New phone unlocking question

[Caribou]

I have just bought a brand new sealed Galaxy A20e from Sainsbury's, and I understand it is locked to EE. I bought it because it was a really good price on clearance, and even with the expected £8.99 unlocking fee it's still a bargain.

I looked at the EE help page regarding unlocking an EE PAYG phone, and the matrix doesn't cover my exact scenario. If I had bought it from EE it appears that I could unlock it straight away, but not as I bought it new from Sainsbury's.

The option to unlock a brand new 3rd party reseller handset isn't listed, so using the 'second hand' option, it suggests I have to wait 6 months.

My first question is, would I have to wait 6 months, or can I do it sooner?

And secondly, it came with a SIM (in the box, I assume, since I haven't opened it yet) but I already have a spare valid EE SIM that's on my account; if I choose top keep the phone, could I use that to set the phone up instead of the SIM in the box?

I haven't broken the seal, so can still return it, but I would like to keep it. What I do depends on the answers to these questions.

Thanks for your help.

[XRaySpeX · Accepted solution]

You cannot use the online unlocking form for EE devices not bought directly from EE as they have no record of it.

To unlock an EE device not bought directly from EE you need to call Customer Services on +44 800 956 6000 (option 2, option 4) to put you in touch with the Unlocking Team to request an Unlock Code. You will be asked for your email addy. They will take payment (of £8.99) from any valid UK bank card.

Once the process has been started you will receive an email from the Unlocking Team to process the unlock. It can take up to 10 days to complete the unlock.

You may use any valid EE SIM in it while it is locked.

[Caribou]

Result!

I called CS straight after your response, XRaySpeX, and explained the situation, gave them the IMEI and I was passed to an 'unlocking' person; they confirmed that it would be possible to unlock the phone straight away. It wasn't convenient to do it then, so I said I would call back. I decided to keep the new phone, opened it and discovered it is a Dual SIM model. Even better than expected, no mention of that on the box.

I called yesterday evening, got through to a CS agent who confirmed that the unlocking team are working from home and there could be a delay of up to 2 weeks, but that they would send an email with the relevant details. They couldn't confirm if there would be a charge.

Got a text message today, less than 24 hours later, with a couple of codes and a link to the relevant help page. 10 minutes later, I've got 2 separate SIMs in the phone, O2 and Three, one PAYG and one on contract, everything working fine. Now I can give out my 'spare' number so people can contact me without using my 'main' number. 

The phone's good, I only really got it because it was a good price (a bit less than half price) and it's still a current model.

Thanks for your quick reply, XRaySpeX.

[XRaySpeX]

Thanks! You're welcome 🙂 ! Glad I could be of assistance & it is now sorted.

[EssexBoyEE]

Have you actually put another Network SIM in the Phone to check whether it's locked or not, most Samsung Dual Sim (if there called Duos) should be Unlocked if there from a 3rd Party Reseller, so worth checking.