3 types of SIM sizes that we have today: the Mini, Micro and Nano SIM cards and their differences

Up till this very moment, many are yet to come to terms with the differences between Mini SIM, Micro SIM and Nano SIM cards.

If you are one of them, I bet you that you are not alone on that, because recently, I have received series of request from different folks asking me to help them differentiate the 3 set of SIM.

Some said they thought the Micro SIM is the same as the Nano SIM, while others ask for the difference between standard SIM and Mini SIM. So you can see the level of confusion constantly arising from the 3 types of SIM sizes that we have today.

This was why I decided to use this opportunity to exactly differentiate the 3 sized of SIM in order to end the confusion that constantly arises.

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Let’s start with the Mini SIM…the Mini SIM card size is the first and most common type of SIM amongst the 3 that you know, also regarded as the Standard SIM card size, it measures about 25mm in length and 15mm wide. The contact network provider chip is positioned in such a manner that when the SIM Card is held upright, with the chip side facing the eyes, the chip appears to be positioned at the lower left hand side of the entire Card.

Then for the Micro SIM….this is a smaller type of the Mini SIM card, almost half in length of the Mini SIM and slightly narrower in width. Here, the network provider chip appears to be centralized with just small extra meat of the card showing at the four side of the chip.

Finally for the Nano SIM….this appears to be the smallest of the 3. In the case of the Nano SIM, there is no extra visible meat apart from the network provider chip which covers the entire surface. In order words the size of the Nano is exactly the size of the chip.

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The Standard SIM Card size (Mini SIM) can be trimmed into Micro and Nano SIM card sizes with a pair of scissors or special tool for cutting SIM cards.

On the other hand, the Micro and Nano SIM card sizes can be made to take the size of the Standard SIM Cards by making use of special Standard SIM adapters or by placing them on the clipped out frame (placeholder) from the Standard SIM.

Formally, it was only the Standard SIMs that was normally being used, but as technology advances, manufactures begin to produce devices that make use of the Micro and Nano SIM card sizes.


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Apple iPhone 4 devices was the first to record the use of the Micro SIM while the iPhone 5, 5S and 5C are known to make use of the Nano SIM card. Also most Nokia Microsoft Lumia devices are also known to make use of the Micro and Nano SIM card types.


If you are happy with this piece, kindly use the comment box below to specify or tell us your previous thought about the 3 sizes of SIM card discussed above.