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Music centers: differences between micro, midi and mini systems. What is Nano-SIM? Nano sim and micro sim, differences you should know. How to make a nano-sim from a micro-sim

Experienced communication store consultants still remember the time when customers were perplexed by the fact that there were SIMs of non-standard sizes. Nowadays, having several types of SIM cards is commonplace. Manufacturers are giving preference to increasingly smaller cards, because this saves space inside the device body. Standard-sized SIM cards, bulky by modern standards, are about to “sink into oblivion.”

In this article we will talk about all types of SIM and teach you how to turn a large card into a small one.

In terms of size, SIM cards are classified into 3 types:

Mini-SIM

Mini-SIM– this is the “scientific” name for a standard SIM card. Its dimensions are 25x15 millimeters.

If the phone was released before 2011 (inclusive), you can be sure that exactly what is inserted into it Mini-SIM. For modern smartphones, such a card is too large, but this does not mean at all that Mini-SIM– anachronism. Standard SIM cards are used in simple dialers, in phones with large buttons for the elderly, in secure phones for fishing enthusiasts and factory workers. The listed devices cannot boast of an abundance of functions, so there is plenty of space inside their cases - in some models, manufacturers even allow you to install 3-4 Mini-SIM.

Micro-SIM

First card Micro-SIM began to be used by Apple - in iPhone 4 devices. Dimensions Micro-SIM– 15x12 millimeters.

Nowadays, the vast majority of smartphones are installed with Micro-SIM. The “baton” was taken over from Apple by Nokia, which equipped its Lumia devices with slots for Micro, followed by HTC, Samsung, and BlackBerry.

Nano-SIM

Nano-SIM– the newest and smallest card for the phone. Its dimensions are only 12x5 millimeters. Visually, the card is a chip with a minimum of plastic edging.

Apple is again the innovator. Exactly Nano-SIM users had to insert the 5th modification into the iPhone. Later, other well-known manufacturers began to produce devices with Nano-SIM slots - for example, Samsung And Meizu.

The following illustration will help you understand the differences between the three types of SIM cards:

How to change the SIM card size for your phone?

The most obvious way to change the SIM card size is replace it in the operator's cabin. This procedure is completely free, takes only a couple of minutes, and the phone number does not change subsequently. However, this method still has a number of disadvantages:

  • The new SIM card will not contain the numbers stored in the memory of the old one. Of course, a similar problem easy to solve: in the article “How to transfer contacts from iPhone to computer” we talk about several ways to export phone numbers. But, alas, many users consider their time too valuable to waste it on mastering third-party software and methods for creating backup copies.
  • You have the right to replace your SIM card in the office only its designer and only according to the passport. If the card was given to the user, for example, by his parents, he himself will not be able to replace it. Sometimes this becomes a real problem.

If a consultant changes a SIM card to a person who is not its issuer, this is fraud! For such an operation, the consultant will, at a minimum, be deprived of his bonus, and at maximum, he will be fired in disgrace. Therefore, demanding to “make an exception” is meaningless; no one wants to find themselves unemployed with unflattering wording in their work book.

There are several ways to change the dimensions of a SIM card without resorting to replacement. For example, a user can purchase adapter(aka - adapter). The adapters look like this:

It’s better to order adapters for SIM on Chinese websites - there they cost a mere trifle. For example, a set of adapters from Noosy along with a needle for iPhone will cost only 17 rubles. When purchasing in a salon, the user may be charged up to 250 rubles - the difference is more than noticeable!

The set usually includes adapters of 3 types: Nano-SIM to SIM, Micro-SIM to SIM And Nano-SIM to Micro-SIM. Since SIM cards of reduced sizes continue to be associated with Apple, manufacturers do not forget to include needles in the kits to remove the SIM card slot. Adapters are easy to use: a small SIM card is inserted into a suitable adapter, then the adapter itself with the card inside is placed in the slot of the mobile device.

Adapters help when you need to increase the size of a SIM card, but what should the user do if, on the contrary, the card needs to be reduced? The owner of the gadget should think about the fact that such a need may arise even at the stage of purchasing a SIM card - and insist on issuing him a so-called Combi-SIM. Combi-SIM is a standard-sized card from which you can make a micro-SIM card in a split second.

