Did you know the average person clicks their smartphone 2,617 times per day, so it’s best to have a phone that suits you completely. So how do you find the perfect smartphone for you? Once upon a time, it meant going to your local phone companies and selecting the right iPhone or android phone that suited you best. However, today there are just about as many different ways to buy a smartphone as there are mobile networks which means you have ample choices! Gone are the days of selecting the new phone your cellular network provides for retail price, and welcome to the days of new unlocked phones compatible with your carriers for a reduction in price, and many more choices to match!
Speaking of unlocked phones, have you ever wondered what the difference between an unlocked phone and a locked phone is? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Let’s take a look at the difference between what it means to be locked or unlocked, the benefits of each, and tell you where you can browse for both.
What Is a Locked vs Unlocked Phone?
First and foremost, an unlocked phone is not tied to a specific carrier. This means you have the option to use the phone with many carriers. Using an unlocked smartphone also gives you the option to select from more models than what your local phone carriers may keep in stock. Majority of unlocked phones use SIM cards, which means you can spend your time traveling abroad by easily swapping to an international SIM card. This gives you full access to switch carriers if you decide to move on from the one you are currently with, typically with zero penalties.
Due to the wider range of compatible carrier options, unlocked iPhone or android options have a higher resale value, even if you have the same phone without unlocking it. However, there are some drawbacks to a device that is unlocked: you may lose access to some network features like HD voice or Wi-Fi calling. Additionally, your service plan may not guarantee data or voice networks to work perfectly on your unlocked phone as they might if your phone is locked.
If you are interested in unlocking your phone, you may be able to do so if you have finished your payments and your contract or agreement has run out.
Benefits of Unlocked Phones
Having your phone unlocked can give you freedom when it comes to switching carriers, giving options of both plans and choice of models that you would not get with a locked phone.
Since an unlocked phone is not tied to a particular service provider, they may cost more up front. However, you can combine your phone choice with an inexpensive data or voice plan, and ultimately end up paying less than you might for a locked device.
Are you constantly traveling abroad as an international student, business traveler, or digital nomad? If so, you may benefit greatly from an unlocked phone. While traveling internationally, you can pay a lower rate, or the same rate as locals in the country you are visiting rather than paying for an expensive global plan, all while reaping the benefits of excellent cell service. All you need is a local SIM card to avoid high-priced roaming rates from local big name wireless carriers like T mobile or Verizon.
New phones work with this concept, too. You simply take your old SIM and place it in your new device as long as the card size is compatible. Best of all? You can swap between different networks, finding the provider that suits you best.
In fact, you can even use SIM cards for other networks with an unlocked phone. For example, you might find a wireless carrier that has a great deal on domestic calls, while another has the perfect plan for to receive calls internationally.
When you are ready to upgrade to the latest phone, an unlocked phone is easier to sell. So if you’re a fan of getting a new phone often, an unlocked device may be right for you.
What Is a Locked Phone?
Locked phones, often called carrier phones, can only be used with one particular carrier. You can purchase locked phones directly from different service providers, such as T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon, or through third parties that work with these service providers. Locked cell phones have software that prevents you from using them with a different carrier than the original one you bought it from. They are locked to that specific service provider.
Benefits of Locked Phones
Locked vs unlocked phones also have many benefits, which makes them a contender when making the decision for your next device. One of the main benefits of a locked smartphone is that your service provider will give you the option to pay off your phone with a payment plan. This means you won’t need to come up with a large sum of money to pay your phone off immediately.
Next to a payment plan, wireless carriers often have discounts or special deals to attract new customers and keep their old customers happy. This combination can keep a lot of extra cash in your pocket!
The ease of customer service is also a benefit when you buy through your carrier. If you have questions about your mobile device or it isn’t working, you’ll know exactly where you need to go to get help.
What’s the Difference Between Locked and Unlocked Phones?
Locked phones are available through service providers or third-party companies that work with these service providers. The carrier will connect your phone to your wireless account when you purchase it or after you set up your phone through a particular type of software. This is done to prevent you using this phone with another carrier.
You may be able to unlock a locked phone through your carrier, but there are typically a lot of requirements involved in this process.
