S/H iPhones?

I should think the vast majority of second-hand iPhones out there will be locked to O2, as the Orange/Vodafone versions haven't been out there long
There's nothing illegal about buying a Simfree phone (as long as it's not stolen), but I'd be inclined to try my SIM in there first to see if it works, and also check the software version.
I only have the 3G version (O2), and the latest software code appears to be 3.1.2 (7D11)
Buyer beware I suppose.

Of course, you could buy an HDX to justify the purchase

Coincidentally, (well, sort of) SWMBO wants an iPhone but her current network, T-Mobile, don't offer it. Having decided to move to 02 she 'phoned up T-Moblie to cancel her current contract & obtain the code so she can keep her present number.

Lo and behold, T-Mobile offered her an "Unlocked" new iPhone, with a better deal than she could get through O2. She was told they only offer this service to existing customers who want to cancel. This seems a bit suspect to me, or am I being overcautious?

The other thing I found a bit disturbing is they only offer 28 days warranty; apparently it's something to do with people messing their 'phones up with duff 'Apps". Again, is this normal?

Sorry to hi-jack your thread Howard.

I think I read somewhere on this forum last week that someone bought a second hand iphone that worked a for a couple of weeks but was then shortly thereafter blocked. So they had to go and buy properly. As you say pay cheap, buy twice.

"Unlocked" iPhones will normally be unlocked to a version of firmware. As soon as you install a firmware update from Apple it breaks the unlocking and it reverts back to the original carrier.

I have an older 2G iPhone which I had on an O2 contract. I have "jailbroken" it to accept any SIM card which is useful for travelling as you can put a prepaid SIM in it and works as normal with no issues apart from running an older version of firmware.

I have a newer 3GS which is still on an O2 contract.

If you're prepared to sign up for a two-year contract, the iPhone comes 'free'. I pay £35 per month for mine, but pay nothing extra on top.

quote:

Originally posted by tonym:

The other thing I found a bit disturbing is they only offer 28 days warranty; apparently it's something to do with people messing their 'phones up with duff 'Apps". Again, is this normal?

That's a bit weird - I thought the whole point of apps having to be approved by Apple first got around the problem of crap programming

I've done the whole cracked/jail breaking thing in the past for any sim use - works fine, although as others here have pointed out, you are limited to the current firmware version at the time - so be careful not to upgrade the software version through iTunes.....There's plenty of info out there and if you are computer aware enough it's fairly simple to keep doing as and when new software/firmware is released by Apple (I'm sure there are also plenty of mobile phone market traders offering the know how too!)...

These days, I prefer to source the genuine, official, unlocked iPhones - Purchase in HK, Thailand, France etc and the phones (have to be due to local law) are unlocked....Tend to be cheaper than the full priced PAYG versions in the UK as well !

As for T-Mobile offering the iPhone under the counter as such, that's fascinating...! If it's coming officially from T-mobile Tony, I can't see there being any potential problem...?

Steve.

No worries re: "hijack" Tony , this is all good info.

I 'googled' best iphone contract this came up:-
Martins saver tips.


Is there any performance difference between 8/16/32 Gb model iPhones?
What about model version 3G 3GS ?

As munch, I wouldn't buy a second hand phone either ,you could end up with pics of Ashley Cole!

quote:

Originally posted by BigH47:
I 'googled' best iphone contract this came up:-
Martins saver tips.


Is there any performance difference between 8/16/32 Gb model iPhones?
What about model version 3G 3GS ?

You want iphone 3gs - it is better than 3g. More processing power which you will want. As for 16/32 - if you want to use the ipod i would go as big as you can afford.

There never seems to be much talk about the cost of insurance. When I looked at iPhones at the start of the year, the insurance through O2 was really expensive.

What have others done?

Gavin

quote:

Originally posted by Lontano:
I think I read somewhere on this forum last week that someone bought a second hand iphone that worked a for a couple of weeks but was then shortly thereafter blocked. So they had to go and buy properly. As you say pay cheap, buy twice.

It may be my post you are referring to, Lontano.

I actually bought a brand new one (Ebay), it registered first time once connected to Apple, worked beautifully with my old Orange SIM card for about 2 weeks, then Orange blocked it as the phone had a black listed IMEI number.

Paypal were brilliant though - I got all my money back. Lesson learned, it was pretty naive of me to buy an iPhone on Ebay.

So I personally wouldn't go near a second hand iPhone after my experience but having said that, if you do find one and can try before you buy there shouldn't be a problem in theory.

Kind regards, Ian

quote:

Originally posted by Gavin B:
There never seems to be much talk about the cost of insurance. When I looked at iPhones at the start of the year, the insurance through O2 was really expensive.

What have others done?

Gavin

Add up the extortionate insurance on these things; phone, laptop, ipod and such.
Then work out the likelyhood of actually losing/damaging all items?

It makes no sense to insure them at all as the various premiums will certainly total more than any repair or replacement that you will likely need.

quote:

Originally posted by Gavin B:
There never seems to be much talk about the cost of insurance. When I looked at iPhones at the start of the year, the insurance through O2 was really expensive.

What have others done?

Gavin

I have been through a few iPhones now without insurance. My wife left hers in the cinema replacement cost £350.

I smashed the glass on mine and apple will repair or replace for £139. My next one got sticky sweets courtesy of my son all over the speaker and had to be replaced for £139.

Next time something happens I will be claiming against my Lloyds bank account now that I have registered the current handsets.

Hi Adrian.
That is appallingly bad luck!
Well except leaving it in the cinema of course.

Have to say I've not yet managed to damage a phone I've owned this last ten years or so.

However, my nephew is now on his third i-phone in less than a year and that is worth the insurance I suppose.

But he is a teenager and therefore should be shot anyway.

Are mobiles covered for accidental damage on the home insurance?

Well I thought this would be about some in ear phones to use with an iPod!

I wondered why anyone would want to share someone else's ear wax! How do you get hearing AIDS? Unprotected aural sex!

ATB from George.

PS: I only insure my car - and third party, fire, and theft!

I make a loss on that! I do no other insurance and make a notional profit over what the premia would be!

quote:

Originally posted by mongo:

However, my nephew is now on his third i-phone in less than a year and that is worth the insurance I suppose.

Yeah, but that is why I won't be buying any phone insurance. Why would I want to pay your nephew and his mates to lose/destroy their phones?

quote:

Originally posted by winkyincanada:

quote:

Originally posted by mongo:

However, my nephew is now on his third i-phone in less than a year and that is worth the insurance I suppose.

Yeah, but that is why I won't be buying any phone insurance. Why would I want to pay your nephew and his mates to lose/destroy their phones?

Agreed winky baby.

I believe all teenagers should be raised in a barrel until they are twenty

And then shot.