So you want to buy an unlocked phone. It's no surprise. With an unlocked phone and a SIM-only plan you have the freedom to shop around switch telcos if you're not getting good service or see a better deal. It's easy to buy unlocked phones in Australia, but did you know you could save money by importing?
Grey import phones, also known as parallel or direct imports, are unlocked phones bought or imported from overseas without the permission of the manufacturer. That makes them sound dodgy, but importing is a perfectly legal way to buy a smartphone.
You can get grey imports from specialist retailers serving the Australian market like Dick Smith or Kogan. Or you can buy direct from an overseas retailer that ships to Australia. Think eBay or Amazon.
But what's the catch?
Pros and cons of imported unlocked phones
- They're cheaper!
- You can buy phones that aren't locally available
- They may not give good Australian network coverage
- It can be tricky to enforce your warranty
- It can be tricky to get technical support
- They may not come with an Australian power adapter
Yikes. Those cons sound pretty conny. But they don't apply to every import phone. The key is to check the specs of the phone you're buying and shop with a reputable retailer. Read on to hear more about how you can do that.
The trade-off with import phones is that for those extra savings you take on a little more risk and have to do a little more research. If that sounds like something you can handle this may be a good option for you. So let's start by talking about the pros ...
Pro #1: Imported unlocked phones are cheaper
If you're looking for an unlocked phone it probably means you're looking to save money. Our analysis of new phone release pricing has consistently found that the cheapest way to buy a phone is outright and unlocked.
But imported unlocked phones can cost hundreds of dollars less than their local counterparts. This is because they've been brought in from a different market with a different price point.
Pro #2: You can import unlocked phones that aren't locally available
There are some cool smartphones around that just aren't sold in Australia, and others that are released internationally months before they become available here. If you have your eye on a sexy foreign phone, or feel you absolutely must have the latest and greatest tech, importing could be for you.
Con #1: Imported unlocked phones may not give good Australian network coverage
Here's where things get a bit technical. Mobile phone networks operate on different bandwidth frequencies measured in megahertz bands, such as 850MHz or 2100MHz. But not all phones support all frequencies.
This isn't a problem if you're buying a phone made for Australian use – it should be designed to support all Australian frequencies. Not so with an import.
If a phone doesn't support a specific frequency, you'll still get connectivity, it just might not be as reliable. For example, the OnePlus 3, a popular affordable smartphone that you can only get by import, doesn't support 700Mhz. This is a frequency used for 4G by both Telstra and Optus. You'll still get 4G connectivity on the OnePlus 3 (on the 1800MHz or 2100MHz frequencies), but you might find yourself getting kicked back to 3G in areas where the only 4G is delivered by 700Mhz.
Check your unlocked import phone's specs for supported network frequencies and use our guide to Australian phone networks and frequencies to find out if you're likely to experience problems.
Con #2: It can be tricky to enforce an unlocked import phone warranty
When buying an Australian phone, unlocked or not, you should be protected by both a manufacturer's warranty and Australian Consumer Law. But these get a little tricky when you're buying an import.
Manufacturer's warranties are usually specific to the country-of-origin, which means if your phone was imported, your warranty won't be honoured in Australia. What's more, when it comes to imports, it's the seller, not the manufacturer, that's responsible for your consumer guarantees. (That's your legal right to be sold a product of acceptable quality or get a refund, replacement or repair.)
Enforcing your warranty with an overseas manufacturer can be painful, not least because it may involve shipping your phone overseas for replacement or repair, which could take weeks. And getting a retailer from overseas to acknowledge and respond to your Australian consumer rights? That can be tough too.
That's why, when you're buying an import, it's really important to check the reliability of the seller. Many retailers specialising in imports include their own warranty and offer Australian support centres, which can be very handy. Be sure to read the terms and conditions of the warranty carefully and track down some user reviews to get a sense of the retailer's reputation.
Con #3: It can be tricky to get technical support for imported unlocked phones
Even
if you need technical support or repairs that fall outside your warranty, that can
be hard to get from the local manufacturer. A phone built for an overseas
market may have hardware or software differences that the local manufacturer
can't or won't help you with. And if the local manufacturer can provide support
like repairs, they might charge you for it.
Con #4: Imported unlocked phones may not come with an Australian power adapter
Honestly, this one's not that big of a deal. You can buy an adapter fairly cheaply from an electronic store and it will still work with your phone.
It's most likely to happen if you buy from a site like eBay or Amazon where the seller isn't catering to the Australian market. Specialist importers like Kogan or Dick Smith will usually throw in an Australian adapter.
Jacqui Dent
Editorial Strategist
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