Advice on buying a spare phone

[Bionic69]

Hi everyone could someone give me some advice pls  I’m looking at going away & don’t want to take my iPhone so I’m looking at getting an old cheap Sony Ericsson w810i (being it’s a Walkman phone & I love my music & reliving my younger days when I had 1 when they 1st came out plus if I lose it it’s no real loss ! ) 
the 1 I’ve seen for sale is an ex t-mobile phone & I’ve also seen an unlocked 1 for a few quid more ! so my question is will my ee sim which I’m using in my iPhone now will it work in the t mobile phone when I put the sim In ? As I’ve been told there maybe a slight chance the ee sim will work in a t mobile branded phone ? Otherwise I’ll pay the extra for the unlocked version … many thanks for your help 

[RocketPup1]

Hi there,

T-Mobile UK branded phones unfortunately no longer operate here in the UK. T-Mobile UK uses 2G/3G which is currently being switched off nationwide as part of the 3G switch off. These devices are essentially obsolete and I would not recommend buying one. T-Mobile UK/Orange UK both merged into what is now EE so these networks no longer operate. I would recommend looking for a different device that fits your budget.

Hope this helps!

[Chris_B · Accepted solution]

@Bionic69   The SIM card is a different size so you’ll need to get a replacement sim for that device. EE sims are 3 in 1 sims so you’ll be able to push out the part you need to then put that in your iPhone one your done with this other device. 

  The phone will work in the UK you’ll just only get a 2G signal on it through. As for roaming you’ll be at the mercy of the roaming network on what service they provide for a 2G device. 

[bristolian]

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@RocketPup1 wrote:

T-Mobile UK branded phones unfortunately no longer operate here in the UK. T-Mobile UK uses 2G/3G which is currently being switched off nationwide as part of the 3G switch off.

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T-Mobile's network code was re-used for the new EE, so T-M technically are still operating now for the purposes of unlocking.

2G is not being switched off. The points about older, non-4G phones, being limited to 2G now, are valid.

[Bionic69]

Hi Rocketpup1 thankyou for replying & your advice but It’s only a cheapie phone I’m looking at but I’m looking at getting the unlocked 1 now to save getting not too worried if I lose it as id rather lose the w810i than my iPhone & the w810i serves 2 purposes as I can still use it to text & call plus it serves as a mp3 player too downloading my songs on a sd card & popping it in the phone so it’s a double bonus for me 😃

[Bionic69]

@Chris_B  Hi Chris thankyou for your info it’s helped a lot I’ve decided to get the unlocked version now so I know my sim will work ok in it & to save the hassle of getting it unlocked. 

Just 1 question though because I’m taking the sim out my iPhone & it’s the micro sim if I put that in a sim adapter it should work ok shouldn’t it as I’ve got an adapter to make it into a full size sim for the phone I’m getting! 
also I haven’t got to worry about the roaming because I’m staying in the uk 🇬🇧 but thankyou for that info it all helps 👍

[Christopher_G]

Yes, it should work OK with the adapter, @Bionic69 🙂

Chris