Individuals and businesses seeking to acquire pre-owned iPhones that are tied to a specific carrier represent a distinct segment of the mobile phone market. This often involves local or online marketplaces, including dedicated electronics retailers, pawn shops, and individual sellers. A typical scenario might be someone looking for a specific model at a lower price than an unlocked device, or someone intending to use the phone with the carrier it is locked to.
The market for carrier-locked devices offers potential cost savings for consumers and creates opportunities for businesses specializing in reselling or refurbishing phones. Historically, carrier-locked phones were the norm, subsidized by carriers to encourage contracts. While unlocked phones are increasingly prevalent, the market for locked devices persists due to price sensitivity and specific use cases. This contributes to the circular economy by extending the lifespan of existing devices.