We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Are Vodafone contract mobiles unlocked by default?
Options
Comments
-
Not usually0
-
Why would you think that?£2 Savers Club 2016 #21 £14/£250
£2 Savers Club 2015 #8 £250£200 :j
Proud to be an OU graduate :j :j
Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass but learning to dance in the rain0 -
Hezzawithkids wrote: »Why would you think that?
They certainly used to be, I'm just asking whether they still are...0 -
Most of them are, except the control freako iPhones for which you need to request an unlock code and connect it to control freako iTunes.The man without a signature.0
-
vikingaero wrote: »Most of them are, except the control freako iPhones for which you need to request an unlock code and connect it to control freako iTunes.
Judging from what I read and was told, I believe this to be correct too0 -
Judging from what I read and was told, I believe this to be correct too
It's more complex that that.
Generally PAYG are locked and Contract not, however many smart phones may be locked or may not. Certainly IPhones and where the phone its network branded in anyway then the chances are it will be locked.
It also depends where you get it, if you go in to a non network shop (CPW/P4U) and buy a phone that's a network exclusive (be it model or colour) then the phone will likely be locked, where is across a few networks then it *MAY* be unlocked, the shops buy unlocked stock so they can use it with any contract, however it also depends on the prices, if the network is offering stock cheaper they'll take that.
From the stores point of view if I want a HTC ABC if the shops hold network branded stock they have to hold at least 4 or 5 of each networks phone per network in store. If they hold unlocked stock they only need to hold maybe 10 of each phone so keeping inventory stocks down.
If a network (lets say Voda) offer a special price on the network stock ie half the price of unbranded stock then the phone shops will buy that and use it for that network customers. Remember they are buying in the thousands and saving a few pounds adds up. I that case if you buy that phone on Voda it will be unlocked but may be unlocked on another network.
Sorry that's not a clear answer but the fact is there isn't really any clear cut yes or no.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 351.2K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.2K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.7K Spending & Discounts
- 244.2K Work, Benefits & Business
- 599.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177K Life & Family
- 257.6K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards