I have been looking on a certain auction site and note that there are a number of phones intended for European markets being marketed with the claim that they are factory unlocked and would work on UK networks and that all that is needed for them to work in the UK is a 3 pin adaptor.

Are the sellers right?

If they are destined for europe then yes, they should be fine.

If you want to make sure, check whether the phones are compatible with GSM at 900 & 1800Mhz and UMTS/HSPA at 2100Mhz.

I use a phone I bought from Hong Kong via Ebay and it works fine on all UK networks. (Tried T-Mobile, O2 and Vodafone)

Yep, look at the specs of the listing.

Like wilt said as long as they support those frequencies and are unlocked then it will work. I bought my Motorola Atrix 2 from Hong Kong unlocked. Because it supports those frequencies it works great in the UK.

If you're not sure then post the ebay link here and we'll tell you if it will work.

Thanks for your responses. The phone is an LG Optimus 2X P990 White EU model and appears to be Spanish (according to packaging, and confirmed by the seller) and is locked to Orange - almost certainly the Spanish version not the UK one!

The connection specs listed on the advert are

•WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, DLNA
•3G: HSUPA, HSDPA
•Bluetooth: v2.1 with A2DP
•USB: Micro USB v2.0

No mention of GSM but the specs for the standard black model on LG's Spanish website shows GSM.

The price is an absolute snip but of course it needs unlocking and needs a 3 pin charger and is unlikely to have an english instruction manual. All these are issues that must affect the price that anyone would be willing to pay.

Regardless of where it comes from - presumably it would still be possible to download updates via the LG UK website?

After a lot of searching and watching reviews comparing this against the Samsung Galaxy 2, I prefer the look of the navigation interface of the LG 2x to the Galaxy 2 because the LG allows you to place apps into different folder categories and will wrap text when zoomed in the web browser which the Galaxy 2 does not do. I do accept that the Galaxy 2 is probably the better option at the moment as it is upgradeable to ICS, but I am feel that the ongoing wranglings between Samsung and Apple in the US could cost them dear.

I know I am taking a gamble on whether LG will make ICS available but the latest view on the web supported by some information I have got from LG via Twitter suggest that it is now a case of when - not if.

Yes that phone should be fine.

In terms of updates, that is a complicated situation and depends on a multitude of factors.

Given that the phone is locked to Orange Spain, it is most likely that the phone will only receive updates once they have been tested and approved by Orange Spain.

Even if I get it unlocked? Surely the updates to the OS are tested and released by the manufacturer?

O2 (who my sim card is with) suggest that the operating system support is down to the manufacturer in this case LG.

That is how it should work. In reality, with the exception of the iPhone, all networks insist that phone software updates go through their own QA process.

Unlocking the phone wont 'debrand' it, therefore updates will only be released when Orange Spain release them.

Of course, I haven't seen the phone so don't know whether the phone is branded or not. If Orange Spain have just locked the phone without branding the software, then you will get updates as they are released by LG. But unless the network works differently to the ones here (especially Orange), this is unlikely.

So its someone different from a few years ago I brought my Sony Ericsson K750i sim free in 2008 and downloaded updates direct from Sony Eriicsson website until they stopped issuing them.

You will download the update from LG, it's just that they will only give it to you when Orange Spain says they can (if the software is branded).

I seriously doubt hes bought a Nokia 3210

...and if he had it wouldn't support 3G. What's your point?

This comment makes no sense. Every phone uses these frequencies.

Well actually I did have one a decade ago. Replaced it with a Nokia 3330. I am still using the PAYG sim from that phone.

However I cannot see your point when I am talking about a LG Optimus 2x. A bit like comparing a Ford Cortina with a Ford Mondeo. They both have wheels.

First you write it is factory unlocked, then later you write you will need to unlock it yourself after purchase. Then when someone asks for the link to eBay, you decide to type the description instead, which probably took more effort.

Is this going to be another waste of everyone's time like your search for a phone with a torch?

The question is "should I buy a phone on eBay from a private seller abroad". My answer would be no, or at least be very very wary.

There are a bunch of people on eBay who sell what they claim are unwanted upgrades and then claim them as stolen later. They take the cash and you end up with an IMEI blocked phone. It's near impossible getting that sorted here in the UK, so will be ten times worse when dealing with someone abroad.

Do yourself a favour and buy a SIM free phone from a reputable seller in the UK.

Well no one in their right mind would not want a new phone of a better spec that had been supplied as an upgrade. Why mobile companies cannot be honest in their contract selling escapes me. They don't dish out free phones for fun. It is no more than a glorified HP arrangement and they should sell it as such. When the term is at an end the phone it should be yours to keep or sell on if you want to take out a new contract. This would resolve the unwanted upgrade issue.

I decided in the end not to buy the phone locked to Orange Espania even though seller was UK based. Also ruled out what seem to be Grey Market imports. Despite LG showing Littlewoods as being a retailer of brand new Optimus 2X P990 phones on their website as Littlewoods do not have any in stock. The only "new" ones I could find anywhere on the web appeared to be Grey Market imports - one company even says as much on their website! I have concluded that the Optimus 2X has probably ended its production run now that the 4X is out and that the only ones left are those in distribution warehouses out in the far east.

I have gone for a used one after checking that the seller had not got a history of selling mobiles as I felt that rules out the dodgy sellers expecially as none of them were willing to confirm the IMEI numbers on the box and phone were the same. For me, the fact that they were not prepared to put it in writing spoke volumes.

The seller of the one I have gone for specifically stated that the IMEI numbers on box and phone were the same in his reponse which does offer some reassurance. I also asked if he had a Checkmend report which he had never heard off, so I advised him what it covers so he ought to know I am going to get one as soon as the phone is received. I am therefore hopeful that I have found a genuine seller like the one who sold me my K750i.


That is harder said that done unless you are prepared to shell out hundreds for the latest model. There seems to be no national outlets of slightly older sim free models or indeed of ex contract phones that could be sold as unlocked with the firm guarantee that the contract has expired.

I think certain auction site could do a lot to taking the crooks out of the market by insisting that a Checkmend report is undertaken as part of the listing which then would then be used to take action against them by bringing in the police if the status of a phone were to change at any time after purchase.

Simples. There were some that I now believe were Grey imports and the one locked to a Spanish network. Not touched either.


Ever heard of copy and paste? Actually easier than a hyperlink

You could just copy and paste straight from the address bar of your browser...

This!

The OP has a history of leading good willed FMs on a goose chase.

I hope your new phone is OK.