Changing my phone but staying with O2

[johne53]

My mobile phone is over 10 years old and it's long overdue for replacing. I'm looking at the new Galaxy Z Fold 2 from Samsung - but AFAICT O2 only offer this phone as part of an ongoing contract. I've only ever been on PAYG so a couple of questions:-

1) If I bought this on a 36 month contract including calls & data etc - who owns the phone at the end of the contract?

2) Alternatively, if I bought a cheaper (unlocked) one - for example a refurb - would O2 accept it as a replacement for my existing phone and continue letting me have a SIM only deal?

[johne53]

Wow, it looks like I managed it !!

With my older Android version I needed to export my contacts to a file (".vcp" file maybe??) and then import from that file - but it seems to have worked okay!!

[MI5]

.vcf file, but yes, that's an option if it hasn't backed up automatically.

[johne53]

I went into my local O2 shop yesterday and asked about the Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 - but apparently they don't sell this model in-store. It's only available online.

But if I'm reading it correctly, I can trade in my existing phone and get a discount if I purchase from O2. So how does a trade-in work if the purchased phone is only available online?? Would I need to get it delivered to the local O2 store and then take my existing phone into them when picking up the new one?

[MI5]

@johne53 

You can post your phone to O2 recycle to get a trade in value.

I did a write up recently when I upgraded https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Discussions-and-Feedback/O2-upgrade-Experience/td-p/1460941

O2 recycle site here https://www.o2recycle.co.uk/

You can also recycle on the high street at places such as CEX etc.

[johne53]

Can I ask what's meant by a "Recycle Offer" for some of the O2 phone deals? AFAICT they're cheaper phones but with a shorter warranty (and poss pre-used phones?)

[MI5]

It means you can recycle your phone with O2 and get money off your monthly payments.