I did use a sd card, and did get what was on that. But unfortunately many pics vids where on the phone memory before I put the sd card in so on the phone memory.Beer Can, a long shot, BUT... some of the phones, in addition to the SIM card, you could add a Mircro SD card, for extra memory. IF you did this, and had it set to store the files on the Micro SD card, you can remove the Micro SD card, and use a computer, or another phone to get to the files.
Edit, bought a new phone for the trip, better camera, wasn't worried about room for pics vids when we left , was later adding games and stuff running out of room I put a new sd card in. And no it didn't transfer pics and I didn't bother, nothing would happen to them right??....