In the recent years, the usage of cell phones has increased drastically in almost every country in the world. Similarly, the number of cell phone manufactures has also increased due to the demands of telephone. Cell phones launched a decade ago is totally different from what you get today. Today's handsets have exclusive features and facilities to meet the requirements of the user. The two types of phones are locked and unlocked phones. This article will provide valid information on benefits of unlocked phones. These devices have its advantages and disadvantages like any other phone available in the market.
Difference between Locked and Unlocked Phones

A locked cell phone works with a single provider. A locked cell phone works with CDMA technology and unlocked cell phones work without CDMA technology. The main difference between the two is that locked handsets will have an inbuilt SIM card, which can not be removed or replaced. Customers using the locked services will not be able to change the SIM cards in their phone. However, in the case of unlocked services, customers can replace the particular SIM card with another according to his needs. The handsets using locked services can not be unlocked at any moment. For instance, when your contract with your CDMA service provider ends, it automatically locks the mobile phone. The CDMA services are not compatible with SIM cards.

Advantages of Unlocked Phones

These phones have various benefits since it is compatible with SIM cards. Most of the people prefer to buy this type of cell phones due to the varieties available to choose. One of the main advantages of this type of phone is the availability to use the same hand phone while switching networks. If you are moving to another country, you can use the same phone by replacing the SIM card with a local network. This can not be done with the CDMA technology. This is the main reason to why people buy the unlocked handset. In case you do not like service of a network provider, you can easily replace the card, this service is not available with locked services.

Disadvantages of Unlocked Phones

The main disadvantage of this type of phones is the cost of the handset. You would end up paying a couple of hundreds of dollars. There are possibilities of getting discounts or reductions while buying locked handsets since they are specially made for the particular service provider. Most of the CDMA providers sell their handsets for lesser price due to the contract the customer has with the company. The latest phones with newest features can also be available at minimum cost and you can include the price in your monthly bills. In case of the unlocked handsets, you will have to buy it with a onetime payment irrevocable to the features and manufacturer.

Most of the latest technology handsets are launched on unlocked phones. This is due to the interest customers have on the phones. The best places to buy these handsets are either online stores or local stores. You can get discounts or reductions on your purchase from an online store.