Dinosaur needing new mobile help

red_bertie

Bit of a dinosaur on mobile technology. Need 'dummy' help with this. Have been trying to understand info on all different websites - very confused now. No choice but to get a new phone. My ancient mobile [02] is dead. Low call/text user.

Only kept the contract [very cheap] so I could possibly use their broadband existing customer deal.

I think I want to buy a SIM free one, as my understanding is I can use existing 02 SIM.

02 [as usual] are no help, they are trying to lock me into a new contract if I want a phone that works. No chance!

Am I correct in my understanding:

If I buy a SIM free mobile outright it will cost quite a lot. Do I just shove the 02 SIM in? How do I know it will be 02 compatible? Does it absolutely need to be?

I could buy another network's SIM and stick it in a new phone - same question re compatibility.

If all else goes t*ts up, I could opt for a PAYG Network package and chuck the 02 in a drawer.

Really trying to move forward with this. Simple answers appreciated. Thanks.

hotkee

You can buy any unlocked phone you like and it will work with the o2 sim card or any other (contract or pay and go)

Cost - depends on what you want - you might even get someone to give you a phone for peanuts or buy a half decent one.

red_bertie

Is unlocked another term for SIM free?

hotkee

Yep - usually unless you buy direct from a network they might give you a phone locked to their network without a sim.
If you get a pay and go phone from Three - I think it will be locked to their network (as their contract phones usually are).

Best not to buy from network but I dont think o2 lock their phones - best prices are usually on the net (non network sites) or in high street.

[Deleted User]

Rather than buying an unlocked phone, why not buy an o2 pay as you go phone then put your old SIM into it? Something like this might be good - http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/mobiles/mobile-phones/SONY-ERIC-T250I/PPAY

Yes, you need to pay for £10 of airtime, but maybe that could be for your current sim.. it'd mean the phone would only cost you £30

or - pick a phone from this page and phone O2 and ask to upgrade your pay-as-you-go handset : http://shop.o2.co.uk/mobile_phones/Pay_And_Go/viewall

*Chattie*

If you use Carphonewarehouse, go via Quidco or other cashback sites and I think you'll find that even if they aren't an o2 phone that they will be unlocked.

I ordered an Orange one for my son with the £10 top up but was able to transfer the £10 top up to my phone and he used his o2 sim card in the new phone.