How to supercharge your iPhone 12: unlock to cut costs and maximise flexibility
2020 marked the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic, a global catastrophe affecting more than twenty million people in a matter of months. In the same year, Kobe Bryant passed away, Donald Trump was impeached, Ghislaine Maxwell was arrested, and Joe Biden became president-elect. Then, in October, Apple released its fourteenth-generation iPhones, unveiling the devices at a virtual event staged in Cupertino, California. The iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max became available in most countries for purchase the same month.
Apple introduced a host of new features, including several major upgrades over the iPhone 11—itself a wildly successful device, 159.2 million units worldwide, making it the tenth best-selling smartphone of all time. Most notably, the iPhone 12 series featured Super Retina XDR OLED displays, 5G support, MagSafe functionality for charging, A14 Bionic SoC processor, and HDR video with Dolby Vision 4K up to 30 fps. As well as additional features, Apple took away longstanding functionalities and accessories. For the first time, Apple did not include a power adapter or EarPods. However, they did include a USB-C to Lightning cable which was retroactively applied to various other iPhone models.
As well as additional features, the iPhone 12 marked Apple’s first major redesign since the landmark iPhone X. Apple reverted to a chassis with flat edges, reminiscent of earlier models in its iPhone series. The borders around the screens display were also reduced and the iPhone 11’s brittle front glass was replaced with a ceramic-hardened alternative. Despite these sweeping changes, critical and public reception was mixed. Upon release, The Verge called the iPhone 12 series ‘beautiful, powerful, and incredibly capable’, praising its design, speed and 5G capabilities. Further, its OLED display, slimmer bezels and improved battery life compared to its predecessor were also praised. Engadget gave the device a positive review too, praising its wireless charging capabilities and redesigned camera system. The public praised the device too, and as of Q2 2021, the iPhone 12 was the third best-selling globally.
It wasn’t all praise though; Apple was criticised for overreliance on Face ID as its sole biometric security feature—critics were concerned the functionality would not work well with face masks. The iPhone 12 mini was also criticised for its inferior battery life compared to the larger iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro. There was also a series of complaints coined ‘OLED-gate’, whereby the devices OLED panel black pixels failed to shut off in black scenes resulting in ‘ugly glow’. Interestingly, several independent Apple repair experts raised concerns around a variety of key components which would malfunction and display warnings when replaced with new ones. Apple rectified the issue with the release iOS 14.4 which did display a warning message but otherwise functioned regularly. Finally, some users in Brazil claimed Apple removing the EarPods and power adapters were anti-consumer—it was later discovered that Apple removed both components to reduce costs and not save the environment.
Nevertheless, Apple have sold more than 100 million iPhone 12s globally to date and continue to sell growing numbers. Considering global purchasing trends, many of these devices were bought by users on contract and are locked to major networks meaning users and buyers cannot choose any other network provider. Fortunately, DirectUnlocks can unlock your iPhone 12 simply from the comfort of your own home.
Why should you unlock your iPhone 12?
- Most smartphone owners eventually sell their device, using the money to either pay off their contract, fund their next purchase or raise some extra spending money. The iPhone 12 is still wildly popular, and in recent years, the market for used and nearly new iPhones has exploded, buyers can’t buy stock quick enough. But before selling, users should know unlocked iPhone 12s sell for more than locked devices. Private and commercial buyers recognise how much more flexible an unlocked smartphone is and will pay as much as 30% more than the same devices locked counterpart.
- Regular travel is more common now than ever, whether it be for business or pleasure. We’re also increasingly dependent on our smartphones when travelling for directions, dining recommendations and keeping in contact with friends and family. However, most travellers will be subjected to expensive roaming costs which are more expensive the more exotic the location. Unlocking your iPhone 12 can help avoid roaming costs. With an unlocked device, users can simply locate a store, purchase a domestic SIM-only package and swap out their current SIM to save money.
- Western smartphone users are facing an imminent cost-of-living crisis. Daily bills are increasing and saving money is more important than ever. Unlocked smartphones help reduce monthly outgoings. Once your iPhone 12 is unlocked—even if you’re still paying off your device—you can remove your network SIM and cancel your airtime contract. Then, you’ll be able to access the growing SIM-only market which can beat your monthly contract fee by as much as £240 per year!
Now the benefits of unlocking are clear, DirectUnlocks can help you unlock iPhone 12 devices from the comfort of your own home in four simple steps.
How to unlock your iPhone 12
- On the form above simply enter your IMEI, select the country and network that the phone is locked to. Once our software has automatically identified your device make and model, select ‘Buy Now’ to begin unlocking.
- Once your payment has successfully cleared, DirectUnlocks will begin processing the unlock. Once complete, even a firmware update won’t affect your lock status. Once payment is confirmed we will update you by email and SMS.
- Tracking is available throughout via the DirectUnlocks portal. 24/7 customer care is also available to answer any queries or issues.
