I noticed that the SIM cards keep changing every so often.
The new SIM cards have a smaller gold-metal surface area, whereas the older ones have a bigger gold-metal surface area.
Any ideas why?
Is there any benefit to swap out your SIM card to the newest? The SIM that comes in the box has a smaller gold-surface area.
(When was using previously using the iphone, my SIM was pretty beat up from switching phones all the time and the gold-metal part practically had indentations, which did give me reception problems. When I swapped it out with a new one at the store it did fix the problem. Obviously a surface contact problem.)
* Picture attached below *
iunlock said:
I noticed that the SIM cards keep changing every so often.
The new SIM cards have a smaller gold-metal surface area, whereas the older ones have a bigger gold-metal surface area.
Any ideas why?
Is there any benefit to swap out your SIM card to the newest? The SIM that comes in the box has a smaller gold-surface area.
(When was using previously using the iphone, my SIM was pretty beat up from switching phones all the time and the gold-metal part practically had indentations, which did give me reception problems. When I swapped it out with a new one at the store it did fix the problem. Obviously a surface contact problem.)
* Picture attached below *
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Here's the pic.
I did have a weird situation where replacing the sim actually somehow increased my data speeds...the old sim was only a year old ...but i ain't complaining
didn't really notice any less surface area tho
newspeak said:
I did have a weird situation where replacing the sim actually somehow increased my data speeds...the old sim was only a year old ...but i ain't complaining
didn't really notice any less surface area tho
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That's interesting....hmmm....now I'm really curious haha...
I swapped out my 1 year old SIM as well and now im getting 3G signals in my house whereas my old sim would drop 3G service more often.
Idk I change sim cards for all my phones since g1 since there's nothing on it ever since using google contacts
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
There is typically no need to replace your sim card unless you are having problems with it (ie not registering on the network.)
However older sim cards have a restriction on how many times they can register on the network, and after they hit the limit the phone will stop connecting, so if you want to prevent this issue (usually takes a couple years, and is a lot more likely in areas where your signal drops, for people who travel a lot, and in 3G coverages areas where you swap back and forth between 3G and 2G) you can use one of the newer sim cards. To Identify whether your sim is the newer variant with no registration restriction look at the back where the gold contacts are, if its a newer sim it will say in small lettering "TMXXXX" (where X is a number, ie TM4322) and it will also have an expiration date printed (it must be activated by this date or it becomes unusable.)
In terms of 2G/3G the sim card itself and its age should not make a difference as the capability to connect to those networks is dependent on the phone, not the sim. You can think of a sim card as a gateway that connects your phone to the billing system and authenticates it.
Having had said that, if you are having connection issues it could just be a defective sim card, to check, just place the sim in a phone that isn't having any connectivity problems, if it starts having problems, replace your sim.
In terms of the digit you highlighted in that picture, I believe it has to do with the manufacture year, although if I remember correctly its digits 4 and 5 that make up that information, but otherwise isn't anything important to a consumer.
well i got curious and checked ....i have the bigger sim ...i don't think the numbers matter much
Aphotix said:
There is typically no need to replace your sim card unless you are having problems with it (ie not registering on the network.)
However older sim cards have a restriction on how many times they can register on the network, and after they hit the limit the phone will stop connecting, so if you want to prevent this issue (usually takes a couple years, and is a lot more likely in areas where your signal drops, for people who travel a lot, and in 3G coverages areas where you swap back and forth between 3G and 2G) you can use one of the newer sim cards. To Identify whether your sim is the newer variant with no registration restriction look at the back where the gold contacts are, if its a newer sim it will say in small lettering "TMXXXX" (where X is a number, ie TM4322) and it will also have an expiration date printed (it must be activated by this date or it becomes unusable.)
In terms of 2G/3G the sim card itself and its age should not make a difference as the capability to connect to those networks is dependent on the phone, not the sim. You can think of a sim card as a gateway that connects your phone to the billing system and authenticates it.
Having had said that, if you are having connection issues it could just be a defective sim card, to check, just place the sim in a phone that isn't having any connectivity problems, if it starts having problems, replace your sim.
In terms of the digit you highlighted in that picture, I believe it has to do with the manufacture year, although if I remember correctly its digits 4 and 5 that make up that information, but otherwise isn't anything important to a consumer.
