If you are planning to buy a smartphone in 2013 or after, you should also be prepared to swap your SIM. This is because your current Mini SIM (normal SIM) will likely not fit into your new smartphone as most recently launched smartphones feature the smaller Micro-SIM. If you do not have a Micro-SIM already, you will have to visit the customer care centre of your mobile network to swap your Mini-SIM to Micro-SIM.
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Note that latest Apple Smartphone and tablets like the iPhone 5, the iPad Mini, and the iPad 4 supports the much smaller Nano-SIM, which you can also get from your mobile network.
The Micro-SIM Era Begins
The Micro-SIM is more than 50% smaller than the Mini-SIM, leading to space savings that can result in sleeker smartphones with more features. Despite its smaller size, the Micro-SIM comes with more storage for storing your data and for housing mobile services of the mobile operator. Micro-SIM is also more efficient, resulting in less drain on the battery.
Almost all highend smartphones launched in 2012 required a Micro-SIM. But since 2013, this trend has been shifting to mid-range, low-end, and now budget smartphones. One clear indication that we are entering the Micro-SIM era is the recent announcement of by Nokia of the Nokia Asha 501.
Nokia Asha 501 is a budget smartphone expected to retail at around 15,800 Naira, but requires a Micro-SIM. Like that wasn’t enough there is also a Nokia 208 which is a modest internet phone that currently retails for 9,000 Naira, but also requires dual-SIM.
If a phone that costs 9,000 Naira now boasts of Micro-SIM, it is only a matter of time before all smartphones at similar price point or even cheaper feature phones and basic phones begin to spot Micro-SIM.
This means if you are planning to buy any of the recently launched smartphones or future releases for that matter, you should have it in mind that Micro-SIM will likely be required.
How to Get a Micro-SIM
To swap your Mini-SIM to Micro-SIM, visit the nearest customer care centre of your mobile operator and request for a SIM swap. According to the website of some of the mobile operators that I visited, the Micro SIM Swap is free, but you may be required to buy recharge card in practice.
Micro-SIM Smartphones
Here are a few Smartphones that require Micro-SIM or the even smaller Nano SIM. Ask the retailer if the smartphone you are buying requires a Micro-SIM and do a SIM swap ASAP:
