Are there any downsides to dual SIM phones?

If you've decided on a dual SIM smartphone, there are still a few things to consider before taking the plunge: Dual SIM phones typically make you choose between using the second SIM slot for a second SIM, or for expanding your internal storage with a microSD card. You can't use both.

Best dual SIM phones in Australia: what you need to know

By Kate Reynolds

Last updated 20 December 2021

Dual SIM smartphones: What you need to know

Are two SIMs are better than one? Dual SIM smartphones – devices with space for two SIM cards at once – are becoming more common in Australia. And they can be pretty useful too.

While we've got a few different options for dual SIM phones in Australia – from manufacturers including OPPO, Apple, Samsung and Motorola – they're still not as quite as prevalent as they are in other markets. Why? The main reason is that our telcos simply don't like selling dual SIM devices and risk you using a competitor's service. So while plenty of popular handsets come in dual-SIM models, most of these don't make their way over to Australia.

There are still plenty of local options to choose from though. So if you're in the market for a dual SIM phone, read on.

In this guide:

Best dual SIM phones available in Australia
Why get a dual SIM phone?
How do dual SIM phones work?
Disadvantages to dual SIM phones
Dual SIM iPhones

Best dual SIM phones in Australia

The range of dual-SIM smartphones in Australia continues to grow. Below are some popular handsets available at the moment. You can read about them in detail further down the page, or click on the link in the table below to read our review. Just be aware that iPhones (and Samsung flagship phones) use eSIM for their secondary SIM slot - this means you can only use an eSIM as your second SIM card. We've got more on this later in this guide.

Want more information? Here's what you need to know about a few of our favourite dual SIM devices.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

Samsung's flagship feels deserving of the "Ultra" moniker.

Fast charging
Stunning camera capabilities
Vibrant display

eSim as secondary SIM
Not cheap

If you're after a premium Android phone, the Galaxy S21 Ultra won't disappoint. There's a great primary camera, and a gorgeous display; if it had a slightly better battery life it would tick all the boxes.

Samsung Galaxy A52

The Galaxy A52 is the middle child of Samsung's A series and is available in both 4G-only and 5G variants.

Water-resistant
Excellent battery life
Solid photography experience

Photo processing is a bit heavy-handed
No wireless charging

Don't let the price tag fool you; the Samsung A52 offers some of the best bits of the Galaxy S family, and the absent features are not the sorts of things that most people will miss. Note that the version available through telcos generally isn't dual-SIM. You'll need to buy this one outright in order to get access to both SIM slots.

Buy it on Amazon

iPhone XS & XS Max

The XS is a couple of years old but it's still a good Apple option. Despite being discontinued you can still get refurbished handsets for a significant discount.

Good battery life for an iPhone
Great display
Lots of refurbished options are available

Discontinued :(
Still pricey

It's hard to go past an Apple product if you want quality, or if you're embedded in the Apple ecosystem. The dual cameras (12MP + 12MP) still hold up creating good smartphone photography, and a fresh battery will get you more than a day of charge.

iPhone 13 family

As the most recent Apple flagship, the iPhone 13 is a fantastic albeit costly option that is sure to last you a few years at least.

Amazing camera
All around polished
Good battery life

Expensive

The iPhone 13 family - particularly the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max are two of the best phones you can buy right now. While they're expensive, they don't make compromises. They support both a nano-SIM and eSIM with their dual SIM capabilities.

iPhone 13 128GB Plans

With at least 2GB+ data | Filters

$55 Optus Choice Plus Plan

50GB data
Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device
36 mths device payments

$79.40/mth

Min. cost $933.40

Go to Site

$79.40/mth

(plan + phone)

Min. cost $933.40

Go to Site

$65 Basic Upfront Mobile Plan

50GB data
Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices
36 mths device payments
Deal: Get your first 3 months device protect on Telstra, then $10/mth.

$89.41/mth

Min. cost $943.76

Link not supplied

$89.41/mth

(plan + phone)

Min. cost $943.76

Link not supplied

iPhone SE

2020's iteration of the iPhone SE rivals much more expensive devices. Despite only having one camera it performs remarkably, and of course, has the Apple seal of approval.

Great value
Excellent camera

Average battery life
Smaller screen

Despite the cheaper price tag, the iPhone SE is powered by Apple's fastest processor making it zippy, and likely to get security updates for years to come. Visually the device feels like an iPhone 8 - it even has a home button - but the performance is top-tier.

Phone	Prices from	Find it here
iPhone SE	$749	Find plans
iPhone 13	$1199	Find plans
iPhone 13 Pro	$1749	Find plans
iPhone 13 Pro Max	$1899	Find plans
Galaxy S21 Ultra	$1999	Find plans

Plans for your dual SIM smartphone

Looking for a great SIM-only plan (or two!) to go with your new dual SIM device? Check out some of the best deals we know about below.

