Different radio performance SIM2 vs SIM1 slot - Moto G5 Plus Questions & Answers

Hi,
Let me first to describe the environment:
- I'm using a Moto G5+ RETEU (so an EUROPE model with European UMTS/LTE bands, plus NFC and 3GB RAM).
- I have two SIMs from two different operators. Both have support for GSM/EDGE/UMTS/LTE in different bands. And both have data enabled.
Second, let me to clarify one point:
- When using the dual SIM mode, the SIM with the "data enabled" it uses 4G-3G-2G, and the other only 3G-2G. This is true even if the SIM with data it's in the slot #1 or slot #2.
Now, the problem:
- When I have the SIM A in Slot #1 and SIM B in Slot #2, both enabled and data enabled for SIM A, then the radio signal for this card is weak.
- But if I interchange, SIM A in Slot #2 and SIM B in Slot #1, with data enabled for SIM A (now in Slot #2), the the radio signal increases.
So, the question is: has the Slot #2 a boost in signal?
If this it's true, it has two consecuencies: 1) When opening the Engineering Menu and changing the radio bands, you can only change bands for the 'running' modem (the one that has the "data enabled"). However, for Slot #1 you can activate/deactivate LTE bands; but for Slot #2 only up to UMTS. Even if the LTE is enabled for Slot #2 selecting this SIM for data. I feel this App isn't optimized for Dual SIM. So the limitation it's in the App. But with the current implementation I can't change bands for the second slot (for example for LTE only mode and check VoLTE support). 2) The second consequency is related to Apps that access to the SIM for some services, like NFC SIM cards. For achieve this the SIM needs to be in the Slot #1 (this is a requirement). But if you like to use the Slot #2 for LTE because you prefer to obtain stronger signal, then you can't do it because the NFC SIM card needs to run in Slot #1.
After explain the implications, and my observations... please, can you commet if you have a similar behaviour: Strong Signal in Slot #2 ?
Thank you!

That is interesting stuff.
I have exactly the same setup, I will try it right away and swap the 2 sims. I will post my experiences in a few days.

After a few days of testing I confirm that data works better on SIM slot 2, more stable and quicker fix when moving.
How do you get into that engineering menu by the way?

I am getting better signal in SIM 2 and also less mobile standby drain than SIM 1

Related

Dual Sim

When i have 2 sim in the phone only one work in 4g,3g ( sim with data mobile) second with voice work only in 2g mode. I try to change the slot and nothing. When i have only 1 sim all is ok, but is normal ? Only sim with data mobile active work in 4g,3g and second sim only in 2g mode ?
yes all dual sim phones work that way 1 slot for 4g-3g-gsm and the other only gsm but at least u can select from menu wich sim for 4g

