[sirbb]

As the title suggests, can anyone tell me what the largest screen size of a phone is (NOT a tablet) that one can use on Three as a phone without it being deemed a tablet?

I'm am wondering if a device like a Huawei Mate 8 (6" screen) or even a Huawei P8 Max (6.8" screen) is allowed. I have a Samsung Note 3 (5.7" screen) at present but would like a device with a larger screen.

I have spoken to several Three customer service people, been into several Three shops and keep getting different answers?

Thank you!

[moox]

Do 3 actually care?

I suspect the difference is whether the manufacturer considers it to be a phone and can easily make phone calls

[Anika Hanson]

Do you plan on buying the phone from three or will you be buying elsewhere and putting a three sim in there?

If you are buying from Three then the limit will be the biggest sized device that they sell.

if you are buying from elsewhere you can buy whatever you like so long as it is compatible with the networks in the UK and stick your SIM card in.

[sirbb]

I would use a non-Three phone but I am sure I have read elsewhere (and naturally can't find it now) that people have put phone SIMs in devices and have received a message telling them that their device needs a tablet SIM instead (presumably because of screen size) . . . . . This is borne out by the fact that everybody I have spoken to at Three says that the maximum phone screen allowed is X.X" (enter any random number depending who you are speaking to) rather than a blanket "No, there no limit". I am just trying to pin this down and hoping that someone else has been here before and has gotten a bit further with it than I have, thus far!

[Anika Hanson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirbb

I would use a non-Three phone but I am sure I have read elsewhere (and naturally can't find it now) that people have put phone SIMs in devices and have received a message telling them that their device needs a tablet SIM instead (presumably because of screen size) . . . . .

Well it needs to be a phone. You can't put a phone sim into a tablet and expect it to be able to make calls in the traditional way.

[WelshBluebird]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anika Hanson

Well it needs to be a phone. You can't put a phone sim into a tablet and expect it to be able to make calls in the traditional way.

The point is that some of the largest phones are the same size as some of the small tablets you can get, and especially on tariffs where three block tethering, they have been known to complain to the user even if the device is technically still a phone.

[finbaar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anika Hanson

Well it needs to be a phone. You can't put a phone sim into a tablet and expect it to be able to make calls in the traditional way.

If it is a phone then it should be ok. I am sure I have used a Galaxy Mega 6.3 with a Three phone sim a couple of years back. I could be wrong but I think Three require the device to have voice capability.

[sirbb]

I have looked through their Terms & Conditions and can't find anything. Is there likely to be something written down anywhere else? It's a big gamble to spend money on a new phone and then find you can't use it!!

[hammy_y]

as long as the manufacturer describes it as a phone and not a tablet, it should be fine. if not, just contact three and they should sort it out.

[mici01]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirbb

I have looked through their Terms & Conditions and can't find anything. Is there likely to be something written down anywhere else? It's a big gamble to spend money on a new phone and then find you can't use it!!

There is no limit in screen size.

And these messages: What device did those people put the SIM in?
Was it a Tablet or simply a big phone?
Thing is a Tablet lacks the Voice and SMS capability of a normal phone.
That's why Three (and other networks) tell you to get a tablet sim.
Seriously that would be the first time I've heard of that a network rejects a phone because of the screen size.

[-ajm-]

How would they even know how big the screen is?

[jonmorris]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirbb

As the title suggests, can anyone tell me what the largest screen size of a phone is (NOT a tablet) that one can use on Three as a phone without it being deemed a tablet?!

While the chances of me ever finding the document on the Three website now is slim to none, when I last checked it was up to and including 7 inches.

Thus you could use a normal voice SIM in a Nexus 7, but not an iPad and other large tablets.

As for how they'd know, well it would really be down to an IMEI check to know - but realistically, like a lot of things, the question is whether they actually check or simply say you can't because some people do abide by T&Cs without enforcement, and if Three ever did block you then you'd not be able to complain.

I was told the reason was to stop people using AYCE plans on a tablet, where the large screen would more likely encourage the usage of streaming services. As phone screen sizes have grown and we've now got Full HD almost as standard, and QHD popular on high end models, you can still consume great deals of data on a handset.

Hence why I think the recent launch of a 30GB plan is further proof that AYCE data is going to go up in price even more, or potentially go altogether, so as to stop people being able to use a phone or tablet as a TV replacement.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mici01

Seriously that would be the first time I've heard of that a network rejects a phone because of the screen size.

Might be the first time you've heard it, but it was real and I am not sure it isn't still real now.

Three expect tablet users to use a tablet/MBB SIM because they don't want AYCE data consumption - not because users can't make or receive calls/texts.

Other networks have no such worries as there's a fixed data allowance.

Now, question is whether Three would be bothered if you had a handset plan with a fixed allowance.

[sirbb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by -ajm-

How would they even know how big the screen is?

In the same way that they can supposedly tell when you are tethering a PC through the details it sends with operating system, screen resolution and so forth.

[sirbb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonmorris

While the chances of me ever finding the document on the Three website now is slim to none, when I last checked it was up to and including 7 inches.

Thanks Jon! Helpful as ever! If you do find a link to that document could you please post it here?

[swb1964]

When giffgaff did proper unlimited data (alas no more) they considered anything capable of making GSM calls to be a phone and hence fine to use. IIRC they even sold some Phablets thru their own store.

[nigelbb]

If you can make normal voice calls plus send & receive SMS texts then it's a phone & it doesn't matter what the screen size is. The Nexus 7 is a tablet so you shouldn't be using a voice SIM in it.