Anytime you’ve been in the market for a second-hand phone, you’ve probably heard the term “unlocked.” Show
You might have even seen a phone advertised as “unlocked”, but what does that mean? How does an unlocked phone differ from one that isn’t? And how do I know if my phone is unlocked? Furthermore, does it make sense to use an unlocked phone? Do you need one? Let’s find out! When a phone is unlocked what does that meanAn “unlocked” phone means it can work on any carrier network. That’s right – no matter which carrier you choose, your phone will still work with them. So it doesn’t matter whether they’re from EE, Vodafone, or O2; you’ll always be able to switch your sim cards without having to buy a whole new phone. When you have an unlocked cell phone, you can use any SIM card you want, as long as it is compatible. If someone says their phone is unlocked, they mean that it works with every major UK carrier with no network restrictions. It does not make a difference if this is with an iPhone or an Android Phone. Unlocked phones are free from contract and don’t come with any hidden fees. They also usually cost less than locked phones, so there’s no reason not to get an unlocked phone. Still unsure what it means? Watch the video below to give you a better idea! How to Check Whether Your Phone is Locked Or Not?If your mobile phone is locked, this means that you cannot use another network provider’s SIM card other than your current one. You are restricted to using only the services provided by your chosen network. This usually happens because of contract terms, meaning your phone must remain within those guidelines. It is always a good idea to check your second-hand phone to see if it is locked before purchasing it. Here are a few ways to do just that: Method 1: Switch SIM CardsAnother way to tell whether a phone is unlocked is to swap the SIM card. With a locked phone, you won’t use a different SIM card unless you unlock it first. For this, you need a sim card from a different network provider. To do this, follow these steps: 1) Turn off the phone 2) Eject the SIM card using the SIM-card ejector tool 3) Insert the new SIM card 4) Power up the phone Check if the network icon shows up on the screen. If it does, then try to make a phone call. If the phone call does not connect, then the phone is locked. Method 2: IMEI LookupIMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity; it is a unique number assigned to each mobile phone. All carriers use this number to identify phones. The IMEI number is printed on the back of every phone. To look up the IMEI number, In Android,
In iPhone,
OR You can also type *#06# in the dialer to get the IMEI number, and it works on all smartphones. Once you have the IMEI number, you can check online if your phone is locked or not. You can use any online service to scan your IMEI number and determine whether your iPhone is unlocked. Can Phone Shops Unlock iPhones? How are they different to Android devices?iPhones are particularly tricky to unlock. It is possible to unlock them in the short term by using a phone shop, though when the latest software is released by Apple it is likely to restore your device back to its locked status. It is necessary in this case to purchase a device that has been unlocked from the very start, or not commit to a contract that will keep your device locked through its term. Android devices, due to the nature of the OS, are greatly easier to unlock, and can often remain permanently unlocked after a simple process completed by a phone shop. So, What Are The Benefits Of Buying An Unlocked Phone?Well, there are plenty of benefits to using an unlocked phone, but here are some of our favourites: Switch To Any Carriers
Get More Choice
Travel Abroad At Ease
Dual-Sim Functionality
Frequent Software Updates
Minimal Bloatware
Save Money
Easily Sell Them
Do You Need To Buy One?If you need to have the latest device right away, buying an unlocked phone might be best. An unlocked phone can give you peace of mind if you often travel abroad and like frequent software updates. However, if you’re looking for something more reliable, there are other options, such as refurbished models. Refurbished phones are great for those who want to save money and avoid the hassle of unlocking. All Refurbished phones come factory unlocked and give you access to a wide range of phones. You can buy refurbished phones at a discount price compared to new ones. They are fully functional and come with warranties. So, whether you’re looking to save money or enjoy greater flexibility, an unlocked phone will work well for you. Read: How To Buy An Unlocked Refurbished Phone? Why Buy From The Big Phone Store?Buying an unlocked phone means that you have to pay full price upfront. However, when you buy from The Big Phone Store, we offer interest-free finance options so you can spread the payments over time. Our store comprises devices from all major brands and flagship models like iPhone 13 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S21. Our prices are competitively priced. In addition, we give a Price Promise Match guarantee where we match any lower price found online. You’ll also receive a gift worth up to £50 as a bonus. Please read our terms for more information. We offer a 14-day warranty on our products. So, if anything happens within this time frame, we’ll replace your product without charge. In addition, all our refurbished unlocked phones come with a 1-year warranty against manufacturing defects. There are many benefits to buying an unlocked phone. However, before making a purchase, do your research first. Make sure you know what features you want in a phone and compare different models. This way, you can get the best value for your money. Is there any disadvantage to buying an unlocked phone?Unlocked phones get no support from carriers
This is easily the most significant disadvantage of going with an unlocked phone. Carriers will let you use unlocked phones, but they won't offer support if anything goes wrong.
Is buying an unlocked phone better?Since it's unlocked, it usually has a higher resale value. The caveat is that you might not get every network feature, like Wi-Fi calling or HD voice, and the carrier won't guarantee that the voice or data network will work perfectly on your phone. In other words, you're on your own.
Can I buy a unlocked phone and use any carrier?A carrier-imposed “lock” is a software code that prevents your phone from working on another cellular network. With an “unlocked” phone, on the other hand, you can get service with any carrier on a compatible network — and that's just one of the benefits of an unlocked phone.
What is the difference between unlocked and fully unlocked phone?Factory unlocked means that you purchased it directly from the Company. It was sold to the consumer pre-unlocked and ready to use with the carriers the built-in band's support. While network unlock means that the phone was purchased from a provider/carrier and was then unlocked by them.
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