Finally, a dual SIM card cell phone
The Duet D888 takes two SIM cards.
(Credit: Beyond E-Tech)Though dual SIM card cell phones have been around for a while, I've only seen them while traveling abroad and at trade show booths. The premise is simple and very attractive: with slots for two SIM cards, a single phone can have two phone numbers. You can receive and make calls on both lines and the SIM cards can even be from separate carriers.
It's a great option for anyone who wants to combine their work and personal phone and it's perfect for frequent international travelers who want a local number while retaining their U.S. number.
With such advantages, it's no surprise that a lot of CNET readers have asked how they can get such a phone. But outside of a handful of unlocked models, and a few crude adapters for regular handsets, dual SIM card phones remain relatively scarce in the United States. No U.S. carrier sells them and you can bet that no carrier would give up that kind of control.
But leave it to National Geographic to come up with another option. The organization has partnered with Cellular Abroad to offer the Duet D888. Made by Beyond E-Tech, the unlocked Duet accommodates two SIM cards: one for the Cellular Abroad intentional SIM card and one for another card of your choice. You could use your own SIM card for a GSM carrier like AT&T or T-Mobile or you could buy a prepaid card during your travels.
The Duet's design is a standard silver candy bar. It's nothing special, but it's certainly not unsightly. Its features include a 2-megapixel camera, an MP3 player, an FM radio, Bluetooth, USB connectivity, a personal organizer, messaging, and a speakerphone. You'll also find a selection of National Geographic content like wallpapers and ringtones. One hiccup is that the triband (GSM 900/1800/1900) phone lacks supports for the GSM 850 band, which is used in North America. You should get decent coverage with just the 1900 band, but it will be spotty in places. Yet, the support for both the 900 and 1900 bands will get you great coverage outside of North America.
Though I just got the phone, I can say that it's already a huge improvement over the first National Geographic phone. Not only does the D888 have the dual SIM card functionality, but also it offers more travel-friendly features than the original Motorola V180. It's also a lot more exciting than National Geographic's much-too-simple Motorola Razr V3 domestic phone.
I'm using the Duet D888 on an upcoming trip to Australia. After I return (leaving Australia is very difficult), I'll report on my experience with the phone and the National Geographic/Cellular Abroad service. Stay tuned!
Kent German is a senior editor for cell phone reviews at CNET. When he's not testing the newest handsets on the market, he's blogging about cell phone news for Crave. In his On Call column, he answers reader questions and gives his take on the rapidly changing mobile industry. E-mail Kent. 
The i9 is a "true" dual-SIM phone, meaning both SIMs can be active at one time. Most "dual SIM" phones can only have *one* SIM active, the with the other SIM on standby.
Additionally, they are very popular with Hong Kong businessmen with a mistress that only calls the second sim card. An easy way for them to demarcate their love affairs, evidently.
Many people have expressed a need for this. (For example: married couples who have two phones, but would like one number. Or, those who would like to keep one phone at home and another in their car, at the office, etc...). The U.S. is REALLY so far behind in so many ways.
Each Phone has Dual IMEI #s. Hold first line ...Talk on the 2nd line...then go back to the first...NEAT
Double glass construction for screen ...top quality..The Music Sounds just Great
Worth a try
Each Phone has Dual IMEI #s. Hold first line ...Talk on the 2nd line...then go back to the first...NEAT
Double glass construction for screen ...top quality..The Music Sounds just Great
Worth a try
Here's one place. This stuff isn't new.
http://www.lightinthebox.com/wholesale-Dual-SIM-Card-Cell-Phone_c1295
Samsung commercially released a dual sim phone in 2008 here in India.
- by amyatomicstudios July 29, 2009 4:07 PM PDT
- yea they actually already have a service that offers the same thing... im surprised no one has mentioned it yet, check out secondvoice.com, the do the whole dual line thing but with out a crazy phone
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