unlocked N85 can i use a 3 sim card?

rees101 · 17-02-2009, 7:43 PM

evening all,

i have been searching a while now with no luck, i have been directed here via a google search.

im wanting to purchase a new nokia n85 unlocked and use it with my 3 contract sim, however i'm not sure of the compatibilty with the sim?

i rang 3 customer services which only gave me a headache, they really do not have a clue, twice i phoned and twice they hung up!!!

my contract has unlimited browsing (capped at 1gb) and the phone i currently use is the INQ1, it's really not all that good for surfing.

if this nokia isnt compatible can you reccomend any other good handsets?
i see 3 have the n95, i could possibly buy that on pay as you go,i think the n85 looks much nicer though.

cheers all,

Rees.

360forever · 18-02-2009, 12:39 PM

as long as the phone is an original nokia and it is unlocked you will be able to use a 3 sim card in it

Thank You

GazRallye · 19-02-2009, 1:42 AM

rather than start a new thread I have a question.

Can three network sim cards be used in any unlocked phone? A friend of mine bought a Sony Ericsson ( i'm unsure of model) and a guy in an independent shop said it can't be unlocked to work on 3, is that just certain phones or what?

360forever · 21-02-2009, 1:07 PM

If the phone is unlocked and has 3g you can use a 3 sim card. Not all phones have 3g capabilites. This is mainly older phones for example samsung d500.

Most new phones for example sony ericcson k800, nokia N95, n85 have 3g capabilites so you can use a 3 sim card.

Any questions just send me a message

Thank You

rees101 · 21-02-2009, 4:34 PM

well just been into three different 3 stores today and was told this;

store 1- the n85 is not available on three so will not work even if unlocked.

store 2- yes the n85 will work fine however the internet may be slighlty different as it wont have 3's portal?

store 3- didnt have the faintest what i was on about

.

anyway after reading some replys here seems i will get one and test the waters.

if thats a no go then the n96 seems good to go, allthough a little bulky.

prking · 21-02-2009, 7:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rees101

well just been into three different 3 stores today and was told this;

store 1- the n85 is not available on three so will not work even if unlocked.

store 2- yes the n85 will work fine however the internet may be slighlty different as it wont have 3's portal?

store 3- didnt have the faintest what i was on about

.

anyway after reading some replys here seems i will get one and test the waters.

if thats a no go then the n96 seems good to go, allthough a little bulky.

Store two is correct, it will work for calls and texts, but internet and some downloads will not be 100% due to missing security certificates (signed by Three). You will also probably find that MMS gives small generic pictures as Three's message centre will not recognise the phones user agent.

rees101 · 21-02-2009, 8:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prking

Store two is correct, it will work for calls and texts, but internet and some downloads will not be 100% due to missing security certificates (signed by Three). You will also probably find that MMS gives small generic pictures as Three's message centre will not recognise the phones user agent.

Brilliant reply, thanks.

is there anyway around this? will i notice it? i generally use my phone for msn and emails and general browsing of sites.

cheers.

Sy1441 · 21-02-2009, 9:47 PM

To be fair, its not the networks fault they dont have information on unsupported devices.

360forever · 22-02-2009, 1:28 PM

Just because a phone is not for sale by the 3 network doesnt mean it wont work if the phone is unlocked.

As long as the phone has 3g capabilities and is unlocked you can use a 3 sim card.

The people who work in phones shop dont know anything inregards to phones, they just sell them and get a commission.

I am an mobile phone engineer so i know what i am on about

Arthur Hucksake · 22-02-2009, 3:42 PM

I have been using a Nokia 5800 on Three for a few weeks now, I can even access Planet 3 just aslong as I connect using 3s net settings.

I can check my usage, account info etc

Only thing it won't let you do is download apps such as MSN unless the phone is specifically supported.

Saying that, it appears that the version of MSN they give out for the N96 is actually an N95 version which will also work on the N85.

I had to use User Agent switcher and another app and used the n96 as a modem to obtain the files to install it, but worked none the less.

Your be fine to use the N85, I also have an N96 and I wasn't happy with the battery life so my gf now has it as she is a light user.

Go for the N85.

rees101 · 22-02-2009, 4:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sy1441

To be fair, its not the networks fault they dont have information on unsupported devices.

i agree mate, however if they dont have the information on the handset, then they shouldnt give out different advice, as you can see from store 1/store 2.

as im sure some of you are aware even when you do phone three's customer services in regards to a phone they do support, they are generally not the best for technical advice.

some really good advice on here, and would just like to say the phone has been ordered.

expect a thread in the next few days on installing msn on the n85 lol

prking · 22-02-2009, 9:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rees101

Brilliant reply, thanks.

is there anyway around this? will i notice it? i generally use my phone for msn and emails and general browsing of sites.

cheers.

The only issues you might have is not being able to use Three's email setup, but as the Nokia has an inbuilt setup wizard, it won't matter. As mentioned earlier, you will need to download the MSN client in a roundabout way.