Using a Chinese Bought iphone (5C) with a UK SIM Card

[Tianjin42]

I have arrived back in the UK and would like to use my China-bought China Mobile iphone 5C as my main phone here. I am considering sim cards (going towards giffgaff). 

 

To be fair I neglected this a bit before returning and I am catching up now. The iphone isn't unlocked. Anyone know about compatibility? I presume it will need to be unlocked and then should be okay with a UK sim. However I heard a bit of conflicting advice so wanted to post this up here just to confirm. 

 

Also anyone unlocked their Chinese mobile from abroad - encountered any issues? 

 

Thanks 

[mikelove]

It would need to be unlocked but there's also some uncertainty over whether the LTE bands it supports would overlap with your wireless carrier - there's an excellent chart on Apple's website at http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/ that gives you every iPhone model number (check the back of the phone) along with which LTE bands it works with and which carriers those are on.

[Tianjin42]

Thanks Mike. I took a look but still had a few questions. 

I decided to phone Apple and much to my surprise was speaking to a real human before too long. That was useful but still have a few outstanding issues.

 

Interestingly, when I gave my IMEI number they told me that the phone had already been unlocked. I bought it on JD.com when iPhones became available with China Mobile but haven't myself unlocked the phone. 

[gato]

Most iPhones sold in China are unlocked. That's why I was surprised when you said it was locked.

[roddy]

Won't cost you anything to get a free giffgaff SIM and try it out. FWIW, I've been with giffgaff for a few years and have been very happy. 

[Tianjin42]

No idea the iPhones were sold unlocked over there. Learn something new everyday.

 

Yes, after exhaustive research (asking a few friends) it seems giffgaff will be the best fit. Will sort this towards the end of next week and will report the outcome for any future searches. 

[Saxondale]

Works without any problems - I use giffgaff when i'm back in the UK on my China bought iPhone.  All iPhones are unlocked in China, so no problems swapping between networks.