Inside a SIM card, standard in size, Micro-Sim It is already cut along the contour, so it is easy for the user to press with a finger and break off a piece of plastic.

There is no need to rush to throw away the frame– she is still capable of doing a good service. If you need to reinsert the card into the slot under Mini-SIM the frame can be used as an adapter.

Usage Combi-SIM- one of the ways to change the size of the SIM card downwards. Cards Combi provided to mobile users for free- of course, if they are available in the operator’s office.

If the user is already the owner of a standard SIM card and wants to turn it into Micro, without losing contacts, he has no other choice but to cut the SIM card. Pruning is usually carried out using a special device called stapler for Sim(aka - Sim cutter, it’s the same - Sim-Cutter).

Make from a standard card Micro-SIM If you have such a stapler, it’s a second procedure. However, expect that the sales office or workshop will carry out this procedure for free, not worth it. Salon employees will demand 149 rubles for trimming and will even knock out a check for providing a paid service. Repair shops will also ask for money, or even send the user to deal with the operator.

Cutting a SIM card is associated with some risk - if the person performing the procedure is in a hurry or is inattentive, he will damage the chip and, as a result, the SIM card will not function. Hence the high cost of pruning services - no one wants to take risks “for nothing.”

How to cut a SIM card with your own hands?

Not all cellular communication stores have SIM staplers - some consultants continue to cut cards with their own hands and with ordinary scissors. The reader may be surprised to learn that no one trains consultants to do this. They hone this skill on their own, and many are able to successfully cut a SIM card the first time.

No wonder - in fact, the procedure is extremely primitive! Usually the main difficulty is finding a pattern. Consultants, as a rule, have their entire table littered with SIM cards of various sizes that work and have served their useful life - they use them as samples. The average user can only dream of such abundance - however, if he still managed to borrow a SIM card of the required size to serve as a template, he can safely try trimming it himself. If not, he should resort to using a printer and a template print(here is the relevant link).

To cut a SIM card, you don’t need felt-tip pens, rulers or pencils - if you follow these instructions:

  • Take the large SIM in your hand with the chip facing up.
  • Place the sample card on top so that it completely covers the chip, press it tightly with your thumb and do not let go. If desired, the template can be attached to a large SIM using double-sided tape, but experts do not recommend doing this - you can damage the chip.
  • Carefully trim the sides of the plastic. Try not to have too much, otherwise the SIM card in the slot will “dangle” and the signal will be lost.
  • Cut the card according to the template across. Here you can act less scrupulously; The main thing is not to touch the chip.
  • Remove the corner and round the edges a little - otherwise the SIM card will not fit into the slot.

Next, put the template aside and try to install the cut card into the phone to check its functionality. If the SIM card does not fit into the slot, carefully trim the plastic and try again. If the card in the slot is just the right size and can be read by the phone, rejoice - you just cut a SIM card with your own hands!

note that not just any card can be “cut” to the desired size. Easiest to redo Mini-SIM V Micro-SIM – such pruning should not cause any difficulties for the user at all. Trim under Nano-SIM always more difficult; plastic around the chip on the card Nano almost none, so the risk of snagging the chip with the blades of the scissors is quite high.

Old-style SIM cards with large chips are still in use:

Cutting such SIMs is a real nightmare! With some luck, from such a card you can make Micro-SIM, but turn it into Nano It definitely won't work.

Conclusion

The fact that smartphone manufacturers began to produce gadgets that support different types of SIM cards, salon sellers have become quite rich. Of course, not all paid services go through the cash register - in many cases, the money for trimming goes into the pockets of consultants. Cutting SIM cards for sellers is a “bread and butter” business, which means free there is no need to count on help from consultants.

Therefore, a user who does not want to “feed” salon employees is better off mastering pruning skills himself. This procedure is quite simple and does not require “surgical precision”.

Users are often interested in information about the microSDHC memory card: how it differs from microSD and microSDXC. Secure Digital Memory devices are widely used as additional storage options for portable devices such as tablet computers, mobile phones, digital cameras and GPS navigation devices. SD, SDHC, and SDXC drives are secure digital memory cards, but they have certain differences that you need to understand to ensure optimal performance in your portable devices.

