Sim only deal for iphone 5

apples1

Thanks to a helpful post on here I am now checking out the option of a sim only deal (from Virgin) and buying the 32GB iphone 5 unlocked directly from Apple rather than signing up to contract.

It seems that Virgin do a sim only for £10 (250 mins, all texts and 1GB) or £12 (1000 mins, all texts and 1GB). I've got those from their website - do they both definately work on iphone 5 as the site doesnt list the nano sim needed?

I want to be 100% sure I don't lose my mobile number so in which order do I

* buy phone from Apple online
*Request PAC from T mobile (am over the 24 months)
* Go to Virgin shop to get sim only deal

If the above is all correct then this seems to be the cheapest way of getting the iphone 5 over 2 years given that I need it on T mobile, Orange or Virgin to get any signal at home.

Are there any catches - high charges for picture messages or anything I need to be aware of? As it is a three stage process (rather than just going into a store and signing up to a new contract as I always have in the past) I am dead nervous that I do one bit then something turns out not to be right when I go to do the next stage and I've already shelled out! I am also nervous to get it right so i don't lose my number. Currently with Tmobile.

DUTR

The prices for mms should be on the site somewhere, I guess 50p a go.

apples1

DUTR wrote: »

The prices for mms should be on the site somewhere, I guess 50p a go.

I did look but couldn't find the price for them. I try and e mail photos from my phone as that is free but every so often like to/need to MMS one.

Any other catches or things I should check out/ be aware of

DUTR

It could be 30p, but I'm semi certain it's 50p, I'm on O2 simplicity where an MMS is classed as 4 text, otherwise the Virgin £12/month deal would suit me, but as I send more than 20mms a month, it would work out more pricey for me, as it happened I sent 17 in December but 30 in November.

Buzby

You are really only comparing one network - virgin uses EE (the new name for Orange & T-Mobile). Virgin may not be given 4G access so you could be shooting yourself in the foot.

Only 3UK will be offering 4G on the iPhone, and their pricing is quite good too. No other network will be capable of 4G on the iPhone 5.

apples1

I only get signal on that network though - which is why I am only comparing those three. No other network including 3 is any use as no service here! I am aware they all use the same airwaves but they have differing deals & prices which is why I shop around (between the three of them)! Bit annoying being so limited by that but just the way it is.

Not really considered using 4G as its not available yet is it & being in this rural idyl I bet we'll be last to have access anyway!

Wouldn't I be able to just swap to an EE deal if it became available here & I wanted it?

MillicentBystander

Don't apple have a Whatspp type app for sending MMs for free over wifi? Works great on my Android. And install Viber on your iPhone and probably no need to go for a massive amount of mins/texts on your SIM deal.

Edit:

http://download.cnet.com/WhatsApp-Messenger-for-iPhone/3000-12941_4-10972991.html

DUTR

MillicentBystander wrote: »

Don't apple have a Whatspp type app for sending MMs for free over wifi? Works great on my Android. And install Viber on your iPhone and probably no need to go for a massive amount of mins/texts on your SIM deal.

Edit:

http://download.cnet.com/WhatsApp-Messenger-for-iPhone/3000-12941_4-10972991.html

What's app is available for iphones too, trouble is , you can only send to other what's app users, not all I send pics to have what's app compatible handsets

apples1

apples1 wrote: »

I want to be 100% sure I don't lose my mobile number so in which order do I

* buy phone from Apple online
*Request PAC from T mobile (am over the 24 months)
* Go to Virgin shop to get sim only deal

If the above is all correct then this seems to be the cheapest way of getting the iphone 5 over 2 years given that I need it on T mobile, Orange or Virgin to get any signal at home.

As it is a three stage process (rather than just going into a store and signing up to a new contract as I always have in the past) I am dead nervous that I do one bit then something turns out not to be right when I go to do the next stage and I've already shelled out! I am also nervous to get it right so i don't lose my number. Currently with Tmobile.

Bump for advice on above pls

dal4685

ask T-mobile for your pac code 1st. You never know they could beat virgin on price for a sim only deal..

your then got 30 days to use the pac code

jem16

apples1 wrote: »

do they both definately work on iphone 5 as the site doesnt list the nano sim needed?

Virgin Mobile only have standard sims. They do not have micro sims nor nano sims so you will need to either cut down the sim or buy a sim cutter.