What are the advantages/disadvantages to buying an unlocked cell phone?

honeynuts1215: What are the advantages/disadvantages to buying an unlocked cell phone?
Im interested in buying an unlocked cell phone because they seem cheaper than buying them from a service provider and I could switch providers using the same phone as well.Are they really worth the hype?

Answers and Views:

Answer by btdt_org_uk
No disadvantages that I can think of , just means you’re not locked into only using one provider.

Answer by JON T
There are no real disadvantages as you can insert an sim card into the phone and away you go. The hardest thing is just finding a reasonably priced unlocked phone. It’s worth pointing out though that even if the phone is locked most phones can now be easily unlocked with software that is redily available for download.

Answer by msqtech
you have to pay more and you dont get to upgrade within the service like you can with some. I am with verizon and they upgrade me every two years.