A few days ago, I was curious about what does hybrid dual SIM slot mean and how it works. I couldn’t get a definite explanation on Google, so I did some little research and finally grasped it.
Today, I’ll be sharing that knowledge with you in this post. The term “hybrid dual SIM slot” might not be new to most avid smartphone users at least to those that pay attention to phone specs. But to many smartphone users, the question on what a hybrid Dual Slot means and how is different from a normal dual SIM slot has remained one of the frequently asked questions about smartphone specs and hardware. Not all smartphones come with a Dual SIM slot, companies like Apple manufactures iPhones with just a single SIM slot.
What is a Hybrid Dual SIM slot?
The word “hybrid” in the computer world basically means a tool or technology that combines the benefits of formerly separate tools or technologies. A hybrid SIM slot has two benefits or rather combines two benefits. The two-slot benefits are a SIM card and a microSD card. These two cards are very separate and don’t generally fit into the same spot/space/slot. This is where the hybrid slot comes in. A hybrid slot is a tool that combines the functionalities of a SIM card and a microSD card.
In order not to sound confusing, a hybrid SIM slot is where you can choose to insert either a SIM card or a microSD card. We all know the word “Dual” means two, so a dual SIM slot means two SIM slots. In previous years, phone makers manufacture smartphones featuring three (triple) slots. Two of the slots is designated for the SIM card while the third one is for the microSD card. But as technology continue to advance, we saw about a new change and the birth of the hybrid dual SIM slot.
The hybrid dual SIM slot has just two slots with one of them acting as the hybrid slot. The hybrid slot can take either a SIM card or microSD card depending on the user’s preference. That means you can decide to sacrifice a MicroSD card for two SIM cards, it all depends on what you want.
Why do OEMs prefer a hybrid dual SIM slot?
After understanding what and how the hybrid dual SIM slot works, it’s not difficult to see why OEM companies prefer this option compared to the three-slot tray. This option eliminates the third slot thereby making the smartphone more portable and ensures it has less weight.
The disadvantage of the hybrid dual SIM slot is that you won’t be able to use the functions of the three slot i.e. use two SIM cards and also insert a microSD card.
You’ll need a secondary tool known as the “hybrid dual SIM adapter”. This adapter creates the third slot and connects with the SIM tray. The downside of this adapter is that it will be left hanging on the side of your smartphone. You’ll need a phone case to keep it glued to the back of your device. It is inconvenient, to say the least, but it is what it is if your smartphone is using a hybrid SIM
What is the difference between a dedicated and hybrid SIM slot?
In a simple definition, a “dedicated slot” is one that is used for one/single purpose i.e. it has just one benefit. While a “hybrid slot” is one that is used for two/dual purposes. And in this case, the two purposes is SIM card and microSD card. Note: the slot can only be used for on purpose at a time. Both can not work simultaneously.
Which Smartphones features the Hybrid Dual SIM slot?
Well, a whole lot of smartphones comes with the hybrid dual SIM slot feature. It is very common specs in the smartphone market today. Below are the major phones with the feature;
- Samsung: Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, Galaxy S20 Ultra
- Xiaomi Poco X2
- Huawei P40, P40 Pro, P40 Pro+
- LG: V60 ThinQ, G8 ThinQ, G7 ThinQ
- Oppo Reno 3 and Reno 3 Pro
- TECNO Phantom 8
- Infinix Note 5 Stylus
- Infinix Hot 6X
We hope this post answers any lingering questions you might have had about what a hybrid dual SIM slot means and how it works. If you’re not comfortable with owning a smartphone with a hybrid dual SIM slot, you can opt for the ones with three slots (dual SIM slot and a dedicated microSD slot).
