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An unlocked iPhone is an unlocked iPhone; right? Not exactly. There are different types of unlocking, with different consequences that the user has to deal with, and if buying an iPhone, you need to be aware of what you are getting.
There are factory unlocked iPhones, worldwide unlocked iPhones, and chip unlocked iPhones . Each of them is different in some way from the other, and they each offer different levels of freedom. Let’s dive into the details, with a special focus on how to know what a worldwide unlocked iPhone is.
What is a WorldWide Unlocked iPhone?
When a smartphone is locked to a wireless carrier, it means that it is configured to work only with that specific carrier. For it to be usable on another carrier, it has to be unlocked. For example, you may buy a locked Walmart Family Mobile branded iPhone. It will not work with another carrier. If you want to be able to use it with Verizon or T-Mobile, for example, you have to carry out a worldwide unlock or chip unlock first.
- Chip Unlocked iPhone explained
- Worldwide Unlocked iPhone explained
- Factory Unlocked iPhone explained What is the difference between factory unlocked and worldwide unlock? How to know if your iPhone is worldwide unlocked
Chip Unlocked iPhone explained
A chip unlocked iPhone is one that is locked to a mobile network or carrier, usually on contract. As a result, the full financial value of the phone has not been paid. Payment is typically on a monthly instalment, and the network lock is a measure by the carrier to keep the user from making away without completing the payment. A chip unlock bypasses the network lock by using a small, special physical component called a chip.
So, a chip unlocked Apple iPhone is one that uses a chip inserted in the device to bypass the network lock. The disadvantage is that you can only use one network per chip. So, if you are currently using a chip to use a Vodacom SIM card in your iPhone and want to use another SIM in it, you will need to buy another chip.
Worldwide Unlocked iPhone explained
Worldwide unlocking (WWU) is done via software and enables you to use any SIM card with the device. You can change SIM cards as you please and use them without any worries or inconveniences, so long as the phone is compatible with the mobile network.
Is there any caveat? Sure: if you factory reset or wipe a Worldwide unlocked iPhone, the original carrier lock will come back and you will be unable to use it with any other carrier except the one it was originally locked to. In other words, you have to go through the software unlocking again.
Factory Unlocked iPhone explained
A factory unlocked (FU) Apple iPhone is one that is sold free of a lock to any mobile carrier – Verizon, Walmart Family Mobile, Vodafone, MTN, or Orange anywhere. This is what you should be wanting. In the USA, it is simply called an unlocked phone.
Factory unlocked iPhones are sold by Apple and at independent stores in the USA, Canada, UK, South Africa, Australia, and many other countries around the world. They offer complete freedom, as you can insert any SIM card from a compatible network at anytime and use at will.
What is the difference between factory unlocked and worldwide unlock?
A factory unlocked iPhone is one that has never been locked to any carrier at all, and so can be used on any compatible carrier. A worldwide unlocked iPhone is one that had a carrier lock but which has been removed by means of software, so it can be used on any compatible carrier anywhere in the world.
How to know if your iPhone is worldwide unlocked
To tell if your iPhone is unlocked, open the Settings on your iPhone, scroll down and tap on General , then tap on About . Scroll to the bottom and look for Carrier Lock . If it displays No SIM restrictions , then your iPhone is unlocked and can be used with any compatible carrier.
In a nutshell, a chip unlock requires a physical chip for the iPhone to be usable with another network’s SIM. A WorldWide Unlocked iPhone is one in which the carrier restriction removal is carried out via software, requires no physical chip to unlock, and can be used with any compatible carrier or mobile network operators worldwide.
A factory unlocked iPhone is the definition of true freedom and comes with no restrictions. When shopping for an unlocked iPhone, do not forget to ask what kind of unlocking it is.
Author:MobileChic
That motivated, gadget-loving geeky chic who tries to stay on top of things. Unapologetic iFan.
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Realme as a brand has been in existence for about 4 years now counting from its inception in May 2018, when compared to other mobile brands this is a very young mobile brand. Though young, Realme has shown that it is not afraid to take on the competition in a remarkable way. Just like its slogan says (Dare To Leap) it has really taken a big leap right from it conception to this point. How has Realme survived in today’s hostile markets?
Firstly, it grew its community wisely. Realme as a brand has been active in other regions of the world such as Asia and Europe, here it has grown a very strong fan base and user community, this is as a result of what it’s devices bring to the table in terms of specs and abilities.
Second, it has shown its unique versatility. The brand has a unique approach to the tech market, as it guns for users with various tastes and needs from a device. It has a flagship line-up as well as an entry-level line-up that satisfies its users.
