SIM-free phones mean the phones that are being sold without a SIM Card and with no compulsory requirement to top-up at point of purchase.  SIM-free phones may be locked to a specific network or unlocked, and may or may not include branding and custom software.

If it is unlocked, then any SIM card that physically fits will work. If it is locked, then you must insert a matching SIM or unlock the phone first before you can use it.

A sim free phone purchased from big names like Apple, Samsung or Nokia often come ‘unlocked’ and with no contract. This means you can chop and change different networks easily into the phone. 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of sim free phones?

Advantages

The advantages of sim-free Smartphones are:

1. Purchasing an ‘unlocked’ Sim free phone allows you to decide on which network you want your service, with many different deals from pay as you go to sim only contracts. 
2. With the free space to choose the network of your choice, it becomes easier to go for the one that works best in your area as sometimes, many networks are not as efficient in certain places. Thus, you can choose to pick a network of your choice that is best suited to your needs and comfort.
3. You are able to upgrade your phone or network when you want to.  You’re not tied into a contract with a network or tariff, just buy a new phone and pop your sim in and away you go. This is the biggest advantage of sim free phones as they give you the liberty to switch between networks whenever you want to.
4. If you are a frequent traveler, sim free phones are perfect for you. They are the best suited for going abroad, all you need is a local sim card and you don’t need to worry about will the phone work overseas or not. You can buy a sim card as per the locality and insert it into your phone and voila! There you go. 
5. There is no hassle of locked features, network apps and branding.
6. You can choose to pay as you go.
7. Shopping for a phone and a contract separately usually gives you the best deal.
8. With the liberty to frequently upgrade, you can also increase the resale value of your phone.

Disadvantages

The disadvantages of purchasing sim free phones are a few.

1. SIM-free phones have a higher price upfront than phones sold on contract. In contrast, the same phone might cost nothing upfront on a monthly contract. The reason for this is that your network is spreading the cost of the phone across your monthly bill for the length of your contract. This reduces your up-front expenses but often raises the price in the long run.
2. You usually don’t get large free offers as are found in other phones. 
3. The low-cost card fewer mobiles do not carry advanced internet and multimedia applications.
4. The service plans of the most GSM providers are not cheap in comparison to other network companies.

Some Sim-Free Smartphones:

1. iPhone 7
2. iPhone 11
3. iPhone 8
4. iPhone XS
5. Huawei P30 Pro
6. Huawei Y6 
7. Huawei Y7
8. Huawei Y5 
9. Motorola Moto G7 Power
10. OnePlus 7T
11. Google Pixel 3a
12. Google Pixel 4
13. Samsung Galaxy S9
14. Samsung Galaxy Note 10
15. Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus
16. Samsung Galaxy A70
17. Samsung A40
18. Samsung A51
19. Honor 20
20. Huawei P Smart (2019)
21. Nokia 3310
22. Oppo Reno
23. Oppo A5 2020
24. Oppo AX7
25. Oppo RX17 Neo

Are SIM Free phones cheaper?

Not really, If you buy the sim-free smartphone then there is an upfront cost of the smartphone and if we purchase it on the contract the cost of the smartphone is divided into monthly installments. 

If you are buying a phone on contract then it is necessary for you to take a loan for buying the phone and when you complete all the installment then you will be able to keep the phone. In contract, you will get an allowance for calls, texts and maybe mobile data, etc.