No phone insurance

Yazmina

I broke my lovely HTC Desire and have no insurance. My pay monthly contract has 18 months left to run. I've been looking for a smart sim free handset and have noticed that the same handset is slightly cheaper if I buy it on PAYG.

If I buy the PAYG handset from my existing provider (T Mobile) and switch the sim cards will the phone work? When it says that the phone is locked, it's locked to the provider right? The sim card is not literally locked inside the phone is it?

Are there any consequence of never topping up the PAYG?

Thanks.

grumbler

Yazmina wrote: »

If I buy the PAYG handset from my existing provider (T Mobile) and switch the sim cards will the phone work?

Yes.
Also, many PAYG phones are being sold unlocked (CPW at al., P4U, D-a-P). If locked, most can be unlocked for free (e.g. Orange SanFrancisco) or for a small fee.

When it says that the phone is locked, it's locked to the provider right?

Yes, to the network.

The sim card is not literally locked inside the phone is it?

It is not, but I recall some cheap PAYG phones in the past with the sim 'locked' mechanically (glued?). I don't think they do this now.

Are there any consequence of never topping up the PAYG?

The sim is likely to get disconnected after being inactive for 3+ months.