Hi all,I’m currently living in Japan, but I’m originally from the UK.
It’s about time for me to upgrade my Android phone and I could use some advice.
My primary requirements are a smaller form factor and the ability to use two SIM cards. I’ve narrowed my options down to the Pixel 6a, 7a, and the Zenfone 9. The Zenfone 9 is the only one among these with two physical SIM slots, but it’s also noticeably pricier and offers fewer years of guaranteed updates compared to the Pixel phones.
I’m considering using a UK and Japanese SIM card together, where the UK (EE) SIM would likely be an e-SIM, while my Japanese carrier is LINE Mobile.
I’d appreciate it if anyone with experience in a similar situation could share their insights. It would be great to hear how using a physical SIM along with an e-SIM has worked out for you.
Thank you for your time!
5 comments
I currently use a 6a with a physical SIM and an e-SIM. You can set your primary SIM for data, phone calls, texts, etc. (i.e. SIM for calls and e-SIM for data). If you want to send a call or text using your other SIM, you can easily toggle the SIM you want to use.
Rakuten Mobile lets you switch between sim and esim from within their app. You also don’t overpay since if you use less data, you pay less (3 GB just ¥1178).
I have a Reno 5A, which supports dual sim (2x physical sim *or* 1x physical, 1x e-sim; which you can toggle in the settings).
I use two sims in my phone. 1 JP sim, and 1 sim from my home country, mainly to receive SMS and very occasionally phone calls. It’s possible to select which sim to use for data, which I toggle whenever I am back in my home country. It’s also very easy to select which sim to use for outgoing calls/sms.
Over time, I have come to prefer using two physical sims. It’s less of a hassle for me to switch phones as the phone provider in my home country charges a fee to replace an e-sim. Yes, I am aware it would be a larger hassle if I lose my phone – but that hasn’t happened thus far, and I’ve replaced my phone perhaps 2-3 times over the years here; and if I do lose my phone, I can get a replacement e-sim easily, and get a new physical sim issued when I am back in my home country.
The Zenfone 10 is about to be released. There are also some options like the Xperia 10 or Xperia 5 series which are small Android devices as well. But by far, I think the most appealing choice of those, is the Pixel 7a, which actually supports dual eSim.
Using a physical SIM alongside an eSim, or using two eSims, has never been a problem for me, and is unlikely to be a problem for you, as long as you know how to set up the eSim and can get the qr code to scan from your provider.
What are your concerns about it?
I use Pixel 6 Pro, with Y Mobile e-SIM + home country physical nano SIM. Just changed to Ahamo and will get e-SIM online to do the same thing.