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What else do I need to know?
Once you buy an unlocked phone, you'll need to adjust the handset's settings in order to fully utilize it. Here are the things you need to know:
- Though you'll be able to make calls right away--after inserting your SIM card, of course--messaging, data, and Web browsing functions may be inoperable. In order to use those features, you'll have program the phone with your carrier's data and multimedia settings. You can get these from your carrier or sometimes from the manufacturer, as well. Nokia and Sony Ericsson offer tools on their Web sites that will send the settings to your phone in the form of a text message. The settings will vary by carrier and model.
- If you're using the phone in North America, it's essential that it support either the GSM 850 or 1900 band (though accessibility to both is best). Don't bother purchasing a phone that uses only the 900 or 1800 bands, as those frequencies are used only outside the United States and Canada. You can find a phone's bands by looking at its list of technical specifications.
- If you're hoping to use UMTS 3G services your phone must support the 1900 band for use in North America.
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Unlocking a phone with your carrier's permission may void any warranties. Or worse, you may have problems with the phone itself. Just this month, many Apple iPhone owners who unlocked their phones suddenly found them unusable when Apple issued a service update.
- When using an unlocked phone, the standby screen and menu interface may appear differently than on one of the carrier's locked phones. This is pretty much just an issue of aesthetics and not operability.
- Some higher-end features in unlocked phones, such as push-to-talk and GPS services, may not be compatible with your carrier's network. Check with your carrier to make sure.
- Unlocked phones may not be able to support any games, wallpaper, or applications that you downloaded from your carrier's wireless Internet service.
- Your carrier won't guarantee that it will support an unlocked phone if you're experiencing connection problems. Also, it won't repair or replace a broken unlocked phone. If you have any problems, you'll have to seek help from the manufacturer, the seller, or another source.
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Unlocked phones
Unlocked cell phones explained
