PAYG phone used as a sim free phone?

A question about : PAYG phone used as a sim free phone?

I have a good sim card only monthly contract and I need a new phone. As pay as you go phones are cheaper than the handset only deals; can I just buy the phone I want under pay as you go under the same network and then just use my contract sim card in that phone?

I'm a bit a confused about this as everytime I go to a shop, they keep trying to make me change to a new contract and I don't want to do that.

Apologies if this is a silly question.

Best answers:

• A "sim-free" phone is not locked and can work on any network that it's compatible with.
  A PAYG phone can be locked - depending on where you buy it. Networks usually sell PAYG phones locked to the network. All phones, including PAYG, at CPW (and similar third parties) normally are not locked.
  So, if you buy from the same network it will definitely work, but you can possibly buy it even cheaper elsewhere.
• Thank you Grumbler.
• You could get a phone unlocked if you see a phone that's locked to another network, get the code off eBay, some phone unlock codes will be cheaper but depends on the phone.
• I've got a new phone now. Thanks.