Archive for 'Buying Unlocked Phones'


It wasn’t that long ago when we all thought that cell phones were just expensive toys and cheap unlocked cellular phones were no longer available; many individuals just want a basic model that will make a call. If you’re searching for where to purchase manly cheap unlocked cell phones, the Internet is actually the simplest place to search Cell Phone Unlocked. Probably the best source for purchasing cheap unlocked cell phones is on eBay or through eBay affiliated stores.

Most importantly unlocked cell phones are in such elevated demand that third party companies will unlock Your Mobile Phone at price. However the procedure of unlocking a regular cell phone may be difficult and it may permanently damage your cell phone.

Although it may not seem possible with the high-tech status of phones today, cheap cellular phones are still available; it is still possible to find models if you don’t mind looking around. Most importantly shopping online isn’t only suitable and cheap, it also provides you the maximum selection of cheap cell phones.

Unlocked phones can provide a huge range of benefits. Unlocked cell phones basically not organized to a definite carrier. Unlocked phones work with any SIM card and locked phones have to be bought with a specific service provider. “Unlocked” applies to cell phones that can take any SIM card, also known as GSM cell phones.

For those looking for a phone that will work in another country, many other countries use GSM technology exclusively, so these unlocked phones can be used both in the United States and elsewhere in the world. If you are an international traveler, the unlocked phone is definitely the route to go. If you are traveling overseas for a business trip and just need a simple, basic phone to use while you are abroad, then why not buy a cheap unlocked cell phone?

When deciding if an unlocked cell phone is right for you, consider your personal needs. If you need a phone to use for overseas travel of whatever nature then a cheap unlocked cell phone will be ideal, especially if you don’t want end up paying ridiculous overseas network charges!

Visit us at http://www.cheap-unlocked-cell-phones.com for more information and the great product selection

Unlocked Phones FAQ:

Question: Can I use an unlocked phone for a company that uses CDMA?
Do all unlocked phones have sim cards? Can I use a phone with a sim card for a carrier which uses cdma? If I have a cdma phone, can I transfer my carrier, or do I have to buy a new phone?

Answer: GSM / iDEN based phones are unlocked and they use simcards only. A CDMA carrier won’t be using simcards and their technology is different from GSM carriers so you can’t use a GSM phone with a CDMA carrier. If you have a CDMA phone then you need to contact the CDMA carrier and they will set up the phone on their network.

Question: How does having an unlocked phone enable you to not have roaming charges from that network?
I have a unlocked cingular phone and will be traveling overseas. With an unlocked phone will I not pay cingular roaming charges?

Answer: If you have an unlocked phone with no SIM card in it, it’s not going to work at all. Most phones in the US will not work in Europe or Asia, unless it is a world phone. You have to have an account or be registered with the other service providers overseas in order to use their networks, and if you have an AT&T card in it, it will go through the international networks, then through your phone.

Question: Does your phone number change when you buy an unlocked phone?
I’m with AT&T right now, and I want to buy an unlocked Blackberry Curve. If I do, will I still have my old phone number, or will it be different?

Answer: When you buy the unlocked phone just put your sim card in and your number is the same as before. Remember the secret to your phone working is in the sim card and an att phone or unlocked phone that takes a sim card.

Question: Bought unlocked phone, will it work worldwide?

Answer: As long as your phone uses a SIM card and supports a quad band frequency. If it supports a tri band it will work in almost all countries worldwide. However if your phone is a dual band it will only work in the US, Canada and most of South America.

Question: Can an unlocked phone access the internet?
If I were to take my SIM card out of my Cingular phone and place it in an unlocked phone, such as a PDA phone, would that new phone be able to access the internet, even if my current plan does not have internet access included?

Answer: No. The internet is an additional data service that your account has to pay for. Just because the phone has a web browser, doesn’t automatically turn on that service.

Question: Can an unlocked phone work with a prepaid sim card?
I have a prepaid phone but will my sim card work with an unlocked Motorola RAZR?

Answer: I’ve been using my SIM card in unlocked phones for about 5 years with T Mobile prepaid service.
No problems to report thus far and I buy new unlocked phones every 9 months or less.

Question: I have an Unlocked Blackberry Pearl (8120) and want to use Boost Mobile’s network… Will my phone work?
I have an Unlocked Blackberry Pearl (8120) and want to get the Boost Mobile $50 everything plan but don’t want to switch phones. Will a boost mobile SIM card work with a Blackberry Pearl 8120 unlocked phone.

