Most cell phones are sold by the service providers and they are "locked," which means that the cell phone can only be used with that specific provider. This makes it impossible to switch between providers or use your phone while traveling overseas without paying for roaming services. Singing up a two year contract most certainly has its advantages since you are most likely getting a very cheap cell phone and good rates, but if another provider comes up with a much better offer, you can't use a locked phone and simply switch to their services.
The unlocked cell phones, on the other hand, give you a great freedom of choice: you can use whichever provider you like or you can purchase a prepaid SIM card, if they are available in your country. The unlocked cell phones are usually sold by third party retailers or the phone manufacturers themselves; in fact many phone models are only sold unlocked.
You can also buy unlocked cell phones online - thousands of web sites and online shops sell unlocked cell phones and the prices can be quite good too; this is mainly due to the fact that the online shops don't have to pay a lease in the mall or pay salaries to sales staff. Of course, when shopping online you should take a few precautions: you should purchase unlocked cell phones only from reputable and established sites, make sure that they offer at least some guarantee on your purchases and always keep in mind the posting and packaging costs before making any final decisions. If the phone is being shipped from another country, you might be liable for custom duty as well.
However, you will have to be aware that not all unlocked cell phones work with all providers; most providers use GSM technology, but they might use different frequency that is not supported by the phone that you have purchased. In most cases, though, all you have to do is purchase the unlocked phone, insert the SIM card in, and you are good to go.
Another difference between unlocked cell phones and the locked ones is that the latter usually come with a few extra services that are part of your contract and that you don't have to pay for. If you have a locked phone, Web access and GPS might cost you nothing, but with your unlocked phone you might have to pay extra for them.
One more advantage of buying unlocked cell phones is that they are much easier to sell; in case you decide to buy the latest model that has just been released, you can easily sell your old unlocked cell phone since it is not tied up to any specific provider.
Owning an unlocked phone has certainly its advantages, which is why the regulations in many countries, especially in the EU have been changed to make switching between providers or at least unlocking the cell phones after the end of a contract much easier process.
The unlocked cell phones, on the other hand, give you a great freedom of choice: you can use whichever provider you like or you can purchase a prepaid SIM card, if they are available in your country. The unlocked cell phones are usually sold by third party retailers or the phone manufacturers themselves; in fact many phone models are only sold unlocked.
You can also buy unlocked cell phones online - thousands of web sites and online shops sell unlocked cell phones and the prices can be quite good too; this is mainly due to the fact that the online shops don't have to pay a lease in the mall or pay salaries to sales staff. Of course, when shopping online you should take a few precautions: you should purchase unlocked cell phones only from reputable and established sites, make sure that they offer at least some guarantee on your purchases and always keep in mind the posting and packaging costs before making any final decisions. If the phone is being shipped from another country, you might be liable for custom duty as well.
However, you will have to be aware that not all unlocked cell phones work with all providers; most providers use GSM technology, but they might use different frequency that is not supported by the phone that you have purchased. In most cases, though, all you have to do is purchase the unlocked phone, insert the SIM card in, and you are good to go.
Another difference between unlocked cell phones and the locked ones is that the latter usually come with a few extra services that are part of your contract and that you don't have to pay for. If you have a locked phone, Web access and GPS might cost you nothing, but with your unlocked phone you might have to pay extra for them.
One more advantage of buying unlocked cell phones is that they are much easier to sell; in case you decide to buy the latest model that has just been released, you can easily sell your old unlocked cell phone since it is not tied up to any specific provider.
Owning an unlocked phone has certainly its advantages, which is why the regulations in many countries, especially in the EU have been changed to make switching between providers or at least unlocking the cell phones after the end of a contract much easier process.
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