Reminder: Buy unlocked devices

Stefan Constantinescu

Stefan Constantinescu (@WhatTheBit on Twitter) has loved technology since as far back as he can remember. It started with computers, but in the past few years his passion has turned to mobile devices. As a mobile phone enthusiast who lives and breathes devices that connect to the internet, he knows he is not alone with this radical fascination of all things wireless. He is strongly opinionated and enjoys a good debate so leave comments in his posts and he’ll get back to you! Stefan began blogging as a hobby in the fall of 2006 and joined IntoMobile in the summer of 2007. Later he got a job at Nokia in March 2008, but as of June 2009 he has rejoined the IntoMobile team. He is currently based out of Helsinki, Finland.

• Anndy

  Buy from Singapore then.

• Viipottaja

  But there is a flaw: even if you buy an unlocked device, you’ll end paying your service provider a mothly rate that is based on a subsidiced, locked phone. Any way around that? Pay as you go?

• Ricky Cadden

  again, Stefan, you’re not understanding the difference in “unlocked” and “unbranded”. Unlocked or locked has NOTHING to do with Darla’s post, and truly has NO effect on how the phone operates. Unbranded or branded, on the other hand, absolutely has EVERYTHING to do with it.

• Stefan Constantinescu

  i know the difference, but i’ve never heard anyone call them unbranded phones.

  i’ve always heard people call them unlocked phones.

• olly

  “i know the difference, but i’ve never heard anyone call them unbranded phones.

  i’ve always heard people call them unlocked phones.”

  Perhaps you should spend more time researching these devices then, since they’ve been called unbranded/branded for years now. Unlocked refers only to the provider lock… so if you know that, why are you intentionally being obtuse?

  Read Hofo. Read Esato. Read Mobile9. Read MobileBurn. You’ll get the idea. Honestly, I know you dig these devices, I mean otherwise why would you blog about them? So why not help those who are new to the devices (and may be reading your blog) by giving them correct information, rather then intentionally muddying the waters? For someone who is getting on ebay to buy a device, for example, knowing the difference between unlocked and unbranded could mean the difference between buying a great phone or a paper weight (since locked means you are screwed if it’s not to your specific carrier).

  Just something to think about.

  -olly