Carphone Warehouse & unlocked phones

sallysaver

Hi,
I have seen a phone on CW web site which will suit my needs. I think I have read on these forums that MOST phones ordered from CW come unlocked. I presently have an asda sim card which I understand partners Vodafone. As it seems you have got to purchase a £10 top up do I request the Vodafone package and hope that my Asda sim card will work. As you will gather from my questions I know or understand little about technology so apologies in advance if the answers are obvious. Thanks - Sally

Parva

The point of an unlocked phone is that you can request any network that you want and not worry if the sim from another network will work in that phone. You don't say what phone you are intending to buy but if it's one of the mainstream ones that most networks are selling then it will likely be unlocked. You can ask Carphone Warehouse if it is unlocked when you purchase it if you want to put your mind at rest.

Provided that it is unlocked then you can pick that phone on any network on any tarriff and still be able to use your Asda sim in that phone.

Kaybenson

Your ASDA sim will definitely work on ALL CW phones with the exception of 3G locked phones.

If you mention the exact phone, we will be more specific.

sallysaver

Hi and thanks for the replies. I am specifically looking at the Samsung C3050 not because it is an all singing, all dancing model, but rather the fact that it is quadband and I would like to take it to the States with me in 2 weeks time (For emergency use only). It is under £20 at CW (+top-up) with £5 cashback at Quidco or Top Cashback, if ordered online so I wouldn't be able to ask the relevant question unless of course I went into one of their shops and asked there. Just as a matter of interest, I can't believe what some places are charging for this phone circa £79.99!!!!! Talk about shopping around. Thanks again - Sally

Techhead_2

Kaybenson wrote: »

Your ASDA sim will definitely work on ALL CW phones with the exception of 3G locked phones.

If you mention the exact phone, we will be more specific.

That's just not true. Whilst the majority of handsets supplied are SIM free. There are circumstances where the handset is network locked, for example a network exclusive or where Carphone Warehouse have bought a 'job lot' from the network. Regardless of 3G.
The poster above was correct, its best to ask them. They are happy to confirm.

Kaybenson

@Sallysaver

I am a regular customer of CW.

That particular phone is sim free.

WelshPaul

All o2 handsets are sim free, any other network is pot luck!

sallysaver

Hi,
I have just spoken to 'Steven' at CW customer services. He has said that my Asda sim will work in any of their phones as they are all unlocked.!!!!! The only phone they sell locked is the iphone.
Hopefully, his info and that of my fellow MSE's is correct. Thanks to all - Sally

mrochester

Kaybenson wrote: »

Your ASDA sim will definitely work on ALL CW phones with the exception of 3G locked phones.

If you mention the exact phone, we will be more specific.

That's not true. CPW sell plenty of unlocked 3G phones. My mum got a Nokia 5230, which is a 3G phone, and that is very much unlocked.

spondon30

Or you could buy it from Mobiles.co.uk (part of CPW). 5p cheaper, £1 more Quidco and states on website - Unlocked Handset will work on any network.

midgetessa

You do not need to buy a top-up at Carphone Warehouse when you buy a phone.

Just get them to put it through as an upgrade.

You don't even need to use your own number/network details....anyones will do.