1 SIM @ 4G (DATA/VOICE/SMS) while the other @3G (voice) possible?

Can I have 1 sim for data & voice running at 4G, while the other sim for voice & sms only in 3G? Or only 2G supported?
Because I read at 1+3 forum that it can actually do this, so I was wondering if the Axon 7 can as well. I don't see why not, correct?
Has anyone tried this? I'm in the US, and would like to be able to run a tmobile mvno sim (4G+voice+sms) + an international sim (voice+sms) that's roaming on AT&T who will shut down 2G soon.
It's a dual 4G sim slot, so yea you can run it like that.
zolo111 said:
Can I have 1 sim for data & voice running at 4G, while the other sim for voice & sms only in 3G? Or only 2G supported?
Because I read at 1+3 forum that it can actually do this, so I was wondering if the Axon 7 can as well. I don't see why not, correct?
Has anyone tried this? I'm in the US, and would like to be able to run a tmobile mvno sim (4G+voice+sms) + an international sim (voice+sms) that's roaming on AT&T who will shut down 2G soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to settings - dual sim settings - network mode and on sim 2 tell it GSM only. It will keep sim 2 on 3g. Also on settings -dual sim settings you can turn off mobile data for either sim. Just put t-mobile in sim 1 and at&t in sim 2, shut off mobile data on sim 2, and tell sim 2 gsm only. Done
Thanks for the info, I didn't buy the device yet; but this makes choosing a device even harder since both can do this now (1+3 & Axon 7).
Until recently this was NOT the norm I believe, best I could find was a dual sim phone with 1 sim @ 4G while the other @ 2G only.
tabletalker7 said:
Go to settings - dual sim settings - network mode and on sim 2 tell it GSM only. It will keep sim 2 on 3g. Also on settings -dual sim settings you can turn off mobile data for either sim. Just put t-mobile in sim 1 and at&t in sim 2, shut off mobile data on sim 2, and tell sim 2 gsm only. Done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't GSM-only mean 2G? While both slots are hooked up for 2G/3G/4G, I think only one slot can be connected to 3G/4G at a time, the other slot goes down to 2G.
When I have my Verizon SIM in Slot1 (chosen as data connection) and a T-Mobile SIM in Slot2, using apps like LTE Discovery show my A7 connected to Verizon LTE, Verizon 1x (2G for voice calls), and T-Mobile GSM (2G), not T-Mobile HSPA (3G). When I switch the data connection source to Slot2, it connects to T-Mobile LTE and Verizon 1x (2G), not Verizon EVDO (3G).
Yes I was able to confirm LTE and WCDMA simultaneous operation
Hi! Amazingly, yeah this works...you can have LTE on one SIM and WCDMA 3G on the other (voice only). I tested this with two T-Mobile SIMs and was kind of shocked as in the past it seems like all dual-SIM phones are limited to GSM-only on one of the two SIMs, as has been mentioned above...
But...strangely, this won't work when using a CDMA SIM in slot 1 (i.e., Verizon). I have no clue why...I can definitely confirm that my experience is the same as that stated above by xtermmin - the GSM SIM will be limited to EDGE (2G only) when the CDMA SIM is active as the data SIM. But with two GSM operators yes one can be LTE/WCDMA and the other can be WCDMA/GSM. I'll confirm real quick just to make double sure but I seem to recall seeing this in the specs and was able to confirm it myself. I've attached a screenshot showing this - I have SIM 2 enabled for data as you can see but SIM 1 still shows voice-only on UMTS and thus is not just limited to 2G. I hope they fix this phone so that CDMA SIMs will have this same functionality...for now though I can say confidently that two GSM SIMs can be operated as LTE/WCDMA on primary SIM and WCDMA/GSM on secondary SIM simultaneously...really great news considering all the EDGE networks seem to be on their last leg!
EDIT: Oh - and don't mind the fact that the "Cellular Network State" is shown as disconnected - in slot 1 I have an old T-Mobile SIM just for this test - it isn't active at the moment on an account. But for demonstration hopefully it does suffice as it definitely has the phone connected to 3G service on SIM 1 while having LTE service on SIM 2. Also - I've included a 2nd screenshot to show that with Verizon LTE/CDMA on SIM 1 (shown as carrier '123456'), SIM 2 will be limited to GSM-only on T-Mo...really weird - not sure why this limitation exists for CDMA users - I think it's a ZTE bug as simultaneous CDMA 1X and WCDMA is possible with T-Mobile as the data-SIM.
flyer_andy said:
Hi! Amazingly, yeah this works...you can have LTE on one SIM and WCDMA 3G on the other (voice only). I tested this with two T-Mobile SIMs and was kind of shocked as in the past it seems like all dual-SIM phones are limited to GSM-only on one of the two SIMs, as has been mentioned above...
