Pay as you go vs sim free.... - Galaxy S I9000 General

Whats the main difference between the 2, the woman in carphone warehouse assured me u can use any sim card in the phone which seemed strange cos i thought they were network locked on payasyougo....

Carphone Warehouse buy their phones Sim Free and just give you either a contract or PAYG SIM, that's why they can sell the phones on networks not officially supported.

Cool so she wasnt lying then! 399 pay as u go from carphone.
Baffles me why its 450 sim free and 400 payasyougo

Confuses me as well, doesn't seem like a network would give CPW £50 just to include a PAYG SIM.

Well technically u have to buy the top up which is £10 so it could just be to try and keep people on that certain network... I see crazier things regarding cashback ie o2 £100 caahback on a 12 month contract.
Go figure... Thx for the replies dude

Related

htc advantage on o2?

Does anyone know if this mobile will arrive on the o2 network? They are bringing out the dumb-ass iphone but something decent like the advantage, they dont have a clue.
Nope... T-Mobile Only, and from what I've heard it win't be around from them for much longer. You can still buy one straight-up without a contract from one of the many electronics dealers.
Buy a german one from ebay , but trust only with paypal
Just buy one from ebay and unlock it with the software from Oli.
Beware there are plenty of fake ones ( I bid on 3 before I got one So trust only those with full paypal coverage.
it is available on a £35 p/m contract on O2 from expansys.com for about £320
mcwtrekkie said:
it is available on a £35 p/m contract on O2 from expansys.com for about £320
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But be careful about the data tariff - the reason T-mob offered it is because it suits being on unlimited data and they do that (1Gb) for £7.50 / month.
O2 probably can't afford any new devices since they bought the iFone and the necessary WiFi Hotspots to make use of a decent internet connection speed that those of us with the Athena take for granted - Mike
Edit Once - I am with you "apd" the data connection tariffs on O2 are nothing short of a joke, thats why I left them after 10+ years, I won't be going back thats for sure!
Data only tariff?
I have a VERY nice voice tariff from O2 UK - Pay Up Front For Life. Basically gave them £200 about three years ago, and as long as I stay under 50 minutes a month, don't text and don't call non-O2 mobiles, they get no money from me ever again. I've even done phone upgrades every 12 months. No data connection though.
Now I have a super Advantage, I want a data capacity. I'm thinking of putting my voice SIM back in a cheap phone, and getting a new SIM for the Advantage on a data-only tariff. Does anyone know of a nice, cheap data-only SIM-only tariff in the UK? I've had a quick look, but really don't want to be spending £25 a month for a O2 WebMAX SIM.