If the user is interested in what is the difference between the types of flash drives, then he will be interested to know that the SD memory card is the first generation of Secure Digital, which was developed to improve the MMC (MultiMediaCard) standard. SD drives were created primarily to increase file storage space on mobile phones. The MMC standard is also used for data storage. It is similar to microSD, but is considered obsolete because it cannot provide a high enough information transfer speed.

For those interested in the difference between microSD and microSDHC memory cards, it will be useful to know that the storage size of a regular SD cannot exceed 2 GB. Typically, it has a standard physical size of 11mm x 15mm. The maximum read and write speed for such a drive is 25 Mbit/s. This is a very decent speed considering the small physical size of the device. This card is mainly used on mobile phones to store photos, videos and applications. SDHC and SDXC drives appeared later.

Second and third generations SD

SDHC

An SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) card differs from a regular microSD in its more capacious information storage, the size of which can range from 4 to 32 GB. It is also a secure digital device with a standard size of 11mm x 15mm. The difference between SD and SDHC is a higher data transfer rate (for Secure Digital High Capacity it can range from 50 Mbit/s to 150 Mbit/s).

SDHC memory cards are in many ways identical to SD drives, but there are significant differences. Older SD card devices are not compatible with SDHC because the latter uses the FAT32 file system instead of FAT12, FAT16 and FAT16B. The difference between microSD and microSDHC is that the latter uses a more convenient file system. However, some of the older gadgets can still use the Secure Digital High Capacity standard after a firmware update. Devices that are originally designed for SDHC should recognize regular SD without problems. Prices for such drives may vary depending on the amount of memory.

SDXC

An SDXC (Secure Digital eXtended Capacity) device can have a capacity from 32 GB to 2 TB and this is the main difference between SDHC and SDXC memory cards. Like other similar drives, the physical size is 11mm x 15mm. Data transfer speeds can vary from 50 to 312 Mbps. The speed potential of such a drive depends on the version of its design. Build 3.0 with UHS-1 (Ultra High Speed) bus can accelerate to 104 Mbps, and the more recent version 4.0 with UHS-2 reaches 312 Mbps. Prices for such drives can vary greatly depending on their capacity and speed. microSDHC and microSD devices are already considered obsolete standards in many countries. However, SD and SDHC memory cards are still popular.

In order to be able to make and receive calls from your smartphone or tablet, and use other services of cellular operators, you must have a SIM card. In fact, each SIM card is a miniature chip that contains all the information necessary for normal operation in the cellular network: subscriber identification number, etc.

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IMPORTANT: We can say that the Sim card is the interface between the subscriber and his mobile operator.

Just a few years ago there was one standard for SIM cards. Today there are several of them. And the main difference between Sim cards from each other is their size. The newer the standard of such a card, the smaller it is. Below we will talk about what sizes of SIM cards exist and how they can be changed if necessary.

Today, there are three main SIM card standards used in cellular communications: Mini, Micro and Nano.

Mini-SIM

This is the oldest format to date and consists of standard-sized SIM cards. Their dimensions are equal 25 × 15 mm. Such cards are used on most mobile phones. New smartphones practically do not support this size of SIM card, but if necessary, using improvised means, you can cut a card of the required size from an old SIM card.

Micro-SIM

As the name of this standard implies, the Micro format differs from Mini primarily in size ( 15 × 12 mm). For the first time, such a standard was used by Apple in its iPhone 4 smartphones. And the overwhelming number of new smartphones use exactly this SIM card format.

If you bought a smartphone that works with a SIM card of this format, then do not rush to your operator’s mobile phone store. In most cases, you can trim the card to the desired size at home. But more on that below.

Nano-SIM

Nano-SIM is the smallest size SIM card available today. As in the case of Micro-SIM, Apple started a “revolution” by developing this standard for its new iPhone and iPad models. But, some developers of devices on the Android operating system supported the company from Cupertino and also use Nano-Sim in their devices, saving space and reducing the size of gadgets.

Nano-SIM Dimensions 12 × 5 mm. If you look at such a SIM card, you will notice that this is a chip without the plastic that was previously used around it.

How to change SIM card size?

The easiest way to change the size of a SIM card is to replace it with your mobile operator. But, this can be done at home. You also need to know that in services, salons selling mobile phones, etc. You can order the card to be cut to the desired size.

