A Simple Guide to Boosting the Value of Your EE Device

What were you doing in 2010? The UK economy finally emerged from recession, Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupted, and Prince William and Kate Middleton got engaged. Whilst all this was happening, a joint venture between Deutsche Telekom and France Telecom emerged, forming what would later be known as EE. By 2015, following both prosperous and turbulent times, BT had decided to purchase the merger, which had then officially taken on the EE brand name.

As of 2020, now forming part of the BT brand, EE is officially the largest mobile network in the UK with almost 30 million customers and includes a critical component of BT’s continued recent growth in profitability. EE claims that their 4G and 2G networks combined provide coverage to more than 99% of the UK population.

Combined with the relatively good handset and usage deals and solid customer service, it’s little surprise that EE is so popular amongst mobile users. Rising handset prices, stagnant wages, and an increased appetite for the latest tech have left smartphone owners seeking manageable ways to finance their new devices.

The network contract is the most popular method of ownership in the UK, the network provides you with a usage ‘deal’ and a handset locked to their network, and you pay a monthly payment over a fixed period. But they are being tied to even the most popular of networks that disadvantage customers in more ways than one.

The ‘deals’ offered to contract customers are often much more expensive than similar usage on SIM-only deals and locked devices are inhibitive, lack flexibility, and can cost you money. With this in mind, whether you’ve paid off your handset device or have months ahead, there’s a way to get more out of your EE smartphone.

You can easily Unlock EE Phones and boost their value to you and future owners. By unlocking your device, its IMEI is whitelisted in the network’s own database, leaving it open for use on any network.

1. Selling For More

There are a whole host of benefits associated with unlocking smartphones, perhaps the most attractive of these is that unlocked devices sell for 20-30% more than locked devices. Rising demand for the latest technology and consumers swapping phones often every year has resulted in a booming second-hand smartphone market.

This market is competitive and crowded, potential buyers are aware of the benefits associated with unlocked devices and look for these ahead of all others.

Even online recycling companies offer more excellent recycling values on unlocked devices. I recently recycled an iPhone 11 Pro before buying the latest release, and I was offered £62 more because the device was not locked to a network, which meant my new purchase cost me less.

Considering the cost of an unlock with a company like DirectUnlocks is only around £20, this is a simple decision that makes perfect sense whether you plan to sell now or in the future.

2. Make Travelling Easier

Depending upon where you plan to travel, locked devices can be a severe burden. Almost everybody has a story centered around unexpected roaming charges that quickly mount and result in disastrous bills upon your return.

Owners of locked devices are unable to use any other SIM with their device, leaving them with no choice but to pay whatever roaming charges are associated with their contract.

Unlocked devices are much easier to use abroad, whether you plan to travel once, twice or dozens of times a year, unlocking your device will save you money. When traveling with an unlocked device, users can visit a local store, purchase a SIM-only deal with a local provider, plug the SIM into their device and continue to use their phone’s data as usual with no additional charges.

3. Usage That Works For You

Usage deals on network contracts are often considerably more expensive than SIM-only deals. However, they offer customers the chance to purchase a device for a relatively low monthly cost; they don’t provide the best value on data and minutes.

Whether your device is paid off or not, unlocking your device gives you access to a vast market of SIM-only deals whilst still paying off your device, meaning your overall monthly cost is reduced.

Unlocking your device is a quick, easy, and effective way to make it work for you in the second-hand market, save money on usage, and make traveling easier.