Help buying a smartphone

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82042999#Comment_82042999

Have a look at the SIM caddy. Samsung often use a double-sided design that's easy to miss the second "slot" on the backside.

QrizB

In the dual physical SIM version, the second SIM goes where the SD card would otherwise be.

Edit: here's a photo from the internet. You can see how a second SIM would fit across the tray instead of a micro SD card.

CaptainWales

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82043046#Comment_82043046

This is what my Sim tray looks like. Does that mean i don't have esim capability?

QrizB

This is what my Sim tray looks like. Does that mean i don't have esim capability?

Probably.

If you move your SIM to the other location, does it appear in your SIM manager as SIM 2?

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82043078#Comment_82043078

That, and the lack of an 'Add eSIM' function in the SIM manager would suggest not.

CaptainWales

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82043078#Comment_82043078

Not as Sim 2. But Sim 1 has moved down a line

I don't know what to do, all this isvery confusing. I checked with GiffGaff beford purchasing whether the phone supported an esim, and they said it did. Would I therefore be within my rights to return it? Ive obviously had to use the phone to find out it has no esim.

molerat

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82042924#Comment_82042924

According to AI that model is the standard UK / EU variant and does not support esim. The only model supporting esim is the "global" variant, SM-A176O. Standard US / Canadian variants also do not support esim.

QrizB

Would I therefore be within my rights to return it?

Yes, I think you're entitled to return it as "not as described" if you've got evidence that they told you it would use an eSIM.

There will however be a certain amount of hassle for you; resetting the phone, packing it all back up, posting it to their returns address, chasing up the refund and so on. And then you need to choose another phone.

Is the eSIM facility a deal-breaker for you? If you can live with it as it is, it might be simpler to keep the phone.

oldagetraveller1

I've just checked my A17 5G and the add eSIM option isn't in settings.

It isn't a U.K. version, whether that makes it different? It's a SM-A176B/DS model (same as O.P.'s) Which takes me to samsung.com.ie

On checking the instruction manual, for this model, there's no eSIM option.

The specs. in the listing for mine has this which is incorrect although it doesn't really matter to me.

SIM	Nano-SIM Nano-SIM + eSIM Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM

QrizB

From a Nigerian website:

Does the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G Support eSIM?

A key highlight of the Galaxy A17 5G is its eSIM support, but it’s not universal across all variants. The phone comes in three configurations:

- Single SIM Variant: Features one nano SIM slot (no eSIM support).

- Dual SIM Variant: Includes two nano SIM slots (no eSIM support).

- Dual SIM with eSIM Variant: Offers one nano SIM slot and one eSIM slot.

To use eSIM, you must purchase the third variant with the nano SIM + eSIM configuration. Always confirm with your retailer to ensure you’re getting the eSIM-compatible model.

As the OP has the dual nano SIM version, it seems there's no eSIM support.