The operators' offer, as it is currently, pushes us to opt for unlocked smartphones. First because it allows you not to stay committed for 24 months, then because "low-cost" packages have become more and more interesting since the arrival on the market of Free Mobile, in 2012. Now, it It is possible to have a plan with 4G and unlimited calls and SMS for less than 20 euros. The only problem is that we do not have the slightest operator subsidy, hence the need to buy a bare phone.
Why buy your bare phone?
In your country, people are often used to buying their smartphones from their operator, most of the time with a subsidized package. But what happens the day you change your smartphone if you have decided not to renew your plan when you have reached the end of your commitment period? You buy an unlocked phone and then you have all the freedom you want.
In addition, there are other advantages to buying a bare phone. In particular in terms of cost because operator subsidies are not always as advantageous as we are trying to make us believe. In addition, you will not have to suffer the vagaries of operator overlays or wait for the latter to decide to deploy the latest Android update to date and available for ages on bare models.
Go to a physical store
At a time when we have become accustomed to making most of our purchases online, we do not necessarily think about it. However, sometimes, spending an afternoon shopping doesn't hurt and it also shows that it is not always cheaper on the internet, contrary to popular belief.
Do you need a new mobile? Why not go to a shopping center? Not only, by scouring the most famous shops such as Darty, La Fnac or Boulanger, you can compare prices on the spot and ask all the questions you want to sellers but also take the device in hand, observe its screen and try to take two or three photos, just to check if it really meets your expectations and really keeps its promises.
Buy your smartphone in an online store
Amazon
At present, Amazon is undoubtedly the store where you will find the largest choice of unlocked mobiles. All brands are represented and almost all models, the latest to date as well as the oldest, new or used. In addition, if you do not yet know which model to offer, you can carry out a multi-criteria search (brand, capacity, price, etc.). Finally, a big advantage, the prices are often more advantageous.
>> Buy an unlocked mobile on Amazon <
The other shops
Of course, Amazon is not the only store where you can find naked smartphones. We have selected several. Here they are
At operators
Buy a used mobile
No this is not a joke, it is indeed possible to buy an unlocked phone from an operator. You can even get a good deal by offering you a second-hand mobile. Bouygues Telecom, for example, offers this type of service. While taking a quick tour of the store, we notably noticed several Galaxy S4s at 199 euros, a Galaxy Note 3 at the same price and several Galaxy S5 at less than 300 euros.
Of course, the price varies depending on the status of the phone (Like new, very good condition and good condition), but it's still a great way to do good business. In addition, although sold second-hand, the mobiles offered are all tested and come with a six-month warranty. Of course, it is not in these shops that you will find a latest mobile phone that has just been released, but it remains a good alternative.
>> Buy a second-hand mobile from Bouygues Telecom <
As you can imagine, Bouygues Telecom is not the only one to offer unlocked mobiles. Sosh also offers new or used mobiles in its store. Note that you will still need to be an Sosh customer to take advantage of it.
>> Buy an unlocked mobile from Sosh <
Buy a new mobile
If you want to buy yourself a new and unlocked mobile, you can do so at Orange. The operator also specifies on its website that "Mobiles and tablets sold alone are not-simlocked or can be unlocked for free online". Obviously, the price will not be the same as with a used mobile but you already know this by choosing a new mobile. Only small problem, you will often only find recent mobiles.
Buy an unlocked phone from Free Mobile
When it arrived on the market in 2012, Free Mobile triggered a real wave of the tide by offering the most competitive rates on the market. But as you already know, the operator also sells mobiles, excluding subsidies of course, but the advantage is that they are not blocked. In short, you can perfectly afford a smartphone at Free Mobile and then use it at Sosh or B & You.
The only small constraint, you have to be a Free customer, but since their package is non-binding, nothing prevents you from taking out a package and terminating it after one month.
Buy a Nexus from the Google Play Store
Not only, the Nexus have the advantage of benefiting from a responsive software support and longer than the manufacturer models but in addition to that, they are sold unlocked any operator in the Google Play Store. Of course, you don't choose your smartphone based on this criterion, but it can also be a lead. That said, still wait for the release of the next Nexus since at the moment, Google only offers one phone in its store.
Builders' shops
We don't always think about it, but sometimes the easiest way is to use it at the source. Most manufacturers have their own shop. This is particularly the case with Sony and Motorola, which even makes promotions from time to time. Of course, make no mistake, this is far from the most advantageous in terms of price because most of the time you will pay the full price. But if you need fast delivery and price isn't an issue for you, then this may be the way to go.