But...strangely, this won't work when using a CDMA SIM in slot 1 (i.e., Verizon). I have no clue why...I can definitely confirm that my experience is the same as that stated above by xtermmin - the GSM SIM will be limited to EDGE (2G only) when the CDMA SIM is active as the data SIM. But with two GSM operators yes one can be LTE/WCDMA and the other can be WCDMA/GSM. I'll confirm real quick just to make double sure but I seem to recall seeing this in the specs and was able to confirm it myself. I've attached a screenshot showing this - I have SIM 2 enabled for data as you can see but SIM 1 still shows voice-only on UMTS and thus is not just limited to 2G. I hope they fix this phone so that CDMA SIMs will have this same functionality...for now though I can say confidently that two GSM SIMs can be operated as LTE/WCDMA on primary SIM and WCDMA/GSM on secondary SIM simultaneously...really great news considering all the EDGE networks seem to be on their last leg!
EDIT: Oh - and don't mind the fact that the "Cellular Network State" is shown as disconnected - in slot 1 I have an old T-Mobile SIM just for this test - it isn't active at the moment on an account. But for demonstration hopefully it does suffice as it definitely has the phone connected to 3G service on SIM 1 while having LTE service on SIM 2. Also - I've included a 2nd screenshot to show that with Verizon LTE/CDMA on SIM 1 (shown as carrier '123456'), SIM 2 will be limited to GSM-only on T-Mo...really weird - not sure why this limitation exists for CDMA users - I think it's a ZTE bug as simultaneous CDMA 1X and WCDMA is possible with T-Mobile as the data-SIM.
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Ah, so it's another CDMA quirk. Good to know!
xtermmin said:
Ah, so it's another CDMA quirk. Good to know!
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Click to collapse
Yeah for sure...I love the phone and all but I really hope ZTE will just fix these annoying CDMA bugs already...Seems like they could fix this stuff with or without Verizon's approval - from the beginning they've kind of hamstrung CDMA and I've never really understood why. Another bug I noticed was that when switching calls to the T-Mobile SIM, VoLTE has to be kicked into gear by toggling the VoLTE toggle and sometimes even putting the phone into airplane mode for a second...from what I've heard this is a unique problem to CDMA use as well.
flyer_andy said:
Hi! Amazingly, yeah this works...you can have LTE on one SIM and WCDMA 3G on the other (voice only). I tested this with two T-Mobile SIMs and was kind of shocked as in the past it seems like all dual-SIM phones are limited to GSM-only on one of the two SIMs, as has been mentioned above...
But...strangely, this won't work when using a CDMA SIM in slot 1 (i.e., Verizon). I have no clue why...I can definitely confirm that my experience is the same as that stated above by xtermmin - the GSM SIM will be limited to EDGE (2G only) when the CDMA SIM is active as the data SIM. But with two GSM operators yes one can be LTE/WCDMA and the other can be WCDMA/GSM. I'll confirm real quick just to make double sure but I seem to recall seeing this in the specs and was able to confirm it myself. I've attached a screenshot showing this - I have SIM 2 enabled for data as you can see but SIM 1 still shows voice-only on UMTS and thus is not just limited to 2G. I hope they fix this phone so that CDMA SIMs will have this same functionality...for now though I can say confidently that two GSM SIMs can be operated as LTE/WCDMA on primary SIM and WCDMA/GSM on secondary SIM simultaneously...really great news considering all the EDGE networks seem to be on their last leg!
EDIT: Oh - and don't mind the fact that the "Cellular Network State" is shown as disconnected - in slot 1 I have an old T-Mobile SIM just for this test - it isn't active at the moment on an account. But for demonstration hopefully it does suffice as it definitely has the phone connected to 3G service on SIM 1 while having LTE service on SIM 2. Also - I've included a 2nd screenshot to show that with Verizon LTE/CDMA on SIM 1 (shown as carrier '123456'), SIM 2 will be limited to GSM-only on T-Mo...really weird - not sure why this limitation exists for CDMA users - I think it's a ZTE bug as simultaneous CDMA 1X and WCDMA is possible with T-Mobile as the data-SIM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info. Has this issue been sorted out to your knowledge? We livein 2 different regions, but would only consider getting the Aussie release of this phone this month if it can seamlessly handle 4g/3g, using 2 SIM cards where both are capable of LTE. Will this work? Does it automatically switch data to SIM 2 in order to take 3G voice call, or does it temp. disable data on sim 1 (4g) to allow SIM 2 call?
