In recent years, the number of people owning multiple smartphones has been increasing. According to a survey by the Telecommunications Carriers Association, as of March 2024, the number of mobile phone contracts with the three major carriers (docomo, au, and SoftBank) will reach 212,426,400 units (*2), far exceeding Japan's population of 123,930,000 (as of May 2024) (*1).
Many people who are interested in having two smartphones probably have a lot of questions.
So, in this article, we'll be talking to people who are interested in owning two smartphones, and we'll explain the characteristics of people who are suited to owning two smartphones, as well as the advantages and disadvantages, and examples of how to combine two smartphones. Use this article as a reference to find the best way to use your smartphone for you.
*1 Reference: "Population Estimates (December 2023 (Reiwa 5) Final Values, May 2024 (Reiwa 6) Estimates)" Statistics Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
*2 Reference: "Number of Contracts by Carrier (2023)" Telecommunications Carriers Association (TCA)
A lifestyle where you use two smartphones can meet a variety of needs. Below, we will explain who is suited to owning two smartphones.
If you use the same smartphone for both personal and business purposes, your contacts and data will end up mixed up, making it difficult to manage them.
By using separate smartphones for personal and business use, you can store and manage your contacts and data separately. Also, the apps and services you need for your personal and business life are different.
By using two smartphones for different purposes, you can efficiently use the apps and services that are best suited to each.
There is a way to separate devices by purpose, such as a smartphone for calls only and a smartphone for data communication only. By using a high-spec smartphone for data communication only, you can fully enjoy playing games, watching videos, and more.
On the other hand, smartphones that are only used for calls often require simple functions, so you can choose a lower-priced smartphone. Also, by using separate smartphones for calls and data communication, you can reduce battery consumption and, in some cases, keep your usage fees low. What's more, you can also play games and watch videos while making a call.
Having two smartphones is also recommended for those who want to use separate smartphones for themselves and their children. In particular, in households with small children, there are many who spend their time watching videos in between housework.
However, there are cases where children mistakenly operate their parents' smartphones and make calls without realizing it, causing inconvenience to the person on the other end. To prevent such problems from occurring, we recommend that children have their own smartphones.
By having a separate smartphone for your child, you can avoid problems caused by misoperation. Also, by installing apps that are appropriate for children, you can let them use it with peace of mind.
Furthermore, by using separate smartphones for yourself and your child, you can prevent situations where your child is using your smartphone and you are unable to use it when you want to.
As smartphones are an essential tool in modern society, it is important to be prepared for any unexpected problems. If one smartphone becomes unusable due to a dead battery or malfunction, having another one is a great way to have peace of mind.
Also, by having two smartphones with different carriers, if one line experiences a communication failure, the other can cover for it. This is an effective method, especially for important calls and communications in business situations.
Having two smartphones offers various benefits, such as being able to use them for different situations.
Below we will explain the benefits of having two smartphones.
Have you ever mistakenly received a work call from a friend and responded in a casual tone? If you have many acquaintances with the same gender, it's understandable that you would make such a mistake.
The solution to this problem is to have two smartphones. By using one for personal use and one for work, you can organize your contacts and apps according to their purpose.
We also recommend having separate devices for calls and videos/games. Having two devices means you'll be less likely to have to delete apps due to lack of storage space. Plus, if you get a call while watching a video, you can answer the call without having to stop the video.
As smartphone camera performance improves, it has become easier to take high-quality photos and videos. However, the data size has also increased, leaving many people struggling with insufficient storage space.
The solution to this problem is to have two smartphones. By using two smartphones, you can increase the data storage capacity by two devices. If you have a model with a large storage capacity for photography, separate from the smartphone you use every day, you will be less likely to have to worry about running out of data storage space.
If you have two smartphones, you can quickly find one if you lose it. Android users can use the "Find My Device" app or access "Find My Phone" with their Google account to check the location of their smartphone.
On the other hand, with iPhone, you can use "Find My iPhone" to locate your smartphone. Being able to quickly find your smartphone without using a computer is a major advantage. Another benefit is that if you lose your smartphone while out and about, you can immediately contact your carrier from your other smartphone.
If you own two smartphones, you may be able to save fees on your monthly bills if you use them wisely. Specifically, you can lower your monthly fees by signing up with a carrier that offers low calling fees for the smartphone you use only for calls, and a carrier that offers cheaper data capacity for the smartphone you use only for data communication.
You may also be able to get a discount on the price of your phone by taking advantage of a carrier switching campaign. If you're looking to buy a new smartphone, don't miss out on these great deals.
Some people may find it inconvenient to have only one smartphone when they need to look up questions asked by the other person during a phone call or when they want to take notes on important points. In such situations, having two smartphones can be useful.
You can talk on one device while searching the internet or taking notes on the other, eliminating the need to switch to speaker mode or earphones. You can also check messages received while on a call or handle urgent matters at the same time.
The apps available for use may vary depending on the smartphone's operating system. Some people may have had the experience of being unable to play a popular game because it wasn't compatible with their device.
