Would someone tell me what is that mean about "locked" or "unlocked" on the cellphones?

Question

So many massages showed that the phones had been unlocked on the eBay. What is that mean?

Answer 1

locked refers to disabling the number pad so it can't accidently make a call if numbers got pushed in your purse or pocket.

Answer 2

When dealing with GSM phones. Locked/Unlocked means the state the software is in concerning the SIM card. A locked phone is programmed to work with only the carrier it was designed for in the factory. An unlocked phone is one that was designed or unlocked after the fact to work with any GSM carrier that uses the frequencies that are in the phone.

There are three different types of unlocked phones:
OEM - Original Equipment Manufacturer - These are phones that left the factory unlocked and were either sold to the carrier (in European situations) or sold to a distributor (in both European and US situations) for resale to the public. These types of phones have manufacturers warranties (not necessarily in the country they were sold in).
Code Unlocked - These are phones that have been unlocked using a subsidy code that was given either by the carrier, the manufacturer, or a software program that uses the phone's serial number to determine the code. These phones may be locked by simply by powering the phone down in some situations or by a software upgrade from the carrier/manufacturer.
Software Unlocked - These phones have been connected to a computer or unlocker through a data cable and have had the lock disabled permanently (until the software is upgraded at the flash level). These phones usually do not have any warranties from the manufacturer.

Answer 3

So far Amigotek's answer is the most comprehensive, and it is correct. Just want to add one more detail. When you are using a subsidy unlock code to unlock the phone, you only have a certain number of attempts before the phone is "frozen" to that carrier. Usually, you have five attempts.

I am uncertain what affect this would have if you tried to use unlocking software on such a phone.

Also, you would have still have to call tech support to get the correct info loaded into the phone to surf the internet. Each carrier has it own gateway ip and so on.

Unless you are very lucky, they won't be able to send this info as a download to your phone. Be prepared to spend around a half an hour once you convince tech support to help you.

Your best bet is to make the store clerk do this for you at the point of sale. Make him or her earn their commission.

Answer 4

It means that you don't have to enter a password to "unlock" or use the phone
People lock their phones so they don't dial while in someone's pocket and only the owner knows the 3 digit code to unlock the phone

Answer 5

when a phone is locked you cannot change the sim to use a different network, you have to stay with the locked network unless its unlocked

Answer 6

It must be an "imitation". continuously verify for emblems and emblems (maximum Apple products, relatively iPod have this revealed embossed variety), that's the variety you would understand if this is unique or imitation. maximum cellular telephones now are china made and don't submit to this embossed variety.

Answer 7

if it is locked then it is made for a particular company like Verizon, Cingular, etc. if its not then you should be able to use it with whatever service you already have.