Question about unlocked cell phones. Figured this is as good a forum as any to ask.......

[Siwsan]

I have Consumers Cellular for my service and bought a pretty basic smart phone from them. Now I'm looking to get one with a larger screen but they no longer carry the phone I've been looking at. I don't need anything super duper technical and super duper-er expensive. I found pretty much the same phone as the one CC discontinued, unlocked, at Best Buy. Unfortunately, I couldn't find anyone to answer any questions - go figure.

Anyway, are unlocked phones generally a good deal? Consumer Cellular phones have a SIM card so I'm hoping to be able to just move the card from one phone to another and put the old phone away as a back up.

I'm in no critical rush to get the new phone, but any info and advice is appreciated.

[GemDigger]

1. Good question, kick.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

2. Unlocked means it's not tied to a carrier.

Most phones use SIM cards. Should be able to just swap it out, unless your previous phone uses a large sized sim card than the new one, in which case you'd need to get a new SIM from Consumer Cellular, which shouldn't be much more than $15-20.

[Siwsan]

3. Thanks! I've had this phone for just a year

The kids "shamed" me into swapping my old flip phone (with the unreadable screen) for a smart phone. I switched plans and got an inexpensive one, to ease my transition. I'm virtually positive it's a small SIM card - certainly not like the one I had with my pre-paid Team Mobile flip. That thing was ancient.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

4. There are 3 sizes.

I've owned 3 iphones: the 4, 5, and 6. Each one used a different sized card, so I had to pay MetroPCS for the different card each time.

[Siwsan]

5. If it gets too complicated, I'll opt for my 2nd choice, through the carrier

I have a Moto E LTE. The whole phone fits on the screen of the one I'm looking at, so my current phone is pretty small and basic. The one I looked at was a Motorola E Plus but they aren't selling that, anymore.

The comparable I found is a Samsung Galaxy J7 and I can order it through them. And there is an iPhone SE that is about $10 more.

Or I can wait a bit and see if they start offering it at my local Target. They seem to be in a bit of a transition, right now.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

6. iPhone SE is pretty nice. It's an iPhone 6 hardware, but the size of the iPhone 5.

I used to use Android (Samsung Galaxy models), but after switching to the iPhone, I never looked back. Although, I'm an audio engineer, and both my home studio and the studio I work for use Macs, so going with the iPhone was the better option for me. YMMV.

[Siwsan]

7. You have been very helpful - thanks!

I'm not a big fan of Apple products. I had an iPad but really missed being able to connect and download stuff to my non Apple laptop. My nephew hooked me up on Chrome apps and I've been sailing smoothly, ever since. But then, I'm a pretty casual user.

[Sherman A1]

8. I buy my phones direct from Apple unlocked

then take it to the carrier and have them install the sim card. Been doing this for a very long time. I don't know if I come out ahead by doing so, but the phone is mine and I am not tied to anyone in particular although I have been very happy with T-Mobile for over a decade and recently went with their 2 lines for Seniors plan at $60/month.

[Revanchist]

9. If it's an android phone

Not all phone work on all networks

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/mobile/features/unlocked-phones-and-your-carrier-how-they-work-together

[Siwsan]

10. Consumer Cellular says the card is good for AT&T, T-Mobile and unlocked GSM phones

I know the phone I looked at said it was 'universally' compatible and I am pretty sure it was a GSM phone (what ever that is).

Maybe I'll swing back by and double check.

Thanks for the link!