Why and How to Buy Unlocked Cell Phones

I spend a lot of time browsing through online auction sites. I think it's fun to look at all the different products that people are buying and selling, especially since many of the items can't be found in regular stores. Want that classic video game you used to spend hours playing as a kid? Chances are it'll be on eBay! It's also interesting to be able to track the hottest retail trends and fads. Remember when Tickle Me Elmo dolls were flying off the shelves? I knew they were popular without ever stepping foot in a Toys R Us because I saw how much people were bidding for them.

These days, I'd have to say that unlocked cell phones are some of the most popular products around. I see so many auctions for these things that I finally had to look into them to see what all the fuss was about. After doing some research and finding out how convenient these handsets are, I now understand why people are scrambling to buy unlocked cell phones. Here are the basics.

Unlocked cell phones are handsets that can recognize and respond to SIM (subscriber identification module) cards from any service provider. Locked units, on the other hand, are programmed to respond to a single provider and won't work on another carrier's network. What's the point of this? It's so that the carriers can offer "free" handsets with long-term contracts without having to worry about getting burned by customers who sign up just for the phone and then try to break the agreement.

There are a couple of good reasons why people might want to buy unlocked cell phones. The first is if you really want a phone that is not offered by your current provider. For instance, when the iPhone came out, it was available only to AT&T Wireless customers because Apple had a binding deal with that company. But of course, tens of thousands of Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint subscribers wanted the iPhone as well, so it wasn't long until hacked versions appeared on the market. A second reason for wanting unlocked cell phones would be if a carrier is offering a terrific rate on long-term contracts, but only throws a cheapo phone into the bargain. It might still be worth your while to sign up for the contract, and then swap out the SIM card to a handset that you like better.

Finding unlocked cell phones is relatively easy these days. Auction sites like eBay remain a top destination when shopping for these handsets, and many third-party vendors are setting up their own online retail sites as well. If you're having trouble finding unlocked cell phones in your area, you can also just purchase the locked version and then bring the phone to a specialist who can unlock it for a fee.

So if you've got your eye on a cool new phone that isn't supported by your carrier, don't fret. All you have to do is find a retailer that sells unlocked cell phones and you'll be ready to go in no time!