Phone Arena reports that AT&T has begun supplying its retailers with LTE-compatible micro-SIM cards, requesting that existing micro-SIM stocks be scrapped in favor of the new ones supporting the latest networks offering faster data speeds. The obvious explanation for the shift is the launch of the Nokia Lumia 900 next month, but speculation naturally also turns to Apple's plans for its upcoming devices.
Phone Arena suggests that the LTE-enabled micro-SIM cards could eventually be used in the iPhone 5, but the much nearer term launch for Apple is the iPad 3, which has been rumored to offer support for LTE. So while the new micro-SIM cards may not be appearing solely for the iPad 3, it is interesting to note that they are now available on AT&T should Apple launch an iPad 3 with LTE capabilities.
Update: AT&T spokesman Seth Bloom notes that the Pantech Breeze and Element already utilize the LTE micro-SIM card on the carrier's network.
Monday September 7, 2026 5:01 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple is set to unveil new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models on Wednesday, September 9, and the devices are expected to feature a design that's largely similar to the iPhone 17 Pro models, with a peppering of enhancements inside. Major changes are not expected until next year, when Apple is expected to introduce a radically redesigned 20th-anniversary iPhone.
If you're thinking of...
Tuesday September 8, 2026 10:24 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple's biggest event of the year is almost here, and all eyes are on Cupertino. With the first foldable iPhone expected to headline Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event on Wednesday, September 9, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, the rumor mill has been running full throttle, fuelled by the biggest single design change in the life of the iPhone.
To get you up to speed, here's a quick reference...
Ahead of the announcement of the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 later this week, code in the watchOS 27 and iOS 27 betas points to a series of new features for the product line.
The information comes from a new post from MacRumors forums member "pdfu." The findings include:
New "Readiness" app: An all-new separate Watch app referred to in code as "Readiness," distinct from the...
It clearly states that these new Micro Sims are to REPLACE the old Micro Sims which did not support LTE. Meaning from here on out, whether you have an LTE device or not, if it uses a Micro SIM, it will be one of these, for simplicity's sake. Makes perfect sense.
The timing also makes perfect sense since the Nokia Lumia launches in a month with Micro SIM & LTE capability.
What doesn't make sense is assuming this has anything to do with iPad 3.
I think this has more to do with AT&T having existing and upcoming LTE phones (Pantech Burst and Nokia 900) that use micro-SIM cards than it does the possibility of new iDevices supporting LTE.
Does mac rumors get paid every time they mention AT&T or somthing? Lol
Joking aside, I agree with what others have said. I really don't think this can be linked to the next iPad. The next iPad might use these cards but the iPad is probably not the reason for the change. Someth
I still can't see why people are getting excited about LTE for the iPad with the draconian data limits and pricing. At current rates LTE just means you get to your 2GB limit faster.
LTE without reasonably priced data (unlimited or whatever) just doesn't make sense on an iPad.
Really? Sorry but I do not see this as proof of LTE on the iPad 3. I see it as AT&T updating there Sims all to the same thing and modern standard they are using. Sorry boys and girls this is not proof of LTE going into the iPad 3.
