![\"unlocked](\"https:\/\/gazellethehorn.com\/thehorn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/unlocked-phone.jpg\")
<\/a><\/h1>\nLocked Phones<\/span><\/h1>\nThe phone you got from your carrier is a locked phone. It includes a SIM card that works only in the cellular carrier\u2019s network, and it used to come with a contract that you agreed to, if reluctantly. (What other option did you have?) Said phone would become unlocked once the contract period was over, and the carrier had recouped the money it spent subsidizing your new smartphone.<\/p>\n
Unlocked Phones<\/span><\/h1>\nBy contrast, an unlocked phone is not tied to a specific carrier network. It is \u201ccarrier-agnostic.\u201d What this means is that it can be used with any cellular carrier that utilizes GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications). And best of all, an unlocked phone does not come with a contract, which makes it a very popular option for people that have commitment-phobia, or just like to keep their options open.<\/p>\n
So, will it be locked or unlocked?<\/p>\n
We would never think of telling you what to do, but because we feel strongly about this issue, we\u2019re going to um tell you what to do. Let\u2019s just say that you would be very smart to never buy a locked phone again for the rest of your life. Don\u2019t do it. Please, we beg of you.<\/p>\n
In this spirit, here are 10 reasons to cut out the carrier and go unlocked:<\/p>\n
![\"10](\"https:\/\/gazellethehorn.com\/thehorn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/10-reasons-to-cut-out-the-carrier-and-go-unlocked-.png\")
<\/a><\/center><\/p>\n\n- \n
Flex Your Freedom<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWhen you get your phone indi-style, you become a free agent. It\u2019s the freedom to flee your carrier whenever you choose for a better one, to upgrade without waiting<\/a> until your contract period is over, or to sell your phone for fast cash<\/a>.<\/p>\nWith an unlocked phone, you have more control over what apps run on your phone. This is because your phone carrier has not pre-programmed your device, as is the case with locked phones. This gives you more flexibility to personally dictate the features and to customize the look and feel of your phone. Go unlocked and flex your freedom!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n- \n
Payment Options<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWhen you buy an unlocked phone, the price is the price. It\u2019s not hidden or bundled with other fees. You know what you\u2019re paying and what you\u2019re getting. As a consumer, when it comes to price, you deserve total transparency.<\/p>\n
And if that price is more than you can afford in one payment, not to worry. In this new world, payment options abound. If you buy your phone direct from the manufacturer or through a retailer, they can hook you up with a financing plan, just like the carriers. Also, installment payment plans for unlocked phones are becoming more common — even Apple is getting into the act.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n- \n
Own it!<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWhen you buy an unlocked phone, you may spend a little more cash up front, but now you own the phone as opposed to the carrier. And in the long run, you will save money, because you won\u2019t be paying inflated monthly fees. This is preferable to the way it used to be, when true ownership didn\u2019t kick in until the contract ended in two years. By then, of course, your phone had seriously depreciated and lost value.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n- \n
Continuous Coverage<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThe thing about locked, carrier-based phones is that they are programmed to work with one and only one network. This, of course, can be a major headache for people who travel a lot. With an unlocked phone, you can transition to any GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) network when you are out of your provider\u2019s coverage area, essentially giving you continuous, uninterrupted coverage nationally and internationally.<\/p>\n
No one ever wants to lose a phone, but if you do, you\u2019d rather it be an unlocked phone. If you send your unlocked phone in for repair, or get a new one, not to worry \u2013 simply remove the SIM card and insert it in another unlocked phone, and you\u2019re good to go. It\u2019s a fast and seamless transition. If your phone is not able to be resuscitated, you can find another unlocked phone for a price that won\u2019t break the bank.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n- \n
Avoid Roaming Charges<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWith an unlocked iPhone, you can travel abroad and pay no roaming fees! They add up fast, and the way to get around them is by getting a SIM card from the carrier in the locale you\u2019re visiting. They\u2019ll provide you with a local phone number, and you\u2019ll pay only the local rate for calls and messages, without the extra burden of roaming charges.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n- \n
Avoid Update Madness<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nOf all the annoyances in the world, carrier updates are right up there, along with the uncle who likes to pontificate about politics after a wee too much egg nog. Who wouldn\u2019t want to be rid of the useless bloatware and pre-installed software that hogs a good amount of storage space and makes your device as slow as a snail? Will you miss the extra features and apps that are routinely updated, which you don\u2019t particularly want or need (no wonder it takes an eternity to complete the update process!) We say, go unlocked and prepare for a faster and cleaner smartphone experience!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
