What Are Unlocked Cell Phones?
When someone signs up for a new cell carrier plan, they often get a phone at a free or reduced rate with their contract. The cell phones that come with a carrier contract are almost always locked cell phones. This means that they only work with that specific carrier's Subscriber Identification Module, or SIM, card, a microchip inserted into the phone to activate service. To put it simply, that person can only use that phone while still subscribed to that carrier's network and, if they want to change carriers, they have to get a new phone.
An unlocked cell phone will work with any carrier's SIM card. If an individual changes carriers, they simply have to insert a new SIM card into their unlocked cell phone, and the phone will be able to access that carrier's network.
Cell phone carriers use locked cell phones to their advantage. By locking the cell phones and offering them as part of their contract, they retain more customers. The customer cannot change carriers without getting a new phone and possibly spending more money. Because certain carriers may have contracts with specific cell phone manufacturers, a customer may not be able to get the phone they want with the plan they have. The carriers argue that locking the phones helps them offer the phones at a discounted rate. Still, these phones leave the customer with few options.
An unlocked phone, on the other hand, can be used for years, even if the customer decides to change carriers. The customer has more options as to the type and style of cell phone they choose because they are not pinned down to the phones offered by their carrier. While the customer will have to buy the unlocked phone outright, perhaps spending more money initially, over time, they actually save more money. Plus, unlocked cell phones are much more convenient.
Unlocked cell phones are offered by third parties and are not connected with the carrier companies. On occasion, a cell carrier will unlock a locked phone after a period of time, but these previously locked phones don't always work with all SIM cards, even once they're unlocked. As unlocked cell phones become more popular, the overall price of phones should come down.
The U.S. is far behind the rest of the worl in unlocked cell phone sales. In other countries, the majority of cell phones sold are unlocked. In the United States, the majority are sold with contracts and are locked into a certain carrier. This is slowly changing and within a decade unlocked phones shouls surpass locked phone sales.
Cellular Blowout has been offering customers the hottest unlocked phones online at http://www.cellular-blowout.com since 2002. They offer a wide range of cell phones and cell phone accessories, from hardware to software.
![]() USB Audio Video Data Charging Dock with Remote for HTC Mobile Phone Smartphone US $7.99
|
![]() USB Multi Power Car Charger with Computer PC Cable for Most Mobile Phone and PDA US $5.49
|
![]() Backup Battery 2000mAH Charger for iPhone 4G 3GS Blackberry Nokia Mobile Phone US $17.08
|
![]() Purple Diamond Leopard Bling Cell Phone Cover for Pantech P6010 Pursuit 2 II US $11.99
|
![]() Motorola MOTOKRZR K1m Black Verizon Cell Phone Bundle BATTERY AND CHARGER VG US $10.49
|
![]() Free Shipping Tracking No Universal Spider Podium Mobile cell phone Stand Grip US $13.42
|
![]() Blue Neck Lanyard Strap for Camera Cellphone ID Card US $5.87
|
![]() Casio GzOne Boulder Waterproof Camera Cell Phone No Contract VERIZON used C711 US $39.95
|
![]() Red Neck Lanyard Strap for Camera Cellphone MP3 ID Card US $5.87
|
![]() 10x Black Neck Lanyard Strap for Camera Cellphone Card US $5.87
|
![]() 5x Red Neck Lanyard Strap for Camera Cellphone ID Card US $5.87
|
![]() 3x Stylus Touch LCD Pen FOR Palm Treo 680 Cellphone PDA US $5.87
|
![]() Motorola IC402 Gray Sprint Cellular Phone US $12.00
|
![]() Lovely Cartoon Brown Pig Wallet Cell Phone Pouch Coin Purse Happy Gift US $.01
|
![]() NIB Apple Iphone 3GS Cell Phone Case US $1.00
|
![]() Liquor Flask Cellphone Design with Case Good Condition US $14.00
|
![]() VERIZON MOTOROLA DROID 2 GLOBAL A956 CAMERA CELL PHONE US $189.95
|
![]() Cell Phone Battery2 Charger for Motorola RAZR RAZOR V3 US $7.76
|
![]() Motorola E815 Gray Verizon Cellular Phone US $15.00
|
![]() Samsung SCH U310 Knack Black Verizon Cellular Phone FOR PARTS US $20.00
|
![]() Samsung SCH U340 Snap Blue US Cellular Cellular Phone US $4.99
|
![]() Clear Pink Ladies Slim Cellphone Hard Case iPhone 4 4S 4th Generation Protector US $4.95
|
![]() Casio GZone Gzone Boulder C711 Verizon Cell Phone USED Good US $43.95
|
![]() OEM CELL PHONE LI ION BATTERY FOR LG VX9100 ENVY 2 ENV2 US $7.74
|
![]() AC Charger Cell Phone for HTC Shadow I II Android SDA US $1.99
|
![]() Motorola Q Black Cellular Phone US $15.00
|
![]() Samsung SGH A927 Flight II Black ATT Cellular Phone with EXTRAS US $75.00
|
![]() Motorola W376g Silver TracFone Cellular Phone US $12.50
|
![]() Kyocera Domino Red MetroPCS Cellular Phone US $5.00
|
![]() Motorola 8900X 2 Brick Mobile Phone Vintage Analog Cell Phone DynaTAC 8900X US $38.10
|
![]() Red Lanyard Hand Strap for Camera Mp3 Cellphone PDA US $6.88
|
![]() Kyocera Torino S2300 Black Metro PCS Cellular Phone US $20.00
|
![]() ATT Nokia Mural 6750 GSM Bluetooth Camera 3G Used Cell Phone No Contract US $29.99
|
![]() ATT Samsung SGH A257 Magnet Orange No Contract Used Cell Phone US $27.00
|
![]() Battery Car Charger Cell Phone Case for LG 8575 Samba US $1.99
|
![]() ATT Motorola V173 GSM Silver No Contract Cell Phone US $14.99
|
![]() 1x Wrist Strap Lanyard for PSP Mobile Cell Phone iPod Camera NDS IPad MP4 AKN D US $.06
|
![]() Just Wireless Cell Phone Charger Motorola Sanyo LG SKU 04201 US $4.99
|
![]() Motorola MOTOKRZR K1m Black Verizon Cellular Phone powers on white screen US $14.99
|
![]() LG VU CU920 Black ATT Cellular Phone US $35.00
|








































