Can I buy unlocked phone and swap sim into it (different size)?

Bogof_Babe

I have as a second/spare phone a Nokia Asha 302, on contract with 3, which ended a couple of months ago. I've kept the contract running as it's such a good deal, but I hate the phone now that I've got the hang of touch screens! Also it's rubbish for websites such as MSE as it doesn't display properly.

I'd like to buy a sim-free phone (possibly another Nokia) and transfer my existing sim into it, but it's a mini sim and all the modern phones seem to have nano or micro.

If I buy something (thinking about Nokia 1520 as it has excellent reviews) and take my old phone and the new one into the 3 shop, would they be (a) willing and/or (b) able to cut the sim to fit the new one, and let me continue on my existing contract?

grumbler

It's unlikely that they cut sims in the shop (independent shops are more likely to do this for a small fee), and a nano-sim is known to be a little thiner, but you can ring them and ask for a replacement sim of the size you need.

Bogof_Babe

Thanks, that's good news.

I'm rather confused about sims actually, having googled and found illustrations which show the gold bit (presumably where the 'business' is stored) is bigger on the mini than the entire size of the nano.

An assistant in the shop did cut down a mobile wifi sim when I took my new iPad mini 3G in, but I wasn't sure what size he was starting with - if a micro to a nano that's perhaps easier to work around.

Good to know I can keep my contract running without them doing the 'slow intake of breath and shaking head' thing! I have three other contracts with them (1 iPhone and 2 mobile wifi) so I would hope they'd look after me!

grumbler

The gold bit is just contact plates. The chip is in the center underneath and is much smaller.

Bogof_Babe

Thank you again - I've learnt something new today! :beer: