Unlocked or locked iPhone - which is better? - 1

I'm looking into buying an iPhone 4s. I don't want a contract (don't send that many texts/use mainly Wi-Fi/etc), and you can find these products far cheaper on eBay than in phone shops.

However, i'm unsure as to which is the best buy: one that is already assigned to a network, or one that is 'unlocked'?

Does anyone know the pros and cons to either of them?

Any advice or information would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

Added (1). Also, what happens if i buy an unlocked iPhone? Where do i buy a sim card from? How much do sim cards cost? Once i buy once, do i just insert it, or do i have to register with the netwrok? How easy/difficult a process is it?

What is the difference btw apple real iphone and iphone clone or master copy?

Now a days some people r making fake apple iphone. I want to buy an iphone 4s and i saw some iphone clone too. So how can i be sure which one i'm buying real one or the fake one? For the record i want to buy real apple iphone. So i need to know some trick to figure it out which one is real. So that i can assure myself that i'm buying real one.

Updating iPhone 5 software to iOS7?

I've got text messages that I really don't want to lose; I'm not so concerned about the apps and photos and whatnot because those can be backed up.

I want to update to the iOS 7 system, but I'm afraid of losing the texts. Are there any problems with this happening, or should I be safe to do it?

And if not, what steps can I take to prevent (at least) losing the messages (i.e., I don't care if they're stored on my computer instead of my phone, I just want to keep them in some shape or form.)

Iphone 5 out of stock on 3 network, will they come back in stock?

I'm waiting to buy an iphone 5 for £31 a month for unlimited data, 500 minutes and 5000 texts. On the website it says that is is out of stock. I'm not willing to pay for a 5s and not interested in the 5c or 4s.

Will the iphone 5 come back into stock online on the 3 store?

Added (1). I know that Apple discontinued it, but many places are still continuing to sell it. Would 3 continue selling it?

My iPhone 4 won't connect to 3g

I've had my iPhone 4 for a couple of months and i bought it locked to O2. I pay monthly for my O2 sim card and it is meant to include wireless internet with it but a couple of months later it is still not working! 3g is turned on but it still dosent work:/ And help will be much appreciated.

Can i bring an iphone from usa to india? - 1

My relatives can bring me an iPhone from USA this winters so my question is that if they get me an iPhone from USA and I unlock it unofficialy will it be any problem for them in USA and what about the monthly charges