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Should You Unlock Your Smartphone (and Throw Away the Key Code)?

By on March 18, 2014

I once took a trip outside the country, and when I woke up my first day there, I had a text message from AT&T saying I owed them $300 in international roaming charges. I spent my first day of the trip talking to customer service reps. That was the day I became a stark unlocking advocate.

Thanks to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, it is illegal to unlock your smartphone in the U.S. without permission from your carrier, which is a lot like saying you can’t install a new operating system on your computer unless Comcast says it’s okay. (This may change soon, according to a bill that was passed last February in the House and is awaiting consideration from Senate.) But the locking/unlocking debate isn’t over because you can buy a new phone that’s already unlocked… and besides, as anyone who’s seen Boardwalk Empire knows, just because something’s illegal, doesn’t mean you can’t still do it. 😉

smartphone

So, if you’re trying to decide whether ’tis better to lock or unlock, let’s start with the basics…

Locked and Unlocked — What’s the difference?

In a nutshell, locked phones are committed to one carrier and whatever restrictions they apply. Unlocked phones can be used with any SIM card from any carrier (on your network*) you choose. While this seems like a clear-cut choice between being a free person or a prisoner, it’s important to note, as a trade off, carriers offer better deals when buying a smart phone with them… in theory.

(*Networks are important in this discussion… in the U.S., AT&T and T-Mobile are on the GSM network, while Verizon and Sprint are on the CDMA network.  Translation:  You can NOT use an AT&T GSM SIM card on a CDMA phone you got with Verizon, whether it’s unlocked or not.)

So, in essence, you’re wondering if you should shell out the extra cash for an unlocked phone. Consider the finer points…

Freedom (Impatience)

Unlocked phone users are paying more for the freedom to change their minds and use plans geared more towards what they want at any given time. While locked phone contracts do offer some degree of personalization, having more carrier options makes the degree of personalization exponential in comparison! However, most of these SIM cards are short-term, and preferred by people who don’t have the patience to wait out 2-year contracts.

Hardware Upgrades

… and waiting out that 2-year contract becomes a problem when you find a better phone you want but still have one year and eleven months on your previous agreement. Because unlocked phones lend themselves to short-term service, you can trade in your current one right away and pop your old SIM card into your new model. Plus, unlocked phones are more expensive… That may be a downside when you first buy one, but that’s an upside when selling it. Higher resale value.

Repair

Pay attention, butterfingers! While some service providers will pay for repairs in the event of damage, monthly SIM card sellers don’t really care if you dropped your phone on the rocky cliffs of Acid Lake. Unlocked phone users… you’re on your own.

International

If you spend a lot of time outside of the U.S., then having an unlocked phone is almost essential. American service providers’ “international” plans are pretty ridiculous, but because unlocked devices are so popular abroad, it’s easy to get a month-by-month card for a third of the American monthly fee. In general, most service providers outside the U.S. are way more sensible about their plans, contract or no. (Call me biased, but in my opinion if the major service providers in the U.S. could legally stipulate sacrificing your first-born child in their contracts, they would.)

Bottom line — Should You Unlock Your Smartphone?

While I’m a stark advocate of unlocking phones, even I have to admit… it all depends on what kind of person you are. If you change your mind frequently and don’t like waiting, it’s worth it to pay a little extra for an unlocked phone. If you prefer the comfort of stability and don’t mind waiting two-years for a contract to expire, simplify your life with a locked phone plan.

Isn’t that what makes the world beautiful: the colorful rainbow made of different types of people… and the smartphones they use.

About Matt Ellis

Freelance web writer. I like science, comics, and long walks on the beach. I write and draw this webcomic in crayon.

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