subject: Why The Resistance To Dual-sim Mobile Phones? [print this page] For some time now, dual SIM phones have been hot among the masses. Majority of the handsets that have these are China phones or locally branded ones like MyPhone, Cherry Mobile or Torque.
I actually wrote a similar entry last year Why Dual-SIM phones arent picking up?
I remember, about 8 year ago, people would go to Greenhills and have their Nokia phones converted to dual SIM phones. It involved a replacement part attached at the back of the handset and makes the battery compartment bulging at the back.
Then we got them dual-SIM China-phones that are uber-cheap with price range from Php2,000 Php4,000. That really got a lot of attention (and weve covered that topic here several times, including that Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho feature).
The big brands seem to take their time in introducing similar handsets. The first one Ive encountered was from Samsung. Not sure if it was the Samsung Fizz or the SGH-780 (Samsung actually has a total of 5 dual SIM phones but Ive only seen one model introduced locally). Earlier this month, I also saw LG putting out an ad for their very own dual SIM phone under the model LG GX200. I have yet to see Nokia and Sony-Ericsson showing off their own versions.
I guess the main reason why the big brands are not too eager with dual-SIM phones despite of the growing demand ia because it will just eat into their market share.
Were already familiar with people owning 2 or more phones at the same time. Instead of buying two handsets, consumers might settle for only 1 unit with dual-SIM capability. That trend could eventually affect total sales and margins of the big brands. Thats on top of the other reasons I mentioned here earlier (i.e. battery life and telco subsidy).
Nevertheless, at least were seeing the big names producing their own dual-SIM although the ones theyre making are mostly entry-level phones. I dont think theyll dot he same with their high-end smartphones though.