Answer: A boost mobile sim will only work in a boost mobile phone or a nextel phone. If a boost mobile sim is put into a blackberry the talk and walkie talkie will work but the email and data related functions will not. A boost mobile sim in a nextel device will likely have issues with downloads [ringtones, games & apps] since they have different storefronts loaded into the phone.

Question: Which Service Provider will work with my S500i unlocked phone?
I bought my unlocked Sony Ericsson while I was living in Europe. Now I moved back to the states and would like to get a monthly plan for my phone. Many of the places I have gone such as altell, tell me I cannot get a plan from them and use my phone because it has to be their phone.

Answer: Only T-Mobile and AT&T will work with your Sony Ericsson S500i.


When you are in the market to buy an unlocked cell phone, it is a good idea to have a basic idea of what “locked” actually means. The term locked when used with mobile phones means that the phone is programmed internally to operate on a particular system. This is usually the system that sells you the phone and provides the service. There are also two kinds of cell phones. These are the GSM and the CDMA types of mobile phones. The GSM is the type of phone used almost everywhere in the world, but the CDMA is a bit more common in the United States.

While it is possible to unlock a cell phone, many people prefer to buy unlocked cell phones. Any one who has watched television in the last couple of years is going to be aware of the tremendous competition between the various mobile phone service providers. These companies are most anxious to lock you into using their service and this is the purpose for locking them. When you own an unlocked phone, you are going to be able to select your own service, and use what is really your property in the way that you chose to use it.

GSM phones are very easy to unlock, and the CDMA phones are a bit harder. In either case, buying an unlocked mobile phone might make a little more sense than buying a phone and then unlocking it later. Ebay is one of the best sources for the purchase of unlocked mobile phones, but you need be a bit careful here. Some sellers on Ebay do not fully understand the concept of locked or unlocked. This is not really an attempt at dishonesty. They are not necessarily tech types, and simply do not understand. The best solution is to send a question to the seller and make sure that they understand exactly what it is you are asking of them.

Unlocked phones are also sold outside the United States and in some countries such as India; it is customary to unlock cell phones before selling them all the time. With the global internet market, this is a viable option for the purchase of an unlocked cell phone. Once again, the important issue to consider is making sure the seller understands exactly what you are looking to receive. Once you have your unlocked cell phones in your hands, it is an easy matter to determine if it is truly unlocked. All you need to do is try it out and it will tell you its status. If it is unlocked you are going to be able to use it to connect with whatever service you wish to use.

Natalie Aranda writes on shopping and technology. When you are in the market to buy unlocked cell phones, it is a good idea to have a basic idea of what “locked” actually means. The term locked when used with mobile phones means that the phone is programmed internally to operate on a particular system. This is usually the system that sells you the phone and provides the service. There are also two kinds of cell phones. These are the GSM and the CDMA types of mobile phones. The GSM is the type of phone used almost everywhere in the world, but the CDMA is a bit more common in the United States. While it is possible to unlock a cell phone, many people prefer to buy unlocked cell phones.

Unlocked Phone FAQ:

Question: How does an unlocked phone work? And how do you do it?
I want an unlocked phone phone cause I don’t really like the tmobile phones (apart from the sidekick which i have already had for 2 years) but how do you do it?

Answer: An unlocked phone is one that can be used with any GSM carrier.

So in other words…if you wanted an AT&T phone for a T-Mobile Sim, you’d look for an unlocked AT&T phone. This means that you can use it with T-Mobile.

Question: Can your conversation be listened to more easily by a third party if your phone is unlocked?

Answer: No, your conversation cannot be listened in on more easily. Anyone with a scanner covering the frequency as high as that of your cell phone CAN listen in providing they have the capacity to descramble. Very unlikely.

Question: What phone can you recommend for me that includes a touch screen, a qwerty keyboard, and it’s unlocked?
I want and unlocked phone because tmobile have horrible phones.

Answer: You can get the iphone 3G it has it all. Or you can get the samsung propel, it isn’t touch screen but it has a qwerty keyboard.

Question: If I buy an unlocked cell phone, will it work with my current Cincinnati Bell provider on the same network?
I was thinking about buying a new phone, but not from my Cincinnati Bell store, which is my provider. Can I buy any unlocked phone and it worked just fine, or would I have to take it to them, and pay for it to be unlocked? I don’t know much about the process. What is the “GSM850/1900″ and how do I change it to Cincinnati Bell?

