Dual-SIM Dual Standby Feature May Be Limited to Version of 6.1-Inch iPhone Available Only in China

[KPandian1]

What would you do with two SIMs? You can have two phone numbers, but there are apps for that. And using two SIMs means you pay for two contracts.

I would have two telephones numbers with two SIMs in the same iPhone.

I would not be paying for any contract in either SIM; most of the world gets by without contracts, they refill as they use. I did this personally during my last trip, a cheap flip phone with two SIM capacity, costing less than $50 equivalent, and reasonable 4G coverage in all the metro areas. I slipped the USA SIM with the local SIM, and both worked well. The local mobile cost was cheap as dirt.

 

[Sackofnickels]

Ho hum. They all look the SAME for the most part just bigger.... Boring.
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I would have two telephones numbers with two SIMs in the same iPhone.

I would not be paying for any contract in either SIM; most of the world gets by without contracts, they refill as they use. I did this personally during my last trip, a cheap flip phone with two SIM capacity, costing less than $50 equivalent, and reasonable 4G coverage in all the metro areas. I slipped the USA SIM with the local SIM, and both worked well. The local mobile cost was cheap as dirt.

So Apple is introducing "new features" that a $50 phone already had?

 

[HarryWild]

I doubt dual-sim model for American market place. U.S. Carriers will loose control of it’s customer base if that would happen! It been available worldwide in cellphones since the early 2000s but not in the North America marketplace!

 

[KPandian1]

So Apple is introducing "new features" that a $50 phone already had?

Yes.

 

[Sackofnickels]

Yes.

Wonder how much Apple is going to charge for that feature?

 

[Ramchi]

Dual SIM Mobile are useful in separating professional and personal calls with single mobile. In countries where you don't have to pay for incoming (or calculated as part of free minutes allowance) calls or monthly contacts for second SIM instead only pla as you use (for outbound calls or data), this is definitely useful. It mitigates network issues where the second SIM becomes handy in needy situations in remote places. Some Craigslist websites and other phoney websites can be used with the second SIM number for the purpose of verification.

 

[Soi Dog]

I travel to Europe a lot. This is a must have feature for those that do.

I Travel a lot too and find it essential to have a dual SIM card phone. One for your main phone and one for the temporary on a local provider. Roaming prices are still crazy high.

I hope it is not a second SIM by integrated SIM. Providers on this are ripoff.

 

[JLBlancoL]

It'd be very interesting to have a dual sim iPhone. It'd make traveling abroad easier. But one of the main features I look for with a dual sim phone is the possibility of having a public or working space and a private one. I mean to "samsung secure folder" which allows you to have a private space with photos, files and duplicate apps that don't share information with the public or business part of the phone. Will Apple develop such a software? I'm afraid it won't do it.

 

[KPandian1]

Not China.

 

[JPack]

I'm not sure what your beef is against the poor of the world and in particular India.

It's a given that many can't afford to buy food or water let alone an IPhone and that's a shame but owning an IPhone is no measure of wealth or any other random perceived measure you seem to wish to attach to it.

Given the top 20% of Indians earn over $20k which is the same as the top 80% of Americans you should ponder on why the 2 groups of around 260M each have entirely different penetration of Apple products in particular Iphones

It's also muddelled further is so far that the US is the 3rd most expensive place to own an iphone. This group of Indians are likely to have more disposal income due to lower cost of living and that they pay less tax, but not nessassarily legally

There are far to many generalisations we could speculate on re cultural differences etc, but for these 2 relatively wealthy groups it is not about how poor thier other countrymen are which seems the main thrust of your argument

I have no beef against Indians or other poor countries. The data simply shows India is not buying premium smartphones. Feature phones outsell smartphones in that country. Period.

The issue is some posters are suggesting Apple products are selling poorly in India because Apple pricing and ecosystem is to blame. They further suggest Indians have the income to buy iPhones and are simply choosing expensive Android phones instead. Finally, they’re suggesting there are no advantages to using iPhone compared to Android.

All of these points are ridiculous.

India has the lowest living standards and household income among G20 countries. The data shows the ASP of smartphones sold in India is $157. Feature phones outsell smartphones. iPhone X in India is priced lower than in the UK. The Apple ecosystem no matter where you live is the same. The ease of use does not magically disappear once someone is in India.

Apple sold less than 1 million smartphones in India this year. It’s pretty clear India isn’t ready for premium smartphones.
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Boy, you do hate Indians!

Which century are you in when referring to the 85% electricity? Americans and Chinese people don't get raped? At least we get to read about the rapes in India because a (relatively) free press exists. Other than the propaganda show pieces that China puts up in its major cities, we see and hear nothing about China. What is China's rape statistic? Have the Chinese communist dictatorially ruled populace heard of Google, as it exists in the USA?

