Windows 10: RE : Unlocked smartphone

I don't know which section I should post this question...... Sorry.

I need someone to educate me on this subject :
I am in Canada and I am using a Virgin.ca prepaid smartphone. Huawei Ascend. It's old and outdated.
I rarely use a phone, less than $15 a month. That is why I opted for prepaid option.

Browsing through eBay.ca, an unlocked smartphone has caught my attention.
It specifically states that it is compatible with Virgin network service provider, amongst a list of other providers.

Question : Will the said smartphone accept my Virgin prepaid sim card that is already in use ?
If no, please explain why.

Thank you.

:)

 

Why does Nokia ignore US users with updates?

Yes but the majority of Nokia N-series and Smartphones sold in the USA are unlocked.

 

Re: unlocking

Hi Gilly!

If you require information on getting your phone unlocked, please check this sticky:

http://discussions.nokia.co.uk/discussions/board/message?board.id=hardware&message.id=69

Cheers

-

Karim

 

I would just watch two things, what is unlocked and what size sim card does it use.

I dealt with someone that thought unlock meant password removed rather than the true meaning, not locked to a specific vendor network.

As to sim cards size, does it use a micro or an nano. Here is article as it will explain it better. Supposedly there are vids on Youtube about cutting Micro down to Nano. Your old SIM may even be one of the larger ones.

Not sure about prepaid SIM cards and what it would cost to have Virgin re-issue if there is a format change. I would also ask them about phone compatibility. They should be wanting to help you.

A new card is around $15. (Using my Rogers experience.)

 

Thank you for replying.

Sim card size is not an issue. I have handled that. ( Standard, micro and nano etc.)
I know "unlocked" applies to provider, not password.

My main concern is whether my prepaid sim card can be transferred to a new unlocked phone.

Yes, as you said, I should ask Virgin.ca. Or just simply buy a new prepaid Virgin sim card and activate it on a new phone.

Thank you.

 

Yes it can. As long as it fits the SIM slot, it will work.

 

Really ?
You are the 1st one that says "yes".

Thank you.

 

I've found that not all " unlocked" phones sold on places like Ebay or Amazon will actually come with the unlocker software installed. Some sellers will include a unlocker code written on a piece of paper. It's simple to installed a different provider sim card and then enter the code to unlock the phone. There are plenty of YouTube Vids on doing that. The Make and Model of the phone would help in determining if that'd be what's needed.

 

Yes. Thank you.
This one I have in mind is "factory unlocked".

 

Factory unlocked is a term used to describe phones that come from the factory as originally intended (in a SIM unlocked state). This means they have no 'Network Lock'. This is the same term as 'SIM Free'. Both mean the phone will accept ANY SIM from ANY provider. It does not matter that it's a used pre-pay (or PAYG here in the UK).

In short, it will work with your current SIM. I should point out that you may need to get an updated SIM from your provider if you want stuff like 4G connection etc, as your current one may not be capable of this.

 

I did a quick check on the Specs and Reviews and for just Talk and Text it looks like it'll serve the purpose. Main complaint I noticed was about Battery Life. I don't know about Your Provider and it might be a good idea for you to check their TOS. Here in the US with ATT it's a simple matter of just putting your SIM card in a new phone and it'll work. I actually know someone who carries 3 phones with him with the 3 different size SIM cards. Instead of investing in a new battery or charge pack, he bought a SIM adapter kit *chuckle

With TMobile it's different and You have to call in and register the new phone yourself (Free) or goto a TMobile Store and pay something like $4.00 ? So that's Not a big deal either.

Just check that the Seller you're buying from has a Good reputation and You shouldn't have any problems *Smile

 

Thank you for the info.

 

OK. Thank you very much.

 

That a 4 g phone so for best results you need a 4g simple which virgin give for free it also takes two sims