Phones That Are T-Mobile SIM Card-Compatible
By James Price
Choosing a phone can be a major decision for many people. When working with a contract, it normally means that you will be using that same device for the next two years. T-Mobile offers a wide variety of these devices, allowing people to find the right phone to suit their needs over an extended period.
T-mobile's Network
T-mobile operates on a Global System for Mobile Communications, or GSM, network. This type of network uses a Subscriber Identity Module, or SIM, card to program devices. This card is transferable from phone to phone, making it easy for users to switch from device to device. Without this card, phones cannot operate on T-Mobile's network.
SIM Lock
Most major cellphone providers put a special lock on their phones to keep them from being used on other carriers' networks. This lock makes it so that only SIM cards provided by that carrier are usable in its phones. Because of this lock, only phones provided by T-mobile are compatible with its network out of the box.
Phones
T-Mobile offers a large selection of phones. The types vary in size and style to meet the needs of a variety of users. Options include basic flip-style phones, text messaging phones with keyboards and smartphones running the Blackberry or Android operating systems. T-Mobile prepaid phones also will work on standard contract plans as long as a standard T-Mobile SIM card is installed.
Unlocking
Unlocking has become a popular procedure with people looking to use their favorite devices overseas and on different networks. Unlocking a phone turns off the lock placed on the SIM card reader by the carrier, allowing it to be used on any similar network requiring a SIM card. By unlocking a device, you are able to use it on the carrier of your choice, using the majority of the features of that network. Although some features are not fully supported because of different technologies used by different carriers, for many users, it is the best way to get the phone of their choice on their favorite network.
Writer Bio
James Price has been writing professionally since 2007. His work has recently appeared in the "Chicago Sun Times" and "Daily Northwestern," a university newspaper. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and a Master of Arts in English from Northwestern University.