We’ll be comparing the Nano-SIM vs Micro-SIM today. We’ll be focusing on their characteristics, usage, and compatibility in this article.
To begin, there are three different sizes of SIM cards: standard, nano, and micro.
Every phone on the planet requires a SIM card, which can be any of the three different sizes listed above.
Giesecke & Devrient, a Munich-based smart-card manufacturer, is credited with inventing the SIM card in 1991.
What is a Standard SIM card?
SIM stands for “subscriber identification module.” The standard SIM card was the first sim card ever created. It spans 15 by 25mm, which was the ‘standard’ size of a SIM card until the introduction of micro and nano-SIM cards.
Although the standard SIM card is no longer used in smartphones, it is still utilised in other sectors such as Mi-Fi, Wi-Fi, Routers, iPad, feature phones, and so on. The iPhone 3GS is the most popular phone that uses a normal SIM card, while the iPhone 4 uses a micro-SIM card.
What is a Micro SIM card?
Compared to a standard SIM card, a micro SIM card is much smaller in size.
The standard SIM card is 15 x 25mm in size, whereas the micro SIM card is 12 x 15mm.
The micro SIM was initially introduced in 2003, 12 years after the first standard SIM. One of the top devices with a micro SIM card is the Samsung Galaxy S5. Unfortunately, the card is no longer commonly used in the phone market.
What is a Nano SIM Card?
When it comes to size, the nano SIM card is the smallest of the Micro and Standard Sim Card. The card spans8.8 x 12.3 mm in size and debuted in 2012, nine years after the micro SIM card was first launched.
Because of its compact size and ability to provide more capacity for other functionalities, phone makers today overwhelmingly favor the nano SIM card. If you purchase a new phone, it will come with a Nano SIM card slot.
It’s difficult to envision the SIM card growing any smaller. In this version, the chip is no longer surrounded by a border. Any attempt to make a smaller SIM card will have an impact on the chip itself.
Differences between Nano and Micro SIM cards
The difference in size between a nano-SIM and a micro-SIM card is the sole distinction. Both cards have the same chip.
It’s simple to get a micro SIM card trimmed down to a nano-SIM. Give heed to their measurements in size, which we’ve stated above.
Additionally, phones that have dual or hybrid SIM cards can now accommodate both Nano and Micro SIM cards.
Differences between Nano and Micro-SIM cards: Usability
The micro SIM card first appeared in 2003, followed by the nano SIM card in 2012.
Nano SIM cards are used on the majority of phones manufactured after 2012.
The iPhone 5 was the first Apple product to include a nano SIM card slot, which was released in September 2012.
Differences between Nano and Micro SIM cards: Compatibility
Most network providers sell their SIM cards in a Multi-SIM format, which means they arrive in a regular SIM size that can be readily cut down to a micro SIM as well as a nano SIM card.
The option you select will be determined by the device into which you are putting the SIM card.
If you don’t know how to trim the SIM card to the size your device demands, such as standard to nano, standard to micro, or micro to nano, it’s advisable to ask for guidance from the network operator.
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Other Differences between Nano and Micro SIM cards
- Because of their length and width of 15mm and 12mm, micro SIM cards have a third form factor. Nano-SIM cards, with a length of 12.33mm, a width of 8.8mm, and a thickness of 0.67mm, have a fourth form factor.
- Micro SIM cards may be cut from standard SIM cards and converted to Nano-SIM cards with ease. Nano SIM cards may easily be cut from Micro SIM cards to save space in today’s smartphones, and Nano SIM cards can’t be converted into Micro SIM cards.
- Since their introduction in 2003, Micro SIM cards have been larger than Nano SIM cards, with dimensions of 15 12 0.76 mm in height, width, and thickness. Nano SIM cards are smaller than Micro SIM cards since they were designed in the sophisticated technology period of 2012 and had dimensions of 12.3 8.8 0.67 mm in height, width, and thickness.
- Micro SIM cards have resulted in smaller nanochips, allowing for more storage space in electronic devices. Nano SIM cards have resulted in compact embedded processors that aid in the efficient control of mobile phones.
- Converting a Micro SIM card to a Nano-SIM does not involve the use of any tools. When converting a Micro SIM card to a Nano SIM card, a special instrument called an adapter is necessary to transmit data from the Micro SIM to the Nano SIM.
Differences Between Nano sim vs Micro Sim FAQs
Why have SIM cards decreased in size?
SIM cards have dropped in size primarily because the bits that were eliminated were essentially unused space, and space on a smartphone is limited. In order to free up more room for a bigger battery or other parts, a smaller SIM card slot is necessary.
Is there anything else that distinguishes SIM cards other than their size?
No, it’s only a matter of what phones they’ll fit in because of their different sizes.
When the phone is turned on, do not attempt to remove the SIM card. This could be unsafe for you because you’re handling the internal components of the phone. Furthermore, you risk damaging the SIM card unintentionally.
Wipe the gold chips on your SIM card gently with an eraser or cotton swab. Make small strokes until your SIM card is completely clean.
Try to wipe your SIM card clean with a clean towel. Do not use any cleaning supplies on the card or the cloth. This will clean any portion of the SIM card of dust, grease, and dampness.