Dual sim android

johnmck

I'm going to purchase a dual sim android phone

Been looking at either:

Acer Liquid E2 or a Wiko Stairway

MBSnr

Depends if you want to spend the extra to get 5 inch screen and gorilla glass. Else save the €100 or so and get the Acer.... Both phones have good reports.

johnmck

now i've started looking at the HTC desire 600! - too many choices

tallaghtmick

Theres a huge thread on here about them, have a read.

Oakes

tallaghtmick wrote: »

Theres a huge thread on here about them, have a read.

I purhased the Liquid E2 last week. I bought it ex VAT (registered business) and the cost was euro166 (a bargin, even if you add 23% VAT) and delivery. I bought online from a UK vendor. I know a Dublin store which is supposed to be selling this model in the next week or so but I need the phone last week.

I watched a lot of you tube videos about the phone to familiarise myself with it before I purchased. I was considering dual sim GS4 and HTC One. As this was my first foray into the dual sim world I thought I would spend a little bit and if I found the dual sim to be useful then the purchase of a more expensive model would be a wise escaltion. I am very happy with the LE2. It runs both an Irish (Three network) and UK (O2). What I really like, and perhaps this is the sme with other andriod dual sim phones, is that both sims are active. I can choose whether to dial out or text through either sim and I keep the deafult 3G setting to Ireland except when I travel to the UK. I have received calls on the phone from both Ireland and the UK to both sims. Also nice is the option to dial out via the internet, eg through my skype account. The 8M back camera is great. I am sure the more expensive models do some things better than the LE2, but at the moment I am happy with the phone especially at the price. I would recommend investing in a second battery (like I did when I had a Samsung Galaxy ace) however finding a second battery for the LE2 is easier said then done. I took the phone fully charged on Saturday to Limerick to watch the Legaue (no comments please) and by the time I got home (8 hour round trip) the phone had very little charge left but I do run a lot of apps, yet I did set the brightness to lowest settings and I ran the 'killapp' application every so often to help preserve the battery. Eight hours will not suffice for a business day trip to London for me. But there are options to address this issue too, such as a portable recharger, charging off a laptop and of course AC power supply. Hope this helps.

johnmck

I've decided to get a WIko Darkfull

http://fr.wikomobile.com/mobile.php?t=85&telephone-portable=WIKO-DARKFULL

Oakes

johnmck wrote: »

I've decided to get a WIko Darkfull

http://fr.wikomobile.com/mobile.php?t=85&telephone-portable=WIKO-DARKFULL

Looks good. 13 meg camera on back and gorilla glass. What (roughly) was price?

johnmck

I can get it for about €265 + €30 postage - €295 total.

Oakes

johnmck wrote: »

I can get it for about €265 + €30 postage - €295 total.

Sounds like a good purchase. Good price based on its specs too. Hope it goes well

johnmck

damn it they don't post to IReland

Ship it to Parcel Motel

johnmck

hmm never used it before!

johnmck

so how do I use Parcel Motel to get the French retailer to deliver it?

pizzahead77

johnmck wrote: »

so how do I use Parcel Motel to get the French retailer to deliver it?

They would have to ship to the UK. Do they or will they only deliver to France?

johnmck

seems they ship to the UK. So I just give them the Parcel Motel address in Antrim, and then they ship it onto me -right?

wotzgoingon

johnmck wrote: »

seems they ship to the UK. So I just give them the Parcel Motel address in Antrim, and then they ship it onto me -right?

Yes. If you look on Parcel Motel website it explains it pretty good.

Barr

johnmck wrote: »

I've decided to get a WIko Darkfull

http://fr.wikomobile.com/mobile.php?t=85&telephone-portable=WIKO-DARKFULL

Where did you buy it from ?... do you have a link.

Nice looking phone to be fair.

MBSnr

Barr wrote: »

Where did you buy it from ?... do you have a link.

Nice looking phone to be fair.

