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Cell phones forum: prepaid smartphones and unlocked cell phones

by: girlpower7 October 30, 2010 12:25 PM PDT

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prepaid smartphones and unlocked cell phones

by girlpower7 - 10/30/10 12:25 PM

Hello. I have a question about prepaid smart phones. I am wanting to upgrade my phone. I currently have a Nokia 6010, that was under contract with AT&T, but contract expired. Am now on a month-to-month contract with AT&T.

Could I use my Sims card from my Nokia phone,in a prepaid smartphone and continue to use the AT&T network? Also, I would like to know which unlocked phones could I use my Sims card in?

Thanks in advance for any helpful information.

Darcetha


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hello

by lola4479 - 11/2/10 9:16 AM

In Reply to: prepaid smartphones and unlocked cell phones by girlpower7

Yes you can use your sim card to other unlock phone and there are a lot of smartphone out there i guess you just have to check one. Here you can visit intouchsmartcards so you can check which one you like.


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prepaid smartphones and unlocked cell phones by girlpower 7

by girlpower7 - 11/2/10 11:14 AM

In Reply to: hello by lola4479

Thanks lola4479 for the information. Really appreciate it. Have a good day!


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Know what you're getting into

by fondy - 11/4/10 4:51 PM

In Reply to: prepaid smartphones and unlocked cell phones by girlpower7

All modern cell phones have a code that tells the carrier what make and model it is. You should be able to use the old SIM in a new smartphone but if it's a phone for which AT&T normally requires a data plan, they will eventually add that charge onto your monthly bill as soon as they detect the change. I'm not sure how AT&T handles this type of situation when it comes to prepaid service, or if they even offer prepaid service for smartphones. Just know that using an old SIM won't allow you to fool them into letting you slide with regard to any mandatory smartphone data plan.

Regarding which phones to look for, stay away from phones designed for CDMA networks like Verizon and Sprint - they're not compatible. Also, AT&T's 3G data network operates on a different radio frequency band from T-mobile.

Be very cautious and make sure the phone you're interested in is indeed unlocked before you buy it. Just because it's being sold at full retail price doesn't guarantee that the phone is unlocked (the iPhone is a great example).


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Know what you're getting into post from fondy

by girlpower7 - 11/5/10 9:41 AM

In Reply to: Know what you're getting into by fondy

Thank you fondy for telling me this! I have done some research on unlocked phones and there is alot of information to know. I can guarantee you, no matter how much we consumers try to get around dealing with the mega-corporate phone companies, they will still find a way to stick to us price-wise! You can't win for losing.

Take care.


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Using sim cards in unlocked cellphones

by musicman195959 - 11/5/10 9:43 PM

In Reply to: prepaid smartphones and unlocked cell phones by girlpower7

I have a prepaid plan with Tmobile and i have used my sim card in unlocked cellphones with no problem. You may want to google Tmobile and check out their prepaid plans. They have a gold member feature where when you buy $100 worth of refill cards,your unused minutes last you a whole year. I love this feature. Good luck.


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Question to Musicman

by Chigal48 - 11/6/10 5:23 AM

In Reply to: Using sim cards in unlocked cellphones by musicman195959

I have a T-mobile prepaid plan and recently bought the Samsung T139....I hate this phone. No camera, no client email....a lot of features missing. Can I swap the Sim card from the Samsung into another phone by another provider, let's say Virgin? The reason is that I find the cost of buying a phone from the prepaids is cheaper (usually less than $29) than buying the phone outright.

Are prepaid phones unlocked? How would I get an unlocked phone and swap Sims?


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Using sim cards in unlocked cellphones

by musicman195959 - 11/6/10 7:58 AM

In Reply to: Question to Musicman by Chigal48

Try these two sites,Amazon.com and Cell2Get. They have a great selction of affordable phones. I have just ordered a unlocked Nokia 3220 for $54 and i also bought a case for it for $0.74. Sometimes you have to spend a little more to get a good phone. Please let me know how things turn out. Good luck.


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prepaid

by birdmantd Moderator - 11/6/10 8:33 AM

In Reply to: Question to Musicman by Chigal48

By default, prepaid phones in the US are locked. Unlocking is not very difficult.


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Using sim cards in unlocked cellphones

by musicman195959 - 11/6/10 8:42 AM

In Reply to: prepaid by birdmantd Moderator

You can also try CellPhone Shop. They are really cool too. I simply google "where to buy a unlocked phone". Take care.


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musicman 195959 response to girlpower 7

by girlpower7 - 11/6/10 10:03 AM

In Reply to: Using sim cards in unlocked cellphones by musicman195959

Thank you for this valuable information. I will check it out. I have to say, everyone on this site has been very responsive, courteous and helpful. Have a good day and take care.


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