S20 + Dual Sim + Cheap Plan to Keep Number

knobbs on 12/03/2020 - 16:27
Last edited 12/03/2020 - 16:52

Just after some advice on how to proceed with the new S20 dual sim and keeping my old number active. Work has approved me for a new phone and plan but they want to own the number. So I will have to move my current number out of a work plan and onto personal and then use the new work number in a phone. With the S20 I know it is eSIM and physical sim + SD card, can I use both SIMs at the same time (dual SIM active) or can only one be activated at a time? I am hoping to do something like use the work data plan and have both calls/txt work at the same time.

Also any ideas for a super cheap year long plan that includes calls/txt, can be super low data if above situation works and can just use work data 24/7.

PS. Work plan is with Telstra so should have eSIM

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Comments

  • RichardL on 12/03/2020 - 16:44

    I believe the AU Stock for Samsung S20 Devices are Hybrid Sim (two nano-SIM cards or a SIM card and a MicroSD card) Confirmed with Samsung Live Chat, that the S20 Series are Physical + eSim Only.

    PS: if eSim is required, then only the three major telco offers them (Telstra, Optus and Vodafone).

    • knobbs on 12/03/2020 - 16:46

      Yes the new work plan will be with Telstra so hoping to use the eSIM on that, than my personal plan will be the physical SIM. I definitely want an SD card in there as well so need the eSIM. Just question remains how can I run/configure the physical + eSIM in the s20?

      • FirstWizard on 12/03/2020 - 16:53

        I have an S20+ purchased directly from Samsung AU and can confirm that you could run both eSIM and physical sim on dual standby.

        • knobbs on 12/03/2020 - 17:09

          Standby was the word I didn't want to hear, but maybe my understand is incorrect. When you say standby do you mean they are both activate at the same time? If so can you chose which sim to use for data?

          • FirstWizard on 12/03/2020 - 17:14
            +2

            @knobbs: You can receive calls/texts from both connections, but I don't think you can do so at the same time.

            Heres a screenshot of the SIM manager
            https://imgur.com/a/0ezawbl

            • knobbs on 12/03/2020 - 17:23

              @FirstWizard: Awesome thanks, just what I wanted to know.

              Do you know if there is any battery life considerations when running dual sim?

              • FirstWizard on 13/03/2020 - 10:12

                @knobbs: I haven't done any tests TBH. But I guess it might. I usually have one of the sims off.

      • sharka on 12/03/2020 - 16:54

        Do you know if you are a Telstra enterprise or corporate customer?
        If you are, then their systems dont support e-sims for Enterprise/Corporate yet. :(

        • knobbs on 12/03/2020 - 17:09

          Yes it will be enterprise/corporate. Bummer, any idea on when they might?

          • sharka on 12/03/2020 - 17:10
            +1

            @knobbs: I’ve spoken with the national account manager and they were aiming for end of March. Haven’t heard anything since tho

            DM me and I will send you some info I’ve received so far

  • FirstWizard on 12/03/2020 - 16:50

    I think the first thing you need to be clear of is which of the plans are going on the eSIM.

    If the work number is on a network that allows eSIM, and you have an authorisation letter from work to get a new sim, then great. This means your personal number can go on the nano-SIM and you may have a plethora of MVNOs to choose this plan from.

    But if you don't have that freedom, then your personal plan would have to go on the eSIM. That means you'd have to choose between the 3 major providers because AFAIK they are the only ones to offer eSIMs at the moment.

    EDIT—-
    Guess I was too late

  • RichardL on 12/03/2020 - 17:04
    +2

    Also any ideas for a super cheap year long plan that includes calls/txt, can be super low data if above situation works and can just use work data 24/7.

    I looked into an Unlimited Call/Text Only Plan (No Data) for my grandparents, and went with Dodo $5/month plan.

    If you don't need the unlimited Call/Text, the next option would be ALDImobile Pay-As-You-Go Option ($15 for 365 Days).

  • JimmyF on 12/03/2020 - 19:45
    +1

    can I use both SIMs at the same time (dual SIM active) or can only one be activated at a time?

    Yes both sims are active for receiving/making calls and SMS at the same time.

    Yes only one sim is active for data though.

    • knobbs on 12/03/2020 - 20:13

      Music to my ears, just not that corp/enterprise don't do eSIM. Or you know work could of just paid for my plan like they used to instead of 'owning' the number…

      • JimmyF on 12/03/2020 - 21:00

        yeah the trick is getting a esim. If your work is one of the main telcos, you'll get a esim no problem. Leaving your sim slot free for a cheap plan to keep your number alive.

        • knobbs on 12/03/2020 - 21:10

          sharka was saying that on the corp/enterprise Telstra you can't get eSIM yet though :(
          https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/8436734/redir

          • JimmyF on 13/03/2020 - 09:50

            @knobbs: Oh… Well then you'll have to get a esim on your personal one, which means no super cheap plans as I think its only postpaid that are offering it ATM.

  • spaniel77 on 07/02/2021 - 22:50

    Sorry guys. New here and want to add to the questions.
    I'm opening a new business and am interested in this dual sim thingo. But have no idea on what an eSim is.

    Questions:
    1. I'm on like a prepaid plan atm and just want to buy the S20 outright then get back on my plan. Can you choose to have that sim just transferred? Then use the esim for business.
    2. I just need a simple simple plan of talk and text. Can you be on a Vodafone for the normal sim and be with Dodo for the eSim?

    I'll probably have more questions later… like who is the cheapest to buy off a phone outright? I want the 265 or is it 256g so I don't have to worry about apps and have a million and have a million pics etc

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