What are the different SIM card sizes?

What are the different SIM card sizes?

A Subscriber Identity Module or SIM is an integrated circuit (IC) that allows a user to connect to a network through a specific device (e.g. mobile phone, computer, etc). The SIM contains the information necessary to authenticate the device, allowing access as necessary. The information included on the SIM is:

• the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI),
• serial number (ICCID),
• security authentication and ciphering information,
• temporary information related to the local network,
• a list of services the user has access to,
• personal identification number (PIN) and
• personal unblocking code (PUC) for PIN unlocking.

There are five different sizes of SIMs: full-size, mini-SIM, micro-SIM, nano-SIM, and embedded-SIM.

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Full-size SIM (1FF)
The original SIM was the size of a credit card but has since been changed to a smaller SIM that can be popped out of the card. The standard reference for this SIM is ISO/IEC 7810:2003, ID-1. The full-size card is no longer used.

Mini-SIM (2FF)
The mini-SIM is 25mm X 15mm and has the same contact arrangement as the full-size SIM. It is attached to the inside of a full-size SIM card, in case the user needs the full-size, but it can be popped out of that card and used in a different device. Since the full-size card is no longer used, this card has become known as a “standard SIM” or “regular SIM”. The standard reference for this SIM is ISO/IEC 7810:2003, ID-000.

Micro-SIM (3FF)
The micro-SIM is 15mm X 12mm and has the same contact arrangement as the mini-SIM. The micro-SIM can be used in the place of mini-SIMs by using plastic cutouts. Mini-SIMs can also be cut down to fit into a micro-SIM slot. The standard reference is ETSI TS 102 221 V9.0.0, Mini-UICC.

Nano-SIM (4FF)
The nano-SIM is 12.3mm X 8.8mm. It also has the same contact arrangement as the other SIMs but the area around the contacts was trimmed to decrease the overall size of the card. The standard reference is ETSI TS 102.221 V11.0.0.

Embedded-SIM (eSIM)
The eSIM is the newest type of SIM available, it is also known as embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC). This SIM is a non-removable SON-8 package IC, which is soldered directly on the circuit board. The main advantage of this type of SIM is that there is no need for a connector thereby increasing security and dependability. The standard reference is JEDEC Design Guide 4.8, SON-8 ETSI TS 103 383 V12.0.0 GSMA SGP.22 V1.0.

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