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Thanks for your input.
As for the exp. date, where is that located. I don't see it.
Aphotix said:
In terms of 2G/3G the sim card itself and its age should not make a difference as the capability to connect to those networks is dependent on the phone, not the sim. You can think of a sim card as a gateway that connects your phone to the billing system and authenticates it.
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That's what I thought...until a lot of people started noticing better 3g connection/speeds with the new sim cards. Just a placebo effect perhaps?
The size difference could also be for users who want to make it a micro sim so they can put it in their unlocked iPhones. I don't have either of these sim cards to compare, so I'm not sure.
hmm.. the sim im using is almost 8 years old. its been moved from phone to phone so many times there are wear marks on the contacts. still works fine though.
When I first got my g1 a few years ago I had issues with the market. There were apps that I knew were available (private apps) but I could not download them. I went to a T-Mobile store and looked at the display phones. One of them was able to see private apps, the other like mine, could not. I talked it over with the rep and we decided to replace the sim card. It was a random, no other ideas, decision. Started the G1 back up and Market was now working as expected. There were no other benefits noticed. Since then, I tend to replace the sim anytime a new phone is purchased.
Your milage may vary.
-Ryan
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
When I got my Vibrant, coming from the g1, tmo wanted to just pop it in the Vibrant. I made them put in the new sim card just to be safe, figured the one that came in the box brand new SHOULD be better.
iunlock said:
Thanks for your input.
As for the exp. date, where is that located. I don't see it.
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Its only on the newer ones, the old ones don't expire, they just stop working after a set number of registrations on the network.
In regards to sim issues, they really shouldn't have any impact at all. Changing a sim card refreshes the billing information in the system (like what kind of services your phone is supposed to have and what not) customer care can do this without the need for a new sim.
Hoenstly though, sometimes a sim replacement is needed, I've seen stranger things.
s15274n said:
When I got my Vibrant, coming from the g1, tmo wanted to just pop it in the Vibrant. I made them put in the new sim card just to be safe, figured the one that came in the box brand new SHOULD be better.
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When I bought my phone out right, the rep opened the box and took out the SIM then sold me the phone.
I guess it doesn't matter since swapping out your SIM at the T-Mobile corporate stores is free.
I just tried this since there is a tmobile store across from where I work. I used SpeedTest app and ran it 3 times before the swap. Average was about 2500 kbps download and 300 up. I swapped the sim out, went back to the spot where I originally tested and ran three more times and got about the same rate with the new sim. My old one was about 3 yo from when I had my Dash.
MonkySlap said:
I just tried this since there is a tmobile store across from where I work. I used SpeedTest app and ran it 3 times before the swap. Average was about 2500 kbps download and 300 up. I swapped the sim out, went back to the spot where I originally tested and ran three more times and got about the same rate with the new sim. My old one was about 3 yo from when I had my Dash.
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I'm thinking the only time one would see a difference is if they are having poor contact surface from the SIM wearing out. I've seen ooolld SIM's where the metal had indentations like no other.
Just read the thread and said why not had the same sim card since I first signed up with tmobile 5 years ago.
When I talked with the rep on the phone and explained this to him and asked could this help he stated that the official tmobile policy is if the old sim card works no need to switch. However, because of the technical specs on the card could cause better reception, they just can't guarantee it, they only guarantee it will not get worse. He asked if I was having issues and I said no i'm just a nerd and wanted to know if it would help. Just swapped it out going to give it a test around the house and will report back.
Back Story:
Upgraded from G1, perfect 3G everywhere in chicago, couldn't even get it to drop from 3G no matter where I went. With the Vibrant and and old sim card, constantly dropped to 2G no big deal still was speedy
New Sim Card:
will report after testing
Old Sim Card
My connection constantly jumped from 2G to 3G all over my house constantly
New Sim Card
Solid 3G all through the house, will report back after tomorrow when I travel all over chicago
I am using the old sim from my backflip since the new one they gave me with the atrix didn't work! Does it matter what sim you are using with 4g?
i don't believe so i'm using the one from a very old lg incite to propel pro to iphone to this phone. it displays H+ on the screen and all.
Not particularly but the reason it won't work is most likely because its parked on your account waiting to be activated. If you still have it, try giving customer care a call and having them activate it. SIM cards do change and can affect your overall service.
