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Pay as you go advice from somebody who has always had a contract

Hi folks - I'm looking for a bit help.

I've always had a contract phone and know little to nothing about pay as you go.

My girlfriend has an o2 pay as you go and I want to get her a new model for xmas.

So, how do I go about getting a new model without her having to change her number??
I've checked online at play.com and stuff and there seems to be pay as you go and SIM free models.
Can anybody explain what SIM free means?
Are these simply phones where she can pop her old SIM in and continue as she was with a different model?

Sorry if this sounds a bit silly but I really have no idea.

Comments

  • Sim free are unlocked to all networks and you can stick any sim card in it

    PAYG models come with a sim card, the phone might be locked to a specific network with PAYG models, and it might be unlocked to any network

    If its cheaper to get a PAYG model, buy a O2 PAYG phone and simply dont use the sim card that comes with it

    Hope that helps :)

    x
    'Sometimes you just need to keep your mouth shut'
    :j
  • "If its cheaper to get a PAYG model, buy a O2 PAYG phone and simply dont use the sim card that comes with it"

    That's what I was wondering.
    If the phone comes with a SIM for o2 is it ok just to discard that and swap SIMs then?
  • Yes!

    If it comes with a top up, you might want to use the credit first but yes, you can just diregard the sim card, you've bought it and its yours to do whatever, you dont have to use it!!!
    'Sometimes you just need to keep your mouth shut'
    :j
  • Thanks very much for your help with that.
    Plenty of coco pops for you tonight as a treat!!! ; )
  • shafeeq
    shafeeq Posts: 973 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts
    Hi

    My wife is on orange p&g phone. She needed a new phone so last friday I went to CPW and bought an orange p&g phone which required a £10 topup. When I told the sales person that my wife already has an orange sim, he did it us an upgrade and I didn't need to to get a £10 top up.

    Shafeeq
    Thanks very much for your help with that.
    Plenty of coco pops for you tonight as a treat!!! ; )
  • Nice one Shafeeq - I'll keep that in mind.
  • Generally you'll find all phones from Carphone Warehouse are unlocked.
  • shafeeq
    shafeeq Posts: 973 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts
    Yes the one I bought was unlocked, generic phone.
    Generally you'll find all phones from Carphone Warehouse are unlocked.
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