RoOSTA
Actually, worse than I thought...but only a bit
roosta said:
Thanks for the info. Has this issue been sorted out to your knowledge? We livein 2 different regions, but would only consider getting the Aussie release of this phone this month if it can seamlessly handle 4g/3g, using 2 SIM cards where both are capable of LTE. Will this work? Does it automatically switch data to SIM 2 in order to take 3G voice call, or does it temp. disable data on sim 1 (4g) to allow SIM 2 call?
RoOSTA
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Click to collapse
Hi - I just tried this and here's what I found:
If active data is on SIM 2, a call to or from SIM 1 is possible on UMTS (WCDMA 3G) but this will terminate the LTE connection on SIM 2 for the duration of the call. However, a call on SIM 2 will not be a problem for data unless SIM 2 is on EDGE or less...on UMTS or LTE (i.e., a VoLTE call) you'll still have data during the call.
If data is on SIM 1, a call to or from SIM 2 is only possible on EDGE!!! I didn't know this! I guess SIM 2 will always be GSM-only if SIM 1 is the active data SIM. And also - you will lose LTE data on SIM 1 if you receive or place a call on SIM 2 EDGE/GPRS.
So...it looks like the situation isn't as good as I'd hoped - if 3G calling is necessary on a particular SIM card at all times, that SIM should be placed in slot 1. And it'll work well even when SIM 2 is the active data SIM. But, if you need 3G calling at all times on both SIMs, you may be out of luck.
Also, the Axon does not seem to allow you to change the data SIM in the middle of the call...in this scenario, SIM 2 was on LTE and was the active data SIM, and SIM 1 was on UMTS (calls only). I made a call on SIM 1 and then changed the data to SIM 1 to try and get 3G data during my call...but it didn't connect to data until I hung up the call...so it seems that the service state gets frozen when you make a call, in a way.
I hope this info helps...seems like kind of a mixed bag, unfortunately.
flyer_andy said:
Hi - I just tried this and here's what I found:
If active data is on SIM 2, a call to or from SIM 1 is possible on UMTS (WCDMA 3G) but this will terminate the LTE connection on SIM 2 for the duration of the call. However, a call on SIM 2 will not be a problem for data unless SIM 2 is on EDGE or less...on UMTS or LTE (i.e., a VoLTE call) you'll still have data during the call.
If data is on SIM 1, a call to or from SIM 2 is only possible on EDGE!!! I didn't know this! I guess SIM 2 will always be GSM-only if SIM 1 is the active data SIM. And also - you will lose LTE data on SIM 1 if you receive or place a call on SIM 2 EDGE/GPRS.
So...it looks like the situation isn't as good as I'd hoped - if 3G calling is necessary on a particular SIM card at all times, that SIM should be placed in slot 1. And it'll work well even when SIM 2 is the active data SIM. But, if you need 3G calling at all times on both SIMs, you may be out of luck.
Also, the Axon does not seem to allow you to change the data SIM in the middle of the call...in this scenario, SIM 2 was on LTE and was the active data SIM, and SIM 1 was on UMTS (calls only). I made a call on SIM 1 and then changed the data to SIM 1 to try and get 3G data during my call...but it didn't connect to data until I hung up the call...so it seems that the service state gets frozen when you make a call, in a way.
I hope this info helps...seems like kind of a mixed bag, unfortunately.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the. That's pretty backwards by ZTE. Makes no sense. SIM 1 and 2 need to work the same way regardless of WHICH SIM had the 3G incoming call and which had 4G data active at the same time. I read the above as SIM 2 can be 2G only, or is the main SIM for 4G data....so 3G calls can be taken on SIM 1. Yep, backwards!
Axon hasn't sold me. Audio on a phone is important, but the HTC front facing speakers get easily clogged, then it looks horrendous. I'm favouring one of OP3T (as i believe this too has unlocked bootloader and root), or worst case - LG v20 or G5 dual...but neither will be given unlocked bootloaders.
RoOSTA
roosta said:
Thanks for the. That's pretty backwards by ZTE. Makes no sense. SIM 1 and 2 need to work the same way regardless of WHICH SIM had the 3G incoming call and which had 4G data active at the same time. I read the above as SIM 2 can be 2G only, or is the main SIM for 4G data....so 3G calls can be taken on SIM 1. Yep, backwards!
