What’s the difference between a standard SIM, micro SIM and nano SIM?

There are now three different sizes of SIM card you may need depending on your device. It is especially useful to understand the difference between them if you intend to swap your SIM card to an international SIM card while roaming abroad.

The three SIM cards available are:

  • Standard SIM
  • Micro SIM
  • Nano SIM

The standard SIM is the most common SIM card used in mobile phones today. Measuring around 1” long by 0.6” wide it is the largest of the three SIM cards.

The micro SIM is half the size of the standard SIM measuring around 0.6” long by 0.5” wide. The micro SIM appears in many phones including the iPhone 4.

The nano SIM is 40% smaller than the micro-sim measuring around 0.5” long by 0.3” wide. The nano SIM first appeared in the iPhone 5.

Other than the obvious advantage of being smaller there isn’t necessarily an advantage to using a smaller SIM card.

It is important to check what size SIM card your cell phone uses if you intend to change networks, buy an international SIM card or purchase a European SIM card, as without the correct size SIM card the cell phone will not work.

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