It’s always nice having choices, especially when it comes to your mobile device plan — which is why unlocked smartphones are gaining traction. According to a report by NPD Connected Intelligence, approximately 30 million U.S. consumers currently own unlocked mobile devices, comprising 12.5 percent of the smartphone market. And that number is expected to continue to grow.
For the enterprise, the benefits of unlocked phones, which allow users to choose any carrier and connectivity plan and don’t require a contract, pertain to more than just the freedom of choice. Here are some of the ways unlocked phones provide significant cost savings and streamline device management for IT.
Lower Your Total Cost of Ownership
Many organizations purchase phones with carrier subsidies for the advantage of spreading the cost of purchase over the lifecycle of the device. The downside is that this model also locks the buyer into a service contract with a specific carrier, which can actually increase the total cost of ownership (TCO).
According to a recent Gartner study, buying unsubsidized devices and negotiating a carrier service plan separately saves up to 20 percent over the device’s lifecyle.
Pay Only for the Services You Need
In addition to lowering service plan fees, in some business situations, you may want a compact device like a smartphone but don’t need cellular connectivity, since the device will only be used at a workplace that already has WiFi. Because unlocked phones aren’t tied to a carrier, they can be used as Wi-Fi-only devices. By cutting out cellular connectivity contracts, companies can reap significant savings while gaining the benefits of mobile apps and workflows.
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For example, retail associates equipped with mobile POS (mPOS) terminals can conduct transactions on the store floor. Unlocked devices can also be used in healthcare to provide a private communications network that complies with healthcare privacy requirements, or can be used by logistics warehouse employees to scan inventory more cost-effectively.
Travel Freely and Avoid Roaming Charges
For business users who travel frequently, especially internationally, having an unlocked device makes it easier and more cost-effective to stay connected while away. With an unlocked phone, you can simply swap in a local SIM card to connect to a local network that offers better rates and avoid roaming charges and other international fees.
Improve Device Management
Adopting unlocked devices can also streamline device management by allowing an organization to standardize on one model. This results in inventory management cost savings since there is no longer a need to keep spare devices from each carrier. Device standardization also makes application testing easier, since there are fewer devices you need to test.
Streamline Your IT Purchasing
Another advantage of unlocked smartphones is that you can purchase unlocked phones from your IT solution provider who supports other IT infrastructure for your organization. This can make integration into other IT systems and applications easier, and allow your IT solution provider to support a range of services if your IT team has limited resources to handle mobile management.
Having choices when it comes to carrier and service plans gives IT the flexibility to customize and provision exactly the device they need for their users. Not only does this save time and money, but it also provides a more streamlined, accessible device to the end users so they can complete their tasks more efficiently and effectively.
Choose Your Unlocked Device
Samsung offers a range of unlocked devices so you can choose what fits best for your organization and users.
The unlocked Galaxy Note9 is a powerful smartphone that is ideal for multitasking on the go, with its 6.3 inch Infinity Display, impressive battery life and advanced S Pen. The flagship Galaxy S10e, S10 and S10+, also available as unlocked devices, combine cutting-edge performance, advanced camera systems and defense-grade security. Both the Note9 and S10 devices can be extended to power an intuitive desktop-like experience with Samsung DeX. The Unlocked by Samsung portfolio also includes previous-generation devices, like the Galaxy S9 and Note8.
For those looking for high-quality smartphones at a budget-friendly price point, the Galaxy A6 offers all the business essentials, like expandable storage, a long-lasting battery and fingerprint authentication.
Switching to unlocked devices is about choice. Choice in your carrier, choice in your plan and choice in your device.
See what additional benefits unlocked smartphones can bring to your enterprise. Need help choosing? Take our quick assessment to see which smartphone is best for your business.
