Apple will be using yet another, even smaller, SIM card in its next iPhone in a bid to make the device as a whole smaller and slimmer, a phone executive revealed.
In an interview with All Things D’s Ina Fried, France Telecom‘s CEO Stephane Richard said a smaller SIM was itself a compromise. Apple originally wanted to do away with the SIM altogether, and re-create it in software.
But the phone networks wouldn’t go that far, so they’ve been working with Apple to come up with a new design.
Richard told Fried:
“Apple has been working for years on reducing the size of SIM cards because they need space in the phone. They even thought about a device without any SIM card, that is what is known as the e-SIM project. All of us told them it was a bad idea because the SIM card is a critical piece of the security and authentication process. It would be very difficult for a telco or carrier to manage the customer relationship.
“We are going to work with them in order to standardize a new format of SIM which takes into account our needs with security and authentication and also is compatible with their wishes in terms of size. I understood that the next iPhone would be smaller and thinner and they are definitely seeking some space.”
What’s amazing about this, when you stop to think, is that SIM cards are already incredibly small. If Apple considers its existing 12x15mm micro SIM too bulky, it’s proof that every millimeter – every fraction of a millimeter – is incredibly important to them. The pressure is on to produce something smaller, lighter, thinner, generally more impressive than what came before.
As for that curved glass screen thing from yesterday – I’ll believe that when I see it.
(Via All Things D)