Samsung E2222 'Texto' Dual SIM Capable Sim Free Mobile Phone

Having had to carry around two mobile phones is a pain, and I have had this pain for the last six years whilst running two separate businesses as a sole trader. I have been aware of dual sim mobiles overseas for a few years, but taking the risk of purchasing abroad is not for me, aside from an i-phone-a-like mobile bought for a few quid on an auction site. This didn't work, with O2 blocking the handset ID, so it was back to the double phone set up again!

I've kept an eye on dual sim phones, which have been tipped in the UK press to be the next thing to hit the UK markets for the last couple of years - but nothing has really come to pass, and you cannot buy a dual SIM phone in any of the main mobile phone retailers.

I noticed this Samsung E222 here on Amazon for a very reasonable price so took the punt - and I am very happy I did.

Both O2 SIMS were accepted by the phone straight away and despite Samsung's extremely limited manual, you're guided by the phone itself to set up in no time.

It's not a 3G phone, and it does not have WiFi - so don't expect to be surfing the net at high speed. The flip side of this is a extraordinary battery life - Five days of light use and it's still on half battery!

It's a good phone for texting, given the 'Blackberry' style of QWERTY keyboard, the call quality is a tad on the muffled side compared to my iPhone, but you can hear your callers just fine.

Operationally, you can set a different set of sounds for each SIM card; for example I have two distinct ring tones and text alerts for the two numbers, so you know how to answer the phone.

Both SIMs are active during standby...meaning that you don't have to switch between SIMs to receive calls. To make calls, there's a SIM switch button on the keypad so you can select which SIM to dial out on. You can also set the phone to display a different colour theme and wallpaper, again so you can clearly see which SIM is active for calling out with.

The phone is very light, a little smaller than an iphone and much lighter. The screen is fine for everyday calling and texting. A single BlueTooth connection (absent from some of the budget Nokia Dual Sim phones) is useful for handsfree dialling.

If you're on a call on one SIM and you receive a call on the second SIM, the second SIM will send to voicemail as if you were busy on a normal call.

There's apps for chat on Facebook, Gmail, Yahoo etc - I haven't personally set them up or used them. There's a couple of Java games, calculator etc, all the usual stuff.

The box comes with a UK plug charger. There is no wired handsfree kit, you will need wired headphones if you want to use the built-in FM radio. There is also no data cable in the box, but I bought a genuine Samsung one for a couple of quid. It's a standard micro-USB slot on the side of the phone. The phone also takes Micro SD cards if you want to store images etc., again you'll need to buy your own if you want to do this.

This is an advanced basic phone, if that makes sense. If you want a smartphone, this is not for you. For me personally, who just wants to receive two lots of phone calls and texts in one unit, it's perfect.

As I am using mobile phone only for phone calls and texts I was looking for something not to expensive but reliable. And this actually is it. Good price, both cards work properly, long lasting battery. Buttons are looking a little small but to my surprise are easy to operate. Overall happy.

This is my second dual sim phone, as like many people I did not like having to carry a work phone and a personal phone.
Yes the camera is poor, but this is a phone - how often do you really use the camera other than for a snapshot?

The ease of use for dual sim calling / receiving makes this phone stand-out.
Other dual sims have complicated menus to get you to dial from whichever sim you want to use, with this phone, one touch to switch sims and you then use as if a single sim.
Both sims being active all times, is great once you've set up unique ring tones for each line, so you can simply change the way you answer depending on who's calling.
Like other reviewers I have two ringtones, and two wallpapers, so I know at a glance which sim I am on.

As regards other features - it makes and receives calls on two sims very easily, it has bluetooth so can be used almost hands free and looks ok - what else should a phone do?