Nano SIM vs Micro SIM vs Mini SIM Cards: What are the differences?

Nano SIM vs Micro SIM vs Mini SIM Cards: Ever wondered what the difference between a Nano SIM, a Micro SIM or Mini SIM card are? When the SIM card was first introduced, it came in one standard size but with the creation of thinner and more complicated smartphones, the SIM card has undergone several changes. Let’s have a look at some of these differences.

SUBSCRIBER IDENTITY MODULE

A subscriber identity module or subscriber identification module is an integrated circuit that securely stores the international mobile subscriber identity and the related key used to identify and authenticate subscribers on mobile telephony devices. A SIM circuit is embedded into a removable plastic card. This plastic card is called a “SIM card” and can be transferred between different mobile devices. A SIM card follows certain smart card standards. SIM cards were first made the same size as a credit card. The development of physically smaller mobile devices prompted the development of smaller SIM cards where the quantity of card surrounding the integrated circuit is reduced. A SIM card contains its unique serial number, international mobile subscriber identity, security authentication and ciphering information, temporary information related to the local network, a list of the services the user has access to and two passwords: a personal identification number for ordinary use and a personal unblocking code for PIN unlocking. Source: Freebase.

SIM Card

The first SIM cards are now obsolete. Well, given that you actually upgraded your old phone to one of the newer devices on the market. If you do, you’d notice that the the SIM cards are getting smaller and smaller. And, if you want to keep your old number/SIM, you’ll need to cut your SIM card or buy a new one. The first SIM cards were actually the size of credit cards! I know, that’s huge. See the image of the original SIM card below:

Nano SIM vs Micro SIM vs Mini SIM Cards

What is the difference between mini SIM and Micro SIM?

What is the difference between mini SIM and Micro SIM? Mini–SIM Card – The most common in the previous generation of smartphones, it’s what most people would call a SIM card. Micro-SIM Card – The now standard for smartphones; much smaller; just about contains the contacts on the back.

Micro SIM: What is a micro sim card?

What is a micro sim card? Shortly after came the micro SIM card which is a cut version of the regular SIM card. Its usage is popular because of its smaller size. This allows the manufacturer to save space and install other important components into their smartphones. This is the size that most people now a days are familiar with. You can see the Micro SIM image below:

Nano SIM vs Micro SIM vs Mini SIM Cards

Nano SIM

Nano SIM cards are both smaller and approximately 15% thinner than the earlier Micro SIM (3FF) standard as well as the Mini SIM (2FF) cards. Nano SIMs are common in the latest handsets (iPhone 5 and up) but are not as popular because their are only a handful of modern smartphones that use Nano SIMs at the moment.

Nano SIM vs Micro SIM vs Mini SIM card comparison

Watch the video below to see a Nano SIM vs Micro SIM vs Mini SIM card comparison:

Is a Nano SIM the same as a Micro sim? Micro SIM and Nano SIM

Is a Nano SIM the same as a micro sim? No, a Nano SIM is not the same as a Micro SIM. To illustrate, watch the video below on the Nexus 5 vs iPhone 5S: Micro SIM and Nano SIM. Want to switch between Nexus 5 and an iPhone 5S? Not so easy – they use different size SIM cards. The most striking difference between these two is the size and, when it comes to SIM cards, it really does matter. Some phones can’t use a regular SIM card, and others can’t use the micro SIM card. As technology advances, these cards get smaller and smaller and, some day, they may be come non-existent.

What kind of SIM card does the iPhone 6 use?

What kind of SIM card does the iPhone 6 use? iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c work with nano-SIM cards from compatible carriers. iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c work on many LTE networks around the world; contact service providers for details. Via – Apple.

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