Qualcomm announces 1st iSIM (onboard chip) in Snapdragon 8 Gen 2

Continuing the announcements of MWC 2023, Qualcomm announced that it had managed to develop a name, which can be considered an evolution of eSIM. In practice, the SIM will be integrated directly into the smartphone's processor to work better with the operating system, deliver better performance and greater memory capacity.

The companies announced that safety standards will not be left aside at any time and that even the first model like this one was certified by GSMA, an organization representing more than 750 operators worldwide. Check out all the details.

What is an iSIM?

Acronym for integrated SIM (integrated SIM, in free translation), a name it is a system integrated directly into the processor of a smartphone, which allows not only better integration with the operating system, but also greater space inside the cell phone. This simplifies the construction of the smartphone board, as it eliminates the dedicated chip for the eSIM — and of course, the drawers for the physical SIM cards.

The idea was well executed through a partnership with Qualcomm, the US operator Vodafone and Thales, a giant of industrial technology. Companies managed to install the chip even before the cell phone hit the market. Although a smartphone was the first to receive an iSIM, the technology can be leveraged on various devices such as: notebooks, wearable glasses, smart watches, virtual reality glasses and much more.

All devices that previously connected via the internet via a Wi-Fi point or eSIM can now have internet being directly delivered by the processor that allows the performance of applications, operating system and more.

Qualcomm achieves GSMA Remote SIM Provisioning approval

Now that he managed to make his new chip work, the companies took another important step: the model was approved by GSM Association upon achieving deliver high standards of cyber protection and flexible “anytime, anywhere” connectivity.

That is: in addition to working better with the smartphone, the internet connection is more than guaranteed without the user's security being affected.

One more hit is that it follows the pattern GSMA Remote SIM Provisioning, which allows you to manage security signatures remotely on any standard platform. In January 2023, a large test was carried out with a Galaxy z flip3 da Samsung, and the smartphone was able to both connect to the internet and make calls through 5G networks. This is just the first step in growing into a great platform.

The GSMA is committed to promoting a 'safety first' culture across the mobile ecosystem to ensure that the benefits of mobile connectivity can be safely enjoyed by all. The GSMA's eUICC Security Assurance Scheme ensures that eSIM, iSIM or separate products have the highest possible level of security resiliency.

Alex Sinclair, GSMA Chief Technology Officer

A survey conducted in 2023 by the Kaleido Intelligence suggests that by 2027, we will have 300 million active iSIMs around the world, present in various devices present in our daily lives. The number represents 19% of all demand for eSIMs worldwide.

We are delighted to see our investment in high-assurance processor hardware security, in collaboration with Thales, achieving the security and functional bar required by the GSMA's Remote Provisioning UICC use case. We believe that a tamper-resistant element built into the host processor can efficiently enable innovative use cases in many markets and product segments.

Ziad Asghar, Senior Vice President of Product Management at Qualcomm

What comes next?

The novelty exists and is ready to work on smartphones that will be launched in the future, but even so, operators around the world need to adapt to it. The chip integrated into the processor leaves the factory blocked for use and it will not be possible to switch operators if the user feels the need.

As it was only tested once, the big job now is for several manufacturers to adapt their new releases to be compatible with the technology presented. Since it has now been released in 2023, it is expected that we will see more smartphones with support for it from the end of the year and during the beginning of 2024.

What do you think of a smartphone with a chip like this? Tell us us Comment!

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With information: Qualcomm Pressroom