P.s. Call from a different phone
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Gutterball said:
I am using the old sim from my backflip since the new one they gave me with the atrix didn't work! Does it matter what sim you are using with 4g?
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I've been using my 3G Sim card when I first got it. It doesn't make a difference in the speeds. AT&T has just been capping them and HSPA+ is in almost no cities.
SIM card DO make a lot more difference than most people think.. as they age they die just like all other technology, and so if you've been given a new SIM I suggest you call AT&T from a separate phone (so you don't get cut out mid conversation) and ask them to activate your new SIM.
interesting discovery for myself a little bit ago and i cannot find anything on google relating to the rezound being capable of using either sim
i dont have pics, but i've only seen rezounds with the larger white sim
and now i'm finding out that its capable of using the micro sim (thanks swilbert80 for bringin a few more hours of my life into sim research, inadvertently of course) lol
first, i wonder if there is a performance gain using a micro sim?
seems like it is generation 2 sorta, for all i know they work just the same - but i find it very interesting that its never been discussed (or at least i cant find)
ive swapped my sim out once as advised by technical support to resolve poor 4g reception - nothing was said to or mentioned of trying a micro sim,
anyways, any and all insight appreciated, curious to know what others have as a percentage...
thank you for lookin
MotoDj said:
interesting discovery for myself a little bit ago and i cannot find anything on google relating to the rezound being capable of using either sim
i dont have pics, but i've only seen rezounds with the larger white sim
and now i'm finding out that its capable of using the micro sim (thanks swilbert80 for bringin a few more hours of my life into sim research, inadvertently of course) lol
first, i wonder if there is a performance gain using a micro sim?
seems like it is generation 2 sorta, for all i know they work just the same - but i find it very interesting that its never been discussed (or at least i cant find)
ive swapped my sim out once as advised by technical support to resolve poor 4g reception - nothing was said to or mentioned of trying a micro sim,
anyways, any and all insight appreciated, curious to know what others have as a percentage...
thank you for lookin
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Click to collapse
The only difference between a regular SIM and a MicroSIM card is the physical size different, the actual circuit and contact part of the SIM and MicroSIM card is identical.
As for resolve poor 4G reception due to SIM card? Man tech support say the darnest things. It has NOTHING to do with 4G reception. It's nothing but an excuse to keep you in the loop while they won't admit it could be either the phone or their network's problem.
Going back to the topic. I have the first generation SIM card from Verzion as it came with my good old Thunderbolt.
I've been wondering though, when the next gen iPhone which supports LTE is released, if a simple SIM swap would complete the process of activation like between 4G devices now is going to be applicable or not...
SteveDusa said:
The only difference between a regular SIM and a MicroSIM card is the physical size different, the actual circuit and contact part of the SIM and MicroSIM card is identical.
As for resolve poor 4G reception due to SIM card? Man tech support say the darnest things. It has NOTHING to do with 4G reception. It's nothing but an excuse to keep you in the loop while they won't admit it could be either the phone or their network's problem.
Going back to the topic. I have the first generation SIM card from Verzion as it came with my good old Thunderbolt.
I've been wondering though, when the next gen iPhone which supports LTE is released, if a simple SIM swap would complete the process of activation like between 4G devices now is going to be applicable or not...
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Click to collapse
Actually sims can go bad, it's a computer chip and they can interfere with a lot of things on the phone, it's main purpose is for authenticating and utilizing the radio in the phone, so bad sim card = tons of connection issues.
I experienced it with an old AT&T sim which I used to switch between phones a lot. though micro-sim vs regualar sim is irrelevent, they are the same thing just cut different.
Just getting a new sim, either kind should fix the issue if you have a bad sim.
A simple sim swap will do the basic activation of the lte iphone when it comes out just like swapping androids.
The only exception is that iphones interface with voicemail and sometimes data differently (at least as of IOS 3.0, it may have changed.) so a call in to verizon may be required to switch the plan your on. I've dealt with this when switching between iphone, blackberry and android on my AT&T sim. That really depends on how the carrier sets up the plans
movielover76 said:
Actually sims can go bad, it's a computer chip and they can interfere with a lot of things on the phone, it's main purpose is for authenticating and utilizing the radio in the phone, so bad sim card = tons of connection issues.
