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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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[–] TachyonTele@lemm.ee 3 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

People like to steal phones, and then sell them.

[–] xmunk@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Granted, people can't tell if a phone is unlocked when they're stealing it so having an unlocked phone doesn't make it more likely you'd be targeted for theft.

[–] TachyonTele@lemm.ee 1 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Yeah, no one stealing a phone is going to ask what it's status is.

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

Gotcha, so would you say this comes down to buying from a reputable store (e.g. Best Buy)?

[–] TachyonTele@lemm.ee 2 points 3 weeks ago

I would. Or buy from someone you trust.