Need to replace a broken phone - do I need to buy a Vodafone one?

mippy

I've managed to break my contract phone - the microphone isn't working and it won't charge, and I'm not due an upgrade for a while. I can't send it back to be fixed because it's on someone else's contract, and even then, I still need a way to phone people because I'm without a phone.

I just want to buy a very cheap phone that will let me make calls, texts and has an alarm. As my SIM is Vodafone, do I need to get a Vodafone mobile or can I just get any? And which is the cheapest? I don't need a camera or a colour screen etc, just something I can stick my SIM in so I can stay in contact with people.

grumbler

mippy wrote: »

... I can't send it back to be fixed because it's on someone else's contract,

I don't think this is a serious problem to solve.

and even then, I still need a way to phone people because I'm without a phone.

A basic spare phone cost no more than a tenner.

I just want to buy a very cheap phone that will let me make calls, texts and has an alarm. As my SIM is Vodafone, do I need to get a Vodafone mobile or can I just get any?

It can be:

• sim-free (unlocked) OR
• Vodafone PAYG OR
• Any Vodafone virtual networks PAYG: Talkmobile, Asda.

That said, most PAYG phones sold by dealers like, say, CPW or p4u are not locked.

And which is the cheapest? I don't need a camera or a colour screen etc, just something I can stick my SIM in so I can stay in contact with people.

http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/pay-as-you-go/deal-finder

Sort by price.

Cisco001

You can just get a PAYG phone in CPW/ phone4u/ online store like e2save. mobiles.co.uk etc. Most of them would be SIM free.

grumbler

A PAYG phone can be unlocked, but not 'sim-free'.

gman955

dont worry about cost, phones are so cheap nowadays

Cisco001

grumbler wrote: »

A PAYG phone can be unlocked, but not 'sim-free'.

I purchase more than 5 PAYG phone in past two year from e2save/ mobiles.co.uk/ CWP. They are all sim free.

grumbler

You are missing the point.
PAYG phone comes with a sim. It can be locked or unlocked, but not sim-free.

Yes, most PAYG phones from CPW at al. are unlocked.
They sell unlocked sim-free phones as well, that are often more expensive than the same PAYG phones.

easy

Mippy, ask around your friends and family. It's highly likely that one of them will have an old phone chucked in a drawer somewhere, which they have replaced but not bothered to trade in

If it is locked to a different network, google for an unlock code, most older phones can be unlocked cheap or free.

It's worth just checking that before you spend a fiver on a cheapy new phone.