Expert: DebiN - 11/7/2010

Question
QUESTION: Just bought a new Samsung i5801 (Galaxy Apollo) handset. On a bit of a learning curve, so thought for the first few days, would use the new sim card in my old handset. (Supplied by same carrier.) This was never a problem in the past, as I often transferred my sim card to new handset when I upgraded. Only snag is, with the i5801,  the sim card seems to be permanently locked into new handset. It came preinstalled, in a slot in the side of the handset, and I cannot find out how to remove it. (Does not pop out and cannot be pulled out). No information on carriers or manufacturers site or in handbook. Do you know if it can be done?

ANSWER: The SIM card on your new device is not permanent, but it is not active until you contact your carrier to have the new one activated and the old one deactivated. The learning curve shouldn't change things because your SIM card is simply your phone number. I would strongly recommend going to your carrier, have them transfer whatever is on your old SIM to the new one and activate the new SIM card for you. It's likely that the new SIM card is what should be used with that phone (it may have more memory, etc.). I hope this helps.

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QUESTION: SIM card on my new phone IS activated. It just does not appear to be removeable. All previous ones were (removeable). I spoke to my sister who has an ipod and she says it comes with a small tool to remove the sim card. No such tool is supplied with the samsung i5801. The point is that if and when I buy a new handset, I want to be able to transfer the sim card into it. This has always been the case in the past. Has it changed with the new generation of droid phones from samsung?

Answer
To my knowledge, they haven't changed this process and the SIM card should definitely be removeable. I would recommend contacting Sprint customer service and asking them how to remove this SIM card or if there is something different about this one. The iPhone comes with a tool (looks like a paper clip) to remove the SIM card, where you push down and it pops up, but I'm not aware of any other device working this way.