We are just starting to move away from Nano SIM cards to eSIMs. But it looks like eSIM is already ready to be replaced by a more advanced technology that will make phones more compact and offer improved power efficiency. Qualcomm has announced that it is bringing iSIM smartphones with future Snapdragon chips.
Last year, the company showcased a specially modified version of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 to demonstrate iSIM. This year, the company has integrated iSIM into the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. The iSIM version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has received GSMA certification, and it offers the same level of security as eSIM, which should put all safety concerns to rest.
An iSIM is 100x smaller than Nano SIM and a lot more power-efficient, too
Compared to a Nano SIM card (which measures 12.3 x 8.8mm), an iSIM is 100x smaller. It measures less than 1 square millimeter and resides inside a processor such as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Its primary benefit is that it eliminates the need for a SIM card slot, allowing space to be used by something else, like a better speaker or an additional vibration motor. It also makes the phone more resistant to dust and water.
Additionally, Qualcomm says that an iSIM is vastly more power-efficient than an eSIM or a Nano SIM card, which results in improved battery life. Qualcomm and Thales have started showcasing the capabilities of the iSIM in the modified version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Around 300 million iSIM phones, including future Samsung Galaxy phones, are expected to be shipped by 2030.