#1	Belong	Belong 25GB Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks $30/mth Min. cost $30 Go to Site	$30/mth Min. cost $30	Go to Site
#2	SpinTel	SpinTel $22 Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Enjoy $8 off for the first 6 months for new customers - $14/mth for first 6 months, then $22/mth $14/mth Min. cost $14 Go to Site	$14/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
#3	Dodo Editor's Pick	Dodo Editor's Pick $28 Mobile Plan 30GB data On the Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network Deal: 50% off for first 3 mths! Get the $28 Mobile Plan for $14/mth for the first 3 mths. New customers only. Offer ends 06.05.25 $28/mth Min. cost $14 Go to Site	$28/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
#4	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 25GB 5G Mobile SIM 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: Bundle your mobile and nbn plans on the same account to get 10% off your mobile SIM-only plan fees. T&Cs apply. $29/mth Min. cost $29 Go to Site	$29/mth Min. cost $29	Go to Site
#5	Optus	Optus $55 Optus Choice Plus Plan 50GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device $55/mth Min. cost $55 Go to Site	$55/mth Min. cost $55	Go to Site
#6	Vodafone	Vodafone $49 Small SIM Only Plan 100GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 100GB for $39 (incl. 50GB bonus + $10/mth off) on the $49 Small plan. T&Cs apply. $39/mth Min. cost $39 Go to Site	$39/mth Min. cost $39	Go to Site
#7	More	More 25GB 5G Mobile SIM 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses Telstra Wholesale 4G/5G mobile networks Deal: $5/mth off mobile plan fees for 12 mths then 10% off ongoing if you are a CommBank customer - $25/mth for 12 mths, then $27/mth $32/mth Min. cost $32 Go to Site	$32/mth Min. cost $32	Go to Site
#8	Moose Mobile Editor's Pick	Moose Mobile Editor's Pick Moose 26.80 SIM Only 40GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps On the Optus 5G Mobile Network Deal: Get 40GB for $12.40 – Includes $14.40 off and 13GB bonus data for first 6 months. Offer ends 31.05.25 $12.40/mth Min. cost $12.40 Link not supplied	$12.40/mth Min. cost $12.40	Link not supplied
#9	Swoop	Swoop 220GB SIM Only 5G 220GB data Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $60/mth Min. cost $60 Link not supplied	$60/mth Min. cost $60	Link not supplied
#10	AGL	AGL 5G Large 160GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Special Bundle Offer - $35/mth for first 6 months then $40/mth after that, when you have AGL energy. Ends 14.08.25 $50/mth Min. cost $50 Link not supplied	$50/mth Min. cost $50	Link not supplied

Why get a dual SIM phone?

There are a couple of reasons you might want a dual SIM smartphone:

You want to have a work number and a personal number but you don't want to carry around two devices.
You want to keep using an Australian phone number while taking your phone overseas but get a cost-effective local SIM card for mobile data (the main culprit when it comes to global roaming bill shock).
You want a second SIM for making international calls at a cheaper rate than what you pay for similar calls on your main plan.
You want the benefit of coverage from two different networks, as you get patchy coverage from one in some places, and don't want to switch providers.

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How do dual SIM phones work?

There are a few things to know about dual SIM phones. The most common dual SIM setup has one 4G compatible SIM slot and one 3G-only slot. This means that only one SIM is able to connect to the 4G network, while the other can only connect to the slower 3G networks.

Another thing to be aware of is the term 'dual standby' which refers to the fact that you can't use both SIMs simultaneously. For example, if you're on a call on your primary SIM, someone dialling your second SIM number won't be able to reach you.

In a 'dual active' configuration – which is far less common – you're able to use both SIMs at once.

It's important to double-check all of these features when considering a dual-SIM phone, especially if you plan to import it from overseas. Manufacturers produce numerous variations for each model based on what the local market requires, so phones can be subtly different depending on where you buy them.

What are the disadvantages of dual SIM phones?

If you've decided on a dual SIM smartphone, there are still a few things to consider before taking the plunge:

Dual SIM phones typically make you choose between using the second SIM slot for a second SIM, or for expanding your internal storage with a microSD card. You can't use both.
Unless work's paying for your second SIM, you'll be up for two phone bills.
You'll most likely have to buy your device outright because Australian telcos don't sell many dual SIM smartphones on a contract. Where they are available on a plan, it's best to confirm that dual-SIM functionality hasn't been disabled as this can sometimes be the case.

What about a dual SIM iPhone?

Newer iPhones from the iPhone XS onwards are all dual-SIM, sort of. The iPhones don't have two physical SIM slots (other than in China) - instead, you get one physical SIM and one digital eSIM.

An eSIM - an electronic or embedded SIM - is a rewritable SIM card that's built directly into your device. There's no need to pop a slot or pry off a case to put in a SIM - your eSIM never leaves your phone. Instead, you simply download a software SIM from your provider of choice. At present only Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone offer eSIM in Australia.

If you're happy with a plan from one of those three or if you're travelling in another country where carriers are on the eSIM train, you'll be able to add a second plan to your iPhone by scanning a QR code from your provider of choice. You'll even be able to store multiple eSIMs in your iPhone, but you'll only be able to use one eSIM plan at a time.

To use eSIM dual SIM functionality, you'll need to ensure your iPhone is running iOS 12.1 or better.

While only Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone offer eSIM in Australia, you could always use the eSIM slot in your phone for a plan from one of the big three, but your physical SIM card slot for a SIM from a smaller provider.