Does The Z1 Use Conventional Sim Cards?

[Shave]

Hey fellas, been a while since I posted on this site.

So I'm going to get an Xperia Z1 COMPACT and I know this is the wrong forum but I figured it'd be the same. Right now I have a Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, which is something like 4/5 years old now and I'm going to upgrade. However I'm on GiffGaff and want to stay on GiffGaff for the time being. So my question is the title, does the Z1/Z1 Compact use the bigger, conventional Sim cards or do they use the smaller or built in one.

Please don't say I'm doomed to go with 02, EE or another major network to get this phone because GiffGaff have been really good to me.

 

[Rukbat]

It uses a microSIM (there's no "built-in" SIM card). If you have a larger card you can get SIM cutters on eBay for a few bucks. (If you really know what you're doing you can cut one down with an Xacto knife.)

 

[Slug]

I'm on GiffGaff and want to stay on GiffGaff for the time being.

You should be able to request a replacement SIM from the network; people change phones all the time so it's not an unusual request. It may take a few days to arrive though.

If your SIM is more than a year old I don't advise trimming it down. Far better to get a new microSIM that is fully compliant with the latest network upgrades.

 

[Shave]

Thanks fellas. Hopefully GiffGaff do actually do MicroSims. I've never seen any mentioned on their site but to be fair it's not often I go on.

 

[Slug]

Hopefully GiffGaff do actually do MicroSims

They are like most other networks these days and provide Combi SIMs (dual standard/micro).

Btw, I found this on the GiffGaff website. The link takes you direct to instructions on how to do the swap.

If you changed your handset and found yourself with a SIM card of the wrong size, the best solution will be to use SIM Swap.

 

[Shave]

They are like most other networks these days and provide Combi SIMs (dual standard/micro).

Btw, I found this on the GiffGaff website. The link takes you direct to instructions on how to do the swap.

Thanks man

So with the Z1 and Compact, is there just a slot on the side where you put the Sim Card since, as I understand, the phone has a solid design and can't be taken apart very easily?

Also, is there much point in choosing the Z1 over the Compact if you're not interested in screen resolution and size?

Reason I ask is because I have an Xperia Play and don't think I'd get used to huge phones.

 

[Slug]

with the Z1 and Compact, is there just a slot on the side where you put the Sim Card

Yes, when you open the port cover there's an extremely thin plastic tray which can be hooked out with a fingernail. It's almost ridiculously flimsy and light so be careful not to drop and lose it; I've had a customer even throw it away thinking it was simply a packing spacer!

is there much point in choosing the Z1 over the Compact if you're not interested in screen resolution and size?

Imho none. All the Compact loses is 5"/1080p vs 4.3"/720p. In every other respect they're equal.

 

[Shave]

Yes, when you open the port cover there's an extremely thin plastic tray which can be hooked out with a fingernail. It's almost ridiculously flimsy and light so be careful not to drop and lose it; I've had a customer even throw it away thinking it was simply a packing spacer!



Imho none. All the Compact loses is 5"/1080p vs 4.3"/720p. In every other respect they're equal.

So if you favoured a smaller phone, you wouldn't actually be losing out on anything other than a couple inches?

I won't be using it to watch videos and such to be honest, I have a tablet for that.

Also looking into GiffGaff, turns out they're rolling out 4G real soon. Looks like I'll be getting a Z1 Compact from either Sony themselves or Very.co.uk, both

 

[Slug]

So if you favoured a smaller phone, you wouldn't actually be losing out on anything other than a couple inches?

You lose 0.7" (across the diagonal) of screen real estate, nothing else. Tbh, even as a happy Z owner, if I was looking for a new handset now I'd be hard-pushed to decide between the Z1 and the Compact - the latter just "feels" so good.

Also looking into GiffGaff, turns out they're rolling out 4G real soon.

As an O2 MVNO they really have to, or else risk losing customers to the 'parent' network.

 

[Shave]

Ah yeah that's a fair point.


Hey what does it mean when a phone is 'Sim Free'?

 

[Slug]

what does it mean when a phone is 'Sim Free'?

It means that it's off-contract i.e. full retail price, no network lock. You buy the 'phone and then you're free to add whichever SIM you want.

 

[Shave]

That's awesome. Pretty sure I'm gonna get it either from Tesco for

 

[Slug]

Pretty sure I'm gonna get it either from Tesco [...]

Make 100% sure that it is truly "SIM-free"; Tesco Mobile are an O2 MVNO, and their handsets are locked.

 

[Shave]

Well as you know GiffGaff is a child network of 02, and GiffGaff is the network I want it on.

Thanks for all the help man You should be a Moderator. Oh wait...

 

[Slug]

GiffGaff is the network I want it on

Just watch they don't lock it to Tesco; I've seen a few of their handsets that wouldn't accept an O2 SIM. I hate network locks.

Btw, CPW's price is

 

[Shave]

Carphone Warehouse? I couldn't find one to actually buy on their site, only contract ones.

 

[Slug]

I couldn't find one to actually buy

SIM-free handsets are listed separately - try this link. You can check stock at local stores from there to.

 

[Shave]

Thanks. I just got an email off Tesco to say they have it back in stock for

 

[Slug]

Is the most important thing for getting it from Tesco to make sure it's Sim Free or on 02?

I'd say SIM-free i.e. open to all networks, as that gives you freedom to move network in future plus it guarantees that a Giffgaff SIM will work in it.

If you're buying online you have a statutory 14-day return period, remember.

 

[Shave]

I'd say SIM-free i.e. open to all networks, as that gives you freedom to move network in future plus it guarantees that a Giffgaff SIM will work in it.

If you're buying online you have a statutory 14-day return period, remember.

Well, perhaps unfortunately, I'm not buying it online, I'm going to the shop tomorrow to get it. Providing they have it of course. If they don't, I'll be buying it online.

http://www.tesco.com/direct/sim-fre...kuId=754-4483&setAlert=true&_requestid=557821

Ok, Markup isn't the same here as it is on the other forum site I regular >.<

 

[Slug]

That states clearly in Product specification/Network & Communication/Network that it's "SIM-free", so there shouldn't be any problem.