Mines Gone Back

Hi
My X1 has gone back to vodafone UK.
Not for any fault of the X1, not due to the coverage, but due to a mad vodafone policy that means that if you don't give them your PAC code when you order, you will never-ever be able to port a number in later.
This differs from all other UK networks on which you can port numbers in ad-hoc during the contract.
The reason, of course for not porting a number in at the time of order is that I wanted to check out the phone/network before switching from T-mobile.
The only way to port in not is to return the phone under the 14 day policy, then re-order it (entering your PAC) - (and have them do another credit check on you).
I shant be re-ordering, its back to my MDA Vario III for me. Maybe one day, t-mobile UK will get some phones worth having in...
Nigel
Why don't you just buy the phone, unlocked from clove.co.uk I think its like 525 w/ VAT which is pretty steep, but I don't know what you paid from Voda either. Also..I am pretty sure even the Vodafone "branded" ones are infact unlocked anyway and useable on tmobile-UK.
Or do what I, and Orange customer, did.
Order it new on Orange (mobiles.co.uk and E2save are selling them on Orange contracts)
Got a PAC from Orange for my existing Orange number.
Port it onto a pay as you go sim like Virgin.
Get PAC from Virgin and port number back onto Orange within the first 3 months.
You have just 'upgraded', but got a deal as a new customer
@mlinz: I would never, ever pay £525 for a phone!!! Mine was £50 on a contract through vodafone.
@kr00t0n: I've done the port elsewhere then back to get the same deal as a new customer trick before - but its too much hassle + you have to cart 2 phones around for a while. I'd rather cough up the additional few quid and save the hassle.
I had the phone I wanted on the network I wanted @ the price I wanted, but they would not port in my old number (of 15 years).
Nigel
Play
Or you can buy from play.com @ 499 GBP
veletron said:
@mlinz: I would never, ever pay £525 for a phone!!! Mine was £50 on a contract through vodafone.
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When people are buying their phones outright they're usually going to use it with a pay as you go sim or a cheap contract they already have. Depending on your useage, this can work out much cheaper for you than £50 "for the phone" and, for example, an 18 month £35 contract.
Myself I got mine from Vodafone on an upgrade by calling them up and telling them I was leaveing. It seems to be the only way I can get a decent phone from them, because if I walk into a shop and ask them for an upgrade all they offer me is seriously bog standard phones, worse than the K800i I was on previously.
I pay £27 a month contract, and a £5 per month for 500mb data. Granted this is a 24 month contract, but the phone was free, and I can upgrade after 9 months.
Over 24 months that's a whole £768 I've paid to vodafone.
Compare that to, say, paying £500 for the phone and having a simple £10 contract for 24 months... £740.
I just don't have the money up front to stup for an unbranded phone, so I went with what I already had setup and got what I wanted, and I'm happy. It's just that £500 for a phone sounds extortionate, but when you factor in how much you actually pay to the carriers over the lifetime of a contract you can see that there isn't much difference in paying upfront or taking out a contract in the end.
I got mine from mobiles.co.uk on O2 (yeah I know NOW the reception is poor) for £29.99 then £35/month for 18 months (600mins, 500text, unlimited [yeah right] web).
I can confirm its unbranded, unlocked and quite silver.
I didn't think I would like the silver one but actually I love it. Only catch is as others have mentioned, the battery cover keeps coming loose.
SquidgyB said:
When people are buying their phones outright they're usually going to use it with a pay as you go sim or a cheap contract they already have. Depending on your useage, this can work out much cheaper for you than £50 "for the phone" and, for example, an 18 month £35 contract.
Myself I got mine from Vodafone on an upgrade by calling them up and telling them I was leaveing. It seems to be the only way I can get a decent phone from them, because if I walk into a shop and ask them for an upgrade all they offer me is seriously bog standard phones, worse than the K800i I was on previously.
I pay £27 a month contract, and a £5 per month for 500mb data. Granted this is a 24 month contract, but the phone was free, and I can upgrade after 9 months.
Over 24 months that's a whole £768 I've paid to vodafone.
Compare that to, say, paying £500 for the phone and having a simple £10 contract for 24 months... £740.
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Click to collapse
I dont think £10 contract will get you internet access so you'll be paying at least £15 per month, so the deal isn't as good.
I went through all this when I changed and decided to go with a new contract.
I also got the phone for free, free headset and pay less than you with VF, sweet talking in the shop works wonders when there's sales targets to meet!
Hi
I use the phone as a modem every day on the train, transferring about 2.5-3GB/mnth. I HATE to think how much that would be on P&G!!!
I've had t-mob stores bend over backwards to meet or exceed the deals that are available from the online crowd, so its worth haggling.
Nigel
Expansys will sell you one on a t-mobile contract
Hi
Looked into this suggestion (sim free phone then cheap contract) further. I never use the phone for phone calls, only for texts/internet.
Comparing Voda with Voda...
Voda do a base SIM-Only 30-day rolling contract for £10/mnth (75 mins/500 texts), then you can add their 'unlimited' (aka 500MB/mnth) internet for £7.50/mnth. Works out quite favourably:
Sim Free Phone: £500, 12x10+12*7.50 (for internet) = £710
Voda 12 month contract for phone:
Phone: £300, 12x30+12*7.50 (for internet) = £750
Voda 18 month
Phone: £150, 18*35 (internet included) = £780 (but your getting an extra 6 mnths line rental here)
So... I never thought I would buy a phone sim-free, but that's what I am doing. There is a saving over a 12 month contract for me (I don't use many minutes) + I can tell voda to get lost with 30 days notice. Of course, if you take the contract out over 18 months then you are essentially getting an additional 6 months service for 780-710 = £70 quid - in 12 months i'll be wanting a new phone anyway.
I pay T-Mob £35/mnth at the moment including WnW Plus (3GB/mnth). I'll get a USB dongle from them for my on-train internet access (£15/mnth). Saving myself 2.50/mnth over what I pay at the moment. This has several advantages:
- Non carrier branded phone - fetches more on ebay when I am bored with it!
- Don't have to wait for voda to release SE's updates
- Just a 30 Day contract with voda
- No Messing with bluetooth-pan for net access while on the train
- If no T-mobile coverage, I can use laptop with vodafone via BT PAN
- Superior 2G coverage for weekends in remote parts of Scotland
- Still enjoy superior 3G coverage and speeds of t-mobile on laptop
- No more feeling that I have to wait for contract to expire before upgrading - and finding that upgrade deals are poor!
Only trouble is, clove.co.uk have sold out and expansys want to rip me off (£584). I ordered from SuperTrader.co.uk (£500) (reasonable pricegrabber etc ratings). I phoned before and agreed that they would ship fri for delivery sat (today), paid the extra £8 for Sat AM special delivery, and the barstuards never bothered to stick it in the post - despite having charged my card for the device and for £15.99 SAT AM delivery.
So... DON'T buy from SuperTrader. I have cancelled my order, and will wait for clove to get them back in again.
Nigel

Is the HD worth buying sim free?