Axon hasn't sold me. Audio on a phone is important, but the HTC front facing speakers get easily clogged, then it looks horrendous. I'm favouring one of OP3T (as i believe this too has unlocked bootloader and root), or worst case - LG v20 or G5 dual...but neither will be given unlocked bootloaders.
RoOSTA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, I just tried it again and it looks like I was able to achieve a UMTS 3G connection on both SIMs even during a call on SIM 1...perhaps my initial test was in error somehow...not sure. But it looks like dual 3G is possible after all...there may be hope!
flyer_andy said:
So, I just tried it again and it looks like I was able to achieve a UMTS 3G connection on both SIMs even during a call on SIM 1...perhaps my initial test was in error somehow...not sure. But it looks like dual 3G is possible after all...there may be hope!
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Click to collapse
Are you sure both are running 3g, because I have had devices that always showed 3g even when connect to 2g networks, really need to test with an app the can see both sims at the same time like network cell info mini.
Kevinreid1 said:
Are you sure both are running 3g, because I have had devices that always showed 3g even when connect to 2g networks, really need to test with an app the can see both sims at the same time like network cell info mini.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I'm sure. I was using LTE discovery and the Settings --> Phone Status...not just the signal type indication. It can run dual 3G UMTS and/or HSPA+.
---------- Post added at 03:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:11 AM ----------
Kevinreid1 said:
Are you sure both are running 3g, because I have had devices that always showed 3g even when connect to 2g networks, really need to test with an app the can see both sims at the same time like network cell info mini.
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Click to collapse
Also, if you look at post #6 of this thread you'll see two screenshots in the attachments that show dual LTE/UMTS connections on SIM 2 and 1 respectively.
Awesome and Thanks...
Kevinreid1 said:
Awesome and Thanks...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure thing. Just to make double sure, I just put my FreedomPop (AT&T) SIM in with my T-Mobile one and set both to WCDMA...And it's confirmed that dual 3G works fine (see screenshots below). So you should be ok! AT&T has decommissioned 2G completely so the fact that I could sustain a dual T-Mobile/AT&T connection when T-Mobile is active for 3G data should hopefully prove that the Axon 7 can get dual 3G. One caveat though - with a Verizon SIM in slot 1, slot 2 is still 2G only...So you will be limited to 2G in slot 2 if you have a CDMA SIM in slot 1 which is data-active. But two GSM SIMs should be ok. Good luck!
flyer_andy said:
Sure thing. Just to make double sure, I just put my FreedomPop (AT&T) SIM in with my T-Mobile one and set both to WCDMA...And it's confirmed that dual 3G works fine (see screenshots below). So you should be ok! AT&T has decommissioned 2G completely so the fact that I could sustain a dual T-Mobile/AT&T connection when T-Mobile is active for 3G data should hopefully prove that the Axon 7 can get dual 3G. One caveat though - with a Verizon SIM in slot 1, slot 2 is still 2G only...So you will be limited to 2G in slot 2 if you have a CDMA SIM in slot 1 which is data-active. But two GSM SIMs should be ok. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So Awesome, does anyone if the same is true for the new ZTE Blade v8 Pro, I sure hope so as I am looking to add both of these to my collection, Using prepaid H2O wireless for calls and text and FreedomPop LTE or Global sims for data... What would be the best setup for that data ( FreedomPop ) on sim 1 or sim 2. H20 is a AT&T MVNO
Kevinreid1 said:
So Awesome, does anyone if the same is true for the new ZTE Blade v8 Pro, I sure hope so as I am looking to add both of these to my collection, Using prepaid H2O wireless for calls and text and FreedomPop LTE or Global sims for data... What would be the best setup for that data ( FreedomPop ) on sim 1 or sim 2. H20 is a AT&T MVNO
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only limitation vis-a-vis SIM 1 vs. 2 slot I know of when it comes to GSM SIMs relates to WiFi calling... You can only get WiFi calling on SIM 1. But that shouldn't matter for FreedomPop or H2O I would think so it shouldn't matter. Also, CDMA SIMs only work in slot 1 but of course that should affect you either. So either slot should be fine I'd think!