By contrast, an unlocked phone is not tied to a specific carrier network. It is \u201ccarrier-agnostic.\u201d What this means is that it can be used with any cellular carrier that utilizes GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications). And best of all, an unlocked phone does not come with a contract, which makes it a very popular option for people that have commitment-phobia, or just like to keep their options open.<\/p>\n
So, will it be locked or unlocked?<\/p>\n
We would never think of telling you what to do, but because we feel strongly about this issue, we\u2019re going to um tell you what to do. Let\u2019s just say that you would be very smart to never buy a locked phone again for the rest of your life. Don\u2019t do it. Please, we beg of you.<\/p>\n
In this spirit, here are 10 reasons to cut out the carrier and go unlocked:<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/center><\/p>\n- \n
- \n
Flex Your Freedom<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
When you get your phone indi-style, you become a free agent. It\u2019s the freedom to flee your carrier whenever you choose for a better one, to upgrade without waiting<\/a> until your contract period is over, or to sell your phone for fast cash<\/a>.<\/p>\n
With an unlocked phone, you have more control over what apps run on your phone. This is because your phone carrier has not pre-programmed your device, as is the case with locked phones. This gives you more flexibility to personally dictate the features and to customize the look and feel of your phone. Go unlocked and flex your freedom!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
- \n
- \n
Payment Options<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
When you buy an unlocked phone, the price is the price. It\u2019s not hidden or bundled with other fees. You know what you\u2019re paying and what you\u2019re getting. As a consumer, when it comes to price, you deserve total transparency.<\/p>\n
And if that price is more than you can afford in one payment, not to worry. In this new world, payment options abound. If you buy your phone direct from the manufacturer or through a retailer, they can hook you up with a financing plan, just like the carriers. Also, installment payment plans for unlocked phones are becoming more common — even Apple is getting into the act.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
- \n
- \n
Own it!<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
When you buy an unlocked phone, you may spend a little more cash up front, but now you own the phone as opposed to the carrier. And in the long run, you will save money, because you won\u2019t be paying inflated monthly fees. This is preferable to the way it used to be, when true ownership didn\u2019t kick in until the contract ended in two years. By then, of course, your phone had seriously depreciated and lost value.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
- \n
- \n
Continuous Coverage<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The thing about locked, carrier-based phones is that they are programmed to work with one and only one network. This, of course, can be a major headache for people who travel a lot. With an unlocked phone, you can transition to any GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) network when you are out of your provider\u2019s coverage area, essentially giving you continuous, uninterrupted coverage nationally and internationally.<\/p>\n
No one ever wants to lose a phone, but if you do, you\u2019d rather it be an unlocked phone. If you send your unlocked phone in for repair, or get a new one, not to worry \u2013 simply remove the SIM card and insert it in another unlocked phone, and you\u2019re good to go. It\u2019s a fast and seamless transition. If your phone is not able to be resuscitated, you can find another unlocked phone for a price that won\u2019t break the bank.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
- \n
- \n
Avoid Roaming Charges<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
With an unlocked iPhone, you can travel abroad and pay no roaming fees! They add up fast, and the way to get around them is by getting a SIM card from the carrier in the locale you\u2019re visiting. They\u2019ll provide you with a local phone number, and you\u2019ll pay only the local rate for calls and messages, without the extra burden of roaming charges.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
- \n
- \n
Avoid Update Madness<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Of all the annoyances in the world, carrier updates are right up there, along with the uncle who likes to pontificate about politics after a wee too much egg nog. Who wouldn\u2019t want to be rid of the useless bloatware and pre-installed software that hogs a good amount of storage space and makes your device as slow as a snail? Will you miss the extra features and apps that are routinely updated, which you don\u2019t particularly want or need (no wonder it takes an eternity to complete the update process!) We say, go unlocked and prepare for a faster and cleaner smartphone experience!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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