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Is it better to have a dual SIM card phone or is an eSIM sufficient for use in Thailand?

Dual SIMeSIMMobile Phones in ThailandExpatsThailand Mobile ServicesSIM CardsInternational Communication
Feb 5, 2025
18 days ago
Denice *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Would it be best to have a duel sim card phone or is the E sim card enough
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TLDR : Answer Summary
This discussion revolves around the advantages of using a dual SIM card phone versus relying solely on an eSIM. Participants highlight that while eSIMs work well and are increasingly popular, having a dual SIM can be beneficial for receiving messages from home countries, managing different carriers, and utilizing local data services. Users report diverse experiences, noting the importance of dual SIMs for convenience and coverage, especially for security-related messages. Some experts suggest that with the trend towards eSIMs, it's essential to choose based on personal needs and usage patterns.
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Mike **********
My experience

Go for a Dual Sim card phone
14 days ago
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Robert ********
An eSIM is 100% the same as a SIM card.

Maybe you should read the manual of your phone to see if it does what you need.
15 days ago
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Dave **********
Physical SIMs will be a thing of the past in a few years. So plan accordingly 🧐🤓
17 days ago
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James ******
Dual can't hurt and it doesn't take up any more room
17 days ago
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John *********
iPhone 15 has no physical SIM and accommodates multiple e-SIMs.
17 days ago
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Phill *****
When arriving in bkk airport. Just after collecting your bags or before. Goto a mobile stand and give them your phone. Choose your tariff and let them sort it for you. Takes about 3 minutes and costs about 1000 baht for 30 days
18 days ago
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Ron ********
@Phill ****
 wow that's expensive go out of the airport to a
****
sim 50bhat 1 month data 150 bhat with true move
17 days ago
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Gerald ********
@Ron *******
 That's right very expensive at the airport waiting till outside to where you're going
17 days ago
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Phill *****
@Ron *******
 same as i pay in the UK and it's all done for me as I'm standing waiting for my bags to come out.very easy.

I tried the 711 way one time and had a nightmare.
17 days ago
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Phill *****
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Brian *********
eSIM or physical sim doesn’t matter. We’re getting close to physical sims going away as they are not necessary.

Really depends on what you need?

When I came I ported my primary US phone to Google voice, then got an alternate sim that I could forward to my old number and a Thai number that also forwards. This way I keep my well publicized phone number no matter where I am.

You can have as many sims as your phone can handle. iPhones can handle 8 or more. 🤷‍♂️

As mentioned, they will only effect battery life if they are active with service.
18 days ago
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Bennito *********
18 days ago
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Peter *******
the dual sim is very useful, 1 sim Thailand, 2nd sim for receiving OTPs from UK
18 days ago
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Gerald ********
@Peter ******
 this how i think it should be, the only reason at the moment I have 2 Thai Sims is it was cheaper to buy another SIM for just internet and the original 1 is mainly due to all contracts (Banks) in Thailand have that number and the UK SIM is OTP
17 days ago
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Gerald ********
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Aditya *******
Esim is enough in my view
18 days ago
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Tom ***********
I used an AIS ESim and have had no problems.
18 days ago
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Paul ******
Using a dual sim card drains the battery very quickly remove one of the sims and you will have better battery life

I have thai phone and i use D-tac/True as the carrier
18 days ago
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Jason *******
@Paul *****
 I don't notice much of a difference with battery life using dual sims.
17 days ago
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Wayne *********
@Jason ******
 nor do I find it a big drain on battery life, still only charge on 3rd day. Tourist maybe as taking pictures and googling more etc
16 days ago
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Wayne *********
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David ***********
@Paul *****
 that is interesting. Would that also apply I flight mode as I hike and do not want it draining my battery
17 days ago
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Paul ******
@David **********
 to be honest i could not tell you that

