Can I use a cellular enabled tablet as a phone?

[Starjet99]

Much like many people, I suspect, I hardly use my smartphone as a phone. Mostly for apps, web browsing and messaging (SMS and WhatsApp).

I'm thinking about getting a cellular tablet as the screen would be a lot better for my use, but could I simply use the sim card from my smartphone and use it as a direct replacement for my smartphone?

The tablet I'm thinking of buying is a Samsung Galaxy Tab A (2019)

[frisbee]

When I had a cellular Nexus 7 a few years ago it didn't have the phone "app" as standard but I think you could side load it.

It wasn't even much use as a tablet so I didn't look into it any further.

[HTP99]

When the wife's Samsung tablet had a cellular contract on it, occasionally you'd find a missed call notification pop up on the screen.

Wouldn't have a clue if it could be used to actually make or take calls though.

[hutchst]

I've got a Tab S4. I've never tried it with a simcard installed but I can give it a try later if you like, and let you know what happens. Obviously I wouldn't be able to replicate any network locking that you might encounter. I buy all of my kit (phones and tablets) and just use sim-only contracts so everything is unlocked.

[ging84]

Jasey_ said:

Galaxy tab a has the phone app so looks like it should work. Quick Google suggests it works. Bit too trigger happy TV for my liking.

Not sure how that reference is still quite so well known, guess channel 4 was a lot more influential 20 years ago than it is now.

[singlecoil]

I used my Sony Xperia tablet as a phone for a few months before I got a dual sim phone. Worked very well, basically just like a conventional phone only larger.

[stevoknevo]

Starjet99 said:

Much like many people, I suspect, I hardly use my smartphone as a phone. Mostly for apps, web browsing and messaging (SMS and WhatsApp).

I'm thinking about getting a cellular tablet as the screen would be a lot better for my use, but could I simply use the sim card from my smartphone and use it as a direct replacement for my smartphone?

The tablet I'm thinking of buying is a Samsung Galaxy Tab A (2019)

I've got a cellular 2016 Tab A - never tried it with a SIM in but it does still pick up a cellular signal according to the notifications bar. It definitely had the contacts apps, and possibly the dialer app too, but I disabled them - I'll try putting my SIM in later but I think I'll need to dig out an adapter as my phone is nano SIM?
Edit - just checked and it takes a nano SIM! I'll try it just now...

Works absolutely fine, gave the Mrs a call and it defaults to speaker as there's no earpiece - as mentioned below, you could use it with a BT headset if needs be.

Edited by stevoknevo on Monday 3rd February 12:45

[Hoofy]

Jasey_ said:

ging84 said:

Jasey_ said:

Galaxy tab a has the phone app so looks like it should work. Quick Google suggests it works. Bit too trigger happy TV for my liking.

Not sure how that reference is still quite so well known, guess channel 4 was a lot more influential 20 years ago than it is now.

Just flushing out the oldies

You could use it with a BT headset. Just how I use my phone, anyway.

[Paddymcc]

I think its Huawei that make a phone thats a bit on the large size with a 7.something inch screen which might be better suited to your needs.

i also used a couple of Xiaomi Mi Max phones before with just under 7" screen sizes and they worked well.