What are Unlocked Cell Phones? – Advantages & Disadvantages
An unlocked cell phone is nothing but a cell phone that is not configured to any specific cellular service provider and multiple networks can be accessed through the phone by just changing the SIM cards. When a customer buys a cell phone from a specific service provider which is more popularly known as CDMA phones the phones are always configured to that specific network provider. It only respond to the SIM card or Subscriber Identity Module card of that particular service provider and does not work with SIM cards of other service providers because they are locked to that particular service network provider. On the other hand, in an unlocked cell phone multiple networks can be accessed whenever desired just by changing the SIM cards. It is not programmed or configured to any specific service provider. The phones are available in the market without SIM cards and one need to insert the SIM card of any desired service provider in order to activate the telephonic services.
There are certain advantage and disadvantages as well of these unlocked cell phones. The most advantageous feature of the unlocked cell phones is that one can easily switch between multiple service providers without buying another phone. It gives the customer the choice of using the network that seems to be most advantageous to him at that particular time or place. Sometimes when the customer has to travel too much it becomes difficult for him to use a locked cell phone since the roaming charges are incredibly high at certain times. He then has the choice to use a local service provider it orders to cut down the roaming charges. The unlocked cell phones also provide the customer with the facility to change the handset whenever he wants without changing the service provider which is not always possible on a locked phone. He just needs to take out the SIM card and insert it back to his new phone.
However there are certain disadvantages associated also with the unlocked phones. It does not allow you to access certain network specific soft ware’s or services. Sometimes locked phone provides with services or facilities that can only be accessed through that network. In that case an unlocked phone will be unable to avail such facilities. Also unlocked phones are generally more costly than the locked ones. The locked phones are always available at a reduced price since the company will always want you to use the services and hence will always offer certain discounts on the phones which is not applicable in case of the unlocked phones.
Sometimes they are unlocked by the service provider itself after completing the service term. But that depends upon the conditions and offers applied during the time of purchase. Sometimes it is also possible to unlock existing locked phones unofficially by technicians. Thus to conclude, it can be said that many customers have found it advantageous and some disadvantageous since it offers the customers with choice and flexibility but at the same time are most costly than locked phones.