I've been considering buying the HD for sometime now and have been considering buying it sim free for £500 (hopefully due to the proposed VAT drop on Monday) and taking out a sim only contract for either £20/£25 (T-Mobile/O2/Vodafone). I am not fussed by the data packages as I have wifi at work and at home so I can use that instead.
But I have recently seen deals on O2, Orange and vodafone which are tempting but I would have to transfer my number and how easy is that?
I have worked out that if I save £20 every month for two years on a sim only contract I would save £480.
Which would you recommend? Sim Free or contract?
I'm not a big fan of the branding the phone companies do; I really hated the pinky-purple t-mobile slapped on my last phone.
I go my HD from Expansys. So I can choose the contract and company I want (I went again with t-mobile cos I like their data prices) and still get an unbranded HD, whichever provider you go for
Logically, you are better off buying it through contract. However, i bought mine for £500 just because I was impatient. My Polaris was overdue and since the HD was not available directly through O2 and I did not want to wait any longer on missed promises from mobiles.co.uk, I made this move. I wanted to remain on O2 because I like hem and I am a Select customer (don't if it is worth it, but I get 25% discount on accessories). However, I had recently switched my contract to SIM only (700 min + 500 SMS + Web) for only 20. Because I purchased my through third-party, my insurance was deemed null against my new handset, so I cancelled it.
You should not worry about transferring your number; if you buy through mobiles.co.uk, they will deliver the device on whichever SIM is on it. You will then have to obtain the Porting Authorisation Code from your existing provider and the process is straightforward.
To summarise, if you can afford it, I would recommend SIM free; personally, I do not want to be tied up for 18 months. If available, I rather take a 12-month contract and pay the extra rather than a year and half; many handsets can be released during that time and I am waiting for the Omni – it may be the next bigger release for O2 with WM 7.
One thing I like about Orange (after having made sure I got a data bundle), is the fact that if the handset is faulty, they get a new one out to you next day. The courier will come either between 9am-1pm, 1-5pm or 6-10pm. Really good service.
Well if you feel SIM free is too expensive, the trick then is to buy the original HTC handset at a subsidised price with a mobile contract through Expansys. Do this and you can always 'renegotiate' the terms of the contract/tariff with the mobile network directly following delivery of your handset. I did this 6 months ago with an original HTC Diamond, then called T Mobile direct who put me on a combi 30 with free web n walk for £30 to match Oranges data deals at the time. Remember you have a 14 day grace period, use that to your advantage to secure the best deal, but in terms of tariff negotiation, do NOT deal with expansys but the mobile network directly.
Thanks for the advice. What I could do is try and work out a deal with T-Mobile first for a sim only and try and blag a good deal and buy the phone sim free because at the moment I am paying over the odds on my contract.
But carola your O2 sim only deal would be perfect and one thing I notice is that O2 offer the free data blot on with a £20 plan which I think if I talk to T-Mobile might be able to blag a similar deal.

