subject: Using Unlocked Cell Phones [print this page] Using Unlocked Cell Phones Using Unlocked Cell Phones
What people love about unlocked cell phones is that they allow for easily switching between service providers. Numerous makes are available thusly, and though most folks naturally opt for the most recent releases, it frequently pays to take into account yesterday's offerings as well. For example, unlocked cell phones such as the Nokia Surge make excellent second handsets for folks who need to keep two separate contact numbers. It looks like a T-Mobile Sidekick but being unlocked means that you needn't only use it with AT&T in the United States. It has the same form factor as the popular Sidekick, only it slides and doesn't swivel to reveal the keyboard beneath. The inclusion of text messaging and social media capabilities makes it clear that Nokia is targeting the youth demographic with this model.There's simply no better when it comes to unlocked cell phones for second or third "lines." But just what is the Surge? What's it like? Well, it's a 3G phone offering 2.4 inches of screen space at 320x240 TFT pixels and 16 million colors. The 2 megapixel camera is inferior when compared to the over-3 megapixel variant on the related 6760 Slide model available in the rest of the world (which phone, incidentally, isn't carrier-exclusive), but the Surge did debut earlier, too. Video recording is done at the standard QVGA resolution.It uses the Symbian Series 60 multi-tasking platform, nicely complementing the provided feature-set, marking it a mid-level offering. The Surge works with Bluetooth 2.0, with A2DP support, and offers microUSB connectivity as well. Audio is delivered by a typical 2.5mm jack. In keeping with most Nokia phones lately, the Surge comes with an on-board stereo FM radio. MicroSD cards are supported up to a maximum of 8GB of additional storage space, on top of the 2GB card included. This phone is available in black, white, or red color schemes. Talk-time is scored for respectable five hours, and standby is a wholesome five hundred.Best of all, being unlocked means not having to deal with AT&T and a long two-year contract with mandatory voice and data plans that could possibly add up to an average of a thousand dollars a year for even a fairly casual user! And naturally the Surge is designed for those who are constantly texting, chatting, e-mailing, or surfing the web. Such folks could very quickly wind up with over two thousand dollars a year!
