A large number of phones across the United Kingdom could stop working as a consequence of a new major update, as one of the nation's biggest mobile network providers is making a huge change.
Picking your new phone is by far the most exciting aspect that people pay the most attention to, but having a good and reliable mobile network to support it is almost equally as important.
While it might seem simple, your mobile network allows you to do pretty much everything you'd want on the handheld gadgets if you're outside of WiFi range, so having one that can't provide the service certainly leaves you in a lot of trouble, especially as only the latest iPhone models can take advantage of satellite signals.
This could very well be the experience that a worrying number of UK phone owners could be facing by the end of the year though, as popular mobile network O2 is pushing a significant update live that could make certain phones almost redundant.
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What change is O2 making to its mobile network?
As reported by the Daily Mail, O2 has issued a new warning to its customers that its 3G network is slowly being turned off, and that could leave many older phones without a key functionality.
While a large percentage of smartphone owners have moved on and upgraded to devices that support either 4G or 5G connections, there are still plenty of people – especially elderly individuals – who have seen no reason to move on from older phones as of yet.
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However, this new update from O2 could very well force them to, as once affected their phones will no longer be able to connect to the internet or use data. You can thankfully still text and call, but a key part of these devices will be essentially removed.
Both EE and Vodafone have already made the change that O2 has in the pipeline, and O2 argues that only 2% of the UK's total network traffic relies on 3G coverage, but it would still affect many who might not have another option.
This change also effects carriers that use O2's network, including Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile, and giffgaff. You might already be in an area that has been affected by the shutdown too, with Durham, Norwich, Telford, and Guildford already being hit by the changes.
O2 has thankfully partnered with charity Age UK in order to assist vulnerable customers through the migration process, with the company's CTO Jeanie York indicating that "our priority has always been to support the minority who may be impacted.
What phones will be affected by the change?
Here are all of the phones that will be affected by the removal of 3G services, including options from popular manufactures like Apple, Samsung, and more:
Apple
iPhone 1, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5C, iPhone 5S.
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Samsung
SV60, Binou, GT-C3592, SHG-X830, BEAT S, Galaxy Fame, SHG-E630, SGH-J600, SLIDER, BEAT DJ, Armani, Marvel, Galaxy Ace Style, GT-E2100B, SGH-F110, Galaxy Ace 3.
Sony
Ericsson WT13I, Ericsson W705, Ericsson Rachael, Ericsson T650I, Ericsson VIVAZ PRO, Ericsson W715, Xperia M2, Ericsson W700I, Ericsson W580C, Ericsson W760I, Xperia Z2, Xperia L, Xperia E.
Oneplus
One, 2, X.
LG
Calisto, Pop, Prada, Town, Cookie Lite, A140, A133, G5400, Viewty Smart, KF600, FK700, Optimus Chat, L40, KE500, L343I, X Screen, KF310, New Chocolate, KG130, G1600.
Doro
6620, 1380, 2404, 6521, 6040, PRIMO 805, 1370, PHONEEASY 612, 6520, 6530, PRIMO 401, 2424, 6051, LIBERTO 810.
Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 4, Nexus S, ONE M8, PLAY EDITION, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, Nexus ONE.
Xiaomi
MI A1, MI 3, Redmi Note 2 Pro, MI 5C, Redmi, Redmi 1S, MI 1S, MI 4 LTE.
OPPO
N1T, R7 Plus F, Find 7 Mini, A133K, R7, Find 7A, Joy, R7 Plus, R7S, 1107, A125.
Huawei
U8660, Honor 6X, Ascend G620S, G7300, Ideos X1, Honor 7, HONOR G Play, P8, U8850, Ascend G7, U5110, Ascend Y300, Honor, Sonic, Honor 5X, Ascend G510, Ascend P6.
Motorola
MOTO E, EM30, Motokey Social, Flipout, Rokr E8, WX160, Razr2 V8, MOTOLUXE, V171, T722I, RAZR I, E365, ES405B, M930, Z6, EX211, M3588, STARTAC 130, V975, C118V.
Nokia
220, 106.1, C2-01, Lumia 925, 110, 5140, 3000, Lumia 735, 216, Asha 201, Lumia 610, 106, 7200, 6310I, 6500 Classic, C3-01I, E5-00, 8890, 105, 6700 Classic, 6310, 3.1 PLUS, 6301, C6-01, 8250, 105 2022, 2310, 2330 Classic.
Alcatel
One Touch 990, One Touch 255, One Touch 710, 2003, One Touch 665, One Touch 1046G, One Touch 660, One Touch PIXI 3 (4.5), 2051X, 1030X, 1068, One Touch 2000X, One Touch Idol 3 4.7, X230D, 1060, One Touch POP C1, One Touch 2005X, One Touch 322, 3025, 1C, 3C, 2057, One Touch 810F, One Touch Xtra, A3 Plus, One Touch 2045, OT-E227, One Touch 1013X, One Touch 209, One Touch 232, One Touch 363, One Touch Tpop.