Unlocked phones is probably a term you have encountered a lot while researching your next phone. But do you know what the term means, and why it matters? Find out here.

• What is an unlocked phone?

An unlocked phone is one that can be used on any wireless phone network. Whereas a locked phone can only be used on one network. For example, if you had an unlocked phone, you could choose a plan with Virgin, Vodafone, O2, Sky Mobile, or any other carrier of your choice. However, a locked phone does not provide this flexibility. For example, if you had a phone locked to Vodafone, you wouldn’t be able to get the phone to work using an O2 SIM card (without unlocking the phone first, that is).

• Why unlock a phone?

Unlocking matters if you’re switching carriers, buying a used phone, or traveling. Locked phones are stuck with one wireless carrier (usually the carrier that the phone was purchased from). Unlocked phones, on the other hand, have the option of switching between the wireless network providers. Making sure you don’t switch carriers is basically the whole point of phone locks. A locked phone can change owners, phone numbers, specific plans, but not carriers.

• Unlocking the phone has two big pay-offs.

First, if you travel frequently, you can switch to another available wireless service provider to avoid roaming fees on your international travels. Just buy a SIM card from a local carrier, this way you get to pay local rates for calls and messages.

Second, unlocked phones do not come with long-term carrier contracts. That means you can switch carriers when you find a carrier who's plan better suites your needs.

Because of the freedom unlocking provides, buyers of used phones are willing to pay more for an unlocked phones. The resale value of an unlocked phone is up to 30% higher than for a locked unit.

• Is your phone unlocked?

Unless you specifically sought out to get an unlocked phone, your phone is probably locked. If you have a locked phone, the only way to get it unlocked is through your wireless carrier. The best way to test if your phone is locked is by popping in a SIM card from another carrier— you’ll see an error message if your phone is locked.

Of course, you can also buy an unlocked phone from smartcellular.uk! If you purchased your phone from your network carrier, it is most probably locked. You can get your carrier to unlock your phone. However, this does not happen automatically after the end of your contract. You’ll have to specifically call and ask them to unlock it.

• Where can I get an unlocked phone?

You can buy an unlocked phone directly from the manufacturer or if you are on a budget, you can get a refurbished one from us.