Reasons to Unlock Your Smartphone
An unlocked smartphone is one that isn’t bound to a certain contract or service provider. Thus, you are free to opt for the latest in phones and plans anytime you want.
Here are more advantages of unlocking your cell phone:
1. You save cash.
There are unlocked phones that cost more up front when compared to phones that are financed by carriers. But, when spread over a period of two years and accompanied by a lower-priced voice or data plan, it will be cheaper than your total monthly payments on a monthly installment plan that runs for two years.
With an unlocked phone, you can continue using legacy data, voice and text plans. This can translate to cash savings and enable you to keep the plan you want. As unlocked phones are not restricted to a particular carrier, you have a wider variety of phones and features to select from.
2. You can use the phone in another country.
Unlocked phones give unmatched flexibility to individuals who travel abroad, such as international tourists, businessmen and tourists. With the high international roaming rates you pay with a phone that is locked to a U.S. network, an unlocked phone used abroad can offer cash savings. An unlocked phone will have you paying the same lower rate as locals do for local calls in that country. It could be as hassle-free as getting an unlocked phone in the U.S., flying to another country and getting a local SIM card.
Dual-SIM unlocked phones can accommodate up to two SIM cards on the same phone. That means it’s possible to have both your U.S. SIM card and a local SIM card together in a single phone. As well, you can use a dual-SIM phone at home so you can have one line for business and a separate line for personal communications – again, in just one phone.
Setting Up an Unlocked Smartphone
In order to use an unlocked phone in the U.S. or internationally, you must have a SIM card for your preferred carrier. SIM cards are tiny cards which contain carrier and user data in your cell phone. Buying a new phone or upgrading to a new unlocked phone, you will be able to take out the SIM card in your old phone and then slip it into the new one. If your old SIM is not a match (because of size difference) or you are moving carriers, you need to buy a new SIM card.
Is Unlocking Your Phone Illegal?
At present, unlocking your phone will not have you infringing on the law. You can even get your carrier to unlock your device, but expect a longer process. That’s why a lot of people go to a technician instead.
Source: http://www.technogrub.com/2016/07/4-things-need-consider-choosing-new-phone/