, the Plus version is slightly more powerful with a Snapdragon 625 chip and 3/4 GB of RAM. At the presentation, the developers said that they had improved the parameters that buyers initially look at - the screen, camera and autonomy.

The IPS matrix resolution of the Moto G5 is 1920 x 1080 pixels, the 5-inch display supports Always On technology, when the necessary information is displayed on the switched off screen. The main 13-megapixel camera has phase detection autofocus, the front module has a wide coverage angle for group selfies. The battery capacity is 2800 mAh, but the manufacturer assures that it will last for the whole day. It is impossible to check this yet - the smartphone has not yet officially appeared on the Russian market; in Europe it costs from 200 euros (13,600 rubles), the Plus version with a 5.2” screen - from 280 euros (19,000 rubles).

SIM card slots are hidden under the battery, one of them is made in micro-SIM format, and the second is nano-SIM. A memory card with a capacity of up to 128 GB is inserted into a separate slot; the smartphone’s own memory is 16/32 GB in the regular version and 32/64 GB in the extended version.

Smartphones with two radio modules

In all of the devices listed above, as in the vast majority of modern smartphones, it is impossible to use two SIM cards at the same time: when the user is talking on one number, the second one will be busy if they call it. But models that use Dual Active technology and are equipped with two radio modules allow you to receive calls simultaneously. It’s a pity that there are very few such smartphones now, but we have selected a couple of the most relevant ones.

Our selection includes a new product from last year - the more recent “nine” no longer has simultaneous support for both SIM cards. It can receive calls and SMS to two numbers at once, however, the second SIM only works in 2G networks. Simply put, you won’t be able to use the Internet on both SIM cards at the same time. But this is not bad compared to competitors whose SIM cards work alternately for receiving calls.

The smartphone is housed in a body with a metal frame and runs on an eight-core proprietary Kirin 950 chip, accelerating to 2.3 GHz, with 4 GB of RAM. Inside there are 32 or 64 GB of memory and it is expandable up to 256 GB (by the way, the memory card slot is hybrid).

The camera's image quality is good thanks to the dual main module of 12 megapixels each, however, there is no stabilization when shooting video, and this is not Leica optics. The 5.2" Full HD screen is highly praised for its color reproduction and brightness. In general, the model has no serious shortcomings; for its 22,000 rubles, it is a smartphone with a good camera and screen, decent battery life and productive hardware.

ASUS ZenFone 2 (ZE551ML)

Asus ZenFone 2 was released in 2015, and therefore is still quite fresh. Despite the presence of two radio modules at once, it uses one SIM card for 3G and LTE networks, the second one can also only receive calls and SMS. Slots for micro-SIM are located under the cover, and there is also a separate slot for MicroSD, allowing you to add 64 GB of memory.

The device is released in several modifications: with an Intel Atom z3580 processor with a frequency of up to 2.3 GHz and with 2 or 4 GB of RAM. The 5.5-inch IPS screen has a good pixel density (403 PPI) and Full HD resolution. The smartphone has a decent set of wireless interfaces, including NFC. The battery capacity is 3000 mAh, but you need to remember about increased energy consumption due to two SIM cards. The 13 and 5 MP cameras have “hospital average” characteristics, but this is not the flagship of the line, so it would be stupid to make any complaints about the device.

This is not the first time on the pages of our portal that I have raised the issue of phones with two radio modules. It is incomprehensible and incredible that even the world's largest brands have abandoned such devices. But many people need exactly the kind of phones in which the SIM card will not suddenly disappear from the cellular network during a call to the second one (this moment will be excluded at the hardware level) and which simply work stably and maintain excellent communication on both numbers. You can always study the rating of new products on the pages of our special sections.

Need to figure it out

“Something is wrong here,” I thought. There is demand, but supply is rapidly declining, tending to zero. Old phones with two radio modules are worth their weight in gold, but there are still no new ones. This phenomenon cannot be explained by the fact that such phones do not work well on a single charge. Now it is quite possible to create an inexpensive phone with two radio modules and a 2500 mAh battery. And I'm sure Philips would be the first to release such a phone. If not for one thing...

"Secret" resolution

In March 2012, a secret decision was made that such phones had no place in Europe. Countries in our region soon joined this decision. From now on, a phone with two radio modules, in which two SIM cards are active, will not pass certification...

The reasons for this decision are obvious: on the one hand, two radio modules generate more noise and burn our heads faster, and on the other, operators have never liked phones that can have a competitor’s SIM card installed next to their own.

You can be indignant or indignant, but this cannot be changed. Apparently, this decision was known for a long time, since two active SIM cards began to disappear much earlier than March 2012. Another interesting thing is that I was unable to find records or official documents about this decision. All of them are closed and are not handed out. Electronic copies, if available, are not freely available. Only numerous rumors and very outdated information from a year ago. Rumors may not be believed, and news may be considered fabricated. But reality suggests that such a resolution most likely exists, and it is in effect. As always, they did everything, but didn’t ask the buyers anything.

There is an exit

So, if nowadays you really want to buy a phone with two active SIM cards, you need to choose either fairly outdated devices, or the few Chinese smartphones in which one radio module is designed for 3G/WCDMA, and the other for ST-CDMA networks. But no one bothers you to install two regular 2G SIM cards in them. It is clear that you need to order such devices directly from China, fortunately, now this is quite easy to do.

The ZTE U960, which we have already talked about, and the Chinese Samsung Note 2 (HDC Galaxy Note 2 EX) are popular among Russian users. These two phones have been tested in our realities and work fully with all operators.