I experienced it with an old AT&T sim which I used to switch between phones a lot. though micro-sim vs regualar sim is irrelevent, they are the same thing just cut different.
Just getting a new sim, either kind should fix the issue if you have a bad sim.
A simple sim swap will do the basic activation of the lte iphone when it comes out just like swapping androids.
The only exception is that iphones interface with voicemail and sometimes data differently (at least as of IOS 3.0, it may have changed.) so a call in to verizon may be required to switch the plan your on. I've dealt with this when switching between iphone, blackberry and android on my AT&T sim. That really depends on how the carrier sets up the plans
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I guess they don't make SIM cards like they used to be.
My mom's SIM card, which she was given back in 1995... yes, 1995, is still kicking and works just fine even after it's being clipped for MicroSIM across 20+ phones she had in the years.
bummer, i was hoping for someone to say that the micro was gonna be the bees knees... ( yall coulda lied, i believe in placebo's)
lmao
owell, guess i'll suffer with my oversized one lol
its easy to remove and replace i guess
MotoDj said:
bummer, i was hoping for someone to say that the micro was gonna be the bees knees... ( yall coulda lied, i believe in placebo's)
lmao
owell, guess i'll suffer with my oversized one lol
its easy to remove and replace i guess
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Lol, personally the regular Sim card are about the right size for me the micro ones I fumble around with and drop it a lot, lol.
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I almost fell out of my chair when I read about the sim card doing bad reception. Even if one is going bad. Most chances are its is either going to work or it isn't. Not kinda work. A fellow Rezound owning friend and I was talking about this subject yesterday. I don't think cdma carriers have the whole sim card technology ironed out yet. I had ATT for many years and I never heard the stories of people needing to get sim cards swapped out because of something not working or because they changed phones like I have since I been with Verizon. Seems like just about every person who switches phones has to get a new sim card.
hello all, i will be getting a note 2 in the mail tomorrow. but it an upgrade from my dads line (we are both on the same family plan). currently i have the gs3. when it gets here should i activate it using the supplied sim (his) or just use mine right away? ultimately i want to have the note on my number and have my dad get my s3 under his number. im pretty sure that all it takes is to just swap the sim cards but im not sure how to go about activating it. any help is greatly appreciated.
droidx2.3.3 said:
hello all, i will be getting a note 2 in the mail tomorrow. but it an upgrade from my dads line (we are both on the same family plan). currently i have the gs3. when it gets here should i activate it using the supplied sim (his) or just use mine right away? ultimately i want to have the note on my number and have my dad get my s3 under his number. im pretty sure that all it takes is to just swap the sim cards but im not sure how to go about activating it. any help is greatly appreciated.
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I didn't have another sim card, but I'm pretty sure you activate his line first, then switch out the sims. I activated mine on my other line, and the sim card was attached to that line.
OK. Thank you. That will work then right. Just swaping sims to regain each others current phone number?
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droidx2.3.3 said:
OK. Thank you. That will work then right. Just swaping sims to regain each others current phone number?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
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I never had a 4g phone before, so they sent me a 4g sim. When i activated the sim, it was on the other line so the sim was "attached" to that number. You can go online and switch it, but there has to be a 24hr wait period (give or take.) So I didn't want to wait a day to use my phone, so i went to a third party VZW reseller and got a new 4g sim and activated it there onto my line. The phone, I believe, initially has to be activated on the upgraded line first. Many people have said they have gotten the phones and put in their sim right away and that has worked as well.
I recently upgraded to an HTC One, but don't want to sell or give up my beloved Atrix 4G. I know I can use the microSIM from the One with an adapter in the 4G, but I've read horror stories about ruining the contacts, sim card tray, phone, etc., etc.
Does anyone have a link to a known adapter that will work without damaging the Atrix? One person said they use a microSIM without an adapter. Is that possible? I can't just get a new SIM from AT&T as the old SIM was deactivated and they won't issue a new one for the same phone number, even if both phones are not being used at the same time. I want to be able to use the Atrix on the weekends. Any recommendations will be appreciated.
Well the atrix manual says not to use adapters, so maybe get a new sim. just trying to help
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Thanks Uhmier, I decided to use a regular SIM after unlocking it and it's fine.