The solution to this problem is to have two smartphones, one iOS and one Android. If you have two smartphones, you can enjoy apps that are only available on one OS on the other smartphone.
Therefore, if you want to enjoy your favorite apps to the fullest without being dependent on the operating system that the app is compatible with, we recommend having two smartphones.
One way to utilize two smartphones is to use one of them for tethering. This method requires only one line contract and does not require purchasing a mobile Wi-Fi router, so you can save on usage fees and device costs.
Another recommended method is to use one SIM card for voice calls and another for low-cost, high-capacity data communications. This method allows you to share the functions of the two devices, allowing you to communicate with large amounts of data at low cost.
However, there are some things to be aware of when using tethering. There may be limits on data capacity, or you may need to apply for paid options, so be sure to check beforehand.
While there are benefits to having two smartphones, there are also some disadvantages that you need to carefully consider. Below, we will explain the disadvantages of having two smartphones.
Having two smartphones can mean higher monthly fees. First of all, you need to be aware that you will have to pay for two devices.
To keep costs down, we recommend reusing an old device or purchasing a second-hand device. If you are buying a new smartphone, be sure to check the carrier's fees plan in advance on their official website.
The hassle of managing two smartphones is a major drawback. First of all, carrying two smartphones all the time makes your bag bulky.
It can also be a hassle to check which smartphone a notification was sent on, and if you use different models, you'll need to carry a charger for each one, which adds to the amount of stuff you have to carry around.
Furthermore, the risk of damage or loss doubles. Another disadvantage is that it requires you to take appropriate security measures on both smartphones, which is time-consuming.
There are various combinations of people who own two smartphones.
Below we will introduce some typical combinations for people who own two smartphones. Try to find the best combination that suits your needs.
Another popular option is to have two smartphones: one with a large screen and one with a compact screen. You can get the benefits of both by using the compact smartphone for calls and the large screen smartphone for games and watching videos.
Compact smartphones are easy to carry and are ideal for everyday use as they are specialized for calls, while large-screen smartphones are ideal for playing games and watching videos comfortably.
By wisely using two smartphones of different sizes to suit your needs, you can enjoy a more comfortable smartphone life.
One way to do this is to use two smartphones with different specs. By assigning a high-spec smartphone for games and videos and a low-spec smartphone for calls, you can reduce stress in terms of performance.
For example, you could use the latest 5G-compatible smartphone for high-speed data transfers and the older model for calls. When you buy a new smartphone, you can easily own two smartphones by using the old one for calls.
When choosing a combination of smartphones, consider not only the OS, size, and specs, but also the carrier and fees plan.
Below we will explain some typical examples of carrier and fees plan combinations for those who own two smartphones.
When using different smartphones for business and personal use, it is recommended to choose a major carrier for work and a low-cost SIM for personal use.
Major carriers offer stable communication speeds, making them ideal for downloading large files for work or holding online meetings. On the other hand, low-cost SIM cards are attractive because they rent lines from major carriers, meaning fees are cheaper.
If you use your smartphone for calls and for games and videos, we recommend choosing a voice call plan for calls and a data-only plan for games and videos. A high-capacity data-only plan is especially suitable for people who often watch long videos or play games with 3D graphics.
For smartphones that you use for calls, it's a good idea to choose a plan with a low data capacity or one that only allows calls. This will allow you to enjoy content comfortably while keeping fees down.
When giving a smartphone to your child, it is recommended to choose a plan with a large data capacity for yourself and a plan with a lower data capacity for your child. If your child will mainly use the smartphone in a Wi-Fi environment at home, a plan with a lower data capacity will be fine.
If you want to fees even more, you can use your child's smartphone only at home without a contract, or you can use tethering.
In this article, we've explained the characteristics of people who are suited to owning two smartphones, the advantages and disadvantages of owning two smartphones, and examples of how to combine two smartphones. Having two smartphones has many advantages, such as being able to use them according to the situation and avoiding risks such as running out of battery or communication failure.
However, since you will be fees for two smartphones, the combination of carrier and fees plan is important. For those who own two smartphones, we recommend au 's online-only brand "povo2.0."
povo2.0 has a basic fees of 0 yen (*3) (*4), and you can purchase Topping as needed for an additional fee. There are also data plans available that do not require identification, making it ideal for those who have two smartphones, one dedicated to calls and one dedicated to data communication. If you are considering having two smartphones, this is the perfect opportunity to consider povo2.0.
*3: [For Calls＋Data]
・Call charges and SMS sending charges will be charged separately.
Domestic SMS sending: 3.3 yen/message (up to 70 characters) (tax included included) Receiving: Free
Depending on the model, you can send up to 670 double-byte characters. Up to 134 characters will incur the fee of two messages, and for every 67 characters thereafter, you will be charged the fee of one message.
[Data Only]
・You will need to purchase your first Topping when signing the contract.
If you do not purchase any paid Topping for 180 days or more, your service may be suspended or your contract may be terminated.
In addition, there may be additional fees and other charges.
*4: When using 0 GB for 0 yen, the maximum sending and receiving speed is 128 kbps.
For details on povo2.0 fees plans, please click here.
