Unlocked vs locked phones: what it means and why you should care

'Unlocked' is the most important word in a phone listing that most people skim past. It decides whether you can shop around for the cheapest SIM, switch networks freely, and sell the phone easily later. Here is what it actually means.

Locked vs unlocked, in one line each

A locked phone is tied to a single network — put another network's SIM in and it won't connect. A network usually locks a phone that was sold on a contract, to keep you as a customer. An unlocked phone has no such restriction: any SIM from any provider works the moment you put it in.

Why unlocked is almost always better

Unlocked means freedom. You can pick a cheap SIM-only deal instead of an expensive contract, switch the second a better price appears, use a local SIM abroad to avoid roaming charges, and hand the phone to anyone when you sell it. It is also worth more at resale for exactly that reason. There is no downside to unlocked — which is why every phone we sell is unlocked as standard.

How to check if a phone is unlocked

The simplest test is to put a SIM from a different network in and see if it connects and can make a call. On iPhone you can also check Settings › General › About for 'No SIM restrictions'. If you are buying refurbished, the honest answer is to buy from a seller who states clearly that the phone is unlocked — so you never have to find out the hard way.