Phone Locked from P4u

Is it possible to buy PAYG from P4u and the phone is locked? Because yesterday when I wanted to buy PAYG for £499.99 the staff told me that is better to get the sim free version £530. I ask him why then he told me that the PAYG will be locked to network. (Whichever sim / network you choose your phone will be locked to that network). Is it true or he want me to buy £530 version?
jonrwg said:
Is it possible to buy PAYG from P4u and the phone is locked? Because yesterday when I wanted to buy PAYG for £499.99 the staff told me that is better to get the sim free version £530. I ask him why then he told me that the PAYG will be locked to network. (Whichever sim / network you choose your phone will be locked to that network). Is it true or he want me to buy £530 version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
02 are selling locked PAYG Handsets for £399. (Plus £10 sim card if not on 02)
Unlock, via a well known website, is £15, you loose the 02 warranty, but still have the Samsung 2 yr warranty.
En_croute said:
02 are selling locked PAYG Handsets for £399. (Plus £10 sim card if not on 02)
Unlock, via a well known website, is £15, you loose the 02 warranty, but still have the Samsung 2 yr warranty.
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Click to collapse
I ordered yday but it seems on their website now they remove PAYG for SGS II.
I'm not sure whether my order went through because I cant track my order and no email confirmation. So just wondered if SGS II sold by P4u can be locked with any network?
SIM free
jonrwg said:
Is it possible to buy PAYG from P4u and the phone is locked? Because yesterday when I wanted to buy PAYG for £499.99 the staff told me that is better to get the sim free version £530. I ask him why then he told me that the PAYG will be locked to network. (Whichever sim / network you choose your phone will be locked to that network). Is it true or he want me to buy £530 version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi my is factory unlocked-ph4u
When I enquired about this phone at Phones4U last week (before upgrading to it through O2), I was told by the guy there they never sell locked phones and they're always direct from the manufacturer.
-jen94ek- said:
Hi my is factory unlocked-ph4u
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Click to collapse
Is yours sim free or PAYG?
Pagnell said:
When I enquired about this phone at Phones4U last week (before upgrading to it through O2), I was told by the guy there they never sell locked phones and they're always direct from the manufacturer.
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Click to collapse
I knew that all these while but why did that P4u guy told me is locked on PAYG? Sounds fishy to me as he keep on pushing to get the sim free version. What even more weirder is I ask him the phone will be locked to what network and he say to any network I choose. Is is possible?
I'm a store manager at phones 4u. All our galaxy s2 stock and in fact all our pay monthly stock handsets afe unlocked. We don't make much from selling the gs2 on pay as u go so we hold stock back for pay monthly as stock is limited. Selling it at a sim free price makes us about double the amount of money compared to payg. Btw anyone wanting a contract gs2 in London just let me know
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
tidusuk123 said:
I'm a store manager at phones 4u. All our galaxy s2 stock and in fact all our pay monthly stock handsets afe unlocked. We don't make much from selling the gs2 on pay as u go so we hold stock back for pay monthly as stock is limited. Selling it at a sim free price makes us about double the amount of money compared to payg. Btw anyone wanting a contract gs2 in London just let me know
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That justified his action but the thing I dont understand is why he told me the phone is locked on PAYG. Maybe he just want to push the sales for sim free but if P4u are not going to offer PAYG then they should've not put it in the advert. Anyway I just want to know whether is true or not that the phone is locked on PAYG.
100% unlocked whether bought on payg, simfree, or on pay monthly.
You could save yourself some money though and buy it o2 for £399. My one came locked but I got it unlocked for £15 and then I followed the guide someone else posted to debrand the handset. Total cost is 414 for the same thing and takes very little effort.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Get it from Carphonewarehouse! They come unlocked. Mine came unlocked. And it was a contract phone! Got the sim card separately!
I ordered from O2 before they took down PAYG so now i'm waiting for delivery. But I bought another set from CPW too. Give it one to my GF.

