Video:How to Buy an Unlocked Phone

Transcript:How to Buy an Unlocked Phone

Hi, I'm Nick Jaynes for About.com, and this is how to buy an unlocked phone.

Why Buy an Unlocked Phone

The benefit to having an unlocked phone is that you can use the phone on most any cell phone carrier. But if you don't want to buy and unlock a phone yourself, you can buy them pre-unlocked. Here is where to buy an unlocked phone. Now, jailbroken smartphones and unlocked smartphones should not be confused. Unlocked phones are phones that were never assigned to a carrier at the factory. You can buy these from some retailers and then use them with any carrier you wish to join, provided that carrier's signal also supports the wireless technology inside the smartphone.

Difference Between Unlocked and Jailbroken Phones

Unlocked phones do not have as many opportunities for third-party apps as they remain relatively stock. Unlocked phones are still running the full factory operating system and confined to its limitations. Compare that to jailbroken phones, which have been hacked and have potentially had the factory warranty voided. Jailbroken phones can be much more versatile than stock or unlocked phones but are prone to potentially phone-ending software issues. Whether you're looking for an unlocked iPhone4 or an Android phone, there are many places to find them for purchase with all the technical work done for you. This is great for those of us who wish to enjoy an unlocked smartphone, but who aren't so tech-savvy.

Where to Buy Unlocked Phones

A quick Google search for "unlocked iPhone" provides hundreds of search results. Anywhere from a few hundred dollars to nearly one thousand dollars, you can get a pre-unlocked iPhone4 from an online dealer. If you're looking for an unlocked phone to purchase from a local retailer, it might be out of luck. But if you live in a large city and do some searching and calling around, you might be able to find a store that sells them. But mostly, the unlocked phones are for purchase exclusively online. Hopefully, you now have a good idea on how to find an unlocked phone for purchase. Remember you can always buy the phone yourself and unlock it at home, saving potentially hundreds of dollars.

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