New phone (sim only vs PAYG

bs2014

Looking at the A51 and somehow thinking bill pay might now actually be more affordable (3 years ago when bought current phone it was opposite); my phone now has software glitch so was told by a repairer I need a new phone.

Bill pay
Phone is free +€60 per month
Over 2 years that costs €1440

Sim Only
€379 unlocked sim
Currently on the €30 per month
Over 2 years that costs €1099
https://www.carphonewarehouse.ie/shop/phones-plans/all-phones/galaxy-a51

PAYG
https://www.carphonewarehouse.ie/shop/phones-plans/all-phones/galaxy-a51/5503/2
Vodafone €299
Three €310

Could I not just go PAYG and stick my sim in the phone and not top up? Or am I missing something. Dont get why PAYG and SIM only are different prices.

Dempo1

bs2014 wrote: »

Looking at the A51 and somehow thinking bill pay might now actually be more affordable (3 years ago when bought current phone it was opposite); my phone now has software glitch so was told by a repairer I need a new phone.

Bill pay
Phone is free +€60 per month
Over 2 years that costs €1440

Sim Only
€379 unlocked sim
Currently on the €30 per month
Over 2 years that costs €1099
https://www.carphonewarehouse.ie/shop/phones-plans/all-phones/galaxy-a51

PAYG
https://www.carphonewarehouse.ie/shop/phones-plans/all-phones/galaxy-a51/5503/2
Vodafone €299
Three €310

Could I not just go PAYG and stick my sim in the phone and not top up? Or am I missing something. Dont get why PAYG and SIM only are different prices.

Very much depends on what you want, calls, texts, Data. First and foremost make sure the phone is sim free, not tied to any network.

PAYG is horrendously expensive and most networks now require a 28 day top up, indeed some deactivating numbers if not topped up for 6 months.

Network coverage also a key consideration, if your urban you'll be fine but rural you really need to check coverage, forget about coverage maps, actual testing sims the key.

Various networks offering great value sim only deals. I'm currently paying €9.99 per month on gomo for everything, that deal now €12.99 which is still good.

48 I believe have a €7.99 offer, 3 is €30 but I think a discount for a period of time.

Good luck, just make sure coverage good a d phone definitely sim free.

bs2014

Dempo1 wrote: »

Very much depends on what you want, calls, texts, Data. First and foremost make sure the phone is sim free, not tied to any network.

PAYG is horrendously expensive and most networks now require a 28 day top up, indeed some deactivating numbers if not topped up for 6 months.

Network coverage also a key consideration, if your urban you'll be fine but rural you really need to check coverage, forget about coverage maps, actual testing sims the key.

Various networks offering great value sim only deals. I'm currently paying €9.99 per month on gomo for everything, that deal now €12.99 which is still good.

48 I believe have a €7.99 offer, 3 is €30 but I think a discount for a period of time.

Good luck, just make sure coverage good a d phone definitely sim free.

I suppose my point is, could I not just pay the PAYG cheaper price for the phone, stick my sim in and use my current contract. TBH I like many have been follishy paying three which is €30 + VAT. I see virgin are offering the same for €5 for 6 months and then €25 a month. I'll prob switch once I get the new phone set up and put that headache to bed.

Dempo1

bs2014 wrote: »

I suppose my point is, could I not just pay the PAYG cheaper price for the phone, stick my sim in and use my current contract. TBH I like many have been follishy paying three which is €30 + VAT. I see virgin are offering the same for €5 for 6 months and then €25 a month. I'll prob switch once I get the new phone set up and put that headache to bed.

You could, check however if CPH price on sim free phones is the same as 3 pay prices. If you buy the 3 PAYG phone it's likely locked to that network and they'll require €130 in phone credit purchased before they'll unlock it

Quackster

Dempo1 wrote: »

You could, check however if CPH price on sim free phones is the same as 3 pay prices. If you buy the 3 PAYG phone it's likely locked to that network and they'll require €130 in phone credit purchased before they'll unlock it

Based on recent experience, it's pretty likely that the A51 is dual SIM and unlocked. Even if it's locked, all you need is to have a SIM of the network that it's locked to in slot 1 and then a SIM from any network works in slot 2. (This is how it is with the A40 I bought from Three.)

POBox19

Go for a SIM only contract with GoMo for €12.99/mo, all calls and texts + 120gb data. Keep your own number.
I'm on their deal of €9.99/mo and another at €12.99 just for data and have only good things to say about them.
Take a look at phonesonline.ie for the Galaxy A51 for €320.00, looks like a good phone.
That will work out for you at about €630 over two years.
I just did all this for a friend recently and it all went well.

DopeTech

Plenty sellers on adverts selling bnib for around €250 for the A51. Just go with one with plenty of positive feedback and you will get a bargain.

POBox19

DopeTech wrote: »

I thought phonesonline.ie had a bad rep years ago no? Didn't they get banned from boards. I remember if you used to type the website url in boards would ** it out or was is ************ that was banned.

I really don't know about that. I see them mentioned in the archive here over 16 years ago, so they're doing something right. I have no connection with them at all, apart from placing an order there. They delivered the phone ok and it's fine.

Davy

Sim free A51 delivered by Tuesday €282. Its sold directly by Amazon. EU warranty just needs a 2 pin adapter for the charger.

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/gp/product/B08CVJ59G3

bs2014

Thanks folks. Ordered today off the three website. Delivery tomorrow. €310 which is good cuz its 128gb version whereas the lots are selling the a51 64gb for same price or more.

My three contract is the €30+vat one. When I said I was thinking of switching to virgin, the dropped the price to €15 per month for 12 months (anyone on sim only I'd ring up and call their bluff); I was one of those letting the DD roll out each month unquestioned.

Three get you to order a PAYG phone but told me its unlocked anyways (I wont be switching network now anyways)

Now comes the real crack tomorrow night setting the new phone up myself and copying all my stuff over. I'm under 30 but old fashioned at heart lol

Esel

bs2014 wrote: »

Now comes the real crack tomorrow night setting the new phone up myself and copying all my stuff over. I'm under 30 but old fashioned at heart lol

Use the Huawei PhoneClone app.

That should transfer the vast majority of your stuff to the new phone, then you might have to reinstall a few apps that somehow didn't transfer.

DopeTech

POBox19 wrote: »

I really don't know about that. I see them mentioned in the archive here over 16 years ago, so they're doing something right. I have no connection with them at all, apart from placing an order there. They delivered the phone ok and it's fine.

Yeah I deleted the comment after as I realised it was gsm solutions I was thinking of.