Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 already supports iSIM. The new standard should replace eSIM in the future

We’re just starting to move away from Nano SIM cards in favor of eSIMs, but it looks like the new standard may soon be replaced by more advanced technology. At MWC 2023, Qualcomm and Thales announced the adoption of the world’s first commercial iSIM on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 mobile platform.

So far, support for the new standard is provided only by the top-end Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, but it is expected that by 2027 there will be about 300 million iSIM-enabled phones in the world.

Qualcomm, Vodafone and Thales are working on iSIM. How will the new solution be better than eSIM and when will it appear?

The iSIM module in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip has been certified by the GSMA and provides the same level of security as an eSIM. Compared to the classic and well-known Nano SIM with dimensions of 12.3 x 8.8 mm, the iSIM is 100 times smaller. It takes up less than 1 square millimeter and is housed inside the processor (in this case, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2). Its main advantage is that it eliminates the need for a SIM card slot in the phone, which means that the new free space in the device can be used, for example, for an additional vibration motor or an enlarged battery. The phone itself could be more dust and water resistant.

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In addition, Qualcomm claims that an iSIM is more energy efficient than an eSIM or Nano SIM, which may positively affect battery life. Although support for the new standard is currently only offered by the top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, it is expected that by 2027 there will be about 300 million iSIM-enabled phones in the world. So in the coming years, we will see a move away from physical Nano SIM cards. It is worth noting that the American versions of Apple iPhone 14 smartphones are already based solely on eSIM and do not have a classic card slot.

Source: Sammobile, Neowin, Pocketnow