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help american in uk
- Thread starter blocko23
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Your iPhone should work in both countries. In the US, aren't they tied to a contract with AT&T ( I love AT&T
)
All iPhones bought from an official source (AT&T store or Apple) are locked to AT&T's network and require you to sign a two year service contract with AT&T.
Get it unlocked so it will work with the UK SIM cards.
US iPhones are locked to AT&T and are only cheap because you have to sign up for a 2 year contract.
Nope, you'll just need to purchase the sim card and get it unlocked and I'm pretty sure that O2 (or whoever you buy from) will be happy to put it in and make sure everythings working before you leave.
It will work if you have it unlocked which with an AT&T handset would mean Jailbreaking. Like you say they are cheaper here on the whole (well the monthly fee's anyway) but you'd be tied into another contract, minimum 18 months unless you go the prepaid option (much higher initial cost) or I believe tesco does have a 12 month contract (again higher initial cost).
Also, bear in mind, unless you have previously established credit in the UK you may find an operator will ask you to put a deposit down in order to open an account and provide you with a subsidised iPhone.
Also, bear in mind, unless you have previously established credit in the UK you may find an operator will ask you to put a deposit down in order to open an account and provide you with a subsidised iPhone.
Oh I think I misread your post you said they're cheaper in the US lol....
Are you moving to the UK or just visiting?
Edit: Oops I just read the answer to my own question... I shouldn't post at 2am haha
If you're actually buying an iPhone I would think you'd be better to buy it here, I don't personally think they're much more here, and if you buy it in the US you're tying yourself into a new contract, by the time you've paid the ETF it'll have cost you more than the handset over here, and like I said the monthly fee's are way less here, plus you can have it unlocked so when you go back home your iPhone will work with any sim card in the world
Are you moving to the UK or just visiting?
Edit: Oops I just read the answer to my own question... I shouldn't post at 2am haha
If you're actually buying an iPhone I would think you'd be better to buy it here, I don't personally think they're much more here, and if you buy it in the US you're tying yourself into a new contract, by the time you've paid the ETF it'll have cost you more than the handset over here, and like I said the monthly fee's are way less here, plus you can have it unlocked so when you go back home your iPhone will work with any sim card in the world
If your phone is unlocked (officially or through a jailbreak) then technically it will work in the UK with a UK operator's SIM card. I know O2 unlock iPhones for free through iTunes so I dont know if AT&T do the same or whether you would have to jailbreak to unlock it.
I am not sure of the best option as to a UK SIM to put in the phone. There are plenty of different SIM only pay&go deals with the major phone operators so I would do a little research to see if there are any that offer some sort of data usage so that you dont run up large charges with your phone.
Alternatively, if you are going to be in the UK for a long period of time there are contracts that you can sign with the different carriers that will offer good data usage - and I'm sure there will be contracts which are SIM only and dont require you to purchase a handset when you start them.
O2, Orange and Vodafone all offer the iPhone in the UK so you could research what they offer. It may also be worth looking at 3 as they do not offer the iPhone but do offer other smartphones and therefore may have high data contracts worth considering.
I am not sure of the best option as to a UK SIM to put in the phone. There are plenty of different SIM only pay&go deals with the major phone operators so I would do a little research to see if there are any that offer some sort of data usage so that you dont run up large charges with your phone.
Alternatively, if you are going to be in the UK for a long period of time there are contracts that you can sign with the different carriers that will offer good data usage - and I'm sure there will be contracts which are SIM only and dont require you to purchase a handset when you start them.
O2, Orange and Vodafone all offer the iPhone in the UK so you could research what they offer. It may also be worth looking at 3 as they do not offer the iPhone but do offer other smartphones and therefore may have high data contracts worth considering.
IMHO you would be better to get a phone from O2 when you get here, either subsidised on a contract or unsubsidised on PAYG, depending how long you're staying, finances, etc.
The key reason is that O2 will unlock your phone for you officially, so if/when you return home you will be able to take it with you and use it on your home network, plus use it on your travels in Europe without running up huge roaming fees.
The key reason is that O2 will unlock your phone for you officially, so if/when you return home you will be able to take it with you and use it on your home network, plus use it on your travels in Europe without running up huge roaming fees.