Hi....I'm Casper from South Africa and would like to know the difference between a locked and unlocked phone?
479890
Hi Casper, locked is when you buy the phone associate with the mobile company, with a month plan and you can use only with this company, for exemple ATT . Unlocked is the phone that open and you can use with any mobile campany. That is my case I bought this Iphone in USA and I will use in Brazil.Regards
479891
Locked means it is for a specific carrier such as Verizon or AT&T.; Unlocked can be used for any carrier that uses sim cards. Unlocked is mainly for international use. Thank you for your interest,ClaytonMobilekarma
479892
The difference is that you can use a locked phone with a specific phone company (for example from USA or South Africa) and you can use it out your country only if you have a roaming plan with your phone company.On the other hand, you can use an unlocked phone in any country you travel. You only need to get a company which is compatible with your phone model. So, if you travel a lot it is better to get an unlocked phone; if not it is better a phone with a plan in your country.
479893
locked phones have to be used with a specific carrier, while unlocked phones usually are compatible with multiple carriers and or may have dual sim card capability.
479894
The difference is that you can use a locked phone with a specific phone company (for example from USA or South Africa) and you can use it out your country only if you have a roaming plan with your phone company. On the other hand, you can use an unlocked phone in any country you travel. You only need to get a company which is compatible with your phone model. So, if you travel a lot it is better to get an unlocked phone; if not it is better a phone with a plan in your country.
798123
Hello H.L., Thank You for contacting us! I am sorry if there was any confusion. This phone is locked to the carrier listed, AT&T. When we list a cellular carrier on the title of our items, this indicates that the phone is locked and can only be used with that carrier. If you are looking for an Unlocked GSM phone or a phone for a specific carrier, you can return to our listings. Please use the search field on the left hand side and search ""unlocked"" or for your preferred carrier's name, such as "Verizon," "Sprint," "T-Mobile," ""AT&T,"" or others. Thank You,
965149
If I understand your question correctly, when we received the phone, it wasn't locked and we were able to activate the phone. It didn't mess up our plan since it was a replacement for a stolen phone. I hope this helps you.
1726675
The phone comes already unlocked. Mine did not come with the unlock code, but I rooted the phone and that re-locked it. The vendor I bought it from sent me the unlock code. I just had to ask for it.
2057422
I just came back from Melbourne and Auckland. I use my E71 with T-mobile and in both countries it recognized the vodafone network but every time I pressed a button the phone would lock up. The only way to unlock it was to remove and reinstall the battery. When I returned home I turned it on and it worked fine. My experience: it doesn't work in ANZ.
1387630
The way I understand it yes. An unlocked phone is an unlocked phone. Just be sure to purchase as such.
2083282
The phone is not unlocked but you can unlock it and use it for your country since it is a GSM phone. You will review the phone locked. You will have to unlock it yourself.
1978900
If condition notes do not say it is locked, then it is not locked. If you get a locked phone return it.
221521
I don't think there is a performance difference between the two phones but both sellers wanted to mention about the GSM independence. The best option is to ask the sellers either they did the unlocking process by themselves or not. Because when you buy a locked-GSM phone, you can unlock the phone by following some simple steps, check this site: http://pakdroid.com/2012/12/05/how-to-factory-unlock-samsung-galaxy-s3galaxy-note-2-for-free/ .
685674
I have used mine in the UK, Belgium, and Holland -- but wirelessly. When I get on the plane, I put the phone in Airplane Mode, and from that point forward, I'm on wireless. As for carriers, the reason for buying an unlocked phone is so that you can use it with any carrier. To quote the guide on Overstock.com, "What does having an unlocked cell phone mean? When a cell phone is "locked," it can only be used on the cellular carrier that sold you the phone. An unlocked cell phone can be used on any network that is compatible with the phone's wireless technology, such as GSM and CDMA networks." So what you need to know is what networks are in Malta -- such as GSM and CDMA -- and if the phone will be compatible with that network. For further illumination on the subject, read this article http://www.cnet.com/news/confused-about-locked-vs-unlocked-phones-ask-maggie-explains/
927052
The phone I purchased was "locked to ATT" and it worked just fine on my ATT plan. Locked means it works on one particular carrier, and in the case of the phone I bought that was ATT. HOpe this answers your question.
1478042
I bought this phone about 3 months ago and went to 4 different service providers and they ALL told me the same thing, this phone is a SPRINT phone and will only work with a Sprint service provider. I do not have 'FreedomPop' service where I live, but I can almost guarantee you that it will not work with them either. Even though it is 'illegal' now to have phones 'Locked', Sprint somehow has found a loop hole around this. I messaged this seller to try to get my money back or get a phone that was not locked to Sprint and they never got back to me so I am now STUCK using Sprint as my provider. Hope this helps.
2004286
The phone comes with an unlock code, I don't know about the overseas part sorry.
1232843
The HTC I bought was advertised as unlocked. But I received a locked phone.
1378733
I can't confirm either way. But I was really disappointed with how quickly the phone started failing. I recommend a different unlocked phone.
1339662
I believe locked means: you can only use the prescribe service provider with that phone. And unlocked: you can take the unlocked phone to any wireless service provider and have it turned on.
927053
Hi. From what I understand, locked or unlocked simply refers to whether the phone is already "connected" to a wireless company or not. Unlocked then meaning you can buy it and use it with any carrier. Locked meaning you must use it with the carrier that's stated. So if it's locked and you are NOT due for an update, you'll be breaking your contract or activate a new line and contract. Tho there's nothing stating that you have to activate it immediately. Just that when you do, it has to be with the specified carrier. Hope this helps. Good luck!