moto g 16gb reduced at argos

if you can find one the 16gb version is now at at ridiculous price of £118.75, gutted not in stock anywhere in my region
heres link
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1334139.htm
hope someone gets lucky
8GB costs more than 16GB...:laugh:
newuser25 said:
8GB costs more than 16GB...:laugh:
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Click to collapse
Yep, noticed this one as well today. More stock is expected on the 22nd Dec.
so this one is even cheaper than tescos offer and is sim free??? i am from slovenia and never bought a thing online. i am wondering we have € so when i pay something from uk the curency automaticaly converts?
No option for delivery, and doesn't seem to be instock anywhere. I've checked quite a few postcodes and it checks the 10 closest stores.
Joey-UK said:
No option for delivery, and doesn't seem to be instock anywhere. I've checked quite a few postcodes and it checks the 10 closest stores.
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Click to collapse
It's now back to its original price!
Never once saw it available either for delivery or collection at any of the local and nearby stores. Seems like a scam to get you into the shop or something weird?
MrWhatever said:
It's now back to its original price!
Never once saw it available either for delivery or collection at any of the local and nearby stores. Seems like a scam to get you into the shop or something weird?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From their Twitter account:
I am sorry the deal was only on for 1 week and as it was such a good deal we quickly sold out of stock in most areas. It may go down in price again in the future however we are not given any prior knowledge of this. Julie
Hi, I have checked and we we will be getting more stock in of 133/4139 around the 19th January. Julie
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Click to collapse
-_-
Phantom Pt. II said:
Hi, I have checked and we we will be getting more stock in of 133/4139 around the 19th January. Julie
-_-
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Click to collapse
Yes, but at the offer price or not? Not much of a bargain otherwise.
MrWhatever said:
Yes, but at the offer price or not? Not much of a bargain otherwise.
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Click to collapse
Well as she said it's unknown. Seems like a dirty trick to get people visit their site to keep checking stock. I don't believe there ever was even stock of 1 Moto G 16GB. Surely London would have at least some stock if there was stock.
Kept checking Argos website every day and never seen 16 GB in stock. And even now when the price went back up to £169.95 Moto G is out of stock.
I tend to ignore these Argos deals now. It's just a dirty trick to get publicity on Hot UK Deals. These have never been in stock while at this price, just as the LTE Nexus 7 wasn't £269 until it was already out of stock. If you want one of these the bigger Tescos tend to have stock of the 16GB now. For £131 unlocked they're still a bargain.
its definitely a trick Argos do. I've noticed it on all kinds of things they sell, whenever they come up on price match sites, it is ALWAYS out of stock.
Tesco is the best bet, 129 pay and go, and then 2 pound to unlock..
helppme said:
its definitely a trick Argos do. I've noticed it on all kinds of things they sell, whenever they come up on price match sites, it is ALWAYS out of stock.
Tesco is the best bet, 129 pay and go, and then 2 pound to unlock..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm considering picking one up for free* on a Tescomobile contract - £12.50 per month for 500MB data or £15 for 1GB - uses o2 network - o2 would charge me £16 for 750Mb data sim only contract direct through them. Only thing that's making me pause is more expensive data roaming charges with tescomobile.
*not quite free - I'd have to pay £60 to terminate my current o2 sim only contract....
neu - smurph said:
I'm considering picking one up for free* on a Tescomobile contract - £12.50 per month for 500MB data or £15 for 1GB - uses o2 network - o2 would charge me £16 for 750Mb data sim only contract direct through them. Only thing that's making me pause is more expensive data roaming charges with tescomobile.
*not quite free - I'd have to pay £60 to terminate my current o2 sim only contract....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nah don't bother getting one of these on Contract just not worth it, buy one from Tesco's pay £2 to get it unlocked on ebay continue using your sim.
neu - smurph said:
I'm considering picking one up for free* on a Tescomobile contract - £12.50 per month for 500MB data or £15 for 1GB - uses o2 network - o2 would charge me £16 for 750Mb data sim only contract direct through them. Only thing that's making me pause is more expensive data roaming charges with tescomobile.
*not quite free - I'd have to pay £60 to terminate my current o2 sim only contract....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
over 12-24 months its nearly always cheaper to buy the handset outright and then go on sim only plan.
Buy the phone, stick with you current sim only contract until it expires (im guessing soon if 60 is the buy out), then move onto Three Mobile.
Just picked up mine today at P4U. The guy told me no 16GB version so I was sad untill he scanned and showed on screen 16GB version. He looked at the box and YES! it was the 16GB version. So paid £169 for phone only (no contract, no PAYGO). And still got free back cover. Happy days (after 2 8GB's).
neu - smurph said:
I'm considering picking one up for free* on a Tescomobile contract - £12.50 per month for 500MB data or £15 for 1GB - uses o2 network - o2 would charge me £16 for 750Mb data sim only contract direct through them. Only thing that's making me pause is more expensive data roaming charges with tescomobile.
*not quite free - I'd have to pay £60 to terminate my current o2 sim only contract....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using mine on OVIVO payg £20 for the SIM £15 you keep credit. You get 200 minutes 300 texts and 500mb every month and you NEVER need to top up again. Ive had it 6 or 7 months and other than buying SIM it's cost nothing!
eemgee said:
I'm using mine on OVIVO payg £20 for the SIM £15 you keep credit. You get 200 minutes 300 texts and 500mb every month and you NEVER need to top up again. Ive had it 6 or 7 months and other than buying SIM it's cost nothing!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Instead of £20 why not going with £18 Three SIM only One plan
All-you-can-eat data
2,000 minutes
5,000 Three-to-Three minutes.
5,000 texts
1 month contract
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
MrKaon said:
Instead of £20 why not going with £18 Three SIM only One plan
All-you-can-eat data
2,000 minutes
5,000 Three-to-Three minutes.
5,000 texts
1 month contract
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok you get more, but that's £18 a month, that's why.
MrKaon said:
Instead of £20 why not going with £18 Three SIM only One plan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ovivo is a one-off charge of £20 for the sim and nothing more to pay, ever. The service is ad-funded. The ads are fairly obtrusive (every 3 pages or so) on your browser but are not tripped on other apps using your data allowance. Downside is that Ovivo piggybacks on Vodaphone so your data availability may be patchy here and there and speeds aren't great. Voice and Text are usually OK pretty much everywhere.
Outside of crazy misprices and huge cashback deals, it is the cheapest deal for low users.

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