Contact your telecom operator

If you don’t want to bother with the SIM card and cut it manually, then go to your operator’s office with your passport and order a SIM card replacement service. It's free and only takes 2-3 minutes. You will be given a card of the required size (or a multi-format card from which you can “squeeze out” the card of the required size yourself).

IMPORTANT: Your phone number, connected services and balance will remain the same as before replacing the card.

Modern SIM cards are multi-format. This means that by registering with a mobile operator, you will receive a card from which, without any improvised means, you can make one that you can use in your device.

In such a SIM card, the dimensions of the format you need are indicated using a dotted line. It is almost impossible to damage the chip when “squeezing out” the size you need.

Let's go to the workshop

If you don’t have the time or opportunity to get to your operator’s office, then go to any mobile phone store (or gadget repair shop) and order a SIM card cutting service.

Almost every such workshop has a special stapler device with which you can cut the card to the desired size in a few seconds. At the same time, the risk of damaging the chip is even less than when “squeezing out” the SIM card along the dotted lines.

Cut by hand according to the template

You can cut out the SIM card using regular scissors. It is best to cut according to a template. If you don’t have one, you can find such a template on the Internet and print it on a printer. Then cut out the template and attach it to the SIM card. Now carefully cut it along the contours of the template. If necessary, sand the edges with fine-grit sandpaper after cutting.

IMPORTANT: When applying a template to a SIM card, make sure that the chip on your card and the template match. If this is not done, the performance of the cropped card may suffer.

Insert into the device and use.

Instead of a conclusion

Hopefully this article will help you understand more about SIM card formats, as well as how to adapt your SIM card to the supported device size. If you are afraid of damaging your card, then order a replacement or cutting it to the required size from professionals. If you don’t have time, you can trim it yourself. The main thing is to do everything carefully and according to the template.

Video. How to make a Micro or Nano SIM card from a SIM card with your own hands

Mini— sim- this is an ordinary and familiar SIM card, standard size, which is usually called a “SIM card”, without the “mini” prefix. The most common format of SIM cards, but today they are increasingly difficult to find in new smartphones.
The size of a regular, standard SIM card or mini-sim is 25 X 15mm

Micro— sim- this is the same SIM card as a mini-SIM, but unlike it, a micro-SIM has a smaller size of 15 X 12mm. As a rule, SIM cards are sold with the ability to turn a regular SIM card into a micro-SIM card by simply squeezing a micro-SIM out of the card’s plastic frame.

A universal or multi-SIM card looks like this (you can see the boundaries along which you need to squeeze out the required SIM card size):

What is a Nano SIM card?

Nano— sim- This is the newest SIM card format, and today it is the smallest SIM card size for smartphones and tablets. The Nano SIM does not have any plastic around the chip like you see on the Mini SIM and Micro SIM. The size of a nano SIM card is half the size of a standard SIM card and is 12.3 X 8.8 millimeters, which is practically the size of the chip itself, but still has a small border.

Micro-SIM and nano-SIM: the difference is in the size of the plastic or in the chip?

Based on the above characteristics of SIM cards, you can notice a significant reduction in plastic, directly along the edges of the SIM card chip. The dimensions of SIM cards are the key and main feature of what the SIM card is called. This size only affects the plastic; there are no and cannot be any changes in the chip itself. You can use a regular SIM card (mini-SIM), and if you upgrade your smartphone to a newer model that requires a micro-SIM, you can change it to the desired size at any time, be it micro-SIM or nano-SIM.

How to cut a SIM card for a nano-SIM?

There are several ways to make a nano-sim from a micro-sim:

First way- this means contacting a specialized store or communication salon of any operator, and in a couple of minutes they will give you the required SIM card size. The cost of this service, as a rule, does not exceed the cost of the starter package/SIM card itself, or is completely free. This service will definitely be free if you buy a starter package and immediately warn about what SIM card you need, in which case the operator’s representative must give you the required SIM card size.

Second way- this is to cut the SIM card yourself under the nano-SIM. Be prepared to need a ruler, scissors or a sharp utility knife, and possibly sandpaper. Attention! This method is less preferable, since there is a risk of touching one of the 6 contacts of your SIM card chip, which means you will need to restore the SIM card by contacting your operator.

So, if you decide to cut the SIM card yourself, then let’s move on directly to cutting:


Remember! Having cut a SIM card, for example, to the size of a nano-SIM, they may still differ in thickness, since the thickness of a nano-SIM card is 0.67mm, while mini-SIM and micro-SIM can be: 0.76-0.84mm.

