When the phone restarts, it asks for the SIM card code. It does so on top of the lock screen photo, not on an empty blank black screen as usual. And after the four digits are put in, it doesn't have a button on top right side of the numbers to press ok. It may or may not (this varies when I keep trying) jump to the "normal" SIM card pin screen, but once the right code is given, the screen goes blank with the message I gave above. I cannot access screenshots to show, unfortunately.
It seems I can get and answer calls. I seem to receive messages but can't read them. I can access the action centre, but I cannot open anything from there that would go beyond that action centre screen.
I am now trying to hard reset the phone through the buttons sequence. Will get back on whether it worked or not.