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Unlockable phones - are they becoming a thing of the past? |
Sammy_boy
Joined: Mar 31, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Staffordshire, United Kingdom
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First we have the BB5 Nokias which are so far unlockable, and looks like they won't be able to find a way to do it (or does anyone know different?) as the simlock I believe is 'hardwired' into the phone. Now, it seems the newer Sony Ericssons like the K800i are much harder to unlock - are we seeing the beginning of the end for phones that we can unlock outside of the service provider or the manufacturer?
How are the new SEs sim locked - a similar way to the BB5 Nokias? Is there more of a chance of someone working out how to unlock them? Are we moving into a future where the only way to get an unlocked mobile from any manufacturer is to either buy it sim-free, or pay a fee to the service provider on their own terms to get it done?
What do you think - or know about this situation?
"All it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing" - Edmund Burke
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spikeyjac
Joined: May 30, 2006
Posts: > 500
From: west yorkshire! Mobile: w890i
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ive noticed loads of auctions on ebay and phone shops around me offer to unlock n73 but when you contact hem and ask they say they will do it but it will be expensive!wot a load of BS |
anterminator
Joined: Oct 05, 2006
Posts: 36
From: London, UK
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well my k610i is locked on 3, hope future phones on 3 are not locked, but that means they'll lose a lot of business. oh well |
Sammy_boy
Joined: Mar 31, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Staffordshire, United Kingdom
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Yes, that's another thing - stay clear of those ebay auctions by people claiming to be able to 'unlock' a BB5 Nokia or have software that will do it - it's a scam and a con! It's either an older DCT unlocker or even sometimes a virus that they're selling, and those claiming a 70% sucess rate I'd be very dubious about!
Are the latest crop of SEs unlockable in any way, i.e. SETool and the like?
"All it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing" - Edmund Burke
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tranced
Joined: Jan 19, 2006
Posts: > 500
From: Santo Domingo, wonDeRland
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hey, guys dont go so fast. we only have to wait for new masterminds. it happened the same with FAR Manager. We can flash our CID36 phones. waiting and wanting that CID49 will be supported too. just give'em time. i hope they will.
luck
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darrengf
Joined: Dec 21, 2003
Posts: > 500
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Currrenlty the new versions on nokias can not be updated and yes its wrote into the board on the phone.
Dont forget people the networks will give you the unlock code and some of them for free.
This is Contract Based
Orange charge £20
T-Mobile £15-20
Vodafone £12-20
O2 Free
Tescos and Virgin will unlock the phone for free if you have speant more than £30 or have £30 of credit on the phone (They dont remove the credit or charge you)
The SE K800i can be unlocked however you need a crusier cable and then a unlock credit.
** A Word or Warning **
If you take the phone to be unlocked and you notice the person unlcok the phone with a cable and then connect it to a 9v battery then dont do it.
This will damage the main board, will not allow you to update the phones software and void all warranty with the unit.
Hope this helps.
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Sammy_boy
Joined: Mar 31, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Staffordshire, United Kingdom
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Thanks for the advice Darren 
Sounds like there's hope on the SE front certainly - but have we run out of luck with unlocking Nokias now? Is there a chance that a way round this new way of simlocking a phone will be found?
I'm glad I'm with O2, who don't lock their phones (on contract anyway) and only have minimal branding, I sincerely hope this continues and they don't have a change of heart and do a Voda/Orange on us!
"All it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing" - Edmund Burke
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Posted: 2006-11-05 19:49
jay0726 | 
