What does unlocked phone mean?
An unlocked phone is any mobile phone that is not tied to a specific carrier or network provider. These carrier-free phones can be used with any compatible carrier or network provider, as opposed to locked phones that can only be used with a specific carrier network like Verizon, AT&T or T-Mobile.
Opting for a fully unlocked smartphone, whether it's an iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel or any other model, gives you more flexibility to choose any phone service that gives you the best coverage or saves you the most money. It's also a great option when you need a temporary network provider while travelling internationally.
Locked vs Unlocked iPhone
Unlocked phone deals from Back Market
At Back Market, we offer both fully unlocked cell phones and GSM unlocked phones on our marketplace at prices that save our customers 30-70% on average. We take the time to make sure that the sellers on our site have properly refurbished these phones to a like-new condition. They've been repaired, cleaned, inspected and thoroughly tested to make sure you're receiving a quality device that you can use with any compatible carrier.
Warranties, returns and activating your phone
All purchases also come with free standard shipping, a 1-year warranty and 30 days to change your mind. We're also here to help you through the process of activating any unlocked smartphones that you've purchased, which we know can be intimidating, but is actually a very simple process. If you want to do it yourself, make sure to check out this article on activating your unlocked phone.
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Other popular questions about unlocked phones?
What is a GSM unlocked phone?
If you came here looking for a phone that's GSM unlocked, you might be wondering how that's different from an unlocked cell phone. While unlocked phones can connect to any carrier, a GSM unlocked phone is only compatible with carriers that use GSM (Global System for Mobiles) networks. As such, an unlocked GSM phone may not work on CDMA carriers like Verizon or Spectrum. Popular GSM carriers in the US include AT&T, T-Mobile, MetroPCS, Cricket, Tracfone and Simple Mobile. You can also find GSM carriers abroad, in case you're interested in temporarily activating a SIM card while you're travelling outside the US.
What is a SIM-free phone?
SIM-free phones are simply phones that are sold without a network SIM-card, which is an identity chip that ties your smartphone to a network. These phones can either be locked, meaning you'll need to get a specific carrier's SIM card to activate it, or unlocked meaning you can activate your phone using a SIM card from any compatible network.
Are there any disadvantages to buying an unlocked phone?
The biggest disadvantage is that some carriers will not fully support it. That means if you run into any technical or network issues, there's a chance that your carrier can't help you. Generally, phones that are locked to a specific carrier will perform better and sometimes even offer more network features like Wi-Fi calling. Don't let this completely deter you, if you've already found an unlocked mobile phone that you like - your carrier will still let you use their network, so you'll still be able to make calls and send texts.
