Is dual sim V10 international only?

[Gimmick_User]

I'd like to get a dual sim V10 so I can use Metro and Verizon and switch when I need to, but I want Verizon for LTE speeds. International phones don't support LTE, so is dual sim international only? **UPDATE** As of Feb. 2015, international phones work on USA LTE as long as the device and carriers have the same bandwidth listed, which most new devices do.

 

[mikedt]

The dual-SIM v10, and dual-SIM phones in general are usually intended for sale and use in Asia, and they don't have US CDMA/EVDO and LTE bands and modes as a rule, e.g. Verizon and Sprint. So I think you'll have to stick with carrier supplied Droids or whatever.

This is a useful site to check if you're considering importing phones:
http://willmyphonework.net/

The dual-SIM versions may not be particularly "international" anyway, like the H968 version is for China, and doesn't have Google. The H962 Taiwan version has Google, and should work with AT&T apparently, but not for LTE. Because someone enquired about that one working in the US the other day. Verizon, no chance!

 

[Gimmick_User]

The dual-SIM v10, and dual-SIM phones in general are usually intended for sale and use in Asia, and they don't have US CDMA/EVDO and LTE bands and modes as a rule, e.g. Verizon and Sprint. So I think you'll have to stick with carrier supplied Droids or whatever.

This is a useful site to check if you're considering importing phones:
http://willmyphonework.net/

The dual-SIM versions may not be particularly "international" anyway, like the H968 version is for China, and doesn't have Google. The H962 Taiwan version has Google, and should work with AT&T apparently, but not for LTE. Because someone enquired about that one working in the US the other day. Verizon, no chance!

You do know that changed in February, right?I do know it depends on bandwidth, for instance, the international version I'm looking at runs on a GSM bandwidth of 1700GH & 2100GH, and an LTE bandwidth of 1700 & 2100 mghz. The international phone I'm looking at runs on 2100 mghz, so it will work on T Mobile's LTE. T Mobile is getting rid of umt and hspa, making LTE stronger and more reliable, and the international v10 runs all the same bands as t mobiles 2G still. This is all because the lawsnchanged as of February 2015. My question was basically, does the international phone have the market cornered on dual sim, or are there any US versions of the dual sim. I saw comments that said the opal blue (which is US exclusive) has dual sim, but I'm not finding anything to supprt that outside of Amazon buyer comments.

 

[mikedt]

Think the one need to be looking at is the H961N, international dual-SIM. LG Hong Kong.
http://www.lg.com/hk_en/mobile-phones/lg-H961N/technical-specifications

• 2G Network 850/900/1800/1900MHz
  
• 3G Network WCDMA:850/900/1900/2100MHz TD-SCDMA:1900/2000MHz
  
• 4G Network - FDD 2100(B1) / 1800(B3) / 2600(B7) / 900(B8) MHz
  
• 4G Network - TDD 2600(B38) / 1900(B39) / 2300(B40) / 2600(B41) MHz

No North American 1700MHz bands at all. In fact non of the dual-SIM versions have 1700 AFAICT, because that band is not used in Asia, where dual-SIM phones are mainly sold and used. TD-SCDMA is only for China Mobile, which you wouldn't normally find in a US version phone. And I think TDD LTE modes are only in Asia.

 

[SaintlySins]

I've been traveling globally for a while ... I've never seen a Dual Sim phone work well outside the area it was designed to be sold in. Sure, you'll get connections, but it's never as good as buying a cheapy-pre-paid "phone" and using WiFi for everything Data. I prefer Verizon in the States as there is no better service for interstate driving - therefore I'm Mr. Two Phones when traveling and I always end up with the best "connection" both here and on either side of the planet.

That being said - the Verizon phone is not available in Dual Sim. But there is an International Version in Europe that does/will work with AT&T - and the Tech-Guru at work says it's the best of the Dual Sim phones he's used, even when flipping Sims between China, Dubai, Germany and USA.

My Two Sim's worth.

 

[mikedt]

My own experience is dual-SIM phones are certainly OK in the EU, Russia, and Asia, and very likely OK in Middle East and Africa as well. But it's North America where they might have problems, all depending if they got the North American bands and modes or not. Many haven't, because dual-SIM phones are usually intended to be sold and used in Asia. Phones here are usually sold unlocked and unsubsidized, SIM free, unlike say the US, where they're usually sold by carriers on contract, and are often SIM-locked AFAIK.

 

[SaintlySins]

My own experience is dual-SIM phones are certainly OK in the EU, Russia, and Asia, and very likely OK in Middle East and Africa as well. But it's North America where they might have problems, all depending if they got the North American bands and modes or not. Many haven't, because dual-SIM phones are usually intended to be sold and used in Asia. Phones here are usually sold unlocked and unsubsidized, SIM free, unlike say the US, where they're usually sold by carriers on contract, and are often SIM-locked AFAIK.

Thanks Mike. That's certainly adds to my perspective and has the "Corporate Logic" of sales strategy behind why things aren't so perfect in every local.

 

[mikedt]

Thanks Mike. That's certainly adds to my perspective and has the "Corporate Logic" of sales strategy behind why things aren't so perfect in every local.

When I was in the UK last year, and due to my interests in these things, I went into the Carphone Warehouse, which is a large, national independent phone retailer, that usually sells contract and prepaid for all the principal UK networks. And just out of interest I enquired if they had any dual-SIM phones in stock and out of the many phones they had, there was only one, a cheap ZTE.

 

[SaintlySins]

LOLOL ... good story Mikedt.

I've never tried to buy a phone in the UK ... only because I've been to the Netherlands. In Amsterdam, you can buy phones without a plan for as little as $50 USD. And they're cool phones. I picked up a Nokia that's 7 inches tall X 2 inches X 2 inches with 2 numbers side-by-side right up the face. This thing works in any country with their local Sim. It's a tired old phone, but it works like a champ.

I love those old "open band" phones. It's almost a shame that texting and data became locked to specific bandwidth. Almost a shame. ;- )