[Explanation] What is "SIM card" that is indispensable for smartphones?Explains the role and the features of the latest standard "ESIM"

"SIM card" is indispensable for using smartphones.You may have seen or heard at the time of smartphone purchase or contract, but many people don't know what it is and what it is for.

Therefore, this time, I will explain the role and type of SIM card in detail.In addition, I will explain the features of "ESIM" that I have recently heard.

SIMカード、eSIM解説の目次

SIM card ≒ Mobile phone identification

A SIM card is an IC card that is about the size of a nail.In the first place, SIM is an abbreviation of "Subscriper Identity Module" and means "subscriber identification module".The smartphone contractor information and telephone number are recorded on the IC chip of the card.It's like a mobile phone ID.The basic function is sometimes called "SIM".

By inserting this SIM card into a smartphone or tablet SIM card slot, telephone numbers and contractor information recorded on the card will be recognized, and telephone and data communication will be possible.It is easy to remove, but basically it is rarely seen at the timing other than a new contract, a model change, or when replacing it with an overseas SIM card.

Features of three types of SIM cards

There are three types of SIM cards: standard SIM, microSIM, and nanosim depending on their size.

① Standard SIM

The first type of SIM card.The size is 25mm long and 15mm in the width, which is the largest among the three types.It was used in Garakae, "iPhone3G" released in 2008, and smartphones at the same time.

② microSIM

After the standard SIM, Microsim appeared.The size is 15mm long and 12mm in the width, so it comes with "micro".The time was used for smartphones released around 2010.

③ nanosim

And the newest is nanosim.The size is even smaller from Microsim and 12.3mm, horizontal 8.The smallest among the three types of 8mm.It has been adopted around 2012 and is still used as a mainstream SIM card.

In addition, the SIM card is divided into two types, "Voice SIM" and "Data SIM" depending on the function.Voice SIMs can be used in smartphones to enable voice calls and data communication, but data SIM is only compatible with data communication and cannot make voice calls.