SIM cards are very important parts for smartphones to work well especially if you’ll be making use of the primary functionality of a smartphone which is obviously communication. The introduction of the eSIM was really a big leap to the future as user do not need to physically have a SIM card on their device but then there is the very popular removable SIM card which almost everyone knows about.

And now onto the second part which is the storage system of a smartphone which is also required for the device to work well. Important things such as the operating system and files are saved on this special storage but the downside to it is that they’re very limited because they are…no explanation as to why but to make more room for other important things such as media files, applications and so on and so forth, there is always an external memory slot with which one can extend their device’s storage make more room for more files to be on a given smartphone.

Some phones have a storage expansion slot that allows you to add extra storage to your device while others do not, which means if you run out of space, you have no choice but to delete files or back them up to the cloud or another device like your computer.

Which leads to the part which focuses on devices that have an hybrid SIM tray which allows you to either use a MicroSD or a SIM card into one SIM slot and that can be really annoying if you think about it. But what about a scenario whereby you can have everything cranked up right into one SIM card…sounds nice right? Lets examine that more.

Then we use a super SIM

Yeah a Super SIM card! This is basically a device which combines the functionality of both a SIM card and a MicroSD all into one. The first Super SIM was announced last year in China and has different storage options ranging from 32GB to about 128GB and their read/write speed is about 90MB/s and 60MB/s respectively based on the storage size.

Compared to your average SIM card with only about 128KB of storage which is ridiculously small and can only save few contact list, the Super SIM can save up millions of data hence the large storage space. Super SIMs also have a one-click backup and restore feature, so you can pop it into a new phone and have your data from your old phone restored. They are also secure (CC EAL6+ security certification) so you don’t have to worry about the safety of your data.

Super SIMs are life savers

Considering the fact that you get a massive storage device which also act as your telecom network SIM card is a really “Dope” thing. This puts you in control no matter the kind of smartphone you are using. If this gets mainstream, it can safe internal spaces for future SIM trays which can be used up some other important hardware on the inside of a smartphone so rather than having so many Slots and Trays for various cards, a single port might just be all it takes to get everything up and running.

But there is also a downside

The cost of the Super SIM might not be a problem to anyone who really want an innovative tech. I mean the range of the Super SIM is between ¥99 (~$14) and ¥199 (~$28) depe ding on the size you want to purchase but the downside here is the fact that it’s only available in China…at least for now.

And since the device is still only available in China, the 5G variant of the SuperSIM sold in the country was in partnership between China’s UNIIC memory Technology Co. LTD which makes the UNIC Memory and China Unicorn. Unless more network operators adopt the Super SIM and partner with storage manufacturers, Super SIM may not become mainstream and may actually even be abandoned.

Another down side to the Super SIM is the fact that it can only work with smartphones that supports the hybrid SIM card tray which means devices which have special MicroSD slots won’t have support to it and of course some expensive flagship smartphones have no support for external storage whatsoever.

Another possible disadvantage is customers’ unwillingness to purchase a Super SIM and the hassle of replacing their regular SIM card with a Super SIM. With more people ordering phones online and just popping their SIM card into the new device, there isn’t a need to go to your network operator’s outlet for anything. So it might have to take a real conviction between the maker of this new tech and OEMs to change the average consumer’s mind to switch.

But what if the Super SIM is the future

It will of course be a really bright one for smartphone owners and makers alike as the latter have more space to tuck in more hardware while the former have less cocern about buying numerous cards such as a SIM card, and then a MicroSD again. But I do think if this new technology is given a chance, it can become the game changer we have been expecting and that might just change smartphone forever.

But then there comes the big obstacle which is the Cloud. With more infrastructures being built every year by tech giants such as Google, Huawei, Microsoft and others, the need to better get your data well secured right up in the cloud becomes an important message being preached to smartphone users daily and if you think about it, all you need for your cloud storage is your password and you won’t have to worry if you lose your smartphone as your files and important data are well backed up right in the cloud.

I don’t really think the Hybrid Super SIM will overtake the cloud storage in any way, shape or form but I think it might have it’s own niche if given the chance to grow in the already gigantic smartphone market around the world.

Nevertheless, Super SIMs should be given a chance by more network operators. While a lot of flagships don’t have support for storage expansion, millions of mid-range phones and entry-level phones with a hybrid SIM tray are sold annually and these customers can be the target for Super SIMs.