What is an unlocked smart phone and what are its benefits?

A smartphone that is unlocked is not connected to a certain carrier or contract. You are therefore free to shop for the newest phones and plans as frequently or infrequently as you please. In addition, they do not have multiple carrier programs that take up space on your phone.

Smartphone showing login screen with password authentication and coffee cup on wooden table.

What is an unlocked phone?

When we refer to an unlocked phone, we are not referring to the lock screen security. A phone that is unlocked does not rely on Face ID or a PIN number for security. It is also distinct from jailbreaking and rooting, which are advanced techniques used to circumvent manufacturer restrictions.

Instead, an unlocked phone is one that is compatible with any mobile service provider. If you have an unlocked phone and are a T-Mobile customer, for instance, you could easily terminate your T-Mobile account, bring your phone to AT&T, and activate it there.

A locked phone, on the other hand, is meant to function with only one carrier. Consider the following scenario: you owned a Verizon-locked phone and decided to switch to AT&T. Since the phone is limited to Verizon’s network, AT&T would be unable to activate it on its service.

Aside from carrier-specific features, a locked phone differs little from an unlocked handset. It can run applications, connect to Wi-Fi, utilize your carrier’s cellular network, and perform all other expected functions.

How to determine if your cellphone is unlocked?

If you have an iPhone running iOS 14 or later, it is simple to determine if it is unlocked. If not, you must employ a more cumbersome way to ensure accuracy.

Navigate to Settings > General > About on your iPhone. There is a great deal of technical information on this page; the Carrier Lock field is located in the final section above the Primary section. If the smartphone is unlocked, this will say No SIM limitations. If it reads something else, it is likely that your phone is locked to your carrier.

If you do not have an iPhone or are using an older version of iOS, you will need to use a separate SIM card to determine whether your device is unlocked. Consider borrowing a SIM card from a buddy who utilizes a different service provider. If this is not possible, you can get a prepaid SIM card from a retailer such as Walmart.

Once you have inserted a SIM card from a different carrier into your phone, power down your device and replace the existing SIM card with the new one. After reactivating your phone, attempt to make a call. If the call is successful, your phone will be unlocked.

A locked phone will prevent you from making calls with a different SIM card inserted and may display a notification about entering a SIM unlock code. You cannot accomplish this on your own; assistance from your carrier is required.

An android phone showing apps installed in the unit.

Advantages of Unlocked Phone 

1. Choice

The purchase of an unlocked phone offers buyers a multitude of options. You are not restricted to the phones that your carrier stocks or sells. You can import a phone, get inexpensive phones from resellers, or obtain a phone that your carrier does not offer for any reason. As long as the phone supports the appropriate frequency bands, you are fine to go.

Second, you have more options on where to purchase your phone. This means that you can compare costs in order to discover the best deal or select the most convenient provider.

Unlocked devices also let you to choose your carrier independently of your phone preference. You may select whatever carrier you prefer. This means that you are not required to remain with a carrier merely because they offer the gadget you desire. The majority of smartphone manufacturers offer unlocked versions of their devices in their online stores or on Amazon.

In addition, an unlocked phone does not preclude the manufacturer’s warranty or customer service. You can still enjoy the same benefits of a locked phone if you purchase it from a seller that offers a warranty.

2. Unlocked phones prevent overspending

Not only will purchasing unlocked smartphones save you money, but it will also assist you avoid overspending by preventing you from overlooking the overall cost of a phone. These carrier device payments make it possible for us to purchase pricey cellphones that we would not have otherwise.

3. Absence of bloatware

American carriers enjoy installing unneeded applications on customers’ phones. While some smartphone manufacturers are guilty of this, we do not require carriers to pre-install even more apps on our devices. The majority of these are useless, and some cannot be uninstalled. Obviously, you may still be need to cope with manufacturer bloatware.

4. Unlocked phones receive faster software updates

Carrier-managed phone updates. This indicates that your software must undergo an additional screening before reaching your device. Google publishes its software updates, the manufacturer optimizes them for its phones and hands them to the carrier, the carrier optimizes them for its phones and network, and then they reach your device.

All of these steps could take weeks or months, if they occur at all. Unlocked devices bypass the final stage and receive software upgrades directly from the vendor. And if you care about quick updates, you can even get a Pixel device, which Google updates directly.

5. The ability to sell old devices easily

Since 2019, a significant number of premium smartphones have been released with prices over $1,000. As a result, more individuals are interested in purchasing and selling secondhand electronic devices. However, if your phone is restricted to a specific carrier, it will be difficult to locate a buyer.

With an unlocked phone, you do not need to consider if a possible buyer uses the same carrier as you. You may possibly request your carrier unlock your phone for you. Unlocked phones, however, avoid this additional step of inconvenient delays.

6. Changing SIM Cards while traveling

Because they are incompatible with other carriers, locked phones prevent you from using a local SIM card when going abroad. This forces you to either allow pricey roaming with your carrier or purchase a temporary device when traveling abroad.

You can simply switch to a prepaid SIM card from a local carrier if your phone is unlocked. This eliminates the need to transfer messages and applications to a temporary phone or rely only on free Wi-Fi networks.

Even when traveling within one’s own country, a place may have a weak signal for your particular carrier. If your phone is unlocked, you can temporarily switch your SIM card to a provider with a stronger signal in the area.

Phone units raised high.

7. Other Benefits

If you want to avoid dealing with apps you won’t use, an unlocked phone is the best option. When you purchase a phone from a particular carrier, you will encounter bloatware, and you may not be able to remove the majority of the apps. With an unlocked phone, you will also receive updates more quickly. Due to the fact that it does not need to go through the additional filter often required by carriers, you receive them sooner.

The Drawbacks of Possessing an Unlocked Phone

You may feel liberated with an unlocked phone, but you have no recourse if your phone begins to malfunction. You will be left without support and may need to purchase a new phone.

With an unlocked phone, you must understand how different networks differ. You must determine which network your phone is compatible with and then explore which provider can provide the services you require. If you don’t get along well with technology, an unlocked phone may not be the ideal solution for you.

If the phone of your desires is only accessible through a contract, don’t be surprised. Carriers have a propensity to sell exclusive phones unavailable elsewhere. With an unlocked phone, you will not be able to take advantage of the insurance offered by some carriers; some of these offerings are not awful at all.

To summarize

Unlocking your phone has several benefits. But so does having a phone that is locked. It all depends on what you’re seeking and what you find more alluring. If you purchase an unlocked phone, you are free to choose any carrier. If you purchase a locked phone, you may rely on the carrier’s insurance and discounts.