Answer: GSM850/1900 is the network type – which is GSM and how high it is. Pretty much all new phones have this or better.
Cincinnati Bell is on the GSM network (as is T-Mobile, AT&T). You just have to insert your sim card and find your network in the settings.

Question: Can I use my SIM card from my current phone carrier in an unlocked phone?
I want to buy a new phone, but not from my local cell phone provider store. So can I buy an unlocked one and use it with my SIM card?

Answer: Yes you will be able to do that as long as the cell phone has a SIM card slot in them.

Question: I have a touch screen phone which is unlocked and requires a sim card would a Boost sim card work in it?
I have an unlocked phone, its actually from the uk, its unlocked, any sim card works in it – but would a Boost sim card work in any unlocked phone?

Answer: I don’t really know, you should try. I think it will but you may need to go with that prepay plan from boost.

Question: Can I use any unlocked phone with Verizon?
I need to buy a new phone but my contract isn’t expired. Can I buy an unlocked phone off of amazon or an other web retailer and have it activated by Verizon?

Answer: If it is an unlocked CDMA phone and not a GSM phone. CDMA networks include Alltell, Verizon, Sprint, and Cricket. Do not buy an unlocked phone that is GSM, or has a SIM card, it will not work.

Question: If I were to buy an unlocked phone, would I be able to use the internet?
I have a T-mobile Prepaid plan. I want to get an unlocked sony ericsson walkman phone that has internet access, however, I don’t know if I will be able to use the internet.

Answer: I think one usually has to have an internet plan to be able to use the internet, but I’m not 100% sure. If your phone isn’t programmed to access the internet (via the SIM), it doesn’t matter what type of phone you have. For example, you can have a sidekick, but unless you put a sidekick plan on it (for example, T-mobile’s “sidekick unlimited”), you can’t access the internet with it (other than perhaps the very basic T-zones).


If you are considering buying a new cell phone, you may have heard about phones that are unlocked and wondered why you should buy unlocked cell phones.

There are three main reasons why you want an unlocked mobile phone over one that is locked. In a lot of cell phones there is a small card called a SIM card. This card activates the phone and allows it to operate as a particular number. You can also store your address book contacts on a SIM card. Your phone service simply goes where the SIM card goes. If you buy an unlocked phone, you can take the SIM card and put it in the new phone and your service will work the same.

So what are the advantages of an unlocked phone? First, if you travel overseas you will want to have an unlocked cell phone. You can buy prepaid SIM cards that are designed to work in the country you are visiting. This is often much cheaper than having to deal with out of the country calls through your cell phone carrier and you might find the service more reliable as well.

In some cases, you might get a free phone when you sign up for your cell phone service if you sign a contract. But when your contract expires, you can no longer use your phone because it is locked. If you buy an unlocked phone, you can switch cell phone providers without losing your phone. You’ll just have to get a new SIM card from your provider and then your phone should work fine. An unlocked phone also comes in handy if you have more than one phone. For instance, if you have one phone that has a camera feature and one that doesn’t and your spouse needs the camera phone that you usually use, you can simply switch SIM cards. You’ll still get your calls delivered to you on your spouse’s phone. This also works if you have phones on different providers as well, such as your personal phone and business phone. You can easily switch the SIM card out if you want to use a different phone than you usually do.

The other advantage of buying an unlocked phone is that you can give it to someone else or sell it when you are done with it. If you have a nice phone but want to upgrade, there is no reason to simply throw the phone away. If it is unlocked, you can pass it on to your spouse or kids. You can also sell it and put the money towards your new unlocked phone. Having a phone that is unlocked gives you a lot of options, both now and for the future.

Natalie Aranda writes about technology. If you are considering buying a new cell phone, you may have heard about phones that are unlocked and wondered why you should be unlocked cell phones. There are three main reasons why you want an unlocked mobile phone over one that is locked. In a lot of cell phones there is a small card called a SIM card. This card activates the phone and allows it to operate as a particular number. You can also store your address book contacts on a SIM card. Your phone service simply goes where the SIM card goes. If you buy unlocked phone, you can take the SIM card and put it in the new phone and your service will work the same.

Unlocked Phone FAQ:

Question: How do I activate an unlocked phone? Can I just put my current SIM card in it?
I want to get a new phone, but don’t want to pay the fees that they charge for ending your contract at the T-Mobile store. I would like to buy an unlocked phone off of eBay, but I’m not sure how to get the new phone set up. To activate an unlocked mobile phone, do I just put my SIM card into the new phone? Or do I have to go to the store and get it activated?

