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 Handoff Feature

AT&T Responds to iOS 27's New iPhone Handoff Feature

Wednesday September 23, 2026 7:06 am PDT by
Apple added a new iPhone Handoff feature to iOS 27 that allows you to switch between two iPhones while using the same phone number on each device. T-Mobile and Deutsche Telekom are the first carriers to offer iPhone Handoff, and Apple said Verizon and EE will add support later this year, but AT&T is noncommittal about the feature. A spokesperson for AT&T told CNET that the carrier sees...
ipad peach

Apple Code Confirms iPad 12 Specs: A19, 8GB RAM, N1, C1X Modem

Friday September 25, 2026 10:12 am PDT by
The next low-cost iPad will be equipped with an A19 chip, C1X modem, N1 networking chip, and 8GB RAM, according to details found in Apple's code by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. We've heard some of these same specifications in prior rumors, so this is more of a confirmation than a new leak. The iPad 11 has an A16 chip, so the upgrade to the A19 in the 12th-generation iPad will bring a...
deep black iphone 18 pro

Some iPhone 18 Pro Max Users Experiencing AT&T Cellular Issues

Friday September 25, 2026 10:02 am PDT by
A subset of iPhone 18 Pro Max users in the U.S. are experiencing issues with AT&T cellular connectivity and/or eSIM provisioning, according to complaints across the MacRumors Forums, Reddit, and the Apple Support Community. Affected users are unable to connect to the AT&T network for phone calls, text messages, or data. Notably, the U.S. version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max is the only new...

Top Rated Comments

191 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)
191 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)
191 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)
191 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)
191 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
191 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)
Latest Stories
Apple's All-New Home Hub Rumored to Launch in These Four Colors
Apple's All-New Home Hub Rumored to Launch in These Four Colors
36 minutes ago
iPhone 18 Pro Aperture Control Goes Fully Manual in Halide 3.2
iPhone 18 Pro Aperture Control Goes Fully Manual in Halide 3.2
2 hours ago
Apple Stores Receive 'Do Not Open' Boxes Ahead of Smart Home Products Launch
Apple Stores Receive 'Do Not Open' Boxes Ahead of Smart Home Products Launch
2 hours ago
iPhone 18 Pro Sales Jump in China Ahead of iPhone Duo Launch
iPhone 18 Pro Sales Jump in China Ahead of iPhone Duo Launch
3 hours ago
Apple TV Still Down for Some Users Following Apple Services Outage
Apple TV Still Down for Some Users Following Apple Services Outage
4 hours ago
PSA: Apple Mail on Mac May Stop Syncing Microsoft 365 Accounts Today
PSA: Apple Mail on Mac May Stop Syncing Microsoft 365 Accounts Today
4 hours ago
Apple's Smart Home Hub: Everything We Know So Far
Apple's Smart Home Hub: Everything We Know So Far
14 hours ago
Apple's Home Hub Borrows From the iPhone Duo's StandBy Mode
Apple's Home Hub Borrows From the iPhone Duo's StandBy Mode
15 hours ago
Apple Invites App Updated With Three New Features
Apple Invites App Updated With Three New Features
19 hours ago
Apple Event on October 13?
Apple Event on October 13?
21 hours ago
Apple Watch SE 3 vs. Series 12 Buyer's Guide: Which Should You Buy?
Apple Watch SE 3 vs. Series 12 Buyer's Guide: Which Should You Buy?
22 hours ago
iPad Mini 8 to Offer These 10 New Features
iPad Mini 8 to Offer These 10 New Features
22 hours ago
DoorDash Unveils AI Food Ordering Through Apple's Messages App
DoorDash Unveils AI Food Ordering Through Apple's Messages App
1 day ago
Amazon Takes Up to $150 Off Select M5 MacBook Air Models
Amazon Takes Up to $150 Off Select M5 MacBook Air Models
1 day ago
Apple Still Plans to Release a New Full-Sized HomePod
Apple Still Plans to Release a New Full-Sized HomePod
1 day ago
Apple Working to Expand HomeKit
Apple Working to Expand HomeKit
1 day ago
Apple Smart Home Hub to Feature iMac G4-Style Design
Apple Smart Home Hub to Feature iMac G4-Style Design
1 day ago
Three New Apple Smart Home Products Coming on October 13
Three New Apple Smart Home Products Coming on October 13
1 day ago
Apple Pay Now Available in India With Axis Bank Cards
Apple Pay Now Available in India With Axis Bank Cards
2 days ago
OpenAI Launches Always-On 'Dots' Agents to Rival Meta's Muse
OpenAI Launches Always-On 'Dots' Agents to Rival Meta's Muse
2 days ago
AirPods 5 Teardown: Batteries Removable, Case Still Tough
AirPods 5 Teardown: Batteries Removable, Case Still Tough
2 days ago
iPhone 18 Pro Owners Complain of Speaker Crackling or Popping
iPhone 18 Pro Owners Complain of Speaker Crackling or Popping
2 days ago
You Can 'Get Ready' for iPhone Duo Pre-Orders on October 12
You Can 'Get Ready' for iPhone Duo Pre-Orders on October 12
2 days ago
Apple Pay Reportedly Launching in India Today
Apple Pay Reportedly Launching in India Today
2 days ago
Apple Releases New AirPods Beta Firmware
Apple Releases New AirPods Beta Firmware
2 days ago
Apple Shares New Guide for Using iOS 27 Parental Controls
Apple Shares New Guide for Using iOS 27 Parental Controls
2 days ago
Apple Creator Studio and Final Cut Camera Get New Features
Apple Creator Studio and Final Cut Camera Get New Features
2 days ago
Apple Explains Why It Removed ICE Tracking Apps Last Year
Apple Explains Why It Removed ICE Tracking Apps Last Year
2 days ago
Amazon Expands $779.99 Apple Watch Ultra 4 Deal to More Models
Amazon Expands $779.99 Apple Watch Ultra 4 Deal to More Models
2 days ago
Switch Siri AI for ChatGPT on Your Mac
Switch Siri AI for ChatGPT on Your Mac
2 days ago

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors