Un-locking & Un-blocking - what's the difference

[cptwhite_uk]

Okay I admit it - while my PC know-how is pretty darn good, my mobile know-how is virtually none existant. I'm looking to buy myself a sim-free K750i or wait for the new K800 when it arrives in the next few months.

However I really want to keep my current mobile number (on T-mobile payg). As such what should I look out for when purchasing my new phone? Can I buy a payg one that's tied into a specifiic network and get it "unlocked" so i can put my current sim card in?

Can someple please explain my options???

In terms of the phone I don't want to compromise on any of these - I want it to take a decent Photo 2MP minimum, 1Gb mp3 player (with the addition of an add-in memory card), and be compact and small. I don't care about all the other guff phone can do - I want a camera, mp3 player and texting/mobile all in one package. Is there any other models I should consider?

The K800 looks the ticket as far as I can see - but the K750i can be had for less than £200 and I could live with 1600x1200 photos if the quality was good enough.

Not to mention the K750i is 6mm shorter and 15g lighter than the K800 ...it all makes a difference!

All suggestions appreciated!

[streetster]

unlocking = can use any simcard in your phone (ie o2/orange/t-mobile/whoever)

unblocking = changing the IMEA = illegal. If you lose your phone / its stolen you ring up and get your phone blocked so that it cant be used in the UK (but can be used abroad)

Are you sure you dont want to get a contract? Will save you money in the long run

[jimborae]

The K750i can also turned into a W800 (not k800i) by flashing the firmware to.

[cptwhite_uk]

interesting...so unblocking is something you're only interested in if you're a theif Nice tip about the flashing too, although doubt I'd bother.

[Agent]

Originally Posted by cptwhite_uk

interesting...so unblocking is something you're only interested in if you're a theif Nice tip about the flashing too, although doubt I'd bother.

Yes, or fraud.
For example, getting a phone on your insurance once reporting it stolen, then unblocking it to sell on

[thestjohn]

In some parts of the country 'unblocking' is also used to denote 'unlocking', per the definition above. I find I have to ask what people mean, because a lot of people do mix the terms.

However the number of people who do just assume they can get a handset un-blacklisted by taking it into a shop is huge, and I'm not just talking the dodgy types who have either stolen the phone, found it lying around, or have reported it lost/stolen for fraudulent purposes. It's almost like people don't know that the blacklisting process occurs, and if they don't know that, then they certainly don't realise how much trouble I'd get in if I even considered reversing that process.