o2 & Tesco

Trillionaire

I'm thinking of getting a secondhand iPhone 3GS or 4GS.

If I purchase one locked to O2 will I be able to use a Tesco sim card in it instead of an O2 one?

grumbler

You will, but how are you going to unlock it should you want to change the network? Only O2 can do this properly and I think they do this for their customers only.

Trillionaire

I want to stay on my PAYG Tesco number - lite user 4p per txt, 8p per minute on phone calls.

grumbler

And the data? 10p/Mb? What's the point in having a smartphone then?

'3' or Ovivo are much better for a lite user with a smartphone. Your number can be easily ported to any network.

Buying a locked iPhone is a false economy, although you can try unlocking it via ebay at your own risk.

Im_just_careful

I agree with "grumbler".


At the moment, for light smartphone use the "3" 3 2 1 offer is the best in the market.


Any iPhone you buy secondhand needs to have been unlocked by the network by the previous owner.


It can sometimes be done if you have your own long standing SIM with the original network but it is much easier if the seller does it.


I also would only buy a secondhand iPhone from someone you can trust as there are plenty of scams.