3 sim in non 3 phone??

bamberbamboo

Evening all,

just a quickie was wondering if anyone knows if a "3" sim will fit in a non "3" phone? I'm (still) debating whether to get a "3" deal but hate their handsets and as I wouldn't be using the video calling could stick with my Nokia so any info would be great.

James_Bass

Sadly not, unless things have changed again.

They used to work, but 3 changed them so that they only work in 3G phones (which, in my honest personal opinion, are poo).

I think it was back in spring 2004 they shipped out new USIMs to all customers, which, as the name USIM implies, are different to standard SIMs. Effectively it's a breach of 3's T+C to try and use a USIM in a 2G phone.

This is understandable as 3's network only covers approx two-thirds of the country, and it costs 3 to pay O2 to pick up the rest on roaming. Now in a 2G phone it oviously means that you'd be using O2's network all the time, and many people did it, hence 3 closed the loophole.

It sucks though, as I've been with three since May and dearly wish that I could use my USIM in a decent 2G phone. My Nokia 7600 is ugly, uncomfortable, has poor battery life, drops calls, rarely maintains signal, etc, etc, grumble, moan.

My advice? Don't do 3!

kaaloo

3 is poo as Mr Bass points out and to compound things further, the handset choice is ever 'poo-er'!.

The only reason to go with 3 is the fact that you get 500 x-net mins and 100 txts for anything between £0 per month to £30 depending on where you purchase.

I have the 7600 and its not nice to look at but it is a decent phone, with good features. I also purchased the NEC 338 which is the only other decent sized 3G phone but that lacks basic features. The LG is ok but it is pricey and a lot bulkier and again lacks things like Bluetooth.

My overal summary is that for around £5 I shouldnt really complain as I can use the phone any time to any network for next to nothing.

bamberbamboo

What a pity, I agree that's all that's tempting me is the free mins/texts and really do not like their handsets, I looked at the nec 338 yesterday in woolworths and that didn't seem to be as big as the others, Kaaloo whats it like as a phone?

kaaloo

As a phone its ok - not the best but Ive had worse.

Some little things have annoyed me:

- no Bluetooth or even Infra-red - I mean come on at least have IR
- menus are a bit odd to use but Ive got over that one!
- When you close the flip, you would expect the phone to close any applications etc and return to main menus - it doesnt.
- short video footage - the nokia has 1hr this has a few seconds

Apart from that its quite compact for a 3 phone and nice to look at.

bamberbamboo

Thanks kaaloo,

another question what are the pics like that it takes and are the videos really only a few seconds? also when you close the lid if your still connected to a call it end the call? or would you still be connected with the lid closed. daft question but even I could call someone of a closed phone

many thanks

kaaloo

bamberbamboo wrote:

Thanks kaaloo,

another question what are the pics like that it takes and are the videos really only a few seconds? also when you close the lid if your still connected to a call it end the call? or would you still be connected with the lid closed. daft question but even I could call someone of a closed phone

many thanks

Pic quality isnt too bad to be honest but another downside I just thought of is that unlike the Nokia 7600, the NEC doesnt come with a data cable and has no bluetooth so you have to pay to transfer the vids and pics to your pc (and download stuff to your phone)

As far as I can tell the video length is less than 30 secs but Im sure someone who know more about the phone will be able to help - Ive only had it a few days.

As for the lid, the good thing is that yes it does disconnect the call but Im not sure it disconnects the WAP conncetions.

Hope this helps.

bamberbamboo

thanks kaaloo your a star