Unlocked phones

Cellular networks have a practice of signing exclusive deals with cellular phone manufacturers for particular phone models and locking those phones in to their own network, a practice which is currently legal and brings both networks and manufacturers a great deal of profit. It is also done in order to tie the customer in to a particular cellular network contract – the provider heavily subsidizes the price of the phone but expects a return on the investment through the long-term “loyalty” of the customer.

On the other hand the consumer’s choice is artificially limited in this way, and it is hoped by many that the practice of locking phones will eventually be banned.

The most notorious example of this is of course the iPhone and the exclusive deal done with AT&T. But it also includes models from Sony Ericsson, LG, Nokia and Motorola.

Fortunately, many of these phones make their way, unlocked, onto the market and many of them can be tracked down on eBay. So browse on through our selection of new, unlocked cellular phones!