I used Amazon.fr for the previous model.
It's here and will deliver to Ireland as it's sold & shipped by themselves. Stock in on Nov 18th.
(Link doesn't want to work... search Amazon.fr for it...)

johnmck

Ordered it

€273 includes delivery. Excellent price compared to other smartphones I think. Can't wait

MBSnr

^^^
From Amazon.fr I guess? .
Hope you enjoy!

harpstilidie

So I ordered the Stairway of Amazon.fr last night.

Just wondering about updates? I see it comes with Android 4.2.1. Is there any way of updating this to 4.3 or 4.4 when it comes out?

Also, is there anywhere I can buy a case for it? They have sellers on Amazon.fr but they don't ship to Ireland or the UK

marcbrophy

Today's IBOOD is a dual sim phone. Acer Liquid E2 DUO.

http://www.ibood.com/ie/en/

MBSnr

harpstilidie wrote: »

So I ordered the Stairway of Amazon.fr last night.

Just wondering about updates? I see it comes with Android 4.2.1. Is there any way of updating this to 4.3 or 4.4 when it comes out?

Also, is there anywhere I can buy a case for it? They have sellers on Amazon.fr but they don't ship to Ireland or the UK

Wiko aren't going to update it apparently and there's a few people not happy. Seems they might have just moved on to concentrate on their Darkxxx range. You can custom ROM it but therein lies a few risks!

I bought the smoked/grey case from here. They didn't del. to Ireland/UK so I emailed them to ask if they could and a few hours later the option was on their site!! Paypal checkout and all. I was amazed and can't complain about the service!! The order was sent with tracking as well.....
If your French isn't up to speed (as mine isn't) use Chrome to translate the site.

harpstilidie

Thanks, must check that site out! Can you remember how much the case was, delivery etc?

Really? That's a bit annoying. Is the Stairway not only out a few months?

MBSnr

harpstilidie wrote: »

Thanks, must check that site out! Can you remember how much the case was, delivery etc?

Really? That's a bit annoying. Is the Stairway not only out a few months?

Price was about €12 all in. I was expecting it to be €11 + €5 European del. but it seems they took off the French Tax of 19.6% by mistake.... They may have fixed that now....

Yeah it's new alright and a good few people are annoyed. Doesn't really affect me as i jumped up from 2.2 anyhow.
Have a look at these French forums (in chrome)
http://forum.frandroid.com/forum/494-wiko/
http://wikoandco.fr/index.php/forum/index/

There's also an online petition to get them to update the Stairway. Not sure it'll have any affect though.
http://forum.frandroid.com/topic/171111-obsolescence-p%C3%A9tition-pour-que-wiko-nous-fournisse-des-mises-%C3%A0-jours/

harpstilidie

Thanks a million, you're a legend.

I'm upgrading from a ZTE Blade 2.2 as well so looking forward to getting it.

I've done some Custom ROM's before so if there is a way to upgrade it down the line I'd be tempted.

Is the Micromax Canvas 4 the same as the Stairway? I see you can blow air on it and it will unlock, 'look away' technology when watching a video etc. Does the Stairway have those features no?

MBSnr

harpstilidie wrote: »

Thanks a million, you're a legend.

I'm upgrading from a ZTE Blade 2.2 as well so looking forward to getting it.

I've done some Custom ROM's before so if there is a way to upgrade it down the line I'd be tempted.

Is the Micromax Canvas 4 the same as the Stairway? I see you can blow air on it and it will unlock, 'look away' technology when watching a video etc. Does the Stairway have those features no?

Thanks!

It is basically the Canvas 4 as far as I can tell. It doesn't do those gestures though, only the attached options are on mine and I think some don't work so well. I only use the two ticked.

harpstilidie

Thanks.

You just using the stock ROM? Anything else I need to know about it?

MBSnr

harpstilidie wrote: »

Thanks.

You just using the stock ROM? Anything else I need to know about it?

Ha...! Now you're worried...

