The first thing that you need to keep in mind if you want to unlock iPhone 5 devices is that this smartphone has multiple models that have been optimized to be compatible with several wireless network operators. The model that you purchase unlocked is not for CDMA networks, but only for GSM ones. This takes Sprint and Verizon out of the question. If you live in the US, this means that you can use your iPhone only with T-Mobile and AT&T.
One of the major reasons you may want to unlock iPhone 5 smartphones for is if you are travelling to another country and want to use this device with another SIM card. If you have an iPhone version with a contract, the mobile device will only allow you to use their SIM cards and will require you to pay additional (and high) fees for any roaming services. The disadvantage here is that if you switch SIM cards, you will have a different phone number for the time being.
Another people why people choose to buy unlocked iPhones is because the contract fees are high. If you choose the services of a mobile provider and go with a 2 year contract, adding up the monthly payments plus the price you initially paid for the device will reveal a sum greater that f you had purchased an unlocked version of the iPhone. The advantage is that if you want an iPhone and don’t have the money to pay for the unlocked version, consider the subscription fees and monthly installments to pay for your device. If you live in the US, you probably know that the lowest fees that carriers charge are still as high as $70 per month. If you multiply that amount with the 24 months which are the minimum period for a contract, you get $1,700 that you have to pay only for carrier fees.
