Unlock your iPhone 13: cut costs, maximise flexibility and supercharge resale value
2021 was a year of mixed emotions. Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States, a cargo ship blocked the Suez Canal and disrupted the global economy, SpaceX launched its first all-civilian spaceflight, and Kabul fell to the Taliban. In the same year, Apple released its fifteenth-generation smartphone. The iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max were unveiled in September 2021 at Apple Park in Cupertino. Despite global supply chain challenges and looming disaster, buyers flocked to purchase the flagship devices ten days later.
The fifteenth-generation iPhone features major component upgrades over its predecessors, despite the iPhone 12 being one of Apple’s most successful ever releases. The iPhone 13 design is mostly unchanged. However, due to larger lenses and improved functionality, the camera module covers more of the devices rear cover. The Face ID and front camera module is also 20% smaller than previous devices.
Most importantly, the iPhone 13 series featured dramatic functional improvements. Notably, Apple upgrades its processor, including the latest A15 Bionic processor which featured more 5G band to support more carriers globally. The A15 processor capable of performing 15.8 trillion operations per scored, 43% more than its predecessor. The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max featured Super Retina XDR OLED displays with improved brightness and a variable ProMotion display which helped the devices increased battery life. Battery lfie is perhaps the most important feature on any new device, as users rely more on their mobile and functionality grows more intense, improved battery life is essential to realise functional benefits and improvements. The iPhone 13 series all boast greater battery life than their predecessors, most notably the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max boast 1.5 and 2.5 more hours respectively. Both models can also charge with MagSafe and wireless charging. Perhaps the most significant improvement in the iPhone 13 series is overall camera performance. The iPhone 13 Pro series is widely accepted and having the most impressive camera suite of any smartphone. The camera features a macro mode capable of focusing as close as 2 centimetres, a Cinematic Mode allowing users to create shallow depth of field, a computational photography engine, and an ultra-wide camera featuring autofocus for the first time. Both cameras are also capable of increased digital zoom.
The global smartphone market has exploded in recent decades, several billion people now own devices. Apple command a large percentage of this total market, offering customers a connected global ecosystem of commercial electronics. Further, since Apple launched the iPhone in 2007, owning the latest device is imperative for tech fans and regular consumers alike. But smartphone ownership comes at a cost, new devices are expensive, and prices have rose in recent years. Of course, major network providers have made ownership easier by selling locked devices on ‘contract’. However, these devices can only ever be used with SIM cards sold by the network issuing the handset.
Considering Apple shipped more than 56 million iPhone 13s in a single quarter, and 40 million more during the holiday period, millions of users are stuck with locked devices. Fortunately, DirectUnlocks can easily unlock your iPhone 13 from the comfort of your own home.
Why should you unlock your iPhone 13?
- Most smartphone users eventually sell their device, either to pay off their current contract, purchase another smartphone or raise money for personal spending. The market for second hand devices has grown substantially as users refresh devices more frequently, meaning nearly new devices are available at a fraction of the cost. Commercial and private buyers pay more for unlocked devices than they do for locked alternatives. When selling the latest device, selling for as much as 20% more can be a difference of hundreds of pounds. Buyers recognise that unlocked devices are much more functional and desirable and so are willing to pay more for them.
- We’ve all experienced painful roaming charges, a reality hitting home following Britain’s departure from the EU. When travelling with a locked device, various countries impose varying roaming charges, which impose a cost for using your device abroad. This differs depending on the location but can be incredibly expensive. Unlocking your iPhone 13 might help avoid roaming costs. When travelling with an unlocked device, users can visit a local store, purchase a domestic SIM-only package, swap out their network SIM, and continue using their device as normal for a fraction of the cost. This is a huge benefit for business travellers and regular jetsetters!
- The global economy is in tatters, Westerners face a cost-of-living crisis and rising monthly costs. Consumers are looking for ways to reduce their outgoings, and every little counts. Unlocking your iPhone 13 can reduce yearly outgoings by £240. Once unlocked, you’ll be able to cancel your network airtime contract and replace your SIM with a competitive alternative.
Now it’s obvious why you should unlock your smartphone, DirectUnlocks can help you unlock iPhone 13 devices from the comfort of your own home in just four simple steps. How to unlock your iPhone 13!
- Simply enter your device IMEI in the form above, select the correct country and carrier, then click ‘Buy Now’ to begin unlocking. Our unique software will automatically identify your device make and model.
- Once payment has cleared, we’ll begin processing the unlock. For most users this will take less than 24 hours. Once complete, even a firmware update won’t change your device’s lock status.
- As we unlock your device, you’ll be able to track progress on the DirectUnlocks portal. 24/7 customer service is also available to answer any questions you might have.
- Once we’ve unlocked your iPhone 13, we’ll notify you by email and SMS. Unlike competitors, Apple devices don’t require a code and are unlocked remotely and automatically.
