As the smartphone improves in hardware and speed, the need to accept different types of SIM cards is equally important. Understanding the terms and their application will help you determine the right handset to buy and the pros and cons.
SIM Card Types
Before we get into the different types of SIM Card Slot used on a mobile device, let’s take a look at the type of SIM card available in the market. (Click on this blog to learn more).
Standard SIM
Use it most in the early days of the smartphone. Not always used now.
Micro-SIM and Micro-SIM
The only difference between the two SIMs is the size of the plastic around the microchip. Micro-SIM is smaller than Mini-SIM.
Nano-SIM
It is thinner and thinner than its predecessor.
e-SIM
SIM is embedded in the device. Do not delete so no card space is required.
Once we understand the types of SIM cards available, let’s continue to discuss the type of card space on the smartphone.
Single SIM Card Slot
A device with a single card slot can use a single SIM Card on its device. Apple is known for allowing a single SIM card to its iPhones, until the recent launch of the new eSIM model such as the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR.
There are various reasons why Apple sticks to one SIM card location:
- Having two SIM cards in the phone will increase battery usage.
- Increased exposure to poor Radio Frequency (RF) power outages
- Apple wants to limit the number of external computers that can connect to the iPhone. They view the third-party memory card as a security threat.
- Conspiracy theory allows Apple to make more money with the sale of a handset as those who really need another SIM card will have to buy another phone.
Dual SIM Card Slot
As the need to use a smartphone at work grows, having 2 smartphones while traveling becomes a habit. Being able to use two SIM cards (two different mobile numbers) on one device solves the problem of carrying multiple phones while on the go.
There are many benefits:
- Carry one phone instead of two.
- Different business and private calls, allowing for different payment purposes and tracking
- For the average person, they can get a SIM card for data and calls, which reduces debt. However, always have access to incoming calls and text messages with an old home number.
- Make two very different deals. You can get one call system and another great data usage deal.
- Do not miss the call. Dual SIM phone lets you talk on one line and receive calls from another. This means you can end the first call to answer another instead of going straight to voicemail.
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Hybrid SIM Card Slot
Hybrid dual SIM slots do the same job as Dual-SIM but there are distortions of its approach. You have two options on how you want to use the slot:
What are the benefits of using a hybrid SIM Card slot?
- Create variants for users’ internal storage
- Reduce costs as the manufacturer does not need to build additional MicroSD slot space
- Reduce call weight (not too much, but each gram helps)
Nano Memory Card Slot
Huawei released their ‘Dual Nano Slot’ in 2018 and slammed the MicroSD card as an old technology that has been around for a very long time. A dual SIM tray can have two nano SIM or one of the sides can use a Nano Memory (NM) card instead. Huawei introduced NM card space can take up 256GB storage card. The slot is small compared to the Hybrid dual as the front slot holds the card back, saving valuable space on the handset.
Conclusion
In summary, the SIM Card space is still developing and we see a number of options offered to benefit user experience. Understanding this slot power will allow you to make the best decision on the handset that suits you. However, the Nano Memory slot is not something that is commonly found on most smartphones, as it is a new technology, but I am sure we will see more in the future on other smartphones.