Buying sim free / unbranded UK : possible?

riverboat · #1 07-10-2009, 03:48 PM

In the past i have de-branded my previous N73 and numerous N95's.

But the N97 is a very expensive phone, and i'm wary of doing it myself.

So the question is, can i actually buy an unbranded/simfree N97 in the Uk?

And any suggestions of where to look for a good price.

I'm on 3Uk network with a really good sim only tarriff, and they want me to sign up for a 18month contract and charge me £197 for the phone, and of course it will come with the 3 software on it.

BanziBarn · #2 07-10-2009, 04:20 PM

I got mine from Expansys for 500 but I think they are 450 now.

Don't expect to get firmwares before everyone else though!

riverboat · #3 07-10-2009, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanziBarn

I got mine from Expansys for 500 but I think they are 450 now.

Don't expect to get firmwares before everyone else though!

oh, so even buying it from there doesn't give you a decent product code...seen them on Amazon a bit cheaper

BanziBarn · #4 07-10-2009, 06:59 PM

Indeed. I'd assume though that any sim free phone form a UK seller will have my product code.

ironass · #5 07-10-2009, 08:12 PM

£429.95p here:-

http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/nokia-n97-p19838.htm

Devaluing at roughly £5.38p a week (or 76p a day).

londoner888 · #6 07-10-2009, 08:23 PM

Yes you can buy unbranded, simfree N97s in the UK... I bought mine from the Nokia Store in Regent Street a week after it was released at full whack (£500). Think Nokia online store is still selling at £499.

Cheapest online retailer is Expansys who are selling the black one for £419

If I was you though, I'd go for the N97 mini, most likely will have the latest firmware (v20) and less buggy than n97, plus looks more classy with the metallic case imo.
http://www.nokia.co.uk/find-products...okia-n97-mini#

Seft · #7 08-10-2009, 01:01 AM

You're probably better off buying a phone in Europe. EURO1 product code phones are getting new firmwares several weeks before the UK and Nokia's warranty covers you anywhere in the EU. The downside is that you wouldn't be covered by the Sale of Goods Act.

UK Nokia Online store is selling N97s for £449, but with 10% Quidco, so it comes to £408 delivered after cashback

riverboat · #8 09-10-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by londoner888

Yes you can buy unbranded, simfree N97s in the UK... I bought mine from the Nokia Store in Regent Street a week after it was released at full whack (£500). Think Nokia online store is still selling at £499.

Cheapest online retailer is Expansys who are selling the black one for £419

If I was you though, I'd go for the N97 mini, most likely will have the latest firmware (v20) and less buggy than n97, plus looks more classy with the metallic case imo.
http://www.nokia.co.uk/find-products...okia-n97-mini#

Yeah, i love the look of the mini, but doesn't it only have a 3.2mp camera?

Also i would be getting it through Three, and they probably won't get it for ages after it's released.

lovesign · #9 09-10-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riverboat

Yeah, i love the look of the mini, but doesn't it only have a 3.2mp camera?

Nope, the N97 Mini has a 5MP camera, just like it's big brother. Main differences are 8GB Mass Storage instead of 32GB, slightly different keyboard layout, no lens cover, smaller and lower capacity battery (still 1200mAh) and a slightly smaller screen. Apart from that it's got everything the N97 has got

riverboat · #10 09-10-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovesign

Nope, the N97 Mini has a 5MP camera, just like it's big brother. Main differences are 8GB Mass Storage instead of 32GB, slightly different keyboard layout, no lens cover, smaller and lower capacity battery (still 1200mAh) and a slightly smaller screen. Apart from that it's got everything the N97 has got

Yeah, but the N97 might actually be fixed by the time the Mini comes out.

The mini also loses the joystick thingy, but that is of concern to me.

Does the mini have a smaller screen though. And what is it going to retail at.

Might be the ideal time to buy the N97!

lovesign · #11 09-10-2009, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riverboat

Yeah, but the N97 might actually be fixed by the time the Mini comes out.

The mini also loses the joystick thingy, but that is of concern to me.

Does the mini have a smaller screen though. And what is it going to retail at.

Might be the ideal time to buy the N97!

Well, yes, if the joypad is a must have, then you will not get that on the Mini. The screen is physically smaller, but only by a small amount. It has the same resolution though.

Nokia are listing it at £429

Buying an N97 now will mean you not have any problems with the lens or GPS that the very early models had and with v20 firmware allegedly due this weekend (Sunday in Europe) you will have the same firmware that the Mini will have, plus the added bonus of a 32GB internal storage too

riverboat · #12 09-10-2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovesign

Well, yes, if the joypad is a must have, then you will not get that on the Mini. The screen is physically smaller, but only by a small amount. It has the same resolution though.

Nokia are listing it at £429

Buying an N97 now will mean you not have any problems with the lens or GPS that the very early models had and with v20 firmware allegedly due this weekend (Sunday in Europe) you will have the same firmware that the Mini will have, plus the added bonus of a 32GB internal storage too

My contract is due for renewall on 24th Oct, so perhaps might be perfect to wait for the Mini to be introduced. Do you think the N97 will get a price drop.