Lenovo Vibe 5K plus A6020A46, 3G/4G/LTE not working on T-Mobile

Seeing that no one can help me with the problem below, maybe some one knows how to add 1700/2100 to band frequency to 3G?. that mite increase speed?
Problem, Can not get phone Mobile network to use 3G/4G/LTE, Only EDGE will show for each Sim Card Signal.
Details on phone: Vibe 5K Plus, Build A6020a46_S105_161124_ROW, Type PA2R, Model 0117IN.
Qty 2 T-Mobile sim cards: Slot 1 for Data Sim card, Slot 2 for calls & text.
Have taken phone to T-Mobile service store, and spoken to T-Mobile global support on phone about problem with not being able to use 3G/4G/LTE.
The APN settings have been checked with T-Mobile as been correct.
When looking at phone Settings, SIM Management displays Default 4G/3G Subscription[/B for the Data sim card in slot 1.
Also Enhanced 4G LTE Mode is turn on
When looking at phone settings, About PhoneStatus/Cellular network type, displays T-Mobile EDGE in sim card slot 1.
Other T-Mobile sim card in slot 2 displays GSM
When looking at phone settings Mobile Data Mobile Network settings, T-Mobile data sim card in slot 1 displays Preferred Network Type GSM/WCDMA/LTE auto.
Other Mobile Network settings for sim card in slot 2 for calls and text displays GSM only , this is greyed out.
When Data sim card or Call & text sim card are turn on in network, Both only show EDGE and is really slow.

Only LTE, no other bands/connections on sim slot 1

Its a bit of a wierd problem.
Suddenly my device only sees LTE/4G networks when SIM slot 1 is used. So no 2G or 3G networks are detected when i search for them.
- Changing the networks with *#*#4636#*#* does not work. even when i put it on "gsm only" no connection is found at all. (default i
- Tried different roms (Xiaomi EU and official Global roms both dev and stable tried but it doesnt change the fact)
- tried SIM in an other Redmi3s device and no issues there
- tried other sim in my device and it doesnt work.
And its only with slot 1. if i put my sim in slot2 there are no issues. (besides the fact that i loose the option of using an sd card)
Wifi/Bluetooth/GPS have no issues.
Searches on www and this forum lead me to issues where its the LTE band that doesnt work instead of the GSM/HSDPA and usually for both sim slots so can anyone point me in the right direction (or even have a solution for it
Device is (and was) not rooted and currently runs the official Miui9 weekly build (7.16.11)
Service center

VoLTE not working

Is there any hardware issue which may lead to inactivity of VoLTE on sim slot 2 and inactivity of mobile data on sim slot 1? Mobile data and VoLTE won't work on sim slot 1 and when I switch to sim slot 2 VoLTE won't work. I have tried using a different sim card in my phone to get the same results. Whereas the previous sim is working fine in another phone. Please look into it.

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