K960 9.6 inch Android 5.1 Phablet
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Huawei Mate 9 Android Smartphone - Leica Dual-Camera, 5.9-Inch Display, OTG, Android 7.0, Octa-Core CPU, 4GB RAM (Grey) - $571.51
Retail Price: $634.37
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Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro - Snapdragon 650 CPU, 2GB RAM, Adreno GPU, Fingerprint Scanner, 16MP Camera (Silver) - $165.88
Retail Price: $194.08
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HK Warehouse Blackview R7 Android Smartphone - Android 6.0, 4G, 5.5 Inch, Dual SIM, Octa Core Helios P10 chipset, 4GB RAM (Grey) - $186.99
Retail Price: $220.09
You Save: $33.10
Android 6.0 OS, 5.5 inch FHD 1920?1080 px screen, MT6750T Octa Core 1.5GHz 64bit CPU, 4GB RAM + 32GB ROM, 5.0MP+13.0MP dual cameras, Dual SIM cards dual standby, IP65 waterproof & dustproof.
There are a handful of cell phone service providers in every country, some of which offer service with a contract and others that require no contract. Each of these service providers offers a variety of cell phones to its users, including standard cell phones as well as smartphones . While many companies offer at least one or two phones from most of the major cell phone manufacturers, such as Samsung and LG, the models vary from provider to provider and phones purchased through one cell phone service provider will not function on another service provider's network.
If a consumer wants to use one specific model of smartphone, he or she will typically determine which provider or providers sell that phone and use that service provider for service. This is especially true of more popular phones, such as Apple's iPhone, which is only available on a few networks.
There is another option available to these consumers however. They can purchase unlocked smartphones or cell phones, which are phones that have been modified so that they will work on other networks. Any cell phone that uses a SIM card has the potential to be unlocked.
A SIM card, which stands for subscriber identity module, contains software, encrypted information, and personal information about the cell phone user, including his or her phone number, address book, and text messages. All phones operating on the GSM cell phone network have SIM cards, which means any of these phones could be unlocked and used with another service provider as long as that service provider also operates on the GSM network.
Unlocking a Smartphone While it is possible for a cell phone user to unlock some cell phone and smartphone models, most people choose to purchase unlocked smartphones and cell phones. There are two main reasons for this. The first is that most people do not know how to unlock cell phones. There are detailed instructions for unlocking many smartphones and cell phones on the Internet; however, some models require a complex set of steps that must be performed in order.
If they are not done correctly, the phone can become hard-locked, which prevents further unlocking attempts. The exact method for unlocking a smartphone depends on the make and model of the phone.
Some simply require a code to be entered, while others require multiple steps. Additionally, some can be unlocked by only modifying the software while other phones need to be connected to a specialized piece of hardware to be unlocked. Oftentimes, consumers will find unlocked cell phones and smartphones available through online retailers.
Those who wish to unlock phones they already own may be able to do so through their service provider or through area cell phone stores that have the necessary hardware and instructions to unlock smartphones. Benefits of Using an Unlocked Smartphone There are many reasons why people would choose to use an unlocked smartphone over a standard model. Service Contracts Many cell phone service providers require users to sign a service contract, which is usually two years in length.
If the user decides he or she wants a phone not compatible with that network, he or she can break the contract, which can be quite costly, or he or she can purchase an unlocked version of the smartphone and insert the SIM card from his or her old phone into it. This will allow the user to maintain the service contract with their existing service provider, while using the phone he or she prefers. Traveling Smartphone users who travel abroad frequently may also choose to go with an unlocked smartphone because it can be used on many of the networks worldwide. The cell phone service providers available in the U.S. are not necessarily available in other countries, so users who travel abroad need to switch to roaming mode to access cell phone towers in foreign countries.
Roaming is often quite expensive and purchasing a SIM card from a local service provider and inserting it into an unlocked phone is often a more desirable option. Frequent Upgrading Users who break smartphones frequently may also wish to purchase unlocked smartphones.
