Probably a very stupid question...

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Maybe it's just ignorant moi who doesn't know!

Can I say buy a phone (handset, no sim) from O2 website and put a giffgaff sim in it?

Can I do this from t-mobile website, three website etc..?

As in am I just buying a handset that isn't locked to anything?

Thanks

ignoramus

misiek404

If its payg it will be locked to o2, if it is handset simfree than it won't be locked and can be used with any network

view

Thanks. So when you're buying from these website just buying a handset is considered PAYG? Even if you don't add on a sim?

NiftyDigits

I think that you can use Giffgaff SIMs in O2 handsets anyway.

PAYG is not the same as 'SIM Free'. PAYG is usually locked to the netwoork, whereas SIM Free is not locked to any network.

view

Thanks. There doesn't seem to be a way of buying 'sim free' handsets from the websites I've mentioned, so if they're not monthly then they must be Payg. Just noticed that you have to select a tarrif when purchasing a Payg, so yes, stupid question really!

kwikbreaks

I've found that handsets locked to a major carrier such as O2 or Vodafone will work OK with sims from the minor players who piggybck the main service provider - e.g. I've used Tesco sims on O2 handsets and vice versa and a talkmobile sim on a Vodafone locked handset.

I also found that two supposedly PAYG handsets I bought from carphone warehouse weren't actually locked at all but you would be taking a chance on that.

johnnyboyrebel

As said, there are 2 types of 'buy outright' phones. Locked and unlocked, generally if you buy from a network like O2 or 3 then they will be locked to that network unless otherwise stated however if you are buying just a handset then you may aswell buy from amazon or another online retailer as it will be cheaper.

If you have seen a good priced phone from a network site then just buy and get it unlocked, easy enough to do. You can pay to get it done in one of the many shops on the high street or do it yourself (depending what type phone it is)

railbuff

misiek404 wrote: »

If its payg it will be locked to o2, if it is handset simfree than it won't be locked and can be used with any network

Not 100% true. any mobile phone is unlocked initially, but as soon as you add a sim card it will lock to that network.


If you go into an o2 shop and purchase a phone with sim, the assistant will place the sim in the phone before handing it to you, this is so it locks that handset to o2. so best to buy from other retailer. amazon, asda, argos etc. rather than a mobile phone shop.

but you can easily get a phone unlocked to any network for abour £10 from most independant phone shops

railbuff

double post oops

Spank

a giffgaff sim will work in a O2 locked phone as they are both run on the same network

sillygoose

railbuff wrote: »

Not 100% true. any mobile phone is unlocked initially, but as soon as you add a sim card it will lock to that network.


If you go into an o2 shop and purchase a phone with sim, the assistant will place the sim in the phone before handing it to you, this is so it locks that handset to o2. so best to buy from other retailer. amazon, asda, argos etc. rather than a mobile phone shop.

but you can easily get a phone unlocked to any network for abour £10 from most independant phone shops

Sorry but that's not the case. The phone is made for the network and locked to it before a sim is put in by the IMEI number logged with the network before its sold. I have bought plenty of phones never opened or powered up and initially putting a different network sim in just results in the phone requesting a network unlock code. The person in the shop insisting putting the sim in is probably just checking it works or perhaps they don't get their commission unless its activated.

Many phones can be reliably unlocked by specialists on Ebay, you send them the IMEI number and get the code back and its often the cheapest way.