Phone will not read sim card

[Jimmy80]

I bought a knock off Samsung from China. It will recognize a bell card but not the public mobile card. Whats the difference in the type of card? If I look for another phone is there a certain type of card it should read? Also, if it doesn't read the sim card would it also not read an e-sim? 

[Dunkman]

@Jimmy80 

Does the physical SIM card fit inside the knock off Samsung?  International phones may not work well with Public mobile since it is not on the VoLTE PM list, so talk may have issues. 

If you have a PM account already, you can download the PM app on the Samsung and see whether you can purchase an eSIM via the app.  

[Meow]

SIM card is a SIM card. Any decent brand should read ANY SIM with no issues. Try your PM SIM in any other decent and not knock off phone to confirm PM service is working.