Third is the fact that it’s devices are affordable yet retaining a premium build. This in itself can be a boost to the company’s user community. Just two days ago, the company became the sixth top smartphone vendor. Just under four years of existence, the company has proved itself up to the competition.
Originally a spin-off from OPPO, itself a subsidiary of BBK electronics , Realme has outgrown it’s more expensive and flagship sister company, OnePlus. Now after taking over the market in certain regions Realme has finally set its eyes on the Latin-American and African markets, how will they perform in the African space?
Let us have a side by side comparison of some of Realme’s finest devices along with a few of the finest devices you can currently find in Africa at the moment. We will also compare the low-end devices from Realme along with those from brands common here in Africa. This comparison will show a bit of what Realme has to offer in terms of specifications and device abilities.
Comparison Tables of The Budget Realme Devices.
For the budget section, we will be considering the Realme GT master and the Tecno Phantom X . Which is better, which has more value for money? These questions will be trashed by the use of our trusted comparison table.
| Realme GT master | Tecno Phantom X |
|---|---|
| Super AMOLED screen, 120Hz , 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio), 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | Super AMOLED screen, 90Hz, 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm (~91.3% screen-to-body ratio). 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density) |
| Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 |
| Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) Octa-core (4×2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4×1.9 GHz Kryo 670); GPU Adreno 642L | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm); Octa-core (2×2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55); Mali-G76 MC4 |
| 32 MP selfie camera | 48MP + 8 MP selfie camera |
| 64 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP with LED flash | 50 MP + 12 MP + 8 MP triple rear camera with Quad-LED flash |
| 128 GB & 256 GB internal storage (*UFX fast storage) | 256 GB internal storage + dedicated Micro SD slot |
| 6 GB & 8 GB RAM | 8 GB RAM |
| Li-Po 4300 mAh, non-removable ; Fast charging 65W, 100% in 33 min | Li-Po 4700 mAh, non-removable; Fast charging 33W, 70% in 30 min |
| $440 | $555 |
This is a quite interesting battle between the two devices, with the Phantom X being the more common device here in Africa and also Tecno’s first shot at flagship specs on a device. Clearly, TECNO took the lead in the camera abilities, but pairing this camera hardware with an arguably not so flagship chipset was not ideal. Tecno sure took a good beating from the Realme GT master, these devices are $100 away from each other but when it comes to the specs Realme is way ahead of this competition.
Realme clearly came tops in this competition, but if Realme should get established here in Nigeria, they will definitely push out their lower priced devices before introducing the flagship killers. Let us also take a look at how a low-end device from Realme will stand against the already existing competition.
Comparison Tables of The Low End Realme Devices.
Again we will be putting a device from Realme against one from Tecno since they are the largest smartphone retailers in Africa at the moment. The Realme Narzo 30 will be going up against the Tecno Spark 7 Pro .
Let’s compare the devices spec for spec.
| Realme Narzo 30 | Tecno Spark 7 pro |
|---|---|
| IPS LCD, 90Hz, 6.5 inches screen, 102.0 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio), 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 6.6 inches screen, 105.2 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio), 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) |
| Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 11, HIOS 7.5 |
| Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) ; Octa-core (2×2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) ; Mali-G76 MC4 | Mediatek Helio G80 (12 nm); Octa-core (2×2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6×1.8 GHz Cortex-A55); Mali-G52 MC2 |
| 16 MP | 8 MP |
| 48 MP + 2 MP + 2 MP LED flash, HDR | 48 MP Triple camera setup. Quad-LED flash |
| 64 GB, 128 GB internal storage + dedicated microSD slot. | 64 GB, 128 GB internal storage + dedicated microSD slot |
| 4 GB, 6 GB RAM | 4 GB, 6 GB RAM |
| 5000 mAh battery + 30W fast charging | 5000 mAh battery |
| $212 | $180 |
The margin was narrowed down in this comparison table, this shows that Realme has a lot of competition at the lower price section than they do at the mid-range section.
Is there room for Realme in the African smartphone market? The answer is an affirmative yes! It will be lovely to see Realme phones in Nigeria ‘s mobile market, the competition, the variety of devices to choose from while shopping, more product launches and lots more that might just follow through.
Realme has become a force to reckon with in the tech world, from their wide range of products such as smartphones, smart accessories, laptops and so much more, I must say that I am really looking forward to seeing Realme devices become an option when next shopping for a smartphone.
In which African countries Realme is available?
- Egypt
- Kenya – active since middle 2020
- South Africa – Twitter account active since July 2021
- Nigeria (the company has set up a Nigeria Twitter handle here )
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Author:KittysTech
Tech analyst, Collins Eshiet, writes about technology. Follow me on Twitter @KittysTech.
