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iPhone 5 Confirmed to Use New Nano-SIM Standard

Wednesday September 12, 2012 1:02 pm PDT by Eric Slivka
As had been rumored and shown in leaked images, the iPhone 5 does indeed use the new Apple-backed nano-SIM standard that is 40% smaller than the micro-SIM standard found in the iPhone 4 and 4S. Apple did not mention the change during its media event, but the company has confirmed it in an iPhone model comparison.


The iPhone 5 appears to be the first device to use the new nano-SIM standard, and carriers had reportedly begun stockpiling the new cards as long ago as July before starting to distribute them to retailers earlier this month in anticipation of the iPhone 5 introduction.
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Xenc
Posted: 9 months ago

You cannot. The gold parts are significantly smaller. That's the main problem.


The contacts points are identical between the different form factors. The 4FF was designed to be backward compatible.
Rating: 6 Positives
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cvaldes
Posted: 9 months ago

You cannot. The gold parts are significantly smaller. That's the main problem.

This is false. The micro SIM and nano SIM contacts have the same placement.

One true difference is the thickness of the cards. The nano SIM (0.67mm thick) is 0.09mm thinner than the micro/mini/standard SIM (0.76mm thick). One could probably shave this off in a minute with some sandpaper or an emery board.

Due to manufacturing and contact tolerances, the thickness issue may not be all that important.
Rating: 4 Positives
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chrmjenkins
Posted: 9 months ago

Doesn't AT&T charge you for a new SIM card, though? Something like $5-10.


I've never been charged and I've done it at least 5 times.
Rating: 4 Positives
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Xenc
Posted: 9 months ago

It looks like a regular or microsim CANNOT be cut down to this new nano sim size.

Also, it will be IMPOSSIBLE to use an adaptor with your new nano sim and use that inside a iPhone 4s or regular sim phone


This is really bad news for travellers.

And terrible for people who need to switch sims between devices


You can use an adaptor to change the profile of a nano SIM to its micro and regular counterparts.
Rating: 3 Positives
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chrmjenkins
Posted: 9 months ago

Will I be able to get a new nano sim card from my carrier (o2 uk) if I buy outright unlocked from Apple and I'm already in a contract?


Probably. AT&T does it without question for customers. The issue is getting in a store on launch day.
Rating: 3 Positives
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Xenc
Posted: 9 months ago

Pretty much this.

Some manufacturers change the way the contacts look and it can be confusing for some.

Will the average Joe want to shave off that thickness though?


The average Joe can get a free replacement SIM card from their mobile provider or Apple :D
Rating: 2 Positives
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Newjackboy
Posted: 9 months ago
It looks like a regular or microsim CANNOT be cut down to this new nano sim size.

Also, it will be IMPOSSIBLE to use an adaptor with your new nano sim and use that inside a iPhone 4s or regular sim phone


This is really bad news for travellers.

And terrible for people who need to switch sims between devices
Rating: 2 Positives
Avatar
fabian9
Posted: 9 months ago

Will I be able to get a new nano sim card from my carrier (o2 uk) if I buy outright unlocked from Apple and I'm already in a contract?


When the micro SIM was introduced with iPhone 4, this wasn't a problem for me on o2 simplicity. I imagine it'll be similar for nano SIMs now…

They actually sent me my micro SIM before the iPhone got delivered, so I'd be ready to rock by the time it arrived. :)
Rating: 2 Positives
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BanterClaus
Posted: 9 months ago
Dammit. This is good overall but it means i'm going to have to get a new contract if I get a new iPhone.

Unless mobile carriers somehow come up with a way for you to transfer sim data.
Rating: 2 Positives
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wildmannz
Posted: 9 months ago

It looks like a regular or microsim CANNOT be cut down to this new nano sim size.

This is really bad news for travellers.

And terrible for people who need to switch sims between devices


Nah. Certainly not worth the effort of cutting down a SIM. Talk to your carrier. Some even give away free SIM adapters.
Then you can be sure its going to work properly - and swap it as much as you like.

I have ordered a handful of proper nanoSIM adapters already.

More facts here:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subscriber_identity_module (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subscriber_identity_module)
See Formats.
Not much info from my carrier yet:
http://www.vodafone.co.nz/nano-sim/ (http://www.vodafone.co.nz/nano-sim/)
Rating: 1 Positives

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