Unlocking A Phone

[pastafreak]

I'm considering buying a new phone while in the US. Can I get ANY phone unlocked here. I ask because a locked phone is a great deal cheaper than anything I can buy in the UK. Ideas?

[Old_Geezer]

Make sure it'll work on UK frequencies.
Unlockers need to discover what needs to be done on each handset. I've no idea whether the one you'd buy could be unlocked here and now, but it must be a reasonable wager that it'll be unlockable at some point.

[gingejbee]

You need to do a bit of research on this and satisfy yourself about the costs, practicality etc before you go ahead.

[ladybirder]

Pasta I have no idea whether this site would interest you but I bought a secondhand iPhone5 Grade A (looks brand new), unlocked, for £130 from these people. Then I bought a SIM only deal elsewhere for £2/month (don't ask).
Anyway, have a look and see what you think.

[pastafreak]

Ermmm....link!! ;-)) lol

[ladybirder]

Oh gawd. I get worse.
https://www.refurbiphones.co.uk/buy-refurb-apple-iphone

[fender62]

why not get in unlocked while your in the states, most major brand phones can be unlocked over here
https://www.4g.co.uk/4g-frequencies-uk-need-know/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellular_frequencies_in_the_US

[Buenchico]

You should be able to get a US phone unlocked without any problems.

However, here are a few points you might also want to consider:

1. All phone manufacturers modify the Android operating system in some way. (I'm assuming that you're not seeking an iPhone or a Windows phone). They typically include their own choice of default apps, which take up memory but can't be removed. Any phone destined for the US market is likely to have apps on it which are designed specifically for use in the States (such as for US weather services, for connecting to Amazon USA, etc). You could end up with a phone cluttered up with things you can neither use nor remove ;

2. The charger which comes with a US phone will be designed to work from a 120V, 60Hz mains supply, with a US plug. You might need to buy a new charger to get it to work on the UK's 240V, 50Hz supply ;

3. You'll probably get hit for 20% VAT (plus possibly a small amount of Import Tax) when you come through UK customs ;

4. You won't be able to test the phone before you leave the USA. (Mobile phones don't work in the USA until they've been registered with a service provider. Service providers are required to be sure of the ID of someone before giving them access to their services) ;

5. If the phone goes wrong you'll have great difficulty making a claim against the retailer. A manufacturer might refuse to honour any warranty on what they'd see as a 'grey import'.

[sapelesam]

A friend of mine from California visits the UK regularly. He always brings his Android phone and buys a cheap PAYG sim when he gets here. His phone is bought sim free in the USA and works fine here.

[Buenchico]

^^^ That makes perfect sense, Sam.

However I'm wondering whether Pasta is looking at the prices of locked PAYG phones or of locked contract ones. (She doesn't appear to be interested in phones which are sold SIM-free). If it's the former then, apart from the possible problems I've mentioned above, she shouldn't find many difficulties. However if she's looking at contract phones she's got no chance of being able to buy one without a US address and credit rating.

[Buenchico]

Just an additional thought though:

Pasta would need to check that any phone she's thinking of buying is 'quad band', in order to be sure that it will work on UK frequencies (which are different to those used in the USA).

[pastafreak]

Thanks for all the useful answers.
I *think* I've found what I want...but in the UK. So problem solved...I hope.

[ladybirder]

Not from my link was it pasta? I can vouch for them.

[pastafreak]

Sorry, no ladybirder. I decided to stick to android but ill pass that link on to my daughter and her brother as they use iPhones. Thanks though.

[pastafreak]

*...my daughter and her boy friend...*

[ladybirder]

Oh well, can't win 'em all. But good as long as you're sorted. x