iPhone 12 Do new Sim Cards add new Functionality?

[metsjetsfan]

Ive always just pulled my old SIM and replaced it in my new phone but I got this email from apple stating the below:


“When you receive your new iPhone, get a new SIM card from your carrier to activate on your phone number or insert an activated SIM. We recommend using a new SIM to get the most up-to-date features.”

Does anyone know if there are new features?

 

[ericwn]

To my knowledge a SIM card carries no radio antennas or other technology components. It’s sole function is to identify you on a network.

 

[4sallypat]

The SIM card in the case of 5G technology, has additional data for the carrier being used.

This means if you use an old SIM, while it may work, might be limiting access to newer towers / frequencies based on old data.

On the TMO network, in order to use the SUB 6 and mmWave towers, we have to use the newer "R15" SIM chips.

 

[now i see it]

Only for iPhone 12 because of 5G

 

[Paco II]

AT&T is saying there is no special 5G sim card.

 

[FHoff]

AT&T is saying there is no special 5G sim card.

AT&T CS are notorious for misinformation. They have SIM chips clearly marked 5G

 

[Paco II]

AT&T CS are notorious for misinformation. They have SIM chips clearly marked 5G

They always brand their chips with whatever is the latest tech. It’s advertising. This is what a tier 2 support rep told me. 5G is working perfectly in my iPhone with my existing SIM. If AT&T required a new SIM, why wouldn’t they be telling us that?

 

[FHoff]

They always brand their chips with whatever is the latest tech. It’s advertising. This is what a tier 2 support rep told me. 5G is working perfectly in my iPhone with my existing SIM. If AT&T required a new SIM, why wouldn’t they be telling us that?

Well I don’t think they require it. But to get the best from the network an updated SIM should be used. If your happy with it then use the one you have.

 

[Paco II]

Well I don’t think they require it. But to get the best from the network an updated SIM should be used. If your happy with it then use the one you have.

Please provide support for that. What does it mean to ‘get the best from the network an updated SIM should be used’? What is that based on?

Edit to add: if someone provides factual info that a new AT&T sim is needed, cool, we’ll all get them. But all I’ve seen in the forum are lots of opinions that they are needed without anything to actually support it. And what I’ve been told by a tier 2 that seemed to know what they were doing is that a new sim wasn’t needed.

 

[ericwn]

Well I don’t think they require it. But to get the best from the network an updated SIM should be used. If your happy with it then use the one you have.

So it’s not required but to get “the best” out of 5G one should have it? What’s included in that 5G sim then?

 

[FHoff]

Please provide support for that. What does it mean to ‘get the best from the network an updated SIM should be used’? What is that based on?

Edit to add: if someone provides factual info that a new AT&T sim is needed, cool, we’ll all get them. But all I’ve seen in the forum are lots of opinions that they are needed without anything to actually support it. And what I’ve been told by a tier 2 that seemed to know what they were doing is that a new sim wasn’t needed.

So it’s not required but to get “the best” out of 5G one should have it? What’s included in that 5G sim then?

Couldn’t find and official att statement
T-Mobile statement

While your current SIM card is 5G compatible, it is not capable of using the 5G standalone technology we recently rolled out.

Changing your SIM card will help to ensure you get more 5G in more places when using a compatible device, such as indoors and in rural locations, and will make sure you're ready to take advantage of future network enhancement.

Verizon statement

If SIM is activated as

And inserted in this device

Then

4G LTE

5G

Device connects to the 5G Ultra Wideband network, but may not connect to the future enhanced 5G network

 

[Paco II]

Couldn’t find and official att statement
T-Mobile statement...

Ah yes, to support T-Mobile’s future “Standalone 5G” network. I think AT&T is lagging behind, and if and when they make a big push for SA5G we may see them indicate that a new SIM is needed.

 

[960design]

Ive always just pulled my old SIM and replaced it in my new phone but I got this email from apple stating the below:


“When you receive your new iPhone, get a new SIM card from your carrier to activate on your phone number or insert an activated SIM. We recommend using a new SIM to get the most up-to-date features.”

Does anyone know if there are new features?

We just use the eSim. Have not transferred physical sims in a while. Have not verified if eSim picks up 5G or not. Currently live in LTE land of yesteryear.

 

[Paco II]

We just use the eSim. Have not transferred physical sims in a while.

I really wish it were possible to use simultaneous dual esim.

 

[zfarooq]

For Verizon. You cannot access 5g uw without the new sim.

 

[960design]

For Verizon. You cannot access 5g uw without the new sim.

Verizon does not let you use eSim for 5G?
I wonder if AT&T is the same?

 

[Cathyg]

I set up my new IPhone 12 mini swapping with the sim from my iPhone 8. I am reading here that I did not need to do that (but due to COVID, could not get assistance of a tech), and may have less functionality using the old sim. I still have the sim that came with the new phone, and my carrier is AT&T. Should I try to reactivate or start over using the Sim from the iPhone 12?

 

[yticolev]

What's a little crazy is that my new iPhone Mini would not work with my existing Verizon sim card, but required 5G sim. However, my plan does not allow 5G service. Such silliness from Verizon, presumably to aid upselling more expensive 5G plans.