So you are looking for the best smartphones with Nano SIM card slots? Well, let’s get into it then.
Those of you who are not familiar with SIM cards, I bet you use CDMA phones. SIM (subscriber identification module) card basically allows your phone to communicate with the carrier. It contains all the relevant data, including your phone number, and enables you to use any phone (as long as the SIM card fits into it). They are used by the carriers that rely on GSM systems. GSM system is used internationally, so you’ll be able to use your phone with the existing SIM card even while traveling abroad. You have complete freedom. On the opposite side, there is CDMA system used in the United States by Sprint, Verizon, and U.S. Cellular. These carriers track serial numbers of the phone for identification of the user, rather than relying on SIM cards. If you have CDMA phone and get stuck in a country where there is no CDMA network provided, you are on your own. Also, you can’t change phones and keep your number without your carrier’s permission.
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Did you notice how smartphones are getting bigger and SIM cards smaller? I certainly have. When I purchased a new phone a while ago, I saw my SIM card doesn’t fit into it. Long story short, the guy at from the customer service broke my SIM card in half trying to cut around the edges and I lost all of my contacts and had to buy a new one. The functionality of SIM cards remained pretty much the same over the years, but their size drastically changed. First SIM cards issued in 1991 were roughly the size of a credit card. With Mini-SIM from 1996 thickness of the card (0.76mm) remained the same, while the size got smaller. In 2003 Micro- SIM was introduced and in 2012 Nano-SIM emerged. The first smartphone that used it was iPhone 5, and the rest of the manufacturers soon followed the lead. Now pretty much every new smartphone on the market uses Nano-SIM. They are not just small (length: 12.30mm, width: 8.80) but also less thick (0.67mm). Nano-SIM only has a contact area and small plastic isolation around the edges. Most carriers now provide SIM cards with “peel-off” rims, so you can make Nano-SIM card from your Micro-SIM card for example. This means also that Nano-SIM cards can be used in phones that support Mini-SIM and Micro- SIM cards if you attach the right plastic rim around it. In case you are looking for phones with HDMI ports, check out our list of Best Smartphones with 1080 HDMI Output.
In order to create the list of best smartphones with Nano SIM card slots, I kept it simple this time.The first thing I did was to go on smartphones review sites I think do their job very well: Android Authority, Tech Radar, and Cnet and check their picks for best smartphones available on the market. They all have Nano SIM card slots, don’t worry. While Tech Radar listed smartphones in order, Android Authority provided 10 smartphones they thought are best but allowed their visitors to vote for the order on the list. Cnet showcased 8 smartphones they think belong in the conversation for the best smartphone. I assigned points from 1 to 10 to smartphones based on their order in Tech Radar’s list and 1 to 10 based on the number of votes Android Authority visitors cast for the site’s picks. The Cnet picks received 3 points each. After summing everything up into our IM Score, our list of best smartphones with Nano SIM card slots took shape. Let’s take a look at it then.
10. Sony Xperia XZ Premium
IM Score: 5
Taking everything into consideration, Sony’s latest attempt to fight with Apple and Samsung looks really good. You can’t find a smartphone with a better display (5.46 inches, 3840 x 2160 pixels resolution) on the market, that’s for sure. To run those 4K videos smoothly, there is Octa – core processor, 4GB of RAM accompanied by 64GB of storage. Cameras are also a blast, with rear packing 19MP and front having 13MP. Still, compared to other smartphones in the same price point, Sony Xperia XZ Premium doesn’t have what it takes to beat them.
9. Motorola Moto Z
IM Score: 6
Motorola decided to copy Apple and didn’t put 3.5mm headphone jack into Moto Z, the next one on our list of best smartphones with Nano SIM card slots. Instead, you’ll get micro USB adapter that will allow you to connect your headphones. The specs include 5.5 inches display, Quad-core processor, 4GB of RAM and 32/64GB of storage. The rear camera has 13MP while the front one of 5MP is something we rarely saw in 2016 or 2017. Moto Z has its perks, a major one being its modulation ability with plenty of modular accessories. It is also one of the thinnest smartphones available on the market.
