For years various technology outlets have been saying that the future of the unlocked smartphone is here and they were wrong. Not by far, but the truth is that while unlocked smartphones had arrived on the market they still faced many challenges.
Why NOW is the Time Get an Unlocked Smartphone
A Changing Mobile Landscape
For starters, carrier incentives for purchasing locked smartphones were far too tempting for the average consumer. Purchasing phones at full price was nearly unheard of for the majority of consumers. There simply weren’t enough incentives to go unlocked. Then there was the fact that price differences between locked and unlocked smartphones were notable. Now, the mobile carrier landscape has changed. It seems that contracts are a thing of the past and with it, the incentive to purchase carrier specific phones. Consumers are now purchasing phones at full price whether that’s all at once or through carrier provided payment plans.
Beat the Bloat
Android phones in specific are notorious for coming preloaded with carrier specific bloatware. You know, those annoying apps you never use but can’t delete? Buying unlocked smartphones from retailers like Best Buy allow you to alleviate those problems.
International Travel is Easier
Unlocked has always been the way to go for those who travel abroad. When international roaming plans continue to come at a premium it’s well worth the investment to purchase an unlocked phone and pop in a local sim card whenever you get your destination. You can read all about why we think the unlocked smartphone is the smart decision for travelers.
More Options
Whether you’re moving across the country or just looking to take advantage of the better deal, unlocked smartphones offer the convenience of switching carriers anywhere, anytime. While you might be without contract with your current provider, you probably still have a carrier specific phone. Which means switching just became more expensive and time-consuming as you will need to purchase a new phone.
Better Phones
Some major brands have always offered an unlocked smartphone option but by and large, there was a huge gap between unlocked smartphone offerings: the uber expensive and the super cheap. As more providers take advantage of the current mobile landscape unlocked smartphone offerings are becoming ever more plentiful – just take a look at Sony’s current lineup of the Xperia XA1 Ultra and Xperia XZ Premium Unlocked phones.
The Xperia XA1 features a borderless 6″ edge-to-edge Full HD display and a new 23MP rear camera accompanied by a 16MP front facing camera complete with 23mm wide-angle lens (for all the selfies). Meanwhile, the XPeria XZ Premium offers two first of it’s kind: a 4K HDR Display and Super Slow Motion Camera. It also comes with a 19MP camera and the world’s first Motion Eye camera system featuring Predictive Capture.
Both of these unlocked smartphones are available only at Best Buy and work with the following major carriers: AT&T, Verizon, and Cricket.
The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.
My daughter is heading off to college in a few weeks. I want her to have a reliable phone. These look like great options.
This is just so much more convenient and better than all those locked phones! Not to mention if you’re going to pick a Sony Xperia, it’s going to be worth it! It’s one of the best brands!
An unlocked phone is always so much better than getting one that’s tied to a network. I think it’s awesome that you shared this smartphone, I’ve always liked Sony’s Xperia phones! They are awesome.
This is great. I was so in the dark about locked vs. unlocked. I had no clue-my husband did all of the phone purchasing :) We are due for new phones this year so this was good timing.
I never thought of unlocked phones being better for traveling abroad. I’ll have to consider an unlocked phone for my next phone.