- Once your iPhone 12 has been successfully unlocked, we will notify you by email and SMS. Apple devices are unlocked entirely remote!
DirectUnlocks have successfully unlocked hundreds of thousands of devices in recent years. Our vast experience means we know the market and can support you with any issues you might experience. Trust us, we’ll make it easy for you!
How to get the most out of your Three phone: unlock to save money and boost flexibility
In April 2003, the Human Genome Project was completed, later the same year, Concorde took its last flight and NASA launched its first manned space mission. Amidst this excitement, Three—a subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings—launched the UK’s first 3G-only mobile network (of course, today Three offers 3G, 4G and 5G). Three’s 2003 launch makes it the youngest of the UK’s incumbent mobile network providers. Initially, Three established an agreement with an existing 2G provider, followed by a deal with Orange. As its services expanded, Three continued to use existing infrastructure to provide coverage. In fact, as early as 2004, Three became the first network to maintain 80% population coverage, a regulatory requirement which took other providers several years to achieve.
Three entered the market ambitiously with immediate plans to sell handsets and open physical retail locations—by 2004, they began selling NEC and Sony Ericsson devices. At the same time, Three opened their first stores on Oxford Street and Kensington High Street, two prestigious London locations. As well as their own stores, Three sold devices and contracts through online retailers. Later, in 2006, they purchased almost 100 stores from O2. Three have been pioneering in their product and service launches, as well as in acquiring complimentary businesses. In 2015, Hutchison Whampoa acquired O2’s UK operations for more than £10 billion; however, the EU blocked the purchase on competition grounds.
Today, Three boasts more than 9 million UK customers, 300 stores, 4800 employees, and a strong, active network of data users who combined use more than 3 times the UK average. Continuing its record for strong network coverage, Three has the country’s most complete 5G holdings. Three’s rise to popularity coincided with a general surge in smartphone ownership as well as demand for the latest upgraded handsets, a major trend which led to major network providers selling locked contract devices en masse. These locked contract devices made ownership easier but limit consumer flexibility and reduce handset value.
Millions of UK customers use or own a Three smartphone, if you’re among these, you’ll want to consider a more device unlock.
Why should you unlock your Three smartphone?
- Recently, major networks have announced that post-Brexit, roaming charges will return for most customers. The charges will be 10p a MB of data, 20p a text and 55p a minute for calls. Even networks like Three and Tesco who previously offered ‘home from home’ style agreements will be forced to reintroduce roaming charges. All users with locked will no choice but to pay these charges, reason being that no other SIM can be used with a locked device. However, even if a user remains ‘in contract’, a device unlock will help immediately avoid roaming charges. Unlocked devices work with any SIM, meaning when travelling to a foreign country, opposed to being subject to roaming charges, travellers can locate a local store and select any SIM-only deal offered by whatever domestic providers are available. Then, you can simply ‘plug and play’, insert the domestic SIM into your handset and continue using your phone without bloated roaming charges.
- Locked devices are worth less than unlocked devices, unlocking your smartphone will boost the resale value. Hopefully this article has made clear how much more flexible and functional an unlocked device is compared to its locked counterpart. Well, it’s not just you whose noticed this, private buyers and recycling companies know it too. Most smartphone owners intend to sell their device eventually, whether they use the sale value toward a new device or spend it on something else. In this case, you’ll want to maximum that value to get the most out of your smartphone. Unlocking your device can boost the price by as much as 30%, a smart investment!
- Locked devices are most often bought from major network provers, these ‘big players’ have higher monthly usage costs than their ‘challenger’ competitors. Of late, the usage market has exploded with new, lean start-ups focusing solely on usage. Without staffing costs, physical stores and inventory, these competitors can offer similar usage volumes at much lower prices. If you’ve bought or own a locked smartphone, unlocking it helps you access these deals and save you a ton of money each month. It’s likely you could save as much as £20 per month by switching to a new network.
- Simply choose the correct Three network in the form above (UK or otherwise) followed by entering your IMEI. Once you’ve entered your IMEI, we will automatically identify your device. If this identification is correct, go ahead and select ‘buy now’ to begin the process.
- Once the payment is successful, we will begin processing your order and correct any mistakes you might have made. At this point, the unlocking process has begun, the time to complete varies by network and device.
- Whilst we process your unlock you can track your order on the tracking section of DirectUnlocks website. The entire process should take no longer than 24 hours.
- Once the unlock is complete, you’ll receive an Email and Text confirmation, including a code for devices other than Apple, which are unlocked entirely remotely.
So, for everybody who wound up here from searching unlock Three phone, DirectUnlocks can help you do just that.
How to unlock your Three phone
You might think unlocking your smartphone will be difficult, it certainly used to be. However, DirectUnlocks have made the process incredibly simple. In fact, you won’t even need to leave the comfort of your own home. Follow these four steps to unlock within 24 hours:
We’ve been doing this for years and processed hundreds of thousands of devices, you’re safe in our hands!