Nano sim vs Micro sim: what's the difference?

A sim card is a primary component of a mobile phone. It enables users to communicate with each other or even access the internet.

Sim cards have been evolving with technology over the years. For instance, they are becoming smaller and more effective.

It all started with the standard sim cards, then came the micro sim cards and now we have micro sim cards.

In this article, we are going to explore the difference between nano sim c vs micro sim. If you are planning to buy sim cards for your device, you will decipher which one is right for you.

Table of Contents

What is a sim card?

A sim card is a small rectangular plastic card that contains mobile phone network information. It enables users to communicate with each other, send and receive text messages, make and receive calls, access the internet and even use data.

Sim cards have become popular in recent years. They have revolutionized the communication industry by enabling users to access networks on the move.

How has technology changed sim cards?

Over the years, several changes have been made to sim cards to improve their performance and increase their efficiency.

The first standard sim card was introduced in 1991 by a company called GSM Association (GSM). This standard was used for nearly two decades until a newer version was released.

Today, we are going to look at two of the most popular sim cards, which are nano sim cards and micro sim cards.

What is a micro sim card?

The micro sim card is the latest evolution of the standard size of a standard sim card. The original size was first introduced in 1991, and it was known as a standard-size sim.

The dimensions of the standard size were 20mm by 15mm by 0.76mm (width x length x thickness). The micro size was introduced in 2012 to replace the standard size.

It has dimensions of 12mm by 12mm by 0.75mm (width x length x thickness).

Micro sim cards are more compact than their predecessors, and this makes it easier to fit them into smartphones that have tight spaces for inserting the sim card.

A micro sim card can be cut down to fit into a nano sim slot if you wish to do so. However, this will mean that your device will no longer be able to connect to a mobile network and you will have to buy a new device with an appropriate slot for your new micro SIM card.

What is a nano sim card?

The nano sim card is the newest type of sim card, and it was introduced in 2012. The dimensions of the nano sim card are 12mm by 12mm by 0.67mm (width x length x thickness).

The name “nano” is derived from nanotechnology, which is a science that deals with very small things. So, the nano sim card is very small compared to its predecessors.

The advantage of having a very small sim card is that you can easily fit it into smartphones with tight spaces for fitting a sim card.

The disadvantage of having a very small-sized sim card is that it can be difficult to fit into devices such as tablets and laptops which require a larger-sized sim slot.

The nano sim card is the smallest-sized sim card in the world at present.

Nano vs Micro sim cards

The difference between a nano sim card and a micro sim card is beyond their size. Here are the key areas of separation between these two types of sim cards:

Pin layout:

The nano sim card has 29 contacts (pins), while a micro sim card has 30 contacts (pins)

The pin layout of both cards is different. So, if you want to change your micro sim into a nano sim, you need to make sure that you get all the 29 pins intact in your new nano sim card.

The most important pin for LTE connectivity is Pin 8, which connects to the antenna in your phone. If Pin 8 does not align with the antenna in your phone, then you will not get LTE connectivity.

Size

The nano sim card is 12mm long, while a micro sim card is 15mm long. The shorter length of the nano sim helps to reduce waste and also allows mobile phone manufacturers to make their phones even sleeker and smaller.

In terms of thickness, a nano sim is 12mm x 12mm x 0.67mm, whereas the micro sim card is 15mm x 15mm x 0.76mm

The nano sim card is very small and thin, whereas the micro sim card is thicker and wider.

Interchangeability

A nano sim card can be used in a Micro Sim slot if it is cut down to size, but a micro sim cannot be used in a Nano Sim slot as it is too big to fit into the smaller Nano Sim slot.

A micro sim card should always be cut down before being inserted into the Nano Sim card slot of your device.

However, if you are careful enough, you can fit a Micro Sim card into a Nano Sim card slot, but it will not be able to make contact with the antenna.

Form factor

Micro sim cards are usually categorized under the third form factor (3FF). The nano sim card is categorized as the fourth form factor (4FF). This simply implies that the nano sim card takes a smaller surface area than a micro sim card.

Shape

The nano sim card is a square shape. The micro sim card is a rectangle that has rounded corners.

Weight

A nano sim card weighs around 4 mg (0.016 grams). A micro sim card weighs around 5 mg (0.02 grams).

This means that the nano sim card has less mass than the micro sim card, but it can be of higher density. This can be seen by comparing the sizes of the two cards.

How to convert micro sim to nano sim card

The size of a micro sim is so small that it can fit inside a nano sim card slot. However, the nano sim card is too big to fit into the micro sim card slot of your device.

The only way to convert a micro sim card to a nano sim card is to cut it down. The process of cutting down the card can be done by using a knife. It is important not to slice the card in half as this will result in unusable pieces of the cards.

To cut down a micro sim card you need:

1) A knife (preferably sharp) and

2) A cutting surface that is safe and non-slippery, such as glass or a hard plastic surface.

To cut down a micro sim card you need to cut it in the middle of the card. The width of the cut should be around half an inch (1.27 cm). To do this, take your knife and use it to push the two sides apart. Then, take your knife and make a small cut from one side to the other.

After making this small cut you will see that there is a small gap between the two sides of the card. It is now time to slice through this gap using your knife. Repeat this process until you have sliced all through the card, creating two equal-sized halves of the sim card.

To complete cutting down a micro sim card you will need to cut it into two halves.

You can now use your new micro sim card to replace your old sim card in your phone.

What is the function of a nano sim card adapter?

A nano sim card adapter is a device that allows you to use your existing micro sim card in a new smartphone.

The purpose of this adapter is to make it easier for you to migrate from your old phone to a new smartphone.

The nano sim card adapter will allow you to use your existing micro sim cards with the new phone.

Which devices use nano sim cards?

Nano sim cards are used in many different devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and electronic games.

Many smartphones made by Apple Inc., Samsung, and other companies use micro sim cards. This is because it is easier for the manufacturer to produce a new phone with a micro sim card than it is to produce a new phone with a nano sim card.

This means that if your current phone does not support nano sim cards you will be able to use your existing micro sim card with a new smartphone.

Where can I buy nano sim and micro sim?

Now that you know the difference between nano sims and micro sims, you can go to a store that sells mobile phones or accessories and buy nano sims or micro sims.

You can buy nano sim cards from any mobile phone store.

And in case you want to buy nano sims and micro sims in China, ICRFQ will be always there for you. We are China’s reliable supplier of micro sims and nano sims.