Top Benefits of Buying Sim-free Phones in UK and Where to Find Them
- Ashish Singh
- Sep 3, 2021
- 6 min read
Mobile phones have several details that would definitely change from one user to the other in terms of specs, features, price range, among others. Apart from those details, when it comes to purchasing your smartphone, you can either sign up to a lengthy contract or get unlocked SIM free phones and have the freedom to choose a SIM-only tariff to better suit your needs.
While it is ideal to sign up to a traditional network contract with a mobile operator, there is another option for you if you want a phone that costs less. That option is to buy SIM free phone UK.
You see, if you are purchasing a locked phone, you would have nothing to think about since your mobile phone will probably come with a SIM card inside which will be the only one you can use it with. So, how about SIM-free phones?
What are SIM-free phones?
Purchasing a smartphone is no longer as simple as it once before. That's because now you have more choices than ever. However, with choice comes complications, which includes whether you have to buy a mobile phone that is unlocked or a SIM-free phone.
What is a SIM free mobile phone? Is SIM free the same as unlocked? Does SIM free mean unlocked?
SIM free phones are devices purchased without a SIM card. While it sounds straightforward enough, you will need to know that a SIM free smartphone is different from an unlocked mobile phone.
A smartphone can be purchased without a SIM card and still be locked to a network. If you have a monthly pay deal and want a new handset but do not want to change the deal, a SIM free phone is perfect for you.
In such a case, you would need to buy a phone that's on the same network as the monthly deal SIM card you have so your mobile device and SIM card match. Or you can also buy a mobile phone that has been unlocked to be used on any network.
What are the benefits of SIM free phones?
SIM free phones do not come with a SIM card. That's why you should keep in mind the importance of asking whether the mobile phone you are buying is an unlocked SIM free phone or just a SIM free smartphone.
A SIM free phone purchased from Apple or Samsung often comes unlocked and with no contract.
The following are some of the benefits of buying and owning unlocked SIM free phones:
You can upgrade your phone whenever you want. Since you are not tied into a contract with a network or tariff, you can just buy a new smartphone and pop your SIM in and away you go.
You can travel abroad without problem. With unlocked SIM free phones, you would still have to buy the SIM card separately. However, you can buy whatever SIM card from any carrier you desire. Having an unlocked SIM free smartphone will allow you to travel to any country and use it without any problem. That's because you will only need to buy a local SIM card from a local carrier, insert it in your phone's SIM tray, and it will work fine.
You can save money. Paying hundreds of pounds to own a SIM free phone outright is a lot of money. However, you can also spread that cost out into monthly installments if you prefer, leaving you completely free to choose a SIM-only plan from any provider that you want. You can get a decent tariff with the amount of data that suits you and not whatever is currently the most affordable tariff being offered.
You can change your tariff whenever you want. Since you are not shackled into a 24-month contract with a mobile operator, you can change your SIM-only plan whenever you like. You see, most plans are offered on either a one month rolling or a 12 months fixed basis. Because your phone is SIM-free and completely unlocked, you don't have to stick with the same mobile operator. You can switch your network operator the same way you switch your energy provider.
Where to buy SIM free phones?
Do you already have a SIM card from the carrier which the phone's SIM software is locked on? Then, buying a locked SIM free phone is the best for you. You can also find a good deal from a certain carrier and you can find a SIM free phone that is locked for that carrier only.
But if you want a certain smartphone while you have an old SIM from a different carrier, unlocked SIM free phones are perfect for you.
As previously mentioned, unlocked SIM free phones enable you to switch between different SIM cards from different carriers that belong to different countries. That's why you have to make sure that the phone itself supports the network technologies and protocols that the carrier's network is using.
Fortunately for you, most phones nowadays are designed with support for a wider range of bands, making it easier for you to travel in other countries with your unlocked SIM free smartphone. Nonetheless, it is still important that you check this with the network provider or the phone manufacturer prior to buying their handset.
You see, most budget phones that you've seen before and today only support dual or tri-band, which means that they have less compatibility abroad. However, modern smartphones offer quad-band or penta-band support. This means that they can support more bands for international usage.
If you want to check what bands your phone, or any mobile phone you are considering buying, supports, you can easily find the information on the internet.
The following are some of the places where you can buy SIM free phone UK devices:
Apple. The SIM-free iPhones come without a wireless contract commitment or carrier financing. These devices don't come with a nano-SIM card and because it is unlocked, it isn't tied to one carrier. As such, you can get a nano-SIM from any supported GSM carrier worldwide, such as AT&T and T-Mobile. Are you an iPhone user? If you don't want a multiyear service contract, or if you prefer to use a local carrier when traveling abroad, the SIM-free iPhone is perfect for you.
QwikFone. QwikFone offers the best SIM free phones in the UK which are the unlocked variant. The unlocked SIM free mobile phones from QwikFone come with the guarantee of the company's testing process, due diligence, warranty, and refunds. Another assurance for you is the fact that all SIM free smartphones from QwikFone are in pristine condition. That means these mobile devices look as good as new and perform as good as new too.
Carphone Warehouse. Carphone Warehouse has some of the lowest prices on the market for SIM free phones. This retailer offers all the information you need to help find the right phone for you.
Argos. Apart from iPhone, Samsung and Huawei phones, Argos also sells other mobile phone brands such as Nokia, Sony, Alcatel, Honor, Motorola and Google. If you are looking for a mid-range device, you might want to consider the Sony Xperia. If you want a smartphone that is both modern and older style yet has modern features and excellent battery life, you should browse among the Nokia phones.
Tesco Mobile. All the SIM free phones from Tesco Mobile are completely unlocked. The two most popular SIM free phones from this retailer are the Apple and Samsung mobile phones. Other smartphone brands include Alcatel, Motorola, Nokia, Sony, among others. Additionally, you will get 99 percent UK network coverage since Tesco Mobile shares O2's network.
What are the best SIM free mobile phones to buy in 2021?
Android phones, like Samsung and Google, and Apple iPhones are smartphone brands that can satisfy your needs in terms of the mobile phones' hardware capabilities and software features.
Do you want to keep up with the latest trends in social media, gaming, or mobile photography? The following are some of the SIM free smartphones from a variety of brands you can choose from.
SIM free Apple iPhones:
iPhone 8
iPhone 8 Plus
iPhone 7 Plus
iPhone XS
iPhone 7
iPhone X
iPhone XR
iPhone 11
iPhone 11 Pro Max
SIM free Samsung phones:
Galaxy S8
Galaxy S8 Plus
Galaxy S10
Galaxy S9
Galaxy S10 Plus
SIM free Google phones:
Google Pixel 2
Google Pixel 3
Google Pixel 3a
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