It’s easy to get lost among all the smartphones in the world. That’s why we’ve created our Unlocked Phone Buying Guide, which lets you make an informed choice about the benefits of unlocked phones before going out and buying them in Australia or anywhere else in the world.
Understanding Unlocked Phones
As you just need to insert the SIM card of your choice to bring it to life, you have the freedom to choose any carrier you like, as an unlocked phone is not bound to any carrier.
This Unlocked Phone Buying Guide will help you identify the features to look for in handsets to pick the best mid-range unlocked phone in Australia.
In-Depth Look at Key Features for Unlocked Phones
Compatibility
So, when looking at an unlocked phone, you’ll want to make sure it’s capable of working with the bands that Australian carriers use so that you can access the 4G LTE or (one day) 5G networks for superfast speed.
A phone that’s advertised as being a ‘global’ or ‘international’ or ‘world’ version will be more likely to offer support for a wide range of bands.
Operating System
The decision to use Android rather than iOS, or vice versa, can have a huge influence on your user experience. Android typically provides a higher degree of customisation, thanks to widgets and launchers that can be positioned anywhere on your screen, as well as an (arguably) more open app ecosystem.
The simplicity and security of iOS are well documented, as is the synchronicity of its user experience across all Apple devices, pushing new feature updates and bug fixes with remarkable speed, as well as a highly integrated app ecosystem.
Hardware
The brains of the phone are the processor, so you want the newest and most powerful chipset out there right now to make the phone perform at its highest, which you’ll find in Qualcomm’s Snapdragon series or Apple’s A-series chips.
RAM is another important factor here, and the higher this is, the better the multitasking will be, so aim to get at least 8GB of RAM, whatever the smartphone. Good colour and black levels are assisted by a high-resolution display, again preferably an OLED or AMOLED display, which offers excellent Contrast Ratio.
Camera Quality
High-end cameras look good, but features that really make the difference are the combination of hardware and software to take great photos. Features:
- Optical image stabilisation.
- Multiple lenses for versatility (wide, ultra-wide, telephoto).
- Advanced software features like night mode and portrait mode.
Battery Life
Many of us care about how long the battery can last. Look for 4000mAh to survive a full day on a single charge. Lastly, fast charging is a real benefit, dramatically increasing charging speed.
Storage
Storage capacity depends on your needs, but models starting at 128GB should give you enough room to store a number of apps, photos and videos (just make sure you’re using an easy-to-lose microSD card if you’ve filled up your storage).
If you have hundreds or thousands of photos on your phone, opt for a model with 256GB or even more, or explore devices that come with expandable storage through a microSD card slot.
So, by spending some time considering these in-depth details, you’ll be in a better position to choose the most appropriate unlocked phone out there to help you maximise the benefits of unlocked mobile phones in Australia, such as flexibility and cost.
Unlocked Phone Benefits: A Deeper Dive
For someone looking for the best unlocked phone available on the Australian market, go for a brand with a global warranty and a strong presence to back it up – in the region for after-sales support.
Freedom of Choice
The most important advantage of having an unlocked phone is that you can get any carrier you want. You are not fixed with a company, so you can look for the best plans and services possible.
No Contracts or Fees
In turn, this allows you to skip the long-term contracts and early termination fees that take effect if you switch carriers with a carrier-locked phone. Also, with an unlocked phone, you are free to roam the world and use it with other carriers.
International Use
A feature that is truly welcome for travellers is having an unlocked phone. You can insert a local SIM card to make use of the very affordable local tariffs. Travel becomes easier and cost effective.
Better Coverage
Since you can change carriers at any time, you can choose the carrier with the best signal in your neighbourhood, a key benefit of the technology in zones with varying carrier signals.
Resale Value
Generally, they are able to hold their value (at least as a resale value) that is higher than the locked phone. This is because they can be sold on the market to a much larger base of purchasers, given that they will work with any network.
Software Updates
Another common reason that people vote for unlocking is to enjoy faster firmware upgrades. Carrier-locked phones generally receive updates later than unlocked phones.
With carrier topples, the updates are stored in databases and pushed to the phones through the carrier. By avoiding this step, you get newer firmware updates delivered directly from the factory, where they become available.
Bloatware-Free
Carrier-locked phones are often preloaded with carrier-specific apps – called ‘bloatware’ by most – and may, in general, have an intrusive software experience and, in most cases, take up too much of your storage space. Most unlocked phones do not come with preloaded software, and as a general rule, an unlocked phone should provide a cleaner, leaner experience.
Dual SIM Options
Many unlocked phones offer dual SIM provisions that make it possible to have two different phone numbers or different service plans running on the same phone – handy if you want to use one for work calls and one for personal matters or combine two plans from different carriers to get better rates.
These benefits of unlocked phones prove the point that it is great to get unlocked phones for various things. Since there are many advantages of unlocked phones, especially in terms of being cheaper and more flexible, as well as more convenient overall, they are definitely a good option for many users of modern-day smartphones.
SUMMARY
With the help of this Unlocked Phone Buying Guide, we aim to ensure that you will be fully informed about the best unlocked phone Australia offers, allowing you to fully apply the unlocked phone advantages. You need the best phone that fits your needs and lifestyle.