How to insert a nano-sim into a micro-sim?

Changing the size back from a nano-SIM to a micro-SIM or mini-SIM is much more difficult, because you will need a holder/adapter or “holder” for the SIM card. If you have one, then you will not have any difficulties with changing the size, just insert the chip into the desired adapter and place it in your smartphone or tablet.

The image shows what an adapter for nano-SIM and micro-SIM should look like, as you can see, there is nothing complicated about it, you just need to buy a holder or save it, after purchasing the SIM card itself, as a rule, multi-SIM cards are sold.

Manufacturers of smartphones and tablets strive to reduce the size and weight of their devices as much as possible in order to make them more stylish, convenient and powerful, so new models have no place for excess and completely unnecessary plastic from SIM cards. Instead, you can reduce the size of the gadget itself or enhance it with other useful functionality: processor, memory, etc.

It is the size of the SIM card tray or slot that determines the required chip size, and this will determine which SIM card you need. As a rule, for smartphones that allow you to simultaneously use 2 or more SIM cards, you need to have a microSIM or nanoSIM.

Also, it is worth mentioning that recently, manufacturers have begun to increasingly use technology for SIM cards and memory cards, however, this is not always convenient, remember this when.

With the development of technology, the need for small digital maps has arisen. This is due to the fact that phones and other devices are becoming smaller, and their needs are increasing. Therefore, the MMC memory standard smoothly transformed into MicroSD (small secure digital card). Now MicroSDHC and MicroSDXC have been added to it. So what is the difference between them?

Difference between cards MicroSD, MicroSDHC And MicroSDXC:

1 difference— All these cards differ in capacity. Map MicroSD has a capacity of up to 2 GB. Map MicroSDHC has a capacity from 4 GB to 32 GB. Map MicroSDXC has a capacity of 32 GB and up to 2 TB.

2 difference— All these cards have different speeds. Map MicroSD has a write and read speed of up to 25 MB/s. Map MicroSDHC has read and write speeds from 50 to 150 MB/s. Map MicroSDXC has read and write speeds of

50 and up to 312 Mb/s.

3 difference— Formatting cards in used systems. Map MicroSD formatted in FAT 12 and FAT 16. Card MicroSDHC formatted in FAT 32 system. Card MicroSDXC formatted in exFAT system.

4 difference— These cards are compatible with readers. Map MicroSD Compatible with any readers. Map MicroSDHC Compatible with MicroSDHC or MicroSDXC readers. But the MicroSDXC card is compatible with MicroSDXC readers.

Micro card format

The main types of micro cards are made in one size for the convenience of users: 11x15x1 mm, but they differ in memory capacity. Due to the same information storage technology, they are suitable for any technology: photo and video cameras, tablets or phones, and the kit includes an adapter for direct connection to laptops. It looks and is the size of a standard SD card.

Difference between card generations

Among the main differences between micro SDHC and SDXC are:

1) Capacity

MicroSD - up to 2 GB.

MicroSDHC - up to 32 GB.

MicroSDXC - up to 2 TB.

2) Speed ​​of reading and writing data

MicroSD - up to 25 Mb/s.

MicroSDHC - up to 150 Mb/s.

MicroSDXC - up to 312 MB/s.

3) Reader compatibility

MicroSD - with everyone.

MicroSDHC - Compatible with MicroSDHC and MicroSDXC devices.

MicroSDXC - only compatible with MicroSDXC readers.

  • Memory;
  • data exchange speed;
  • file system (FAT 32 and exFAT, respectively);
  • readability by card readers (if the model can read the SDXC format, then previous card models will be suitable for it).

MicroSD has the lowest indicators on these points. The second place was taken by the SDHC card. Its memory capacity reaches 32 GB, and the recording speed accelerates to 155 MB/s. SDXC, in turn, can reach 312 MB/s for data exchange, and in volume, despite its small size, up to 2 TB. Not every PC can boast such a capacity. Therefore, the price will vary depending on the volume and format of the card. If the media is taken for installation in a phone, there is no point in overpaying for a 1 TB card. Conversely, in a video camera, 32 GB will seem too small a reserve even for one event, not to mention an entire vacation.