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What do I need to watch out for when buying an unlocked phone on the used market? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) by yo_scottie_oh@lemmy.ml to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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I want my next phone to be "unlocked" so I can use it w/ any carrier - Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Mint, etc. I'm based in the US, but if I travel internationally, it would be nice to be able to just pop in a local SIM card and continue using my phone like normal.

What gives me pause is, I see used phones listed as "US Version," and reviewers claiming the phone was not unlocked (for example, this Pixel 7a on Amazon).

Questions:

What am I missing here? Do these reviewers just not know what they're doing, or are they buying from shady resellers?
Does "US Version" imply I would not be able to use the phone internationally by just popping in a local SIM card?

Thank you!

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[–] xmunk@sh.itjust.works 10 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

The US is fucking weird. I'd honestly suggest you just buy a ready-out-of-box phone from the EU. EU laws make the device a whole lot more functional than what you'll get in the US.

If you travel to the EU it's easiest just to buy it in person over here - there are plenty of retailers that'll just sell you a new phone in box same day.

[–] yo_scottie_oh@lemmy.ml 1 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (2 children)

Gotcha, and then is the protocol to just sell it back at the end of the trip?

[–] xmunk@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

You certainly can if you'd like, you won't get a full refund of the value you spent. I ended up just buying my phone in the EU and bringing it back to Canada with me. An EU phone can run a US or Canadian SIM without issue - the problem only happens in the other direction.

So, like, my suggestion is just buy your phone in the EU then it'll work everywhere with any SIM.

[–] yo_scottie_oh@lemmy.ml 1 points 3 weeks ago

I see. Thanks for clarifying.

[–] PetteriPano@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Plenty of options for dual SIM phones here, too.

Which makes it even more convenient to just pop in a local SIM while traveling.

[–] yo_scottie_oh@lemmy.ml 1 points 3 weeks ago

I had not considered that. Thanks for the tip.