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Every year, tech companies make the latest and best mobile devices that fit the needs of their shoppers.
While there is the dilemma of choosing the perfect device, there is an even bigger question that people are asking: where should I buy my next phone?
While there are countless options, such as Amazon, flagship stores, and third-party stores, carriers often offer a better option.
Below we look at some of the pros and cons of buying from carriers.
Partially subsidized mobile phones
When it comes to phone prices, buying directly from the official store can be expensive. Carriers offer devices at a partially subsidized price.
Subsidized phone programs typically offer lower monthly service costs.
Although official stores also offer similar programs, they usually require the use of credit cards.
With carriers, phones can be paid over the counter or through online banking, a more accessible feature that offers potential buyers convenience and less headaches.
Buyers also have the option to pay for the phone in full, but that would mean the device is locked for the carrier.
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More inclusion & services
One of the biggest problems people face with their device is carrier LTE network support or lack of signal in certain areas.
Carriers use different types of technologies to deliver services, and the smartphones they offer typically have the hardware and programming needed to recognize carrier frequencies and technologies.
Some carriers also partner with other carriers to provide comprehensive coverage beyond their home network.
Meanwhile, phones sold from other sources may not have the same functionality that carriers offer on their devices.
Operator phones also offer data plans that include voice, text and data.
Some plan offers might provide a certain amount of data for various services such as social media, video streaming, unlimited calls and texts to all networks and certain minutes to other networks and landlines.
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Convenience
The biggest benefit of securing a phone from carriers is convenience.
With inflation looming, buying a carrier device means you only have one bill to worry about (the phone plan and the device).
Most devices are only available as an afterthought, and while the prices can sometimes be intimidating, they often come with added benefits that justify the price.
Disadvantages
Buying a phone from a carrier has many advantages, but there are a few disadvantages to this decision, namely the phone lock and the lock period. Phone lock code
The main disadvantage of getting a phone from an operator is that the device will be locked to that operator.
As with most companies, the operator’s devices are blocked only on their respective networks.
People who want to give their phone to relatives who use another carrier will find that the phone rejects the SIM card.
Contracts have a lock-in period of 24 to 30 months, depending on the carrier.
Any attempt to unlock devices will only result in termination of the contract and could lead to a blacklist.
After completing the contract, users are free to unlock their phones to sell or give them away.
References:
4 key advantages to buying smartphones from your carrier
