Question about dual SIM smartphones

[TopWargamer]

So, I know on dual SIM smartphones there's a SIM slot of 3G, then another for 2G. Or on newer devices there's a slot for LTE and a slot for 3G/2G. 

 

Let's say I wanted to use a dual SIM phone here in the USA (if you're curious, on T-Mobile). Cellular bands and frequencies aside, carriers over here only give you 1 SIM card. 

 

So right now I have a T-Mobile SIM card with LTE support and whatnot. If I threw my SIM card into the LTE slot on a dual SIM phone, would I still be able to get the 3G/2G connectivity even though there's no SIM card in that slot, or will I be stuck with only connecting to LTE?

[_ASSASSIN_]

why ever in the US would you need a dual sim phone?

[Bogica]

Yes, you would, LTE is refered to 4G, which means it supports everything up to and including 4G, while the 3G sim card slot will support everything up to 3G, including 3G. The second slot is used for a different SIM with a different number, so you can have 2 numbers in one phone.

[PhantomChevron]

I also have a question, how do you choose which number you want to text/call with?

[Bogica]

I also have a question, how do you choose which number you want to text/call with?

The phone asks you each time you want to make a phone call/text. Or you can set the default SIM to be SIM1 and by default all calls and texts will go from SIM1 unless set otherwise. Also you can set it so that all contacts linked to SIM1 are called from SIM1, the same goes for SIM2.

[PhantomChevron]

The phone asks you each time you want to make a phone call/text. Or you can set the default SIM to be SIM1 and by default all calls and texts will go from SIM1 unless set otherwise. Also you can set it so that all contacts linked to SIM1 are called from SIM1, the same goes for SIM2.

ahh, thanks for clarifying that!

[TopWargamer]

why ever in the US would you need a dual sim phone?

Hey, you never know. Plus I was just curious, because I never knew the answer before. 

[_ASSASSIN_]

Hey, you never know. Plus I was just curious, because I never knew the answer before. 

unless you run with the smaller carriers, there's no practicallity to running a dual sim card. These are designed for areas where they don't have big ISPs that are basically monopolies and need multiple carriers for the coverage they need.

[Bogica]

unless you run with the smaller carriers, there's no practicallity to running a dual sim card. These are designed for areas where they don't have big ISPs that are basically monopolies and need multiple carriers for the coverage they need.

WRONG! On so many levels! Ever thought that someone has a company phone and a private phone? They insert both SIM cards into one phone instead of bringing along two phones. From a point of view of a teenager or someone that doesn't work in the private sector it makes little sense. For me, a dual SIM makes A LOT of sense.

[_ASSASSIN_]

WRONG! On so many levels! Ever thought that someone has a company phone and a private phone? They insert both SIM cards into one phone instead of bringing along two phones. From a point of view of a teenager or someone that doesn't work in the private sector it makes little sense. For me, a dual SIM makes A LOT of sense.

yeah, this kid is a teenager... My point still stands

[Bogica]

yeah, this kid is a teenager... My point still stands

You stated that they are designed for areas that don't have big ISPs, which is not true. It is to a certain extent, but that is the case in about <10%.