8. Apple iPhone 7
IM Score: 8
Speaking of smartphones without 3.5mm headphone jack on our list of best smartphones with Nano SIM card slots, here is the latest Apple flagship. Compared to iPhone 6s, Apple made iPhone 7 water resistant, gave him a better camera and tossed in the minimum 32GB of storage (128GB and 256GB optional). The smartphone has 2GB of RAM, Quad-Core processor, 12MP rear and 7MP front cameras. The consensus is that the latest Apple’s phone didn’t bring anything groundbreaking to the table. iPhone 7 would be probably better placed on the list but Android Authority doesn’t care about iOS phones (respect!).
7. Google Pixel
IM Score: 8
Everyone was buzzing about Google’s new smartphone in 2016, but was the hype justified? According to the reviews, it was. Equipped with Google Assistant (something similar to Siri) and other exclusive software, Pixel is viewed as one of the best Android smartphones at the moment. This smartphone has 5.0 inches display, 32/128GB of storage and 4GB of RAM. Its 12.3MP rear and 8MP front cameras also received lots of praise. Still, I’m not convinced entirely with the Pixel’s Quad –Core processor and the smartphone isn’t waterproof like its competitors.
6. LG G6
IM Score: 9
I have to admit I have a soft spot for LG smartphones. They are not always the best choice, but I’ve used them exclusively for around 8 years. I have to say G6 model, the number 6 on our list of best smartphones with Nano SIM card slots looks really tempting. It has 5.7 inches display with QHD resolution, 4GB of RAM and 32/64GB of storage. Its dual 13MP rear camera is highly praised, but the front one with 5MP doesn’t sound good. Also, the smartphone has Quad – core processor. If I end up buying it, I’ll revisit the article and give you an update.
5. HTC U11
IM Score: 11
HTC has really outdone themselves with U11 the next one on our list of best smartphones with Nano SIM card slots. Let’s first cover the specs. It has 5.5 inches display, Octa-core processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. If this is not enough, there is a version with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The reviews say its 12MP rear and 16MP front cameras are something special. One thing that also sounds cool is Edge Sense. Basically, the edges of the smartphone are sensitive and when pressed can perform various actions. For some reason, HTC also decided to remove 3.5mm headphone jack from U11.
4. Apple iPhone 7+
IM Score: 12
Although you would think this entry on our list of best smartphones with Nano SIM card slots is a just bigger version of iPhone 7, there are some differences. While they both have the same processors and storage capacity options ranging from 32GB to 256GB, iPhone 7+ has 3GB of RAM. There is also a difference in the rear 12MP camera since iPhone 7+ has a better version with dual lenses. The battery life is better, but it still doesn’t justify the price. This Apple’s smartphone is the most expensive one in the company’s history.
3. OnePlus 3T
IM Score: 14
This may come as a surprise for the people not familiar with OnePlus smartphones, but they are gaining some traction. 3T that ranks 3rd on our list of best smartphones with Nano SIM card slots is one of the rare phones that were recommended by all our sources, so let’s check out what’s so good about it. First, the specs are off the charts. This 5.5 inches display smartphone has an Octa-core processor, 6GB of RAM and 12MP camera on both rear and front. There is not memory card slot, but I doubt you really need any since the storage capacity is 128GB. You do get 2 Nano-SIM card slots, but one will have to be on standby. There are lots of pros about this smartphone including its great battery, while the cons include poor speakers and not enough upgrades to justify the price compared to OnePlus 3 model.
2. Samsung Galaxy S8+
IM Score: 20
If you know what’s good for you, you’ll probably go with one of the Samsung’s flagships. The bigger and more powerful of the two ended on the second place on our list. You’ll get the amazing Super AMOLED 6.2 inches display on Galaxy S+ alongside the Octa – core processor and option to choose between 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage and 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. If that’s not enough to convince you, maybe the smartphone’s 12MP rear and 8MP front cameras will since they have gained pretty good reviews. Either that or the fact that Galaxy S8+ has an iris scanner that will ensure no one can access your phone but you.
1. Samsung Galaxy S8
IM Score: 22
The last entry on our list of best smartphones with Nano SIM card slots is also the best smartphone released in 2017. Compared to Galaxy S8+, it is cheaper and smaller with 5.8 inches display. You’ll get an Octa-core processor, 64GB of storage and 4GB of RAM alongside the same pair of cameras. There is also a virtual assistant included, but according to the reviews, it isn’t perfect. Among the concerns is also weak battery life. Still, Galaxy S8 is probably the best smartphone money can buy right now. It is powerful, has a slick design and provides an excellent experience for the users.
