Mobile Phone Dead as a Dodo

[LadyFelsham]

My Nokia has died. The battery won't take the charge and it is now a dodo.

I need a new one but I'm a dolt when it comes to this. If this happened in normal days, I would take it along to the EE shop, buy a new one and they would swap everything over for me.

But I can't do that now.

If I ring EE in the morning, I can buy a new phone but how will I keep my own number. Would they be able to put my old number on my new phone before they sent it out to me.

I can't get the back of my phone, so I can't just slip the new SIM card into the old phone even if that were possible.

So, if I buy a new phone by calling them tomorrow do you think they will be able to let me retain my old number?

I hope all this makes sense because I don't really know what I'm talking about!

You need a new phone but you don’t need a new contract and SIM card. So you need to buy a phone without a contract. (There may even be some free phones available if you are due an upgrade - ask EE) You will then need to take the sim out of your nokia and put it in your new phone. Your number will stay the same, as it goes with your SIM not your phone.

You said you can’t get the back off - you will need to do that to get the SIM. Is there anyone who can help with that? If you really can’t get to the sim, you may need to ask EE to send you a new duplicate sim (which again will still have your existing number).

The only time you need to worry about keeping your number is if you switch mobile companies eg EE to Vodafone.

Thank you for replying, Minipie and putting thing so simply. I'm grateful.

I've dealt with EE a lot this week as DS smashed his screen on his expensive phone (luckily we're in the last month of his 2 year contract or we'd be paying for 2 contracts now)

OP, i suggest you have a look at EEs website first, as they don't have a vast selection of makes atm, and check reviews to help you make the right choice.
If you're going to spread the cost on contract, haggle to try to get the upfront cost wavered..
Also have you googled for tips on how to get the back off your phone? I've an older Nokia and managed recently when my screen froze..

Good tips about googling how to get the back off-I just assumed I couldn't because it looks pretty smooth but I'll hit Youtube tonight and have a good look at the EE website before taking the plunge and calling them.

Thank you!

So, just so I'm straight in my head!

I buy the phone, they send it to me. I take the sim card out of my old, dead phone and insert it the new one and then I'm good to go. Is that right?

Yes, our new phone arrived next day (£6.99 delivery cost with DPD)
pop in the SIM and jobs a good 'un..

Have you got a contract with ee?

Sorry I meant to add did you pay for your phone outright or do you pay monthly for it?

Yes gingajewel good point, all my advice was assuming the OP has a pay monthly contract with EE.

No, I don't have a contract-just top it up every month with my ee card.

I don't mind getting a contract though if it means I keep the number!

You should be able to keep your number, I would
-find a sim free phone and buy it outright (you can get them from Argos etc it doesn’t need to be through ee) make sure it is unlocked on every network

• get your sim out of your old phone (you tube how to do this, you should find a video explaining)
• put your sim in the new phone and you will be good to go with the same phone number

The number is 'attached' to the sim, not the phone. Usually you can put your sim in any phone of your choosing and then that phone works with your number straight away (unless its locked to a network that's not your own).

However, there are different sizes of sim and if yours is really old and you buy a new modern phone, you might need a different size sim. There are (were) credit card size, smaller, mini/micro (can't remember) and nano.

If it turns out your old sim doesn't fit in your old phone, EE can send you a new sim. Or you could take the opportunity to get a better deal and ask for a PAC to transfer your number.

How much do you pay and what does it get you? Topping up manually sounds like a hassle and possibly poor value for money. Most people these days (if they don't want a contract) set up a monthly renewal with someone like GiffGaff where you pay £5-10 pm by debit card automatically for an appropriate amount of data and as many minutes and texts as you want.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/mobiles/cheap-sim-only-contracts/

Thank you: I feel as if I can now approach them with a bit of confidence instead of not having the words to explain what I want.

Before this advice, it looked as if I was going to have to settle for two cans and a loudspeaker.

Good tip too about money saving:much appreciated.

Thank you!