Apple proposes new industry standard SIM card, smaller than micro-SIM

By on May 17, 2011 at 2:56 PM
mobile May 17, 2011

Apple has reportedly submitted a proposal for a new industry stand for SIM cards that would drastically reduce their size. According to Reuters, Apple’s new SIM design is even smaller than the micro-SIM the company currently uses in its iPhone 4 smartphone and iPad tablets. The new SIM card, which has already been backed by France’s Orange and other carriers, would allow cell phone manufacturers to build devices that are much thinner as a result of the smaller, thinner SIM readers that could be included in phones and tablets. “We were quite happy to see last week that Apple has submitted a new requirement to (European telecoms standards body) ETSI for a smaller SIM form factor — smaller than the one that goes in iPhone 4 and iPad,” Orange’s head of mobile told Reuters. “They have done that through the standardization route, through ETSI, with the sponsorship of some major mobile operators, Orange being one of them.” Neither Apple or ETSI have commented on the the proposed SIM.

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  • Apexdv

    Wow … people get all sorts bent out of shape if Apple, MS, or any other large name proposes something.  It’s a “proposal” for a new “standard” and for once they have followed proper request protocol .  It’s a good thing people: smaller SIM cards mean smaller readers which mean more features, larger screens, lighter weight, etc etc overall.  And if it becomes an adopted STANDARD that means that most GSM mobile devices will use the format.  Hmmmm.  Sorta means yes you WILL be able swap out SIMs among devices.  Remember: if it’s adopted it doesn’t mean that suddenly your current SIM is now defunct and will not operate.  Wow – take a chill pill, folks.  It’s a SIM card we’re taking about here.  Not another bailout.

    • Apexdv

      Oooops – meant to add … and NO I would not agree if it would mean that suddenly everyone would have to pay some sort of royalty to Apple to use a new “standard”.  Not cool.

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