Why microSIM in iPhone 4 (iPhone HD)?

[Jelsoft]

When the iPad 3Gs are out, someone will try putting in a cut but normal sim card into an unlocked unit.

Until then, we won't know if we can put our current sims (after cutting) into an unlocked iPhone 4G and if the phone will work.

Either:

it won't acknowledge an old sim
it acknowledges it but Apple have done something extra and it won't work
it acknowledges it and it's just like the regular unlocked iPhones (albeit after having to cut your own sim card to fit)

 

[SAD*FACED*CLOWN]

here's why

but why does apple care about unlocking. only at&t does. apple benefits when more iphones are sold to unlockers.

Apple and AT&T are partners...EXCLUSIVE with regard to iPhone...Apple gets a slice of iphone subscriptions so Apple has just as much to lose from unlocked iPhones as AT&T does...Apple benifits when iphones are sold AND activated on AT&T's network

 

[afd]

The 3G ipad isn't going to be locked, so when that is out I'm sure it won't be long till other networks start producing micro-sims to put in ipads. I don't think micro-sims will be scarce for long.

 

[iTouch]

What about cloning your SIM card? I'm not sure it works 100% though. I have T-Mobile with AAA discount of 15% and a $6 data plan I don't want to give that up. I don't mind paying the after market price. Hopefully my 3G will lighten the blow a little.

 

[Kingcodez]

How are the contact pads on the regular vs micro sim cards?
Could you just solder in some wires, and hook it to a full sized sim reader hidden somewhere else in the device?
It would be pretty hardcore, but it would work.

 

[jmmo20]

Apple and AT&T are partners...EXCLUSIVE with regard to iPhone...Apple gets a slice of iphone subscriptions so Apple has just as much to lose from unlocked iPhones as AT&T does...Apple benifits when iphones are sold AND activated on AT&T's network

No they don't .. that was back in the iphone EDge days..

 

[sorchard]

Here in the UK, unlocking is pretty widespread and so many people bought unlocked iPhones to use them on other networks that I wouldn't be surprised if the idea of a micro-SIM came from the networks

Why would the UK networks care?

Why do they offer unlock codes for non-iPhones (often at a price), and why do they offer unlocked phones (VF/o2 do this for contract non-iPhones), if they don't want people using "foreign" phones?

Why do they offer SIM-only contracts specifically for people with unlocked phones?

The iPhone went against everything that the mobile industry does in the UK. It was not officially unlockable (and only now is only usable on a few networks), it was exclusive to one network (and now only three), etc.

I'm going to go with the idea that Apple wanted microSIMs simply to be incompatible with everything else. It seems to be something they do a lot in recent years.

 

[elfxmilhouse]

But does Apple/AT&T expect every single person upgrading from a 3G/3GS to go into a physical AT&T store to swap out their current SIM card to a micro-sim?

That alone turns me off of the whole thing...

my guess is that the phone will come with a micro sim inside. just like how all iphones/iphone 3Gs/iphone 3GS's came with a sim card.

 

[tico24]

It won't do anything to stop unlocking. MicroSIMs are backwards compatible with traditional SIM cards. If you want to 'convert' a traditional SIM into a MicroSIM, just cut the extra plastic off... job done.

 

[SAD*FACED*CLOWN]

No they don't .. that was back in the iphone EDge days..

you're incorrect, Apple Benifits when iPhones are activated on AT&T's network...why do you think the first iPhones were so expensive as opposed to now? and why do you suppose they mandate that you get an iPhone data plan? Apple gets money off data subscriptions otherwise why would they need a partner? Why not just make a phone for every carrier and sell at retail? Apple and AT&T's data subsidy is the epitome of a partnership

 

[goobot]

No they don't .. that was back in the iphone EDge days..

quite the opposite. apple gets a cut of your monthly bill.

 

[davidhawkins123]

!!!!!!!!!!!!

There Is No Difference Between Sim And Microsim The Only Cosmetic Difference Is The Plastic Bit Without The Chip On

 

[nukiduz]

I have found this picture: http://twitpic.com/113je1
Quite handy if your carrier doesn't deliver micro-sims.

 

[androiphone]

Why would the UK networks care?

Why do they offer unlock codes for non-iPhones (often at a price), and why do they offer unlocked phones (VF/o2 do this for contract non-iPhones), if they don't want people using "foreign" phones?

Why do they offer SIM-only contracts specifically for people with unlocked phones?

The iPhone went against everything that the mobile industry does in the UK. It was not officially unlockable (and only now is only usable on a few networks), it was exclusive to one network (and now only three), etc.

