| If you are considering buying a new cell phone, | | | | If you buy an unlocked phone, you can switch cell |
| you may have heard about phones that are | | | | phone providers without losing your phone. You'll |
| unlocked and wondered why you should be | | | | just have to get a new SIM card from your |
| unlocked cell phones. | | | | provider and then your phone should work fine. |
| There are three main reasons why you want an | | | | An unlocked phone also comes in handy if you |
| unlocked mobile phone over one that is locked. In | | | | have more than one phone. For instance, if you |
| a lot of cell phones there is a small card called a | | | | have one phone that has a camera feature and |
| SIM card. This card activates the phone and | | | | one that doesn't and your spouse needs the |
| allows it to operate as a particular number. You | | | | camera phone that you usually use, you can |
| can also store your address book contacts on a | | | | simply switch SIM cards. You'll still get your calls |
| SIM card. Your phone service simply goes where | | | | delivered to you on your spouse's phone. This also |
| the SIM card goes. If you buy an unlocked phone, | | | | works if you have phones on different providers |
| you can take the SIM card and put it in the new | | | | as well, such as your personal phone and business |
| phone and your service will work the same. | | | | phone. You can easily switch the SIM card out if |
| So what are the advantages of an unlocked | | | | you want to use a different phone than you |
| phone? First, if you travel overseas you will want | | | | usually do. |
| to have an unlocked cell phone. You can buy | | | | The other advantage of buying an unlocked phone |
| prepaid SIM cards that are designed to work in | | | | is that you can give it to someone else or sell it |
| the country you are visiting. This is often much | | | | when you are done with it. If you have a nice |
| cheaper than having to deal with out of the | | | | phone but want to upgrade, there is no reason to |
| country calls through your cell phone carrier and | | | | simply throw the phone away. If it is unlocked, |
| you might find the service more reliable as well. | | | | you can pass it on to your spouse or kids. You |
| In some cases, you might get a free phone when | | | | can also sell it and put the money towards your |
| you sign up for your cell phone service if you sign | | | | new unlocked phone. Having a phone that is |
| a contract. But when your contract expires, you | | | | unlocked gives you a lot of options, both now and |
| can no longer use your phone because it is locked. | | | | for the future. |