Answer: Just put your sim card in it. Only At&T and Tmobile phones operate with sim cards so there is no need to call or go to the store for them to activate it.

Question: If you update a debranded and unlocked phone will it put the sim lock back on and re brand the phone?
I bought a nokia 6500 slide on orange. Last month I left orange after 4 years and went to o2. I got the phone unlocked and debranded so when I turn it on it has no orange screens or any orange menus. So if I use the nokia update software, will it rebrand and lock the phone again? Or will it just take it as a normal nokia?

Answer: If its debranded, it will be detected as a generic model. So when updating, Nokia won’t detect the network but simply updates the firmware to Nokia.

Question: I have an unlocked phone and a 400 text plan. When I open the messenger it says it will use my airtime and cost money. Would I be charged even though I have the text plan?

Answer: First, which instant messenger program did you try downloading? Different instant messenger programs work differently. Some programs send instant messages as texts while others send them as data. However, all programs need data to connect to their respective instant messaging service. I would recommend avoiding those programs unless you have a data plan on your account (preferably an unlimited data plan).

Question: How do unlocked cell phones work?
I need a new cell phone because by accident I spilled water on it. I searched for a new one on ebay because it is too expensive to buy one without a 2year contract. Has anybody bought one of those cell phones on ebay? Also, what is gsm?

Answer: If you buy an unlocked phone from another provider, you sometimes will loose features on it. Like Internet might not work and picture messaging might not work. Other then that, unlocked phones are pretty good. GSM is a cell phone network that AT&T uses. Ebay and craigslist are good web sites to buy unlocked phones on. You’ll find some good deals on there. You might want to look on amazon.com too.

Question: Do the new unlocked phones work for the wireless cell phone company METROpcs? If so which phones work in miami?
I’ve heard of certain frequencies the phones require to work on certain spots due to tower outputs of frequency. Nokia has an estimate of 15 new unlocked phones, which would work with metro today?

Answer: They do not. MetroPCS is cheap enough to make sure that ONLY their phones are usable with their service. You can’t use other phones with their service, nor can you use their phones for other services.

It doesn’t matter if it’s unlocked. MetroPCS doesn’t have SIM cards, and you will not be able to activate your unlocked phone.

Question: What kind of unlocked phone do I need to input sim card?
Going on a trip to europe. Would like to have a cell to call another person while I am there in country. If I buy an unlocked gsm phone on ebay how do I know it will accept those prepaid sim cards that can be bought?

Answer: Buy a quadband phone so you can use any SIM worldwide.

Question: How do I go about changing my SIM card to an unlocked phone?
For example I want to get an LG Viewty, so should I just get a crappy phone with a sim card, and add it to the Viewty and it’ll work? How do you do this?

Answer: Yes that’s how it works, as long as the phone is unlocked. SIM cards do come separately too. I bought one for $20 when mine broke and everything besides the MMS, Internet, and E-Mail will work, but those can be fixed by calling your phone company and asking them for the settings

Question: If I buy an unlocked phone, how do I connect it to the number I already have with a carrier?
I’m currently with Verizon Wireless. I’d like to buy a better phone, but their selection is small. I’m considering an unlocked phone but not sure how that works. Can I use the unlocked phone and still keep the same number and carrier service?

Answer: First off, Verizon wireless is a CDMA network, not like AT&T or T-mobile which are GSM. For GSM networks you just take out the sim card of your current phone and put it into the unlocked phone and start making calls and what not.

Who doesn’t have a cell phone these days, most of us probably can’t do without them anymore. Those who are looking to buy a cell phone have 3 options, buying unlocked phones, cell phones with service or prepaid phones. Buying a new phone is for most of us about the look of the phone, but when it comes down to choosing an unlocked phone there are some important issues to look out for.

1) Travelling Abroad
Many countries use different frequencies that the cell phones operate on. Unlocked phones come in an US or an international version. If the phone is for local use then an US version is sufficient but if you have to travel abroad a lot you need to make sure you look out for what is known as an international version.

The international unlocked phones have what is called four bandwidths. This is very important as some countries you may be travelling to use different bandwidth from state to state. An example would be roaming, so make sure to buy a ‘quad band’ phone. Most of the unlocked phones you will find online are tri band and therefore are not legally classed as true international cell phones. You will find that most truthful sellers online will tell you if the phone is international, but most are US only.

