Mar 09 2009
What are Unlocked Smartphones?
Unlocked smartphones, put simply, are smartphones which are not bound to a specific wireless service provider. You can purchase an unlocked smartphone and sign up with the carrier you wish, be it AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint or someone else. The best thing about an unlocked smartphone is that there’s no binding contract! None of that 2 year stuff that makes ya want to beat the guy who sold you the phone. If you want to switch providers for any reason, you can always slip in a new SIM card and voila!
The reason that cell phones are so inexpensive when you get them in a contract is because the phone companies subsidize the cost of the phone in the contract. You’re not really getting a discount and now you’re stuck in a contract with this company. By buying an unlocked smartphone, you are in control because you have a choice of cell providers. Now, unlocked smartphones are more expensive because without a contract you will be paying full retail price. Remeber though, you pay it anyway over time if you sign a contract.
Some of the most popular phones are available in unlocked versions. Simply search the internet for the model that you want and add the word “unlocked” For example, suppose you want a Blackberry Curve. You would type in “Blackberry Curve unlocked” or something like that. There are plenty of places online to look, and you might find one hell of a deal!
More companies are joining the unlocked smartphone craze, and are offering unlocked phones at prices as low as $230. These smartphones have 2 megapixel cameras, Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity and many other options! The price of thsee phones is expected to drop even more in the future, as smartphones replace cell phones. ]
So lets review: Unlocked smartphones are great because they offer you the flexability of choosing your own service provider, but the downside is that you cannot subsidize the cost through a contract.