DirectUnlocks been unlocking devices for years, successfully delivery thousands of unlocks to many customers. 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 O2 phone: unlock to save money and boost flexibility
In1985, Robert Bollard discovered the Titanic wreck and French agents sunk Greenpeace’s Rainbow Warrior ship. In the same year, BT Group and Securicor formed Cellnet—one of the UK’s first two mobile networks. Before the millennium, BT purchased Securicor’s share of Cellnet and rebranded as BT Cellnet. In 2002, after the business launched the world’s first GPRS service, BT Cellnet was ‘spun off’, forming ‘mmO2 PLC’, introducing the new O2 brand for the first time, albeit subtly. After great initial success, O2 was purchased in 2006 by Telefónica for £18 billion, marking the beginning of significant further growth for the business.
Following the successful launch of the UK’s first GPRS service, O2 continued to innovate, launching new products and services while pioneering mobile telecommunications. In 2009, O2 announced that for the first time in British history, using six masts in Slough, it had maintained a functional 4G network. Then, in 2012, O2 announced that it would begin providing free internet to millions of people—habitants and visitors—in central London. This free Wi-Fi zone was available for users of any network. Following this, in 2013, Ofcom awarded O2 spectrum for 4G LTE coverage. This spectrum meant O2 must provide coverage to 99% of the UK population. Finally, in 2017, following the release of iOs 10.3, O2 allowed WiFi Calling for iPhone 7, allowing users for the first time to make calls without using their minutes. Instead, they could speak via WiFi networks or using network data.
After years of sustained innovation and growth, Telefónica agreed to merge O2 with Virgin Media, creating Virgin Media O2, structured as a joint venture between the two holding firms.
O2s dramatic growth to many millions of customers happened amidst a revolution in smartphone functionality, desirability and ownership. Since the release of IBM’s SPC—the world’s first smartphone—in 1992, a whole lot has changed. Since Apple’s iPhone, smartphone ownership has been trendy. Additionally, enhanced app functionality has integrated smartphone into everyday life. With manufacturers releasing new models bi-annually, keeping up with the latest trends became increasingly expensive. Large networks like O2 found a way around this.
Today, O2 has more than 35 million customers and operates more than 450 retail stores as well as sponsoring sports teams and performance venues. Considering the volume of current and past customers, the number of locked O2 smartphones in use and lying around dormant in British homes is enormous. But locked devices are undesirable, for users and buyers. Here’s why—if you have a locked O2 smartphone—you should consider unlocking with DirectUnlocks.
Why unlock your O2 smartphone?
There are a ton of reasons why you should unlock your O2 smartphone, for convenience we’ve summarised the three main reasons:
- Whether you’re currently using a locked O2 smartphone or have one in a draw at home, most people eventually sell these devices. Whether to pay off their remaining contract or just to raise funds for another purchase, the second-hand smartphone market can be lucrative and convenient. Put simply, unlocked smartphones are worth more than locked devices. Buyers of all nature recognise the benefits of an unlocked device, for this reason they’ll pay more to buy one. So, if you want to maximise your device value before selling it, a simple unlock will boost your return.
- More people travel regularly now than ever before, whether for work or pleasure it’s commonplace to travel abroad several times per year. Locked devices are subject to hefty roaming charges. When using your locked phone in another country, you’re subject to whatever roaming charges apply. Usually these fees are substantial, much more so than the cost of domestic data and network fees, not to mention your own contract. So, unlocked devices allow users to purchase cheap domestic pre-paid SIM cards and swap their contract SIM during the holiday to completely avoid roaming charges.
- Mobile users worldwide are experiencing a cost-of-living crisis, monthly bills are growing rapidly, and people are out of pocket. Most people spend at least £50 per month on their mobile phone bill. Unlocking your device could save you at least £25 per month, totalling a whopping £300 per year. Once unlocked, instead of being obliged to pay for pricy data from large networks, users can search the growing, competitive SIM-only market which allows users to purchase data from smaller networks without large overheads. As such, users can expect to pay substantially less for comparative usage. This flexibility to swap and change gives struggling users options.
Now it’s clear why you should want to unlock O2 phone, you’ll be pleased to know that with DirectUnlocks it’s a simple four-step process that can be completed from your own home!
How to unlock your O2 phone
Unlocking used to be a real pain, once upon a time smartphone owners were forced to visit retail locations or wait in long call queues to speak to customer service agents. DirectUnlocks can unlock your device remotely in four simple steps.
- Simply enter your device IMEI in the form above. Once you’ve done this, DirectUnlocks can identify your device make and model. Finally, click ‘buy now’ to get started.
- When your payment has cleared, we can begin processing the order, automatically correcting any mistakes you might have made entering your details. How long it takes to complete the unlock will vary by network and device
- Whilst your unlock is processing, you can track your order on the DirectUnlocks website. You’ll also have access to 24/7 customer care if you have any issues or questions.
- Finally, once your order is complete, we will contact you by email and SMS to confirm the unlock. iPhones are unlocked entirely remotely, meanwhile alternative devices require a code which we will provide for you.
DirectUnlocks have been unlocking smartphones for many years, we’ve successfully unlocked hundreds of thousands of devices and have a great track record. We’re the number one choice for anybody wanting to unlock their device, wherever you might live or whatever the device!