Do you understand the statistical word "median"? That means a skewered equal amount of people exist on both sides of the median point, which in a population like India (and China) means that many have middle-class income as defined by their living standards. Do you know how many motorcycles are sold in India? They are usually the 100-150cc kind used for commute, not the big beasts used recreationally in the USA.

Apple is not water and electricity; the poor don't crave for it.

Read Apple India's statistics before vomiting all over this forum. This thread just started as a decent discussion about dual-sim iPhones and if Apple will produce them across the board.

The World Bank indicates only 85% of India has access to electricity.

https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS

When living standards are so low, it’s no surprise citizens focus on basic necessities and not on buying iPhone. India may be a dual-SIM market, but it certainly isn’t a market for the 6.1” dual-SIM phone.

 

[Xano]

Why the restriction to China?
Dual-Sim Phones are popular in Europe, many use a professional number and a personal number.
Among travellers too, on this days any cheap phone already have this feature so I don't know why is taking so long to Apple to put a dual sim tray on is devices, then let people choose.
Ah OK 1T company ... to save 80 cents on a dual sim tray!

 

[nitramluap]

Who says both SIMs are physical?

 

[nicho]

Who says both SIMs are physical?

The Chinese government pretty much says they can’t be anything but.

We’re nearing 12 months since Apple Watch LTE became available in China and yet the service is still “coming soon” (as it has been since day 1) on the main carriers and service is only available on the smallest of the three carriers and only then in 5 or 6 cities.

 

[lsutigerfan1976]

So is the 6.1 supposed to be the size of an 8 plus, just edge to edge display? Cause I love my X phone. But I miss the width of the 8 plus screen. Especially when typing. Having something the size of an 8 plus with and edge to edge display would be perfect for me.

 

[msew]

One of the major reasons of people in Taiwan or mainland China not choosing an iPhone is lacking of dual-SIM. Many people in the regions have their personal number and business number so a phone that can support dual-SIM should be critical.

Oh that is cool! I guess USA we just have multiple phones for that.

Don’t those companies have data retention policies and such? Like the work phone needs to be separate completely.
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Okay, I concede that Apple should just get the hell out of "poor" and completely devoid of "rich by 1st world standards" people, 3rd world, developing countries. Happy?

You really don’t understand secondary markets do you?

 

[KPandian1]

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You really don’t understand secondary markets do you?

Jackie's post - sarcasm.

 

[iFanaddic]

One of the major reasons of people in Taiwan or mainland China not choosing an iPhone is lacking of dual-SIM. Many people in the regions have their personal number and business number so a phone that can support dual-SIM should be critical.

IMO it's exactly why they won't do it. Take a minute to analyses this strictly from s business standpoint. Businesses represent thousands of iPhone order every year. If all of a sudden their employee can use his personal phone and put a second sim card in it and just pay for the plan Apple could lose these thousands of order leading to some considerable decrease in income.

I would love to not have 2 iPhones with me at all time. But let's face it, for Apple it means less business.

 

[ThisIsNotMe]

I need one for my work, do I have to go to China to buy one? /s
That is Apple's problem: "you don't know want you want, I know what you want". The mentally never changes.

 

[SteveJUAE]

I have no beef against Indians or other poor countries. The data simply shows India is not buying premium smartphones. Feature phones outsell smartphones in that country. Period.

The issue is some posters are suggesting Apple products are selling poorly in India because Apple pricing and ecosystem is to blame. They further suggest Indians have the income to buy iPhones and are simply choosing expensive Android phones instead. Finally, they’re suggesting there are no advantages to using iPhone compared to Android.

All of these points are ridiculous.

India has the lowest living standards and household income among G20 countries. The data shows the ASP of smartphones sold in India is $157. Feature phones outsell smartphones. iPhone X in India is priced lower than in the UK. The Apple ecosystem no matter where you live is the same. The ease of use does not magically disappear once someone is in India.

Apple sold less than 1 million smartphones in India this year. It’s pretty clear India isn’t ready for premium smartphones.
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The World Bank indicates only 85% of India has access to electricity.

https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS

When living standards are so low, it’s no surprise citizens focus on basic necessities and not on buying iPhone. India may be a dual-SIM market, but it certainly isn’t a market for the 6.1” dual-SIM phone.

Sorry do not want to burst your bubble but apple Eco is not the same regardless of where you live

There are many places in the world that simply do not have the convenience or simplicity of help and assistance found in US and a few other countries. Yet they pay the same or more premium amount.

There are whole regions where facetime is not available, its not even on your iPhone and cannot be added later

There are many oddities to the appstore where certain products are simply not available in some countries. Many have to fiddle a US account to have access.