I've had mine 2 months now and no problems. I only run it with one SIM so can't comment on how it is with two SIMs and the battery life. Battery life for me is good but I mostly use it on wifi and not 3G. The only thing I have found is the wifi range isn't as good as some other phones. With my older HTC I could get further away from the wifi router/modem before it dropped the signal. 3G is fine though.

As it's a base stock ROM build stick on Power Toggles which gives a nice customisable pull down menu in the notification area which allows you to quickly 'one touch' things like Silence/Data/Wifi etc. Looking at my apps that's all I had to add to make it very usable.

harpstilidie

MBSnr wrote: »

Ha...! Now you're worried...

I've had mine 2 months now and no problems. I only run it with one SIM so can't comment on how it is with two SIMs and the battery life. Battery life for me is good but I mostly use it on wifi and not 3G. The only thing I have found is the wifi range isn't as good as some other phones. With my older HTC I could get further away from the wifi router/modem before it dropped the signal. 3G is fine though.

As it's a base stock ROM build stick on Power Toggles which gives a nice customisable pull down menu in the notification area which allows you to quickly 'one touch' things like Silence/Data/Wifi etc. Looking at my apps that's all I had to add to make it very usable.

I'll be using it for the dual sim function so hopefully it works well. Hopefully the WIFI range isn't too bad as my bedroom is a good bit away from the router.

Estimated delivery is tomorrow so I'll get back to you with my thoughts then!

johnmck

I've got impatient - I've heard no word back from Amazon.fr on the Darkfull phone. It's still saying they are waiting. I might just cancel the order.

I need a phone ASAP. So I'm thinking of either getting the
ALCATEL One Touch Idol 6030D
Or
Wiko Stairway from pixmania


http://www.pixmania.ie/smartphones/alcatel-one-touch-idol-6030d-unlocked/21525079-a.html

http://www.pixmania.ie/smartphones/wiko-stairway-smartphone-grey/21745142-a.html

MBSnr

^^^
Thanks - Didn't know Pixmania were stocking them now and at a comparable price to Amazon.fr as well.

I have no experience of the Alcatel but on paper spec it has
lower OS 4.1 not 4.2
smaller screen 4.7 not 5
smaller battery 1800 not 2000
lower resolution 540 x 960 not 1280 x 720 pixels
lower megapix camera 8mp not 13mp
cpu is dual core 1GHz not quad core 1.2GHz
it costs more...not supplied by Pixmania and Shipping fees: € 17.22

johnmck

ok - that answers my question - I'll just go with the Stairway I think then from Pixmania

Pity about the darkfull

harpstilidie

johnmck wrote: »

ok - that answers my question - I'll just go with the Stairway I think then from Pixmania

Pity about the darkfull

Has amazon.fr not dispatched your Darkfull then? I got an email the day after I ordered my Stairway to say it's been dispatched and estimated delivery is tomorrow so hopefully it comes.

MBSnr

harpstilidie wrote: »

Has amazon.fr not dispatched your Darkfull then? I got an email the day after I ordered my Stairway to say it's been dispatched and estimated delivery is tomorrow so hopefully it comes.

It's a new phone from Wiko so they don't have full stock yet (if any, but saying that it appears as in stock on the site right now...). I saw the same for Stairway when it was first out, so waited until there was stock before ordering.

harpstilidie

MBSnr wrote: »

It's a new phone from Wiko so they don't have full stock yet (if any, but saying that it appears as in stock on the site right now...). I saw the same for Stairway when it was first out, so waited until there was stock before ordering.

Awh I see now. I must have been getting the Darkside and the Darkfull mixed up!

johnmck

hmm maybe I should wait!

harpstilidie

So my Stairway came today.

First impressions...looks lovely, the white with the aluminium trim is class. Seems to work well with 2 SIMS with no problems. Flows nice with no lag. Very impressed so far! Any reviews said there was a blue tint to the screen but I can't see any evidence of that.

