There can be several questions popping up in your mind when you are about to buy a SIM card, especially if it is your first. People generally focus on the specifications and features of a new phone and take buying SIM cards for granted. However, you need to consider the fact a SIM card will stay with you way longer after purchasing. After all, you’ll usually change a SIM card only when necessary, especially when you want to keep the same number. Mobile Number Portability (MNP) helps a lot in that regard, but the fact still stands, you won’t switch devices as often.
Of course, there are exceptions to both, such as when changing the country. Regardless, if you are buying a new SIM card, and are a novice in this subject, you are reading the right article. We will answer all queries related to a SIM card you must consider in the process of purchasing. That way, you can be prepared and confident in your knowledge. Let’s clarify lots of things.
What is a SIM card?
A SIM card may look small and simple, but it is a technological masterpiece. It works as your ID on the mobile network. It has a data transmission system that identifies your device among all the other ones. Further, a SIM card allows you to make and receive calls, send and get texts (SMS, MMS), and use mobile data to surf the internet or upload and download files. Every SIM card has a unique MSISDN (Mobile Station Integrated Services Digital Network) or your international phone number. Finally, all SIM cards come with a unique serial number.
How much can a SIM card cost?
The price of a SIM card greatly depends on the carrier and the country. It could either be free, available at a nominal price, or outrageously priced. Many companies provide the SIM card for free but with strings attached, such as a mandatory paid plan or a long-term contract. The manufacturing cost per SIM card is insignificant, especially purchased en masse. Hence, carriers can afford to charge nearly nothing or give it away.
Which SIM card size should I buy?
There are three predominant physical SIM card sizes nowadays. They are also known as form factors, i.e., 2FF (mini-SIM), 3FF (micro-SIM), and 4FF (nano-SIM). The most commonly used form factor these days is 4FF. However, some older phones still use 2FF and 3FF SIM cards. Furthermore, high-end phones use eSIMs (embedded SIM cards) that are embedded into the device during the manufacturing process. Therefore, picking the correct size of a SIM card depends on your device and the form factor it supports.
Does the new SIM card start working immediately?
After inserting the SIM card, turn on the phone. If your vendor has preactivated the SIM card or set up a timed or action-dependent activation, it will start working shortly. If the SIM card isn’t showing any network bars, it means it is not activated yet. Wait a few minutes to a few hours for the activation to kick in. If that doesn’t happen after a long time, say, 24 hours, call your mobile network provider. It is better to ask them about the period and conditions for activation than to wait in vain.
How big is the storage capacity of a SIM card?
The storage capacity isn’t too high, regardless of which SIM card you get. Generally, it varies between 32 KB and 256 KB. You can’t store much except some phone contacts and text messages. If you have, say, a 64 KB SIM card, and you want more memory, there’s an option of upgrading to a newer version without changing your phone number. But after the advent of smartphones, rarely does anyone care about the memory of a SIM card. After all, everything that could be saved there could also be stored in the internal memory of a smart device. The latter is way larger, easier to access, and persists during SIM card swapping.
Are all SIM cards the same?
No, not all SIM cards are equal. We already analyzed size-related things to consider before purchasing a SIM card. Even if two SIM cards are of the same size, it doesn’t mean they are identical. SIM cards can be physically comparable but electronically distinguishable. A SIM card could be GSM or CDMA, which are two different technologies, as well as 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G, different generations of SIM cards in use. Old generation SIM cards are slower and not as well-equipped compared to their new generation counterparts.
Can you cut a SIM card?
Yes, you can cut SIM cards, but must only proceed with cutting the plastic rim, not the golden chip, which is the crucial area. If you have a mini-SIM card, you can cut it to the size of a micro or nano-SIM card. A micro-SIM can be cut to become a nano-SIM card. However, nano-SIMs can no longer be cut down, as they are the smallest physical kind.
However, cutting SIM cards is not a recommended activity, neither by us nor your carrier. You could easily damage the golden chip during the process, for example. Moreover, modern SIM card kits come in 3-in-1 form nowadays. These consist of the three aforementioned sizes: mini, micro, and nano. Thus, you’d be taking an unnecessary risk if you opt for a DIY (do-it-yourself) option.
Can you insert your SIM card in another phone to use it?
Yes, you can do this as long as the device you will use is compatible with your SIM card. The frequencies and the bands of the antenna your device operates on must be in alignment with your SIM card. However, that’s a smaller problem compared to the incompatibility of network and locking. First, the carrier whose phone number plan to use must have network coverage where you are. If not, they must support roaming with the network you can connect to. Moreover, the device you’re using must be unlocked to all SIM cards. Or, at the very least, carrier locked but from the same network provider as your SIM card.
Is a SIM card replaceable?
In case of theft, loss, or damage, you can replace your SIM card after blocking the old one. You can also change your SIM card if you want to upgrade to a newer version. Reach out to your carrier in whichever way is possible and convenient for you. They will supply a new SIM card with or without changing your phone number, depending on the situation.
Can a cell phone be tracked with a SIM card?
Yes, your SIM card can help trace your phone in case of theft or loss. Every SIM card has unique identifiers transmitted to the nearest cell phone tower. The police can get permission from your carrier to obtain the location data and thus find your device. Best results occur when the device is turned on with the SIM card inside, but connection history can also be useful.
Is the SIM card secure?
We already analyzed how secure a SIM card is. In short, there is a 4-digit code you can set up, called SIM PIN (Personal Identification Number), that prevents unauthorized access. Even if the SIM card is inserted into another device, it will ask for the SIM PIN. Lack of proper code means forbidden access, even permanently after entering PUK (Personal Unlocking Key) incorrectly.
Can a SIM card be used across the international borders?
Yes, this is thanks to the roaming feature we mentioned. However, expect your SIM card usage to come with additional charges on calls, texts, and data usage. Consequently, it is recommended to use a local SIM card in a different country. If you frequently visit other countries, international SIM cards would be a better option. Although they are significantly more expensive, they are still vastly cheaper than the roaming rates levied on your domestic SIM.
Can a device function without a SIM card?
Yes, your device can work with no SIM card inside. However, its functionality will be limited. If it’s a smartphone, it can work pretty well so long you use a Wi-Fi connection. In the absence of a SIM card, you won’t be able to make and receive regular phone calls or texts. But nowadays, many apps allow you to make VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) calls with the help of the internet and apps like Viber, WhatsApp, or Telegram. They let you call and text as long as the person you want to contact uses the same app.
We hope the article sums up nearly all the things you must consider before purchasing a SIM card. It is important to note that buying a SIM card is a distinct experience in every country. Some countries need a lot of official documents before issuing one, while others give them away with a few questions asked. Many countries issue SIM cards to travelers without any documentation, for instance.