Does the Galaxy S20 support dual SIM?

Best answer: It depends on the model. Samsung sells two versions of the Galaxy S20, and the Snapdragon 865 model that's available in the U.S. has a single SIM card slot. The global variant with the Exynos 990 comes with a dual SIM card slot.

• The next big thing: Samsung Galaxy S20 (opens in new tab) ($1,000 at Samsung)

The Galaxy S20 sold in the U.S. has a single SIM slot

Samsung always sells two variants of its flagships — a model aimed at the U.S. audience and a global version. The Galaxy S20 that's available for sale in the U.S. is powered by Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 865 chipset, and comes with a single SIM card slot. On the single SIM model, you have room for one nano-SIM and a microSD card up to 1TB.

Samsung also makes a Exynos 990 version for global markets that has dual SIM connectivity. The SIM tray is a hybrid one — you can install either two nano-SIM cards or a SIM card and a MmcroSD card, but not two SIM cards and a microSD card. The caveat is that you can't buy the global model officially in the U.S.

You'll have to get the global Galaxy S20 for dual-SIM connectivity

While you can't pick up the global Galaxy S20 officially in the U.S., you should be able to find an unlocked model on Amazon in eventually. That has been the case in the past (opens in new tab), and while you lose out on a warranty, it should be easy enough to find a global unlocked model of the Galaxy S20 in the U.S.

The reason for Samsung's dual-sourcing strategy? Compatibility with carriers like Verizon and Sprint. The dual-SIM variant of the Galaxy S20 doesn't work over CDMA, and that's why Samsung relies on Qualcomm's chipsets in the U.S. Going with Qualcomm means the Galaxy S20 works on all four major U.S. carriers.

Aside from the SIM card tray and the Exynos 990 platform, the global S20 is identical to the one you can buy in the U.S. Both have the same design, display, RAM and storage options, battery, and software. So if you're living in the U.S. and need a dual-SIM Galaxy S20, the best option is to pick up the global model unlocked on Amazon. But before you do, note that you'll only be able to use it on AT&T and T-Mobile (and MVNOs like Fi).