The SIM card is a fundamental element of our mobile devices. Thanks to this piece of plastic, the necessary connection can be made between our mobile phone and the networks of the telecommunications operator that we have contracted. Like other mobiles throughout history, Apple iPhones have also been compatible with various types of SIM cards. Let’s see in detail which models use one or the other.
The first SIM cards were the size of credit cards. On many occasions, the evolution of technology has been linked to miniaturization, something that has also happened with these pieces of plastic. In this way, after its enormous initial size, we have gone through the so-called, miniSIM, microSIM and nanoSIM . In addition, the next jump should not be far away, with the definitive integration of eSIM calls, which will avoid replacement every time the operator is changed, since they can be integrated into the mobile card. It is also important to know where the SIM card tray is in each model.
Types of SIM card on iPhone
NanoSIM
Apple, along with Nokia, was a pioneer in using what is today the smallest SIM card format. The NanoSIM call made its debut in the now veteran iPhone 5 , as well as in the Nokia Lumia 830. It is currently the type of card most present in Apple mobiles, being necessary for the following models:
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 6s
- iPhone 6s Plus
- Iphone 6
- iPhone 6 Plus
- iPhone SE
- Iphone 5s
- Iphone 5c
- iPhone 5
microSIM
We are facing an earlier standard, although there are still a good number of devices that continue to integrate it , especially in the mid-range and entry. It is a reduced version of classic SIM cards. Some terminals combine their DualSIM slots to offer this standard together with the nanoSIM format. In the case of iPhone, the models that have microSIM are the following:
- Iphone 4s
- Iphone 4
SIM card
It is the most remembered model because it coexisted for many years at the dawn of mobile telephony and in the explosion of massive use in the early 2000s. There are some iPhones that use this type of SIM, but it is difficult to see them, since they are the first models of the firm:
- iPhone 3GS
- iPhone 3G
- iPhone
ESIM format
This is the future of this connection system with our operator. The SIM is integrated and does not need to be changed when doing portability. At the moment there are not many models compatible with this technology. In addition, it also depends on each country and that the operator on duty has enabled this option. These models also have a nanoSIM tray, so they can also have this option. In the case of Apple, the iPhone compatible with eSIM are:
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