I'm going to go with the idea that Apple wanted microSIMs simply to be incompatible with everything else. It seems to be something they do a lot in recent years.

the iphone didnt do anything different when it came out there have been exclusive deals for phones in the UK forever, sometimes with the phone never going to any other network.

now that four networks have the iphone (and is likely to come to more) the networks will happily unlock your phone (for free if you had a contract but only after your contract has expired, and at anytime (even the first day) on payasyougo), (there was a delay in the unlock being provided, started last september, but this was as soon as the other networks got it and it was before any of the 18month contracts had finished on the 3G model, so didnt affect anyone), and it will fully work on any network you wish to take it to, even the ones without the iphone

already O2, orange and vodafone are going to be providing micro sims for the ipad and for all the other networks you will be able to simply cut the sim card (often 100% free so if you mess it up you can just go get a 2nd sim and start again) to size until the network provides micro sims

 

[thelatinist]

quite the opposite. apple gets a cut of your monthly bill.

you're incorrect, Apple Benifits when iPhones are activated on AT&T's network...why do you think the first iPhones were so expensive as opposed to now? and why do you suppose they mandate that you get an iPhone data plan? Apple gets money off data subscriptions otherwise why would they need a partner? Why not just make a phone for every carrier and sell at retail? Apple and AT&T's data subsidy is the epitome of a partnership

You are mistaken. Apple no longer gets a portion of iPhone revenue, and hasn't since the iPhone 2G. The change in pricing was made possible because AT&T increased the cost of the data plan and used it to offset a substantial discount on the iPhone. Apple gets a fixed amount of $549 or $649 for each iPhone 3GS sold and activated on AT&T, and nothing more. If AT&T sells the phone, they pay Apple directly. If AT&T sells the phone and activates it on AT&T, the customer pays $199 or $299 and AT&T pays Apple the $350 subsidy. In neither case does Apple get a portion of contract revenue (except in the sense that the $350 AT&T pays Apple is recovered by AT&T through the data charge).

Moreover, Apple actually makes $50 more for every iPhone sold without a contract! Contract-free iPhones are sold for a $50 premium of $599 or $699 each.

 

[zub3qin]

X2, making it smaller they can cram more stuff in the iPhone or slim up the design.

Not true.

If you read the iPhone teardown, you will see that the miniSIM takes up the exact same space as a regular SIM chip receptacle.

 

[doubleatheman]

Not true.

If you read the iPhone teardown, you will see that the miniSIM takes up the exact same space as a regular SIM chip receptacle.

Not true, the battery would have to have a chunk of it taken out for a normal sim to fit. Thus the phone would change with a normal sim in it.

Micro sim is much smaller, sure the physical connector is the same, but the excess plastic is not in the way.

 

[funnsizee2013]

What reason would Apple have for a microSim card?
The physical size of the microSIM reader in the phone is the same as a real SIM reader so there isn't s apace savings reason.

I only can guess it is a concession to AT&T. In a way it lets them hardware lock the device to AT&T for longer as AT&T will likely be the only ones coming out with microSIM cards for a while. Tmobile will later on, but for the short term, there won't be any unlocked iPhones in the US.

Any other possible reasons?

They said they have switched to Micro SIM's because the phone is so thin and fully packed that the original sized SIM no longer fits.

 

[glocke12]

Sim Card Type

Will the new iphone use the same type of sim card used in the 3gs?

If so, and I get the 4g phone activated, will I be able to move the sim card from the 4g phone back to the 3gs phone if i want to use that as a backup phone. My 3gs is jailbroken, so im thinking in terms of using mywi here.

 

[stridemat]

It's not the same. The new iPhone 4 uses a micro-sim.

 

[dave006]

Will the new iphone use the same type of sim card used in the 3gs?

If so, and I get the 4g phone activated, will I be able to move the sim card from the 4g phone back to the 3gs phone if i want to use that as a backup phone. My 3gs is jailbroken, so im thinking in terms of using mywi here.

No, the iPhone 4 will ship with a new Micro SIM.

If you want to put the activated Micro SIM into another GSM phone, you will need a special Micro SIM tray. They are available online, just try Google...

Dave

 

[simulacra]

No, iPhone 4 uses microsim, if you want to use your old sim you'll gonna have to cut it down, but your operator will provide you with a new one.

 

[glocke12]

So if I get a microsim tray, i would be able to use the 4g sim in my 3gs phone and have a fully functional phone?

 

[dave006]

Yes, that is the ticket...

Dave

 

[Azmontana]

No. It uses a microsim which you can order from your provider. You will be able to plug the microsim into a standard sim providing that you have an adapter which your provider should provide lol.

Now next time please use the search function. Mods please close this thread before this dude gets flamed!