Reasons to Buy Unlocked Smartphones

Any smartphone that uses SIM card has the potential to be unlocked. A SIM card stands for subscriber identity module. It contains all the encrypted and personal information about the smartphone user. All smartphones, which have SIM cards, will operate on the GSM phone network. This means these smartphones could be unlocked and used on another GSM phone network.

It is possible for smartphone users to unlock some models; many people prefer to purchase unlocked phones. The main reason behind this is most of the users don’t know how to unlock phones and there are detailed instructions for unlocking smartphone on the Internet in which some models require complex procedures to unlock. And if the procedure is not followed properly then the phone will be hard-locked or dead and not used further.

Many service providers require consumers to sign a service contract, which is usually for two years and if the user breaches the contract then it will be quite costly for the consumer. Another option is, purchase the unlocked version and insert the SIM of pervious smartphone into it. This will also prove beneficial for those users who frequently travel abroad because it can be used on many other worldwide service provider networks. International roaming is quite expensive and purchasing a SIM card of local service provider is better option.

Smartphone users who break phones frequently are also advised to purchase unlocked smartphone and also for those users who purchase new models more frequently have to pay a service fee to the service provider for switching the information to a new phone. Users who purchase unlocked phones can only switch the SIM card between phones without paying any fee to the service provider.

Unlocked smartphones are better than locked smartphones and offers a variety of advantages, including the freedom to select the network service provider of our choice and ability to use in overseas without incurring costly roaming charges. The consumer will have to pay more for unlocked smartphone rather than locked smartphone but the freedom of choosing the network provider of your choice justifies the money spent. 

Two New Members of The Lumia Family

Not many of us have forgotten the Nokia brand. Even some five years ago, Nokia was one of the most reliable and leading manufacturers across the globe. Howsoever, tuff competition from the smart phone front and huge operating losses running into €4.1 billion led to acquisitions and on April 25th, 2014, the Nokia brand name was replaced by Microsoft. Since then, Microsoft has been taking care of the Lumia brand and before the series is completely undone, we probably have the last batch of devices to be unveiled shortly by Microsoft.

The only thing that went wrong with the Lumia series is that they arrived at the party too late. By 2012, Samsung and Apple were already defining the smart phone market and the low end segments were being taken care of by a variety of manufacturers that included Sony, HTC, Verizon and several local manufacturers. Even Blackberry was early to adapt the smart phone technology. Nokia kept to its ‘essential’ properties and the devices gradually lost interest among the consumers. Lumia was first introduced by October 2011 and immediately faced a loss of 368 million Euros. Nokia’s rank as the number 1 manufacturer fell to the tenth spot.

Since April 2014, all the three Lumia phones that Microsoft had launched were entry level low cost phones. They were exactly successful launches either. It’s now been a year that Microsoft has come up with its next flagship but according to reports, two new phones would be unveiled soon.

Though an official statement is pending, “Unleash the phones” claims to have exclusive information about the hardware and software of the upcoming Lumia devices, which could well probably be the last of “Lumia” series. As per the disclosure, Microsoft is working on a 5.7 inch QHD display, the first time that a high end spec has been attached to the Lumia series. The phone could be using the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon octa-core processor complimented by a 3GB RAM. The devices are expected to have a 20 MP rear camera and a 5 MP front alternative. Other important features include a 32 GB of internal memory to be supported by MicroSD and a 3,300 mAh battery.

The other rumored addition that has been codenamed as “Talkman” will supposedly sport a smaller 5.2 inch QHD display and powered by hexa-core Snapdragon processor. The device would be slimmer than the Lumia 930, Microsoft’s flagship launch last year. Further, the battery of the Talkman would store some 300 mAh less power than the 5.7 inch launch. The devices will further sport triple-LED flash (with each providing a different shade) for a more natural photo. 

Both the Lumia launches will support 64-bit processing. Also, Microsoft is expected to integrate a new feature into the Windows 10 for Phones platform. It could be similar to the OS X update of the “Hand-off”. This feature would allow the user to receive calls on his/her phone but reply / SMS back through Windows PC.

The new and the last of the Lumia models are expected to be out in the second half of 2015 after Microsoft gets done with the release of the Windows 10 for PC and phone.

Both Nokia and Microsoft have targeted the emerging and low-end market with the Lumia phones but this time the results should be different. It can as well be a game changer for Microsoft.