Micro SIM cards – SIMply smaller

Posted in Tech Support about 1 months ago by Robert - Comments (1)

The micro sim is a smaller version of the standard SIM card.

When the iPhone 4 was introduced to the world, it was the first time we saw a micro SIM card being used in a mobile phone.  Since then, more devices are being released that utilise it.  Whether it was a space saving brainwave or an attempt to cause problems for users swapping between devices, the micro SIM is here to stay (for now at least). Although there have been rumours flying around about a nano SIM being developed by a German company which is 30% smaller than a micro SIM.

Using a micro SIM saves a tiny amount of space but when you consider everything a smartphones does, this could make the difference between a good handset and a great handset. Smartphones are fast becoming thinner, compact and even more powerful. When you look at a Smartphone every inch of space is being utilised due to the amount of new features being crammed in. In the last few months I’ve noticed more devices using micro SIMs including the Motorola Razr (which I reviewed last week) and Nokia 800. I feel it’s just a matter of time before the others follow.

Possible issues

The micro SIM does bring one main issue; when copying numbers you used to be able to copy to the SIM and put the SIM in new handset or put your new SIM in your old handset and copy onto SIM card. If you save your contacts onto your standard SIM then you can’t put this in the Smartphone that only takes micro SIM’s and vice versa. Copying contacts to the SIM was always the easiest way to get contacts across and also was useful for anyone porting onto a different network. This now means that you have to download the Software for your specific handset to then sync with Outlook so that it copies your contacts to your Outlook. Then use the Software for your new phone and sync this with Outlook. This can be a positive thing as well as it means your contacts are now saved on Outlook but this could be seen as a problem if you preferred them being separate. If you think downloading the Software etc. is too much of an inconvenience then you can buy a micro SIM adapter, which is the same size as a standard SIM but has an indent and space for you to put your micro SIM in to make it seem like it’s now a standard SIM. There is also the SIM cutter which allows you to cut a standard SIM to a micro SIM size.
           

Summary

Pros: Smaller, allows phone to be more compact, more features

Cons: Difficulties when changing or moving handsets (although SIM cutters and adapters an option)

The micro SIM can be a good addition to Smartphones but will also cause some issues with contacts moving around. Let’s see if other manufacturers follow the trend, only time will tell. There will be many possibilities in the future; maybe the nano SIM will mean manufacturers will change again.

Comments

1. • Molestrangler
   • about 1 months ago
   The iPhone has a drawer the same size as a standard sim so it was more likely a ploy to make things difficult if you wanted to use another handset.

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