I think it would be ok because its not roaming for signal
17 days ago
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David ***********
@Paul *****
 yeah my thoughts but never thought two Simms could reduce battety life, but with two pinging all the time should have seen it. Thanks.
17 days ago
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Paul ******
@David **********
 you are welcome

i only found out when i was searching online about my Samsung
17 days ago
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Paul ******
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Denice *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have another question about cell phones, I'm in the US would it be better for me to purchase here or over in Thailand? Also, as far as service carrier..do I stay with Us Carrier or move to a Thailand carrier when we move? Ty
18 days ago
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Aaron *******
@Denice ******
 Since you are moving to Thailand, get a phone in Thailand with a Thai carrier. Phones and plans are inexpensive.
17 days ago
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Kenny *****
@Denice ******
 it depends on what you need and your budget. For top tier brand and model its better to get trade in @ US. Dont think any trade in program here, Its way cheaper with it.

If you only need a secondary phone just in case if main one die, non top model here is quite reasonable, my new secondary phone is about USD 200+.
17 days ago
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Eileen ************************
The iPhones sold in the US have only eSIM but those sold outside the US have a card slot and eSIM..
18 days ago
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Wylie *******
@Denice ******
 I'd buy the phone in the US. Many phones here will have different components than the US version. For instance most of the Galaxy phones will have a different chip that doesn't perform as well. As far as the carrier it's WAY cheaper here. You can get a 30GB per month plan for less than $10.
18 days ago
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Wylie *******
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Neil *********
My eSIM doesn’t have voicemail 
18 days ago
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Wylie *******
@Neil ********
 that's not inherent to esims, but rather the company and plan you got.
18 days ago
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Wylie *******
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Braulio *********
My 16 does also.....i think it will support several e sims
18 days ago
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Tony *********
It's better to have 1 E sim and 1 physical sim as you can't have 2 E-sims running at the same time . As I learnt the hard way . Haha
18 days ago
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Wayne *********
@Tony ********
 That's interesting Tony, what if they don't have a Sim socket ? My understanding is they can have upto 6 esim but only 2 work at a time.

Be interesting to hear from someone with a phone that has no Sim socket and find out.
16 days ago
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Tony *********
@Wayne ********
 That's interesting. We'll it didn't work on my Samsung S22 ultra . .
16 days ago
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Wayne *********
@Tony ********
 appears can use 2 esims
16 days ago
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Tony *********
@Wayne ********
 So obviously only works on phones that doesn't have Physical sims
16 days ago
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Wayne *********
@Tony ********
 nope the picture I sent you says can use 2 esims or 1 and 1 sim
16 days ago
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Tony *********
@Wayne ********
 So only for Apple.
16 days ago
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Wayne *********
@Tony ********
 from S24
16 days ago
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Tony *********
@Wayne ********
 buts that's cool when I upgrade
16 days ago
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Tony *********
@Wayne ********
 I have S22 ultra . So Apple and the services before Samsung
16 days ago
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Tony *********
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Alexandra *******
I have my USA number on an e-sim and my Thai number on a physical sim card. works nicely bc I can select which sim to use for each call/text and select which sim for data usage (I use my Thai sim for data in Thailand and I use my USA one when traveling elsewhere). very convenient 👍🏼
18 days ago
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Paul *********
eSIM work very well. I have my UK eSIM and started in Thailand with physical DTAC SIM but will convert that to eSIM soon. Keep the SIM tray spare just in case.
18 days ago
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Lynnette *******
Sorry. Couldn't resist the duel post. 🫢
18 days ago
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Gerald ********
This all depends on if you need to get txt messages from home country, I have 2 phones 1 phone has esim and SIM card both Thai and other phone has UK SIM in it just for messages that I need for banking and 2 forms of security. Some phones you can have more than 1 esim, my phone only allows esim and SIM
18 days ago
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Steve *********
My iPhone 15 has a dual E-sim
18 days ago
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Richard *****
Strange that you should state this as I have 2 eSIMS running in my iPhone most of the time! Of course the physical is off at the same time!
18 days ago
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Richard *****
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Lynnette *******
En guard!! Let the duel commence. 🤺 🤺
18 days ago
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Lynnette *******
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