Branded Phones - Behind the Curtain!

What is a branded cell phone? It is actually a phone you can buy from potential provider and it's not the very creation of the provider. Most of the branded cell phones are creations of well known cell phone makers such as Nokia, Motorola and Samsung. These are branded to become Sprint, Fido, Vodafone, etc.

A branded cell phone usually carries the logo of the provider on the phone and the startup screen. A few of them include a customized firmware, additional applications, applications removed, a SIM lock, and crippled features.

The last one is probably the most annoying problem of the branded phones. What does crippled features actually mean? Well, it turns out that:

most of the branded cell phones will only work on the provider's network
the provider will make sure that you use only its services for downloads and other additional applications
IM or web client services can be disabled if the provider's network doesn't support this feature
some can even disable the Bluetooth file transfers between your phone and your computer, in order to make you use expensive store providing ringtones, music, games, wallpapers, etc.
a few providers will enable their cell phones to make transfers via a data cable
note that some providers have the ability to enable some disabled features if you just 'ask' them kindly

Locking

SIM locking is a tricky issue aimed to prevent you from using the phone with another provider. Why tricky? Because many will skip it by using the so-called unlocking.

Unlocking will open access to the disabled features and will allow to change provider.

The weak spot about unlocking is that you'll disable any warranty your provider offered with the cell phone. Besides, if you want your cell phone unlocked, may a specialist do it, otherwise the unit can be damaged and even drawn out of use.

Another solution is to purchase an unbranded phone which is not locked and which will work on any network. There are also companies that provide unlocking service for a certain fee.

To unlock the phone yourself you will need:

to know the manufacturer, model and firmware versions (if there is one) of the cell phone
to get the proper codes for inputing to unlock the device. The codes can be searched on the web. Note: some models have multiple codes, which depend on the provided firmware version.
to remember that not all phones can be unlocked with a code. Some phones allow you a certain number of attempts before locking you out for good.
to have your IMEI number. This will help to find the proper code. Some codes can restore the disabled features.

You probably would never think of crippled features until you face the fact that the cell phone you bought with a bluetooth feature is actually disabled by provider.

When you think to buy the smart phone of your dream it would probably be an unlocked phone, and you'd better subscribe to a provider that will not disable any of its features (which is air-built idea). So, until your dream comes true be all eyes to check on if its features can be used on full potential and for your pleasure.