> If so the established term is “unlocked” (which is the default), making you free to use whatever SIM/provider you choose.
"SIM-free" means "bought without a contract". In my country, even devices with contracts come unlocked, making this term useless.
As such SIM-free is a terrible and confusing name making it sound like they are taking SIM-based freedom away (Kind of like Apple’s headphone jack-free phones).