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Which Android PAD has a SIM card slot?

Started Jan 15, 2019 | Discussions
Johann Kruger Senior Member • Posts: 1,393
Which Android PAD has a SIM card slot?

I would use it as a Cellular Phone Service backup to my Android Smart Phone. Thanks.

I2K4
I2K4 Senior Member • Posts: 1,441
Re: Which Android PAD has a SIM card slot?

With nothing in your question about size, price and possible uses, I'd say go to Amazon or your favorite vendor and search "tablet unlocked gsm lte" etc. as fits the bill. Alternatively sites like GSMArena offer detailed specs and side-by-side comparison tools. It might or might not be useful to start with the maker of the smartphone, depending on planned uses and features, e.g. Samsung has its "Bixby" services.

Update: Good comment below about regional compatibility. Canada's CRTC (equivalent of FCC) horsewhipped telcos into unlocking devices and 4G support, not true elsewhere. The Amazon question/comment sections can be a good resource for asking other users what works where.

Ken Gosden Veteran Member • Posts: 3,025
Re: Which Android PAD has a SIM card slot?

You don't say what country or region you are in and that will affect the ability to do what you say.  As far as I know all USA tablet models that support SIMs will not support a voice SIM.  The carriers lock their IMEI's to data only on their networks.  Now I have never tried placing a voice enabled SIM into a tablet to see if it would at least support data, but I do know that you cannot receive voice calls on a USA tablet from the SIM phone number.  In fact, my experience is that even SMS texting is not possible via the SIM.  Both voice and SMS can be achieved on a USA tablet using third party apps that provide a virtual phone number which is SIM/device independent; think Skype, TextFree, etc.

Interestingly the opposite is also true in the USA.  If you purchase a grey market international tablet with GSM and attempt to get USA carrier service you will have to buy a voice based SIM since the IMEI is registered as a phone.

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wklee Veteran Member • Posts: 9,950
Re: Which Android PAD has a SIM card slot?

Johann Kruger wrote:

I would use it as a Cellular Phone Service backup to my Android Smart Phone. Thanks.

Wifi and cellular models will have an additional SIM card slot that the wifi only tablets lack. It may not work to make calls with but as a data plan for roaming when travelling overseas.

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anitakate New Member • Posts: 2
Re: Which Android PAD has a SIM card slot?

You can go for Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 which wifi only 7 inch touchscreen with latest android os.

Also having features of 8 GB internal memory which can be extendable up to 64 GB nby using external memory card.

Abu Mahendra Veteran Member • Posts: 5,312
Re: Which Android PAD has a SIM card slot?

All the pads I have owned:

  • Samsung Note 8.0 LTE
  • Samsung Note 10.1 2014 LTE
  • Samsung Tab S 8.4 LTE
  • Samsung Tab S 10.5 LTE
  • Samsung Tab S4 10.5 LTE
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McDonal10 New Member • Posts: 14
Re: Which Android PAD has a SIM card slot?

I bought myself a Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0. It's one of the most popular budget tablets. This particular iteration was first launched in 2019 but is still a fitting offering if we look at tablets with a SIM card slot. This tablet comes with an 8-inch display with 1280 x 800 resolution. These Android tablet uses a single SIM card slot, which can work almost like a phone.

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