Buying new phone on PAYG cos it's cheaper than SIM free

Horizon81

As it stands I've got an old o2 simplicity monthly contract, which is really good and isn't available anymore. I certainly don't want to lose it. But... I need a new phone.

Phones 4U have the phone I want SIM free for £300 or £180 on PAYG + £10 top up so it's a no brainer. The phone appears unlocked so I can get it on any network on PAYG but they have to put the SIM in it and register it before they hand it over. Does it matter if I get it on say, Orange, they register it with Orange, then as soon as I get it home I stick my o2 SIM in? Or shall I just get it on o2 PAYG? Obviously I'd need to provide name, address etc and as I already have a contract/direct debit with o2 would this cause probs? As I say, I really dont wanna lose my current simplicity tarrif.

Rusty!

If it's unlocked it matters not what happens at the store, just remove the supplied SIM and stick your own in.

Horizon81

What about settings etc - when you put a SIM in doesn't the network provider send all the internet/MMS settings to the phone?

grumbler

AFAIK normally they do. If you insert a different sim card you'll get new settings. In the worst case scenario the settings are available online and you can change them manually.

essexman77

Horizon81 wrote: »

As it stands I've got an old o2 simplicity monthly contract, which is really good and isn't available anymore. I certainly don't want to lose it. But... I need a new phone.

Phones 4U have the phone I want SIM free for £300 or £180 on PAYG + £10 top up so it's a no brainer. The phone appears unlocked so I can get it on any network on PAYG but they have to put the SIM in it and register it before they hand it over. Does it matter if I get it on say, Orange, they register it with Orange, then as soon as I get it home I stick my o2 SIM in? Or shall I just get it on o2 PAYG? Obviously I'd need to provide name, address etc and as I already have a contract/direct debit with o2 would this cause probs? As I say, I really dont wanna lose my current simplicity tarrif.

You could always get in it on giffgaff paygo which uses 02 network check there rates compared to others.

jrawle

essexman77 wrote: »

You could always get in it on giffgaff paygo which uses 02 network check there rates compared to others.

As Giffgaff don't supply phones, that doesn't really address the OP's query, which was about buying a new phone while retaining an existing contract.

Buzby

Many networks value their PAYG customers, and will use their previous spend as part of an incentive to keep the customer on their network. Independent dealers (like Carphone Warehouse) will offer a SIM free price, and an 'upgrade price'. The phone is the same, it is unlocked to all networks, but your network will subsidise part of the cost. For a smartphone, I was offered a Galaxy Y for £114 sim free, but for £69.99 if I upgraded via O2. After purchase, I used a different SIM and enjoyed the extra discount.

Horizon81

Buzby wrote: »

Many networks value their PAYG customers, and will use their previous spend as part of an incentive to keep the customer on their network. Independent dealers (like Carphone Warehouse) will offer a SIM free price, and an 'upgrade price'. The phone is the same, it is unlocked to all networks, but your network will subsidise part of the cost. For a smartphone, I was offered a Galaxy Y for £114 sim free, but for £69.99 if I upgraded via O2. After purchase, I used a different SIM and enjoyed the extra discount.

From what I've seen, PAYG upgrades cost the same as a new PAYG customer. The SIM free prices are just silly. Who would pay a £100 surcharge just to get it SIM free?