First let’s look at what an unlocked cell phone is.  Some cell phones are designed to use a Subscriber Identification Module card or SIM card for short.  A SIM card is a microchip that stores subscriber data.  The SIM card is issued by a carrier and provides cell service by activating any phone into which it is inserted.  A locked cell phone, however, will only recognize a SIM card from a particular carrier.  If the cell phone is unlocked, it will recognize a SIM card from any carrier.  The “lock” is a software setting that keeps the cell phone “loyal” to one carrier.  This is done by the major carriers to ensure you don’t get a FREE cell phone under a two-year contract and then not pay on the contract and use that cell phone with another provider.  It is in this way that the cell phone providers can justify giving individuals a FREE cell phone that would have otherwise cost the consumer money.

There are plenty of places that sell unlocked cell phones but simply buying one of these phones does not guarantee that it will work with your carrier.  Before buying an unlocked cell phone, you have to know what network your cellular provider operates on.  There are two here in the United States.  The first is Global Systems for Mobile Communications or GSM for short.  If your cell phone has a SIM card, your provider uses GSM.  Currently carriers on the GSM network include, AT&T Wireless and T-Mobile.  Typically if you buy an unlocked cell phone any SIM card should work equally as well in that phone regardless of the provider.  The other network is called Code Division Multiple Access or CDMA for short.  CDMA phones do not have a SIM card and thus even if you purchase an unlocked CDMA cell phone you still have to get your carrier to activate it for you.  The drawback here is that the provider still decides if you can use a specific cell phone.  Currently carriers using CDMA in the United States include Verizon Wireless, Alltel Wireless and Sprint PCS.

The easiest way to determine if your provider will let you use an unlocked cell phone you have your eye on is to simply call them.  Every provider has an 800 number that can be obtained by simply going to their web site.  This is especially important for anyone who is considering buying an unlocked CDMA cell phone.

Unlocked cell phones have become so in demand that there are now companies out there that will unlock your cell phone for a fee.  The fee varies by company and again may or may not free up your cell phone to be used elsewhere.  There are also numerous hacking sites on the web that will show you how to unlock your phone, but be warned, the carriers will render a cell phone that is determined to be unlocked improperly inoperable.  If you want an unlocked cell phone, the best thing to do is to buy one from a reputable company. 

Now that you know the facts, start looking for your dream cell phone.  Remember it is probably best to leave your locked cell phone alone and look elsewhere for an unlocked cell phone that will work best with your GSM (if you have a SIM card) or CDMA cell phone.  Avoid the places that tell you any unlocked phone will work with any carrier and be sure to double-check with your provider before you finalize your purchase.  It’s your money, spend it wisely.

For more information or to find out where to purchase unlocked cell phones, please visit http://www.search4cellphonedeals.com/New_and_Refurbished_Unlocked_Cell_Phones.html   

 

Shopping a cell phone can be very hard if you have no idea how to buy one that you’ll enjoy using and showing around. Besides the brand name, there are a lot of aspects you may need to take into consideration when picking a cell phone. As it is widely acknowledged, a cell phone someone selects not only presents his or her practical demands for the cell phone, but also his or her personality. Normally, everyone would pick the ideal combination of brand names, designs, features and performance for a cell phone based on his or her taste.

Brand name

From Samsung, Motorola, Siemens to various other cell phone brand names, there are so many options to select from. If you are a brand follower, it will be quite easy to make the decision: just choose your favorite. If you don’t care about brand, ignore this aspect and go straightly to the following suggestions.

Design & Style

Now cell phones enjoy various designs or styles. From the masculine type to the cartoon type, from slim body to standard outlook, from slide to candy bar, from touch screen to keyboard, from the gorgeous to the simple, whenever and wherever you step into a cell phone marketplace or visit an online cell phone store, you will soon be dazzled by the huge selection of cell phones. Every design has its particular merits, just pick the one you are sure you will be glad to show off in public or simply the one appeals to you at a glimpse. But one thing is for sure: no matter what design it is, the cell phone you opt for should be convenient enough when you use it. That is, user experience should come first when it comes to shopping for a cell phone. For instance, must check whether the screen is big enough for you to read a message using the cell phone or if the keyboard is comfortablconvenient enough to type messages or dial numbers, etc.

Features

In this regard, you should confirm which features you love for a cell phone first. If you need a cell phone just for making phone calls and sending messages, go for the simply featured cell phones without any other features like digital cameras, music players, personalized ringtones, etc. If you plan to use the cell phone to access and manage your email and other organizational tasks, pick a high-end handset or even a smart cell phone like PDA. If you love to use your cell phone for entertainment, opt for the one with premium quality MP5 player or a range of games. The basic rule is: do not go with anything more than you need.

Performance

Check if everything operates well with the cell phone you are going to buy. Besides reading carefully the product specifications for the cell phone, you had better have a thorough testing on every function of the phone to see if the performance is satisfactory or not. The key function for a cell phone, of course, is the call quality. So try to call someone with the cell phone and you will find whether the call quality is satisfying. Also, it is necessary to check whether the contact list is easy to organize. Try inputting a few contact persons’s names and check if it is fast to reach the person you are looking for. For a feature-rich or smart cell phone, you need to check every function step by step and confirm they are on normal conditions and satisfactory enough according to your needs.