Having unlocked smart phones means you have a phone that’s usable in the event you decide that you no longer want to stay with your current mobile phone provider. The good thing about having a phone that’s unlocked is that you’re not trapped by a contract, a specific plan or even a carrier company that you just don’t like maybe because they didn’t live up to your expectations. Whatever the reason, you don’t want to be forced to stay with a carrier just because your phone won’t work if you change. Not all of the mobile phone carriers are available in every state. In some of the smaller towns of North Carolina for example, you won’t have the cell phone carrier selection you have in a larger city. You want to be able to use your phone wherever you’d like to go. It would be a pain to get relocated by your company only to discover your cell phone doesn’t work where you’ve been moved to.
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The Pros And Cons Of Unlocked Smartphones
An unlocked smartphone is simply a smartphone that can be used with any carrier. When you sign up to a phone carrier service, whether prepaid or on contract, they will provide you with a SIM card. All phones must have a SIM card to be usable - this is what provides it with all the information about the network it must connect to in order to make calls and connect to other services. Most smartphones are locked to SIM cards provided by a specific carrier. Why? Because they don’t want you to leave their service for another provider! They want you to stay with them for as long as possible, and will usually only let you unlock the phone once the contract expires. Once it’s unlocked, you’re free to choose any carrier which means you can find the best deal possible for you. The good news is that it is possible to buy unlocked smartphones right off the bat if you think that would suit you better. If you’re thinking of doing so, here are the pros and cons.
The Pros of Buying Unlocked Smartphones
With all the pros of using unlocked smart phones, why isn’t everyone jumping at the chance? When you go into a store to pick up a phone, you’ll see a vast difference in price on the phone without a contract. That’s because cell phone companies offer consumers the phones at a lower price if they’ll sign a contract. The reason behind that is a marketing tool to lock consumers into giving that carrier their business for years to come. Without signing a contract (and taking the locked phone) the carrier knows you might just take your business to their competitor.
So the price of a phone without a contract is for the entire retail amount-usually quite a chunk of money. That alone discourages most consumers from buying outright. But what they don’t realize is that by taking that discounted locked phone and signing the contract, if the carrier decides to offer fewer features on the plan or even raise the cost of the plan, there is absolutely nothing you can do about it. Once you’re locked in - usually for two years, you can’t change service providers without a hefty contract termination fee and even if you could get out of the contract without having to pay a fee, because the phone is locked, it won’t do you any good. You’ll have to start over from square one and buy another phone. There are many carriers who know the best way to keep a customer’s business for many years isn’t by forcing them to stay and they offer compatibility with unlocked smart phones. Make sure you get an unlocked smart phone once you’re in the market for one - you’ll end up with more freedom of choice than if you don’t.
Choice of Carriers
The biggest benefit of buying an unlocked smartphone is that you have the freedom of choice. Smartphones are usually released to just one or two cell phone providers. What if you want an iPhone, but the provider doesn’t have a good reception in your area? By purchasing the phone unlocked, you can insert a SIM from a provider that does have good coverage where you live.
No Contracts
You’ll even have the option to choose a prepaid cell phone plan if you want to. Although this is available with most smartphones to begin with, again it’s limited to one or two carriers. You’ll have more choice with an unlocked phone.
Keep Your Old Number
Already got a phone number you want to keep? You’re now free to simply transfer your SIM card from one phone to another without having to go through the process of switching providers and getting them to transfer your old phone number if the smartphone you want isn’t available on their network.
International Usage
One huge benefit of an unlocked smartphone is that you can insert a local SIM card when you're abroad. This will help you to dramatically cut down on those roaming charges!
Original Phone Version
When you buy unlocked smartphones without a contract, you’ll get the original version of the phone. Some carriers will install their own software on phones, or remove certain functions such as a type of internet connection. If you want to avoid this risk, unlocked means an unadulterated phone!
The Cons and Drawbacks of Unlocked Smartphones
The main drawback of unlocked smartphones is that they’re a lot more expensive than buying a smartphone attached to any specific network carrier. The cost of contracted phones is dramatically cheaper due the fact that carriers can afford to subsidize the phone when they know you'll be spending money with them on their plans.
It really is a personal decision as to whether an unlocked phone is right for you. If you can afford the extra cost, then it may well be worth the extra freedom that unlocked smartphones will give you.