2) Internet Access
Internet access and receiving emails on a mobile phones is something that is commonly used. If this is an important feature to have on your phone then make sure to avoid China bought unlocked phones. They often do not work on your local web or WiFi, unless this is specifically specified. Although there are other unlocked international phones like the LG Shine (KE970) who will work in the US but you won’t be able to access the internet. So be sure to check this out carefully before buying your phone of choice.

3) Pay As You Go One question that is often asked is if you can use an unlocked cell phone with Pay As You Go. The simple answer is yes, but be ware that not all do. Although generally all you need to do is put your SIM card in, and you're ready to go!

4) Pricing
When buying unlocked phones you need to realise that you usually don’t get them for free with your chosen service provider.You need to pay for the phone yourself and the prices can be quit high. Although you could consider an international phone, because the great thing about these is that they usually offer huge price savings but the downside is that a lot of these don’t offer a warranty. Although sometimes you will be able to find some that do offer a 7 day, 30 day or even a full warranty.

If you go down the route of buying unlocked phones and you can’t do without surfing the net or staying in touch with your friends via twitter then make sure your phone of choice allows you to do so. And if you go abroad on a regular basis make sure you buy an international cell phone that has quad band capabilities, so you won’t be left speechless when it matters most.

Andrew Jameson is a gadget and electronics enthusiast and provides through his site in-depth facts and consumer feedback on newest cell phones. If you wish to find out more about buying unlocked phones or how you can save up 75% on your bills by unlocking cell phones then please visit his site.

Unlocked Phones FAQ:

Question: Unlocked phone?
How do I unlock a phone? If I buy an unlocked phone can I use it with any service provider? For instance, I want a sidekick 3 but my service provider is sprint. So if its unlocked, will I be able to use it with sprint?

Answer: Different service provider uses different cell system. You cannot use any other company’s phone with SprintPCS.

Question: What unlocked phone can work for boost mobile?

Answer: A boost mobile starter kit will work in a nextel handset.

Question: How does an unlocked phone get activated onto a different network?
Like you see on Ebay and places IPhone Unlocked can be used on any network. Is this a scam or can these phones really be activated on Verizon Wireless. When you talk to a Verizon agent they tell you that there is no way it can happen. Is this true?

Answer: Anybody claiming that the iPhone could work on Verizon Wireless is lying. Straight up.

Simple fact of the matter is the iPhone is a GSM phone, Verizon is a CDMA network. They would never work together under their current configurations.

Question: How do I start using a new Unlocked cell phone?
This is my situation. I have a current Verizon phone. I now want a new Motorola phone that normally doesn’t provide service to Verizon. It’s an unlocked phone though, so all I have to do is switch the SIM card from my Verizon phone to my new Motorola phone? Is that all it takes?

Answer: Verizon doesn’t use SIM cards. Verizon is on the CDMA (Closed Division Multiple Access). Sprint is also CDMA. Cingular and T-Mobile use SIM cards because they are on the GSM network.

Try taking your phone to T-Mobile or Cingular, it won’t work with Verizon.

Question: How does an unlocked phone work?
I have verizon and I need a new phone. I really want to get an unlocked palm treo. How exactly does an unlocked phone work and how do I add it to my existing service?

Answer: Unlocked phones don’t work with Verizon’s service. Unlocked phones basically means that the phone can be used with any carrier which uses SIM cards and GSM frequencies, which Verizon doesn’t use.

Question: Can I buy an unlocked cell phone and use it with my verizon prepay plan?

Answer: No because verizon doesn’t use a sim card.

Question: How do I activate an unlocked mobile phone?
I already have a wireless plan with cingular. I want to get a new phone, but don’t want to pay the exorborant fees that they charge for them. I’ve found that I can get unlocked phones for much better prices online, but I’m not sure how to get the new phone set up. To activate an unlocked mobile phone, do I just put my SIM card into the new phone? Or is there something else that I have to do?

Answer: Just put your chip in it. You will have to take it somewhere to get the internet set up for your provider though (if its not already cingular). Any cingular store should do that for free.

Question: How do I use my unlocked phone with my current carrier?
This is a gift. My mother has a plan with Verizon. I don’t want to extend that plan but give her this unlocked phone and make sure she can use this phone with her current plan.

Answer: If you have an unlocked phone, that phone would be a GSM phone. That phone is not compatible with Verizon service. Verizon works on CDMA technology, GSM works with a sim card, a CDMA phone does not. On a
side note, the only phones your mom can use with Verizon is a Verizon Branded phone. They will not activate any other CDMA phone.

Back to top