My phone broke last night, and I am looking on Ebay for a new cell, and I keep seeing some that are saying "unlocked" what does that mean?
2007-07-02 02:15:42 · 5 answers · asked by Video_Production 6 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Cell Phones & Plans
Unlocked phones can work with any SIM card or GSM network. If the network you plan to use offers SIM cards, you can use the phones with it.
2007-07-02 02:22:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
An unlocked cell phone is simply a phone you buy without a plan. They generally are more expensive because phone companies want to lock you in for 1 or 2 years on a plan. But you can find great discounts on websites like www.TheElectronicMaster.com
2007-07-02 10:11:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Unlocked or Unbranded?
These are industry terms most buyers are not familiar with, but can seriously effect the way your cell phone works for you. Simply put most of the time on eBay when you see the term unlocked, the seller means unbranded, which means it is straight from the manufacturer without any carrier logos (Alltel, Cingular, etc.) and without any carrier software. The lack of carrier software will effect your phone in the following ways.
The internet settings will not be configured, meaning you will have to manually set your phones browser up.
You MMS settings will not be configured.
You will not have your carriers shopping software (Cingular Mall, Get It Now, etc) loaded, meaning you cannot use their service to download ringtones and wallpapers.
If you are on the Cingular or AT&T network, your phone will only read the towers of the SIM card it has in it. Cingular phones are set up to read both Cingular and AT&T towers. Without the Cingular software in your phone, you will only read around 50% of the towers around you, thus decreasing reception.
2007-07-02 09:26:24 · answer #3 · answered by mcgyverapprentice 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
that the cell phone is no longer locked.
when you lock your phone any buttons pressed will not do anything. so that way you can throw it in your purse or give it to you little brother and they can't call anyone!
2007-07-02 09:21:30 · answer #4 · answered by Harley Q. 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
see it means that you can use any gsm network or any simcard ................and not be restricted to just a particular gsm
2007-07-02 09:39:47 · answer #5 · answered by Maliik 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