Typically service providers subsidize the cost of one cell phone every year and a half to two years, which means if a user can wait that long between purchasing new phones, he or she will get newer phones at a fraction of the retail cost. Users who purchase new models more frequently than this will end up paying full price for most of the new phones and may even have to pay a service fee for having the service provider switch information to a new phone. Users who purchase unlocked cell phones can switch the SIM cards between phones whenever they want without having to make a trip to the cell phone store and without paying activation fees. Disadvantages of Using an Unlocked Smartphone Unfortunately, there are also distinct disadvantages to buying an unlocked smartphone.
Non-Functional Features It's important to realize that some features and options on unlocked smartphones may not work properly. Most unlocked phones will be able to send and receive calls and text messages, but users may have difficulties accessing the Internet or using specific features on an unlocked smartphone. Tech-savvy users may be able to modify the phone or SIM card's settings and make these features work, but those who are less savvy may end up with a phone lacking full functionality or may have to pay someone else to update their settings for them. Cost Unlocked phones are usually more expensive than phones purchased through a service provider because the service provider subsidizes a portion of the cost in order to gain customers who must sign two-year contracts.
While incurring this additional cost may be preferable to breaking a contract and starting a new contract with another provider, consumers who are not currently locked into a contract may want to consider switching to a provider that offers the phone they wish to use. This way, they'll get the phone at a reasonable cost and be guaranteed that all its features will work properly. Traveling Another potential disadvantage of using unlocked smartphones arises when users travel to foreign countries.
While most unlocked smartphones will operate on any GSM network, some models only work with specific bands, which means users need to make sure their phone is compatible with these bands or the phone will be useless. Users who frequently travel abroad may want to spend the money for a quadband phone, which should work on any GSM network for this very reason. Voiding the Warranty Oftentimes, unlocking a cell phone will void the phone's warranty.
If this is a particular concern for a user, he or she is better off purchasing a smartphone that has been unlocked by the manufacturer rather than attempting to unlock it or paying someone to unlock it. Purchasing a new, unlocked smartphone keeps its warranty intact, so if the user encounters any problems with the smartphone it can be handled through the manufacturer's warranty. Purchasing an Unlocked Smartphone Consumers may be able to find a limited selection of unlocked smartphones available through local cell phone or electronics stores; however, they'll find a much greater selection available online. Consumers will find a plethora of models available through online cell phone and electronics retailers, as well as through auction sites such as eBay . Some smartphone manufacturers even sell unlocked smartphones directly through their websites.
Who Unlocked the Phone? Before making a purchase decision, consumers should determine if the phone they wish to purchase is a brand new phone that was unlocked by the manufacturer or if it has been unlocked by the retailer or someone else. While phones that have been unlocked by someone other than the manufacturer should still function properly, the user may need to adjust certain settings and the warranty may no longer be valid. Phones unlocked by the manufacturer may require some setting adjustments, but the warranty on these phones remains intact.
Unlocked Smartphone Prices Consumers will notice that unlocked cell phones can range from retail price to several hundred dollars above retail depending on the manufacturer and model of phone. Prices also greatly vary from site to site, so consumers should decide on a model, and then do a bit of research to determine which online retailer offers the best price for that particular phone before making a purchasing decision.
Cell Phone Service Providers Before purchasing an unlocked smartphone, consumers should also conduct a bit of research on the different cell phone service providers in their area. Although the GSM network is the more popular cell phone network, it is not the only cell phone network. Some providers still operate on the CDMA network, which does not use phones with SIM cards in them. The data typically stored on a SIM Card is stored in the phone's memory. Users who currently have a contract with a provider using the CDMA network, or who plan to sign up with a provider on the CDMA network, will not be able to use an unlocked smartphone because of this. Buying Unlocked Smartphones on eBay If you're ready to look at some unlocked smartphones on eBay, head to their Cell Phone Accessories department and proceed directly to the Cell Phones Smartphones section.
From there, you can choose to only browse by phones that have been unlocked. You can then begin to search through the various available options, or take advantage of the condition, carrier, operating system, brand, and other search modifiers in order to find the smartphone that's right for you. Conclusion Unlocked smartphones offer users a variety of advantages, including the freedom to select their own network and the ability to use the smartphone overseas without incurring outrageous roaming charges, but they are not without their disadvantages. Consumers will typically spend more for an unlocked cell phone model than they will if they purchase the phone through a service provider that offers that model.
It's up to the consumer to determine if the added freedom justifies the additional cost.