Is It Possible To Use 4G SIM on 3G Phone?

Though many mobile phone users have asked this question time without numbers, i stumbled on the same question again somewhere online and i feel it's time to answer it generally for everyone.

So can I use a 4G SIM card on a 3G mobile phone? The answer is an emphatic 'YES'. It's possible, but you will not get a 4G connection. Meaning that if your network provider offers 3G and 2G networks, the SIM will connect to either of them for data and voice calls automatically.

However, for you to enjoy 4G Internet connection and services, you need to insert your 4G SIM card in a 4G compatible mobile phone device.

Having said that, below are some topics on 4G network that might be useful to you.
✔ How To Check If Your Phone Supports 4G LTE
✔ Checkout Smartphones That Supports Glo 4G LTE Band In Nigeria
✔ MTN 4G LTE Is Now Available In These Nigerian States
✔ Etisalat 4G LTE Is Now Available
✔ See Network Speed Test Of InterC 4G Services

I hope this answers your question.

24 comments:

  1. heywhyDecember 14, 2016 at 2:10 PM

    It is not possible, if it were to be possible, they wouldn't have been producing 4G phones again

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownOctober 17, 2017 at 4:01 PM

    Sure it answer it all..

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownOctober 17, 2017 at 4:02 PM

    That's where 4g bands comes to play.

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownOctober 17, 2017 at 4:04 PM

    Your 3g phone can only delivers to you the bands that work in line with your 3g sim.

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownOctober 17, 2017 at 4:07 PM

    In other words your 4g sim will only detects the 3g bands and run on it as 3g.
    But when the both happens to be compatible then it works in line with the 4g bands, i mean both the sim and the device.

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownOctober 17, 2017 at 4:10 PM

    Finally having a 4g phone doesn't mean that you will be able to use all the network take for example in nigeria, if you are not using a 4g devices with the band that support mtn 4g sim it won't work same applies to other network but you can always roll with the 3g sha o

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sir MikeOctober 17, 2017 at 4:38 PM

    Am still doubt the possible probability of this,but anyway we are all here to learn

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sir MikeOctober 17, 2017 at 4:38 PM

    Thanks for update bro wizy,really Appreciate this one.

    ReplyDelete
  9. UnknownOctober 17, 2017 at 8:02 PM


    Any SIM will work in any device
    First, you need to understand that any SIM be it 2G, 3G or 4G will work in any device. You can use a 4G SIM card in a 3G or 2G phone or a 2G or 3G SIM card in a 4G phone. Anything is possible.

    Data speeds will vary based on device
    The data speed that you enjoy will vary based on the SIM card and device you are using. Until you use a 4G SIM in a 4G enabled device, you will not be able to enjoy high speed data that the 4G network renders.

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownOctober 17, 2017 at 8:07 PM

    4G SIM cards have the ability to receive all signals such as 2G, 3G and 4G. Undoubtedly, when you use a 4G SIM card in a 2G or 3G phone, you will be able to get 2G or 3G speed. In fact, you would have witnessed this while using a 4G smartphone too as the signal speed with drop to 3G or 2G if 4G is not available.
    There should be no issues wit making calls using a 4G SIM on a 2G or 3G supporting device. As the SIM card will work well on the device, the ability to make voice calls will not have any impact.

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownOctober 17, 2017 at 8:09 PM


    If you want to enjoy 4G speed, you definitely need to upgrade your device to one that supports 4G network. Also, your area should have 4G network coverage. Keep this in mind if you are planning to use a 4G SIM on your non-4G enabled smartphone.

    ReplyDelete
  12. SIR PAULOctober 17, 2017 at 10:34 PM

    Thanks for bringing back this post once again to the knowledge of everyone.

    To some of us that have been following this blog for a very long time now, can you please tell me when this post was first created here?

    ReplyDelete
  13. SIR PAULOctober 17, 2017 at 10:35 PM

    LIST OF 4G BANDS IN NIGERIA

    ✔ MTN 4G LTE Bands: supports band 7 (2600MHz) & 20 (800MHz)


    ✔ Glo 4G LTE Band: supports band 28 (700MHz)


    ✔ 9Mobile 4G LTE Band: supports band 3 (1800MHz)


    ✔ NTel 4G LTE Bands: supports band 3 (1800MHz) and 8 (900MHz)


    ✔ SMILE 4G LTE Band: supports band 20 (800MHz)


    ✔ SPECTRANET 4G Band: supports band 40 (2300MHz)


    ✔ SWIFT 4G Band: supports band 40 (2300MHz)


    ✔ AIRTEL 4G LTE Band: N/A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. somtochukwu ernestOctober 19, 2017 at 12:38 AM

      Look at how the whole network in Nigeria has 4g lte except Airtel

      Delete
    2. somtochukwu ernestOctober 19, 2017 at 12:42 AM

      When u call their agent
      They tell u that it will come out soon

      Delete
    3. somtochukwu ernestOctober 19, 2017 at 12:43 AM

      Now I keep asking myself
      Is it wen 5g will be launched
      That is wen Airtel will bring 4g?

      Delete
  14. SIR PAULOctober 18, 2017 at 11:20 PM

    It's possible to use a 4G sim in 3G phone but the speed won't be that of 4g

    ReplyDelete
  15. somtochukwu ernestOctober 19, 2017 at 12:44 AM

    Thanks fr the update sir

    ReplyDelete
  16. somtochukwu ernestOctober 19, 2017 at 12:45 AM

    Yea u can use 4g sim in 3g phone.provided that u won't get the normal 4g lte speed until u upgrade ur device

    ReplyDelete
  17. somtochukwu ernestOctober 19, 2017 at 12:47 AM

    So the speed depends on ur device

    ReplyDelete
  18. UnknownOctober 27, 2017 at 11:33 PM

    Thanks very educative

    ReplyDelete