All You Should Know About Locked and Unlocked Cell Phones in Mississauga

Would you prefer to get an unlocked or a locked cell phone? Are you looking for cell phone unlocking services? Are you looking to learn more about the difference between a locked and unlocked cell phone?

If your answer to anyone or all of these questions is yes, then continue reading this blog and get your answers.

Until some time back, when someone bought themselves a new cell phone, they would need to sign a contract with their wireless carrier network. However, because of the inconvenience that this system caused many cell phone users who wanted more options and flexibility, the process of buying a new cell phone has changed since those days. Today, when you are in the market to buy a new cell phone, you are no more required to get into a contract with one specific wireless network if you don’t want to. The cell phone unlocking services and the availability of unlocked cell phones in the market, has given users more options and flexibility, which allow them to change their wireless carrier whenever they wish to.

The main differences between an unlocked and a locked cell phone

When you buy a locked cell phone and get into a contract with a specific wireless carrier, it means that you can only use their cellular services to use your cell phone for as long as the contract lasts. These contracts are often for as long as one to two years. When you buy a cell phone from any particular wireless cellular carrier, it usually means that you have bought a locked cell phone and you can’t change your carrier, until the contract expires or you put in a request for unlocking.

If you are not sure if your cell phone is locked or unlocked, you can contact your cellular service provider and check with them what kind of contract you signed with them. Many cellular networks offer deals or sell cell phones at cheaper prices than the market price, as an incentive to buy the locked cell phone. Moreover, in some of the countries around the world, when the contract of your locked cell phones expires with your cellular network, the service providers are required to unlock your mobile phone.

On the other hand, when you are using an unlocked cell phone or if you are in the market for one, it means that you will be able to switch from one wireless carrier to another as you see fit. Moreover, for many reasons, people these days prefer to use unlocked cell phones because they can use the same cell phone when traveling abroad for personal or business purpose. When in the foreign country, all you need to do is to replace your SIM card with the SIM card that would provide services in that specific country and you can continue using the same cell phone. Whereas, when using a locked cell phone, you cannot change the SIM card when in a foreign country and you will have to arrange a new cell phone to be able to use the network services of another wireless carrier.

Furthermore, another area of difference between locked and unlocked cell phone is their prices. It is most likely for locked cell phones to have lower initial prices in comparison to unlocked cell phones. However, in long run, buying an unlocked cell phone will be cheaper because even after paying a higher initial purchase price you can still change your network provider to the one who offers cheaper services. After buying a cheaper locked cell phone you will have to pay whatever service charges your carrier charges you. Which is why, in long run, an unlocked cell phone may be a better option.

How cell phone unlocking works

Fortunately, today if you would like to unlock your cell phone, you can. However, it is recommended to not do it yourself, if you don’t know what you are doing. Hence, the better option is to get professional help to get your cell phone unlocked.

You can either wait till your contract ends and then switch your service provider or you can also request your carrier for unlocking of your cell phone during your term of the contract. Some countries, such as the U.S. have laws that allow you to get your cell phone unlocked at any time, free of cost, by putting in the request with your carrier, if you are meeting all the conditions of the contract.

However, no matter if you go for an unlocked or a locked cell phone, make sure that you understand the terms and conditions you are signing up for. Similarly, also make sure that the make and model of the mobile you decide to get, and wireless carrier’s services are suitable for your specific needs and wants.