Home
Mobiles
Mobiles News
Everything you want to know about nano SIM being used in iPhone 5

Everything you want to know about nano-SIM being used in iPhone 5

By NDTV Correspondent | Updated: 26 October 2012 16:54 IST

Apple announced the iPhone 5 at a press event in San Francisco on Wednesday and as expected the new phone will be using the recently approved nano-SIM standard. As there is a lot of confusion surrounding this new SIM card standard, we have compiled all the details about the nano-SIM cards.

The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) introduced the Apple designed nano-SIM format back in June. It is 40 percent smaller than the current micro-SIM format and measures just 12.3mm wide by 8.8mm high, and 0.67mm thick.

"Today's SIM card designs take up a significant amount of space inside a mobile device. This space is more and more valuable in today's handsets which deliver an ever increasing number of features," ETSI noted in press release at the time of nano-SIM announcement.

The new SIM is no way different (apart from the size) than the existing SIM cards and it offers the same functionality.

Nano-SIM challenges
While the nano-SIM might be smaller, there is a downside to it. Unlike the micro-SIM cards, which could be made by simply cutting the normal SIM cards, nano-SIM cards cannot be made this way, as nano-SIM is also 15pc thinner than micro-SIM. So, even if normal/micro-SIM can be cut to the nano-SIM size, there is no way to reduce the thickness.

Update: Cutting a SIM/ micro-SIM into a nano-SIM may be possible after all

The consumers will have to get the nano-SIM cards directly from their telecom operators; however adapters can be used to convert nano-SIM cards to a micro-SIM or a normal SIM card.

Several adapters are already available in the market to allow users to get ready ahead of iPhone 5 availability.

Nano-SIM availability
According to online reports, telecom operators have already procured nano-SIM cards anticipating their high demand because of iPhone 5 launch. There are millions of nano-SIM cards already lying in warehouses, ready to be released in the market.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that Indian telecom operators have also placed the orders for nano-SIM cards though there is no confirmation on the Indian launch of iPhone 5.

Other manufacturers
Similar to micro-SIM adoption, we are expecting other mobile manufacturers to start using nano-SIM cards soon given the fact that they are smaller and give more space for other components in the phone design. Apple was also the first manufacturer the use micro-SIM cards same as it is doing with nano-SIM cards.

Image Credit:G&D

Also see: Cutting a SIM/ micro-SIM into a nano-SIM may be possible after all

Comments

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.