Going to leave it to charge for a while and I'll have a proper play with it later

harpstilidie

Just a little update on the Stairway.

Super phone. Finding it hard to get used to the size of it though compared to my previous phone. Only negative thing I have noticed is the battery. I expected it to be better to be honest. It's OK but not great. Only relatively light use each day and I'm just getting a days use out of it. It must be the fact it's Dual Sim which makes it sorer on the battery. Searching for signal would eat at the battery too I guess!

Other than that, it's excellent. The HD screen for youtube and other videos is unreal!

MBSnr

^^^
I'd say it's the running of both SIMs, which have to listen to two separate cell networks, that drops it so quick. I have one SIM in mine, mostly have it on wifi during the day and currently it's at 49% battery and 1d 13h 20m since last charge. Have at times nearly got 3 days out of it between charges but that's with it doing nothing for 8 or 9 hours each night. The 3G kills the battery very quickly. I do tend to turn that off at night if I remember.

johnmck

is there a way to have both sims in and have software turn off one of the sims?

MBSnr

johnmck wrote: »

is there a way to have both sims in and have software turn off one of the sims?

Yes in SIM management you can individually turn off each SIM card.

minnow

Thanks for the tip on the Wiko Stairway. I was looking for a dual Sim phone to avoid roaming when commuting to UK and bought it through Amazon.fr. I have it now one week and am really impressed. I had been tempted to go for Samsung as I hadn't heard of Wiki before, but my wife had lag problems with a Galaxy S2 and Tab 3 so I was uncertain. Really glad now that I went Wiko.
I read this week that they will start selling in UK in next weeks.

MBSnr

^^^
Wow seems so. They have changed their website to include English for the 1st time.... I guess they are looking to expand beyond selling primarily to France. Good luck to them.

harpstilidie

My brother is looking for a new phone and I've looked at both the Wiko Darknight and the Wiko Rainbow. Has anyone any experience of these phones? I have the Stairway myself and it's a cracking phone.

MBSnr

harpstilidie wrote: »

My brother is looking for a new phone and I've looked at both the Wiko Darknight and the Wiko Rainbow. Has anyone any experience of these phones? I have the Stairway myself and it's a cracking phone.

I have the Stairway as well. The Rainbow has a much lower spec screen AFAIK. Don't know about the Darknight. Do a compare on wikomobile.com if you have access to a PC.

Other option is the Darkmoon - a good 4.7 inch phone if he doesn't need the 5 inch one. I know someone with it and they're happy.

harpstilidie

MBSnr wrote: »

I have the Stairway as well. The Rainbow has a much lower spec screen AFAIK. Don't know about the Darknight. Do a compare on wikomobile.com if you have access to a PC.

Other option is the Darkmoon - a good 4.7 inch phone if he doesn't need the 5 inch one. I know someone with it and they're happy.

Thanks. He went for the Wiko Wax which is only out a few weeks. It's 4g compatible so hopefully it'll do him grand. Around €200 so more or less the same price as the Darknight.

MBSnr

harpstilidie wrote: »

Thanks. He went for the Wiko Wax which is only out a few weeks. It's 4g compatible so hopefully it'll do him grand. Around €200 so more or less the same price as the Darknight.

Is this defo dual SIM? I've read that it is on Amazon but not in the reviews....

veganrun

Can any of these phones be upgraded to Android 4.4 or whatever the latest version is?

MBSnr

veganrun wrote: »

Can any of these phones be upgraded to Android 4.4 or whatever the latest version is?

The Wiko can be by applying a custom ROM. Wiko tend to bring out a phone and don't provide updates - it stays at the version shipped. I did once get a kernel update but not a new version of android.

harpstilidie

MBSnr wrote: »

Is this defo dual SIM? I've read that it is on Amazon but not in the reviews....

Not entirely sure to be honest. He doesn't need it to be dual SIM though so it'll be grand. Once he gets it, I'll have a play with it and let you know what it's like.