You can buy unlocked phones from companies that aren’t connected to service providers. You can even choose phones from other countries. Unlocked phones do not have the software that locked devices have to stop you from getting service from different carriers whenever you want.
If My Phone Is Unlocked, Can I Use It With Any Carrier?
There are some limits to the carriers you can use for the best unlocked phones. For example, if you have a Google Pixel, you can use it with any major carrier’s SIM card. However, if you purchased a OnePlus 6 directly from OnePlus, you can only use this unlocked phone on GSM networks, such as AT&T and T-Mobile. So, you wouldn’t be able to put a SIM card from Sprint or Verizon into this phone.
You can look on the websites of major providers to see if your phone is compatible with that carrier.
How to Know If an Unlocked or Locked Phone Is Right for You
After learning about the benefits of a locked and unlocked phone, you may be wondering what other factors you might consider when deciding which one is best for you.
Finances
If you have a tighter budget, a locked phone, such as a locked iPhone, might be your best bet. Most carriers will offer a payment plan to help you pay for your locked phone. If you buy a phone from a wireless network, you won’t have to buy it outright, which is excellent because many phones can cost more than $1,000. You will often be asked to make a down payment and then pay off the rest of the phone over time. This down payment will vary between providers depending on what phone you want.
If you make payments to your network provider on time and have good credit, you might earn special discounts and save even more money. These discounts could include a buy-one-get-one-free deal or a percentage discount. Free gifts may even be a part of your purchase with a carrier. You can often buy insurance plans from your carrier, which may be cheaper than plans offered by third parties.
If you have enough money to buy a phone outright, you may spend less money overall than if you pay for the phone over time. Network providers typically will charge you the list price for a smartphone, but they can easily hide extra fees in monthly payments.
Travel
If you travel a lot, an unlocked phone may offer you the greatest benefits. Even if you’ve fully paid off your locked phone, it may be a challenge to unlock it once you realize it would be best for you to do so. You may be in a rush to move, but your carrier may want you to go through several processes before they unlock your phone. These processes are especially inconvenient if you are planning to move to a foreign country.
Carriers
When you buy a locked phone, you can only use it with the original network provider. You may be able to switch once you pay off your phone and unlock it, though.
Although it’s possible to find a wireless carrier that suits you perfectly, if you want the freedom to switch carriers at any time, an unlocked phone might be for you. You don’t even have to have a provider with an unlocked phone if you want to use your phone as a Wi-Fi-only device.
Phone Selections
If you opt for an unlocked phone, you will have more phone choices. This is because carriers typically sell from a limited collection of cell phones. For example, if you want a OnePlus 8 phone, you wouldn’t be able to find it at a Verizon store even though they are compatible with one another.
An advantage to an unlocked phone is that you can choose from the hundreds of mobile devices offered around the world. You wouldn’t have to pick from whatever phones your local carrier happens to be selling at that moment. With an unlocked phone, you can even choose from the devices offered outside your own country.
This nearly endless pool of options allows you to find the perfect phone for you at the best price possible. With a carrier-locked device, you could be stuck paying the list price for a cell phone that’s not even what you really wanted simply because that was your only option. With unlocked devices, that isn’t an issue.
Software and Apps
If you’re a fan of fast software updates, you should know that unlocked phones get updates straight from the manufacturer, which tends to be quicker than getting them through your carrier. Overall, unlocked devices are typically more updated than locked phones.
If you like the extra apps that your network offers you, consider a locked phone. If you don’t like apps using up storage space on your phone, an unlocked phone will have fewer apps carriers have pre-installed.
Browse Gazelle’s Locked and Unlocked Phones
Locked phones are an excellent choice if you can’t pay for your phone in full right now or if you’re interested in a special discount from a specific carrier. An unlocked phone might be a better fit for you if you travel a lot or want to browse carriers before committing to one.
Whether you decide a locked or an unlocked phone is right for you, check out Gazelle. We have locked and unlocked phones, including iPhones, Google phones and Samsung Galaxy phones. You’re sure to find the smartphone that fits your needs and style best.
You can expect the following when buying from us:
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Our Gazelle certified guarantee
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A 30-day return policy
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Honest pricing
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A secure website experience
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Quick shipping and easy checkout process
If you want to know more about our products and what we do at Gazelle, get in touch with us at 1-800-429-3553.