Do unlocked cell phones make sense for you?

Posted: Mar 05, 2011 |Comments: 0 |

Once their plans with their cellular providers are over many consumers these days are investigating the idea of buying and unlocked cellular phone. Here are some pros and cons that have been listed which should help you to decide whether unlocked cellular phones make sense for you and whether your next cellular phone should be an unlocked version. First of all lets explain what an unlocked cellular phone is as the concept is something new fangled to a lot of people.

An unlocked cellular phone is one that is not locked either in the hardware or in the software to any one cellular provider or to any one cellular network. This means that you buy the phone directly from the manufacturer and the phone does not have and software or any logos from the cellular networks on the phone. Once you have the phone you can go to your cellular phone service provider and get a SIM card which is a chip that helps identify your phone to the network and allow it to connect. This SIM card is then inserted into your phone which is what ties it to the cellular service. At any point you can swap out the SIM for a different one and connect to the same network with a different number and a different plan or to any network provides a connection on the same bands as the radio in your phone.

This leads to one of the biggest advantages of unlocked cell phones which is network portability. For people who travel abroad very often and do not want to be hit with ridiculous international roaming charges they can just pop in a SIM card for a local network  in whichever country that they happen to find themselves in. They are also not locked into a contract with their own cellular phone service either with their phones or with a contract so they can drop their service whenever they want and they can even use a pay as you go or a pre paid cellular service.

The disadvantages  of going the unlocked cell phone route though are that even though you have a wider choice of cell phones you will normally end up paying a much higher price for them as the cellular network normally heavily subsidise the prices of phones that they sell locked. Unless you are able to get a much cheaper plans with an unlocked cell phone it may just be a better deal to buy a locked and subsidised phone. That is unless of course you value the freedom to drop your plan and move to another network when you choose.

Questions and Answers

Ask
200 Characters left
Rate this Article
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 0 vote(s)
    Feedback
    Print
    Re-Publish
    Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/cell-phones-articles/do-unlocked-cell-phones-make-sense-for-you-4353870.html

    Article Tags:

    unlocked cell phones

    ,

    unlocked cellular phones

    ,

    buy unlocked cell phones

    An unlocked cellular is one that may recognize a SIM card from any GSM company. Nowadays cheap unlocked mobile phones are widely available on the market.

    By: ZH Mingl Technology> Cell Phonesl Apr 11, 2011

    Thrifty Computer is an online store where you can buy unlocked cell phones from the major brands in the market, from Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Samsung and many more. Browse through the website www.thriftycomputer.com for deals on the latest models of unlocked cell phones.

    By: thrifty computerl Technology> Cell Phonesl Feb 04, 2010
    freenetreviews

    Buying unlocking GSM cell phones bring up some frequently asked questions. Important considerations must be made prior to buying an unlocked cell phone online.

    By: freenetreviewsl Technology> Cell Phonesl Apr 16, 2011

    Trimobilephone offers gsm cellular phone, unlocked GSM phones from all leading cellular brands such as T-Mobile, Nokia, Apple, LG, HTC, Samsung, Sony Ericsson etc all under one roof.They also provide phone accessories such as car chargers, cases and pouches ,data cables,memory electronics and blue tooth headsets.

    By: Trimobilephone.coml Technology> Cell Phonesl Feb 06, 2010

    Most of us are probably locked in to a normal contract with our cellular service provider - typically a two year deal. Companies get customers to agree to these contracts by offering them good deals on new phones. The cell phone company then keeps the old phones that customers turn...

    By: David Kraftl Computersl May 29, 2009 lViews: 558

    Used unlocked mobile phones are readily sold to first time users. As compared to locked devices these offer flexibility in operations and applications. A subscriber also tends to benefit form the discounted prices of these handsets. Travelers to foreign land also buy such mobile phones in large numbers

    By: grazonol Technology> Cell Phonesl Aug 04, 2011

    Since it came out with the first android enabled smart phone, HTC has been on a roll. The markets abroad have accepted HTC products very easily and are happy to see that the company is faring exactly in accordance with the demands put forward in the market by the customers.

    By: jerry macguirel Technology> Cell Phonesl May 31, 2012

    In an atmosphere of ever-increasing digital social inter-connectivity, more and more people every day are turning to their mobile devices rather than their laptops or PCs for the way they get their information.

    By: Alex Teplishl Technology> Cell Phonesl May 30, 2012

    Iphone is introduces by Apple company. It is hot selling product all over the world since its launch. Iphone is not just a phone from which you receive call or make call or send sms. Iphone is more than a mobile phone, it's a mini super computer. Iphone has amazing features and huge variety of iphone apps are available. You can buy and download iphone apps according to your interest and need.

    By: Ahmed Jamill Technology> Cell Phonesl May 29, 2012

    Google android phones are the recent fad and craze which has taken more than the mobile telephone purchasers.

    By: hwu jamesl Technology> Cell Phonesl May 29, 2012

    iPhone is a modern medical device that has modified the look of the cell Mobile technology. The device is designed and promoted by the apple company Inc., one of the primary companies of computer gadgets and software products. IPhone is an internet-connected media Mobile phone with a cleanse multi-touch display.

    By: iPhoneappsl Technology> Cell Phonesl May 28, 2012

    Have an eCommerce website? Need to build additional traffic and boost sales? A blog may just be what you need to get the additional traffic and sales you want.

    By: Paul Apartinl Internetl Feb 21, 2011

    With a new year ahead, 2011 can be a year of improving and creating new strategies for your eCommerce business.

    By: Paul Apartinl Internet> ECommercel Jan 05, 2011

    The shopping cart software you use will determine the success of your ecommerce store because of the functionalities it must have in order for you to do the things necessary to succeed in eCommerce. You must optimize certain aspects of your shopping cart ecommerce platform in certain areas.

    By: Paul Apartinl Internet> ECommercel Nov 20, 2010

    It is known throughout the industry that about 90% of all online shoppers abandon shopping carts in their first visit to a website. That is 90% of all visitors!

    By: Paul Apartinl Internet> ECommercel Sep 27, 2010

    Discuss this Article

    Author Box
    Articles Categories
    All Categories
    Quantcast