SIM Card

Apple wins key SIM connector patent related to iOS gadgets, Macs – even TVs

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 26, 2012

The United States Patent & Trademark Office on Christmas Day granted Apple a key patent detailing a SIM tray solution for mobile products which incorporates connectors that "may allow SIM cards to be easily removed and replaced". The invention - which also may be resistant to damage by an improper insertion of a SIM card and may provide reliable mechanical performance - is viewed as a strategically important patent grant "in light of the battle between Nokia and Apple over the design of future miniature SIM cards for mobile devices", explains the PatentlyApple blog that tracks Apple's trademark and patent filings...

How to use a Nano SIM in the iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S

Jeff Benjamin ∙ October 7, 2012

If you just purchased an iPhone 5, then you know first hand how much smaller the new Nano SIM is when compared to the already diminutive Micro SIM it replaces.

But what if you want to use the new Nano SIM in an older phone, like the iPhone 4, or the iPhone 4S? Obviously you can't just stick it in there.

Your best option is to purchase an adapter that can be cheaply had on Amazon for $1.99. That's exactly what I did, and here's the video to prove it.

The Verizon iPhone 5 is GSM unlocked, tested with AT&T

Jeff Benjamin ∙ September 21, 2012

I can confirm that the Verizon iPhone 5 is indeed GSM unlocked. Even though I bought an iPhone 5 from Verizon under contract, I was able to cut down my AT&T Micro SIM, and use it in my Verizon iPhone 5 to pick up an AT&T signal. By doing so, I was able to hop onto AT&T's HPSA+ network, or "4G" as they so ridiculously name it.

AT&T's so-called 4G speeds are nothing like true LTE speeds, but they are a bit better than typical 3G speeds. But the big news here isn't about speed. The big news here is that we have confirmed that you can use a Verizon iPhone 5 on AT&T or T-Mobile, freely, even if you're a brand new customer under contract.

How I converted my Micro SIM into a Nano SIM

Jeff Benjamin ∙ September 14, 2012

Before I get this party started, I just want to say that no, I don't have an iPhone 5 to absolutely guarantee it'll work in the device, but all that's really involved is some pretty basic math.

In this tutorial, I'll show you how I cut and shaved my Micro SIM down to Nano SIM sized specifications. It's not a 100% 1:1 ratio, but the size is very comparable to what you will find in an official Nano SIM. For that reason I'm feeling pretty confident that it will work with my iPhone 5 next Friday.

Take a look inside for the step-by-step video walkthrough that shows how I converted my Micro SIM card to a Nano sized SIM card.

Vodafone too has Nano SIMs in stock ahead of tomorrow’s iPhone 5 launch

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 11, 2012

Right on time, Vodafone in Germany appears to be stockpiling the new 40 percent smaller Nano SIM cards, a German publication reveals. The carrier is one of Apple's major iPhone distributors throughout Europe and in the United States, where UK's multinational mobile network operator has a joint venture with the US telco Verizon Communications, called Verizon Wireless (Vodafone has a 45 percent ownership of the joint venture). Apple's next iPhone is expected to file as the first phone to feature the recently ratified Nano SIM standard which allows for the creation of thinner and smaller mobile devices...

Video comparison of the iPhone 5 Nano SIM tray and buttons to the iPhone 4S

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 15, 2012

You've by now seen gorgeous iPhone 5 renders based on a bunch of parts (that continue to leak out of Asia like there's no tomorrow), like a miniaturized Nano SIM tray and a slightly smaller home button.

Repair firm SmartPhone Medic took it all together and created a video that aims to compare the new Nano SIM tray to the Micro SIM standard found on the iPhone 4/4S.

It also puts other purported parts in direct comparison to their iPhone 4S counterparts, namely the volume buttons, the mute switch and the sleep/wake button...

Is this a Nano SIM tray for the next iPhone?

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 6, 2012

Hot on the heels of recent news that European carriers were stocking up on a 40 percent smaller Nano SIMs as they got to test the new SIM card standard extensively ahead of the next iPhone's release in September, a French blog this morning posted a series of image depicting a purported Nano SIM tray for the iPhone 5. Also leaked, a slightly reworked and a bit smaller home button thought to be making an appearance on the next iPhone. More pics right after the break...

Carriers reportedly testing Nano SIM cards in partnership with Apple

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 9, 2016

We told you earlier in the week that European wireless carriers were stockpiling Nano SIM cards in the hope that the next iPhone will incorporate the newly ratified technology which enables thinner devices due to a 40 percent smaller footprint versus the Micro SIM standard.

As you know, Apple's Nano SIM proposal was chosen last month by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute as the industry standard, following weeks of bickering between Apple on one side and Nokia, Motorola and Research In Motion on the other.

A new report from this morning has it that Apple is supplying its carrier partners with Nano SIM adapters so they could test Nano SIMs on existing devices before the next iPhone arrives in October...

European carriers stocking up on nano-SIMs ahead of new iPhone launch

Cody Lee ∙ July 16, 2012

Last month, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (or ETSI) gave Apple's nano-SIM card proposal the green light. The new card offers the same functionality as current SIM cards, but take up significantly less space.

According to a new report this afternoon, European carriers are expecting Apple to utilize the new card in its upcoming smartphone. And they've already begun stocking up on nano-SIMs in anticipation of an early fall release...

Apple’s 40 percent smaller Nano SIM proposal gets a go-ahead

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 1, 2012

Following an amusing public back and forth between Apple on one side and Research In Motion, Motorola and Nokia on the other, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) this morning decided to officially back Apple's proposal for an upcoming miniaturized SIM card standard that provides for a thinner, smaller mobile devices...

Motorola and RIM submit a Nano SIM compromise

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 18, 2012

Earlier this month, we showed you Apple's revised Nano SIM proposal the company submitted ahead of the final vote tally. The solution adds a small amount of plastic around the edges of the electrical contacts, making the upcoming tiny SIM card just long enough so that it can’t be forced lengthwise into an incompatible socket.

As you know, Research and Motion, Motorola and Nokia are pushing for their own variant. Both RIM and Motorola just submitted a Nano SIM compromise which borrows about 80 percent design solutions from Apple...

Apple’s modified Nano SIM gets a showing off ahead of the final vote

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 9, 2012

An Apple-proposed variant of the upcoming Nano SIM card standard is being shown off at the International CTIA Wireless show. Apple modified the design around Nokia's concerns and ahead of the final vote tally, which is mere days away. Voting for members of The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) began last month and wraps up in mid-May.

According to SIM card maker Giesecke & Devrient (G&D), the revised variant is being "driven by a supplier", in this case Apple. So, how has Apple changed the original design to counter Nokia's concerns? With a slight 'how come I didn't think of it' tweak, that's how...