Unlocked phones are very common in developed countries, but they are rarer in countries like the UK. If you are used to buying carrier-locked devices, you are missing out on the benefits of unlocked phones. That said, many people are opening up to the idea of buying unlocked phones. In this article, we will look at what they are and why you should get one.
What is an Unlocked Phone, and How Do You Unlock Mobile Phones UK?
Mobile carriers use software installed on locked devices to ensure they can only connect to their networks, meaning you cannot use another carrier if you change your SIM card. An unlocked phone does not have this software installed, so you do not have limitations on the carriers you can use.
You might think you can remove the software by resetting the phone or rebooting it if it is an Android device. This is not always successful, so you will instead need to work with the carrier to unlock the phone. If you do this, the carrier might charge you a fee, and you never know how long it will take them to unlock it.
The restrictions that locked phones and carriers impose are why many people are choosing unlocked devices.
Is My Phone Unlocked UK?
The best way to know if your phone is unlocked is to insert a SIM card from another provider. If you get service, you own an unlocked service. If you do not get service, you own an unlocked phone.
Unlock Phone on Contract to Get Freedom of Choice
You get the freedom of choice when you pick an unlocked device in two ways. The first is the freedom to choose whichever carrier you like, and the second is picking whichever device you want.
Suppose you want to switch to a carrier with generous calling, messaging, and data plans and deals like Lebara. You will not be able to use their SIM card or leverage their deals and plans if you own a locked device.
Missing out on deals like these can mean continuing to use expensive plans or ones not customised to your needs. For example, some people only want to use their phones for internet connectivity by using data-only SIM cards. If the carrier who locked the device does not have such a plan, they are out of luck.
Many carriers who sell locked devices have exclusive deals with specific phone manufacturers. These deals mean they have a specific and often limited selection of phones for their customers. If you want to use that carrier for reasons such as the carrier having the best coverage in your area, you can only choose the phones they have, even if they do not fit your needs or preferences.
With unlocked phones, you don’t have these restrictions; you can buy or import whichever phone you want and then contact companies like Lebara to provide you with a SIM card. You can also do some comparative shopping to find a phone that is within your budget, and that suits you best.
Lastly, you are not forced to pick carriers depending on the phones they sell. For example, if you want a Samsung phone and then use a specific carrier, you might be forced to instead pick a carrier that provides locked Samsung devices. By doing this, you will be sticking with a carrier based on the devices they have instead of the services they provide.
Unlock Mobile Phones to Use Dual-SIM Functionality
When carriers unlock mobile phones in the UK, you can use both SIM card slots however you like. If you have a locked dual-SIM device, you can only use two SIM cards and numbers from a specific carrier. This severely limits your choice of voice, data, and call plans since most people using dual-SIM devices use one SIM slot for a voice and messaging plan and the other for a data plan.
Additionally, you miss out on the coverage benefits that a dual-SIM phone affords you. If you move into an area where a specific carrier does not have good coverage and use two of their SIM cards, you will lose all connectivity. However, you might still have a connection if you use SIM cards from different carriers.
Unlocked Devices Make International Travel Easier
Since locked devices only connect to the carrier’s network, you will not be able to use your phone abroad. The main solutions to this problem are using a roaming plan while travelling, which can be very expensive, or buying a new device so you can use a local network using a local SIM card. Buying a new phone is an especially problematic solution because you must move your contacts, apps and messages to the new one before using it.
If you have an unlocked device, you only have to buy a local SIM card and be on your way. Things get even better if you have a dual-SIM phone as you can leave your main SIM card in one slot and use the local one in the other.
Selling an Unlocked Phone is Easier
Many high-end devices cost over £1000 today, making them prohibitively expensive for many people. For this reason, many people are interested in buying cheaper second-hand phones, and a market has even emerged around them.
If you have a locked device, you will have significant challenges selling the phone. You can find someone on the same network to buy the phone instead of going through the hassle of unlocking it, which is not as easy as it sounds. Alternatively, you can ask if your carrier can unlock mobile phones under contract or specific circumstances. If they answer yes, you have to wait for them to do this before selling yours.
These inconveniences are incredibly annoying if you are trying to sell your device quickly. You can avoid all of them by getting an unlocked phone.
Switch Provider Easily When You Unlock Mobile Phone UK
A locked device means you are tethered to the carrier until your contract expires or until they unlock the device. You have to stay with them even if their service is poor, which many people do not want. If the carrier does not unlock the device, buying a new one is the only way to switch.
An unlocked device means you can switch providers or plans when your contract ends or whenever you like depending on your carrier and plan.
Unlocked Phones Do Not Have Bloatware
Many carriers also have deals with specific companies to include their apps on the operating systems they install on locked devices. These apps use up space in your device, can cause battery drain, and can be a security concern. You also cannot uninstall them or mute their notifications so they will always annoy you.
Unlocked devices do not come with these concerns. Apart from very cheap phones and some mid-range ones, you do not get bloatware with unlocked devices and thus can enjoy the extra space and a phone free of nuisances and annoyances.
Even if you do have some bloatware on these devices, uninstalling them is easier as they are not installed at the system level.
More Upgrades and Better Security
Because you do not have to rely on the carrier to push updates, unlocked phones receive more updates and are usually more secure.
There are legitimate reasons for buying a locked device, such as being able to pay for it in instalments. However, they have so many restrictions that unlocked ones become the better option. Unlocked devices allow you to use whichever carrier or SIM card you want. They are great for international travel, easier to sell, and more secure since they do not come with suspicious apps installed. They also receive more regular updates.