Does Verizon Use SIM Cards? What You Need To Know…


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Does Verizon use SIM cards in its phones or are they internal? Here’s everything you need to know, including what’s happening to its CDMA2000 network…


When you’re talking about cellphones, a SIM card is something that most people will be familiar with. But if you’re about to buy your first phone, you might be wondering what a SIM card is and whether Verizon phones come with one?

The short answer is, yes, all Verizon phones come with SIM cards.

SIM stands for Subscriber Identity Module and it is used not only for connecting to LTE services and handling your calls and texts, but also as a data storage unit and a unique ID for your plan.

Your SIM card will also have a unique attribute embossed either on the card itself or with the materials it comes with. All SIM cards have an ICCID number; this is a set of digits that outline how the SIM can be used.

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The vast majority of modern phones — from iPhones to budget Android phones – tend to come with SIM cards. The reason? Most connect to 5G and 4G networks, and to do this you need a SIM card.

There are some cheap phones you can buy that come with internal SIM cards; Assurance Wireless ships some of its phones with internal SIM cards.

But this isn’t necessarily a good thing. For instance, what happens if you damage the phone or it breaks?

Your SIM card is hermetically sealed inside the phone, so you cannot get it out.

With an external SIM card, you can simply remove the SIM card and insert it into a new phone (or an old phone that you’re not using) and resume normal service.

What About Verizon CDMA Phones?

Verizon used to make CDMA-only phones and some of these did feature internal SIM cards, however, this service has no longer available to new customers.

Verizon confirmed its CDMA2000 network will be completely gone by 2022.

Why? Back in 2010, Verizon launches its LTE network and this required different technology than what its CDMA2000 network ran on.

By 2011, Verizon had around 98% LTE coverage in the USA.

Between 2011 and 2019, Verizon began winding down its CDMA2000 network with a view to replacing it with its LTE wireless network.

Does Verizon Use SIM Cards? What You Need To Know...Pin
Verizon LTE & 5G Coverage Map

LTE, including 5G, is the future of mobile data and this is why Verizon has spent the best part of a decade making the switch.

It took so long to make the switch because up until 2014, Verizon still used its CDMA2000 network to deliver its calls.

After 2014, Verizon implemented voLTE (voice over LTE) to its LTE network and the rest, as they say, is history.

Since then, Verizon has added in things like WiFi Calling and HD Voice, a technology designed to give its customers crystal-clear voice calls over the LTE network.

As of right now, meaning from 2020 onwards, all Verizon phones ship with external SIM cards.

And if you buy a new phone in 2021 and beyond, even a cheaper Android phone, there’s a good chance it will be a 5G phone.

And this means you will be able to benefit from Verizon’s super-fast 5G network which is currently serving over 230 million Americans.

You can check out all of Verizon’s latest deals on LTE and 5G phones here, as well as its prepaid plans and family data deals.

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Best SIM-Only Plans & Deals


  • Boost Mobile Unlimited Premium Plan

    Boost’s top-tier option brings the heat: 50GB of premium data, hotspot, North America roaming, global talk & text, and $430 off select devices. All-in at $60/month with no contract.

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    Data: Unlimited (50GB premium speed)

  • Boost Mobile Unlimited+ Plan

    Level up with 40GB of premium data, hotspot access, global calling, and up to $300 in device savings. All for just $50/month. No contracts and flexible phone options included.

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    Data: Unlimited; Speed Caps After 40GB

  • Boost Mobile Unlimited Plan

    Start strong with 30GB of premium data, unlimited everything, and a killer intro offer: just $15/month for the first 3 months, then $25/month forever. No contracts. No fluff. Big value.

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    Data: Unlimited (Speed Caps Over 30GB)

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 108GB

    Another high-data, low-cost option with no contract. 108GB for just £9, full 5G access, and the same goodies you get with 12-month deals.

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    Data: 108GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 20GB

    The lowest price option. 20GB for £6 with all the same perks as pricier plans. Great if you don’t use much data and want to save every penny.

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    Data: 20GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 110GB

    This plan gives you big data and zero commitment. 110GB for just £10 with all perks intact. If you need more data but want the freedom to cancel, this is the one.

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    Data: 110GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 60GB

    More data, same price. For just £8/month, you get 60GB on a no-strings 1-month rolling plan. Ideal for users who stream often but don’t want long commitments.

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    Data: 60GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 40GB

    Perfect if you want full flexibility. You get 40GB and all of iD Mobile's perks with no lock-in, annual increases, or setup fees. Great for short-term users.

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    Data: 40GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: 60GB

    One of the best pound-per-GB plans around. You get 60GB for £8 with £25 cashback, which means you’re effectively paying closer to £6/month. Includes roaming and data rollover.

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    Data: 60GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: 108GB

    This deal gets you a healthy 108GB of 5G data for less than a tenner, with no upfront costs and £24 cashback. All the perks are included too: data rollover, roaming, and loyalty rewards.

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    Data: 108GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: Unlimited Data

    This iD Mobile plan doesn’t just compete on price, it’s up there with the best of them. Unlimited everything, a year-long lock-in with no price rises, and £42 cashback straight to your pocket. It’s like getting nearly 3 months free.

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    Data: Unlimited, No Speed Caps

  • Mint Mobile 20GB Plan

    If you're looking to save some cash on your bills, this plan is an awesome option. You'll get 20GB of data per month and 20GB hotspot data allowance. For moderate to heavy users, that should be more than enough. I seldom use more than 10GB of data a month, and I'm always using my phone

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    Data: 20GB