Locked iPhones have lost their luster

In the domestic market, there are two kinds of iPhones – iPhone international versions and locked iPhones. The former can run with simcards from all network operators, while the latter can only use simcards from certain network operators.

Used iPhones are brought to certain markets, including Vietnam, where they are sold as locked iPhones.

To activate the locked iPhone, one needs to have Gevey sim. It is not a SIM card provided by network operators, but is a small and thin microchip attached to simcards to ‘deceive’ iPhones and help activate the machine.

These sims are relatively cheap, while the operation is simple. However, despite the inconveniences, locked iPhones were still favored in Vietnam thanks to their low prices. Payment for one locked iPhone is just equal to 2/3 or 1/2 of the money for the international version.

But the position of locked iPhone in the domestic market changed after a series of locked iPhones ‘died’ last October. Many locked iPhone owners complain that their phones could not be activated.

Analysts said the inactive status of locked iPhone has a relation with Apple’s policy. The manufacturer continually updates and corrects new security flaws, thus making the Gevey sim useless to locked iPhones.

However, iPhone fans can quickly find solutions to deal with the Apple’s policy and the updates. A short time after each update, new versions of Gevey sim will appear, allowing locked iPhones to resume operation.

The problem for locked iPhone users is that Apple now can fix flaws more quickly.

With Apple’s latest move, locked iPhones can operate for two months. 

On March 5, locked iPhone users received good news about the new ICCID (Integrates Circuit Card Identifier). They were shown the way to activate locked phones.

Analysts believe that locked iPhones will be weeded out from the market because of its inconvenience and high cost of Gevey sim. As the life circle of Gevey sim is getting shorter, users will have to buy new-generation Gevey sims regularly to keep their phones operational. 

On technology fans’ forums, iPhone users are calling to ‘boycott’ locked iPhones. 

“It is more costly to use a locked iPhone than an international version,” an iPhone fan said. 

The selling prices of iPhone models in Vietnam decreased after the appearance of a flagships such as Samsung Galaxy S9 and Sony Xperia XZ2 at MWC (Mobile World Congress) 2018.

A new 64 GB iPhone X, the most expensive model of Apple, is sold at approximately VND24 million at some private shops in HCMC.

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Trong Dat