AT&T Rolling Out LTE Micro-SIM Cards, Sparking Speculation on iPad 3 Link - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

AT&T Rolling Out LTE Micro-SIM Cards, Sparking Speculation on iPad 3 Link

att lte micro sim 1
Phone Arena reports that AT&T has begun supplying its retailers with LTE-compatible micro-SIM cards, requesting that existing micro-SIM stocks be scrapped in favor of the new ones supporting the latest networks offering faster data speeds. The obvious explanation for the shift is the launch of the Nokia Lumia 900 next month, but speculation naturally also turns to Apple's plans for its upcoming devices.

att lte micro sim 2
Phone Arena suggests that the LTE-enabled micro-SIM cards could eventually be used in the iPhone 5, but the much nearer term launch for Apple is the iPad 3, which has been rumored to offer support for LTE. So while the new micro-SIM cards may not be appearing solely for the iPad 3, it is interesting to note that they are now available on AT&T should Apple launch an iPad 3 with LTE capabilities.

Update: AT&T spokesman Seth Bloom notes that the Pantech Breeze and Element already utilize the LTE micro-SIM card on the carrier's network.

Related Roundup: iPad
Tag: AT&T
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

iPhone 5c Yellow

Apple Pulls Ability to Restore iPhone 5c, iPad Mini, and More [Updated]

Thursday July 9, 2026 5:31 am PDT by
Apple has stopped signing several older versions of iOS for a group of legacy iPhone and iPad models, cutting off the paths to reinstall or downgrade the affected software. Apple will no longer validate over-the-air (OTA) or direct IPSW installs of the builds in question. Once a version is unsigned, there is no longer a way to restore or install it through Finder or iTunes. The change is...
m3 ipad air mint

Apple Adds 36-Month Carrier Financing for Cellular iPads

Wednesday July 15, 2026 7:41 am PDT by
Apple has introduced 36-month financing for cellular iPad purchases through AT&T and Verizon, adding to the 12-month option previously available via Apple Card. The new financing, first reported by 9to5Mac, replaces Apple Card Monthly Installments as the sole route to spreading out a cellular iPad purchase. That plan paid off the balance interest-free over 12 months; the new carrier options...
iPad A16 Colors

Here's When to Expect the iPad 12 to Launch

Thursday July 16, 2026 7:59 am PDT by
In March, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said a new entry-level iPad was "still coming this year," but apparently this is no longer the case. Today, he reported that the device is slated for release in the first quarter of 2027 at the earliest. The main new feature will be a faster processor rather than major design changes, he said, so it sounds like nothing more than a spec bump. While the next...

Top Rated Comments

189 months ago
It clearly states that these new Micro Sims are to REPLACE the old Micro Sims which did not support LTE. Meaning from here on out, whether you have an LTE device or not, if it uses a Micro SIM, it will be one of these, for simplicity's sake. Makes perfect sense.

The timing also makes perfect sense since the Nokia Lumia launches in a month with Micro SIM & LTE capability.

What doesn't make sense is assuming this has anything to do with iPad 3.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
189 months ago
Obvious

As said, obvious for the Nokia Lumia 900 for next month. So, let's keep it at that. Not everything needs to be interpreted to be about Apple.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
189 months ago
I think this has more to do with AT&T having existing and upcoming LTE phones (Pantech Burst and Nokia 900) that use micro-SIM cards than it does the possibility of new iDevices supporting LTE.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
189 months ago
Does mac rumors get paid every time they mention AT&T or somthing? Lol

Joking aside, I agree with what others have said. I really don't think this can be linked to the next iPad. The next iPad might use these cards but the iPad is probably not the reason for the change. Someth
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
189 months ago
What about the data limits?

I still can't see why people are getting excited about LTE for the iPad with the draconian data limits and pricing. At current rates LTE just means you get to your 2GB limit faster.

LTE without reasonably priced data (unlimited or whatever) just doesn't make sense on an iPad.

FWIW
DLM
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rodimus Prime Avatar
189 months ago
Really?
Sorry but I do not see this as proof of LTE on the iPad 3. I see it as AT&T updating there Sims all to the same thing and modern standard they are using.
Sorry boys and girls this is not proof of LTE going into the iPad 3.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors