IMEI blocking hasn't stopped phone thefts in Europe.
Possible reasons:
1. IMEI numbers can be changed.
2. Thief can still use phone for many hours until block.
3. Stolen phones can be shipped to countries that don't implement block.
4. A blocked phone can still be used to run apps, play games, make VOIP calls on wifi etc.
The Apple system seems much more sensible. You can't use an iPhone without the pincode, and even if you get that the owner can remotely lock the phone as soon as you connect it to any network. The way to avoid that used to be to wipe the phone and reinstall the OS, but now you can't do that without the Apple ID and password of the owner. I don't know if this has reduced iPhone thefts, but unless the thief has an exploit in Apple's security I don't see why anyone would steal an iPhone nowadays. I wish Android would implement something similar.
- steal phone
- break phone
- return to Apple store for warranty replacement (minor social engineering may be required here)
Theif gets a working phone with a different IMEI. The worst part is, the friend of mine who this happened to found out about it because it invalidated her theft insurance.
5. The stolen phone can be sold to a hapless buyer shortly after it is stolen, before the theft is realized or reported and therefore before the IMEI is blocked.
Possible reasons:
1. IMEI numbers can be changed.
2. Thief can still use phone for many hours until block.
3. Stolen phones can be shipped to countries that don't implement block.
4. A blocked phone can still be used to run apps, play games, make VOIP calls on wifi etc.
The Apple system seems much more sensible. You can't use an iPhone without the pincode, and even if you get that the owner can remotely lock the phone as soon as you connect it to any network. The way to avoid that used to be to wipe the phone and reinstall the OS, but now you can't do that without the Apple ID and password of the owner. I don't know if this has reduced iPhone thefts, but unless the thief has an exploit in Apple's security I don't see why anyone would steal an iPhone nowadays. I wish Android would implement something similar.