However I agree this probably has nothing to do with lack of sales in India nor does the fact that the 800M poor cannot afford an IPhone

As I noted before there is equally 260M both in US and India who possibly could afford an Iphone

I agree there may be little evidence that more buy Android over IPhone because of Eco etc but I would not be surprised given that there is a healthy discrimination in India on place of manufacturer

It's not uncommon to see say the same TV for sale but from 2 or 3 different manufacturing base, a much greater reliance often going to Japan. Both the Indian government and likely Indians dislike the source of Apple products hence favouring homeland manufacturing.

It's an unfortunate fact but stealing, hacking and pirate software is still very previalant the Apple Eco and store makes this far more troublesome as to swapping and sharing media that millions do in India

Then there is the whole attitude of easy credit and finance that is not so widely accepted as the west

I guess that Apple have a perception of far more caveats and catchs than some other devices that do not sit well with many in India. Dual sim and few other bits is just icing on top of a more cautious market

 

[[AUT] Thomas]

There's low/no demand for Dual-SIM in EU/US

No. There's huge demand. People just don't know dual SIM actually exists and carriers naturally don't offer these phones to protect their business. Also, most Dual-SIM phones available are low end phones.

If Apple offers a DUAL-SIM iPhone this will be salvation for everyone who doesn't want to carry a private and a business (i)phone. Question is only if this will be Dual-Standby, Dual-Active and which technology for the 2nd SIM. Should be at least 4g active, 3g standby. I doubt Apple would bother with 4g/4g dual-active...

 

[Ramchi]

I have no beef against Indians or other poor countries. The data simply shows India is not buying premium smartphones. Feature phones outsell smartphones in that country. Period.

The issue is some posters are suggesting Apple products are selling poorly in India because Apple pricing and ecosystem is to blame. They further suggest Indians have the income to buy iPhones and are simply choosing expensive Android phones instead. Finally, they’re suggesting there are no advantages to using iPhone compared to Android.

All of these points are ridiculous.

India has the lowest living standards and household income among G20 countries. The data shows the ASP of smartphones sold in India is $157. Feature phones outsell smartphones. iPhone X in India is priced lower than in the UK. The Apple ecosystem no matter where you live is the same. The ease of use does not magically disappear once someone is in India.

Apple sold less than 1 million smartphones in India this year. It’s pretty clear India isn’t ready for premium smartphones.
[doublepost=1533490639][/doublepost]

The World Bank indicates only 85% of India has access to electricity.

https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS

When living standards are so low, it’s no surprise citizens focus on basic necessities and not on buying iPhone. India may be a dual-SIM market, but it certainly isn’t a market for the 6.1” dual-SIM phone.

As usual completely misreading data sitting in a remote corner!

When OnePlus 6 with superior specs offered at 1/4 of the iPhone X price(btw, iPhone X costs here anywhere $1300-1500) in the poor third world country, only brain dead can even think of getting iPhone X ! Still there are closer to million chosen that!! Samsung S9 Plus at $1000 way ahead of iPhone X in Indian market! Samsung offered the mobile S9 + in both market almost similar price range!

Put that price tag($1300-$1500) in China and see where the iPhone goes in the oblivion!!

 

[GPDawes]

Its not just China its common in. In Philippines 3 and 4 Sim phones are common.
I travel a lot , and a dual sim phone should be globally available from apple.
Combine business and personal and carry a single phone.
1 feature I would like though is independent address books, and the ability to grant permissions on an individual address book . eg I may want to use whatsapp personally and skype of business but not want the contacts of a a business address book to see contacts from a personal address book or vice versa.

 

[[AUT] Thomas]

eg I may want to use whatsapp personally and skype of business but not want the contacts of a a business address book to see contacts from a personal address book or vice versa.

THIS!
We need more granular access on the addressbook regardless of dual SIM. I need to be able to restrict addressbook access to name, company, email and phone-numbers. I don't want any app to read out the entire contact details, as I store more confidential information in the contact notes field and generally I don't see why Whatsapp should get access to things like physical address. IMHO this needs to be taken care off ASAP.
Currently, I handle this using two addressbooks... On my iPhone only the "essential addressbook" and full data on my BlackBerry that sycs to my CardDAV.

 

[ReneR]

In 2018 you get better Apple products in China, than the rest of the world ;-)

 

[shadowmatt]

Probably because it's not a popular feature in North America

It would be a popular feature if carriers allowed it, but they won't subsidise phones that allow dual sims as they are then helping their competition / they like to limit their customers.

Business people, travellers etc... all want features like that. Some old Nokias did it and you could get different backs for the older Galaxy phones that allowed it.

It wasn't until Apple forced them to allow 2 sims on one account, for iPads and Apple watches that they even bothered with that, and then only certain carriers do that.