Qualcomm unveils the first iSIM compatible smartphone. The particularity of this technology is to integrate all the functions of the SIM card into the processor. Thanks to this, the SIM card takes up even less space and can be integrated everywhere, even in small connected objects. The project is led by an American founder in partnership with Thales, Vodafone and Samsung.
You know the SIM card. It is this small smart card that must be introduced in the right direction in smartphones in order to connect to the network of its operator. Since the arrival of the first mobile phones, the format of the SIM card has changed a lot, going from SIM to mini SIM and then to nano SIM. Then, the SIM card was integrated into the motherboard. It then became an eSIM. It happened in 2016.
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L’eSIM is an almost revolutionary technology, but few smartphones use it. Apple is one of its main supporters: all iPhones have been eSIM compatible since 2018 (with the exception of the iPhone SE). This has three advantages: eliminate the physical medium of the SIM, reduce clutter and bring a Dual-SIM capability to phones that are not natively. And obviously, the eSIM does not depend on any operator (even if each operator chooses to be commercially compatible or not).
Qualcomm, Samsung, Thales and Vodafone present an iSIM compatible phone
What’s next for the SIM card? It is to virtualize it entirely. Four companies have teamed up to create the first smartphone that connects to a mobile network using an iSIM card, with an “i” for ” integrated “, in opposition to the “e” which means ” embedded “. Who are these four partners? It is Qualcomm, Thales, Vodafone and Samsung.
Each partner brings his stone to the building. Samsung has the smartphone. He brought in his bag the Galaxy Z Flip 3 which was used for testing. Qualcomm brings the SoC, the famous Snapdragon 888, which embeds a coprocessor dedicated to data security. Thales is the iSIM expert. The French firm has developed a complete system around this technology based on the characteristics of the eSIM. Finally Vodafone provides network expertise.
The iSIM will offer connectivity to all products with a processor
All four have therefore developed and operated the first iSIM compatible smartphone, meeting the regulations established by the GSMA, thus ensuring technical interoperability with all operators. This means that all operators will be able to use this technology.
The benefits of iSIM are numerous, especially for high-tech brands: all it takes is a processor to provide a GSM connection to a connected product (tablet, PC, augmented reality glasses, etc.). This further reduces the footprint on the design. Consumers will also connect their objects more easily. Corn it is above all Qualcomm that will win : iSIM is a competitive advantage that is not negligible.
