SIM only android versus iPhone

BoyJohn811

Hi, I am about to order a new SIM card. Does anyone know why companies ask if I have an iPhone or Android? Currently, I am using a Samsung Android, but will be switching in the future to an iPhone. My understanding is that all new SIM cards come in 3 form factors (plastic can be broken to size) and they should all work on both Android and iPhone devices, so it does not matter what I have. Or am I missing something?

Thanks.

Alderbank

BoyJohn811 said:

Hi, I am about to order a new SIM card. Does anyone know why companies ask if I have an iPhone or Android? Currently, I am using a Samsung Android, but will be switching in the future to an iPhone. My understanding is that all new SIM cards come in 3 form factors (plastic can be broken to size) and they should all work on both Android and iPhone devices, so it does not matter what I have. Or am I missing something?

Thanks.

Who are these companies?
I have no loyalty with sims, I'm a rate tart and have used most companies over the years, usually following MSE suggestions for best value. None has ever shown any interest in whether I have an iPhone or Android. I do have an old iPhone as a spare and as you say all sims whoever they are from work exactly the same in any phone.

However my phones use physical sims only. Are you looking at esims? Esim compatibility could be model or OS dependent.

Probably it is a just a marketing thing, to help them with upselling in the future. Do they also ask questions like what month do you plan to replace your phone?

BoyJohn811

I was looking at O2 and EE, both ask if I have an iPhone or not. They also ask whether my phone is 4G or 5G, which I understand, as they might have different SIMs for those services, but even 4G/5G service is not phone brand dependent.

You are right, maybe it is just marketing and they will try to sell me something later? At this point they haven't asked about phone replacement.

I was looking into physical SIMs, they did not ask about eSIM.

PHK

It's because both EE and O2 support visual voicemail, so they need to turn that on for your SIM if you'll use it in an iPhone.  They can also turn on WiFi calling which which is slightly different in process for Android and iPhone. 

BoyJohn811

Thanks PHK, I didn't know this.