We cut our cards with a pair of scissors.
(Credit: John Chan/CNET Asia)
In an earlier article, we discussed how the nano-SIM standard (or 4FF) is thinner than the earlier SIM card standards--mini-SIM (2FF) and micro-SIM (3FF). This was easily solved with some sandpaper, and we found that thinning down a micro-SIM doesn't have any detrimental effect on it. Today, after completing the job of cutting a micro-SIM down to the dimensions of a nano-SIM, we also discovered that the iPhone 5's SIM tray is quite forgiving--the thicker card fit in with no issues.
It's not pretty, but it works.
(Credit: John Chan/CNET Asia)
This means that, with the iPhone 5, there is no need to worry about the thickness of a micro-SIM when modifying it into a nano-SIM. All that has to be done is to cut it down to the correct length and height, and you're good to go. This also means that nano-SIM cutters (these look like large staplers) should work without a hitch.
Our experiment involved cutting down a pre-paid card from Indonesia--it detects, but doesn't connect to local networks.
(Credit: John Chan/CNET Asia)
For those who have older SIM cards with larger chips, you may have to cut into the metal parts so it can be pared down to nano-SIM size. This won't spoil the card, but you do have to make sure the horizontal lines on the chip match up correctly so the phone can detect the card. See the image below for an illustration of that.
Make sure these parts line up (highlighted in red) when you cut your old micro-SIM down to size.
(Credit: John Chan/CNET Asia)
It is also important to note that even though our experiment worked with an iPhone 5, there's no guarantee that this will be the same for future devices that require the thinner nano-SIM.
Source: www.asia.cnet.com
