The Best Phone Deals This Week*
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In the US, many carriers turn to software locks to prevent you from using a phone you buy from them on a competing network. Otherwise, they might try to force you into a payment plan that doesn’t permit you to leave that carrier or enable hardware frequency restrictions. Unlocked phones—those you pay for in total upfront (and often from third-party sellers)—are different. You can often use an unlocked phone on any carrier the phone’s bands support and, importantly, switch carriers at will. You might even be able to use it on an international carrier.
These are our choices for the best unlocked phones available in the US, followed by what to consider when you buy an unlocked device. Our picks range from inexpensive basic handsets to powerful flagships. Most are 5G phones, including those in Apple’s iPhone 14 series, Google’s Pixel 7 lineup, and Samsung’s latest Galaxy S and Z families. These run on every form of US 5G, including high-speed millimeter wave and C-band spectrum.
Apple iPhone 14
Best iPhone for Most People
Why We Picked It
iPhones are the most easily available, universally unlocked line of phones in America because of Apple’s nationwide network of brick-and-mortar stores. Unlocked iPhones support every US carrier’s frequency bands and you can easily switch them from carrier to carrier. Just remember, it’s all eSim in iPhone 14 models.
Who It’s For
The average consumer in the market for an unlocked phone should be very comfortable with the mainstream iPhone 14. It’s easy to use, powerful, and switches carriers easily.
PROS
- Solid performance
- Capable cameras
- Helpful emergency features
CONS
- Not that different from the iPhone 13
- Dated design and Lightning connector
Samsung Galaxy S22+
Best Android Flagship
Why We Picked It
The Galaxy S22+ is our top pick for Android flagship phones. If you buy it directly from Samsung online, you can get an unlocked model that works with the latest 5G networks for all US carriers. You can even get it in some exclusive, online-only colors.
Who It’s For
The mainstream Android user looking for an unlocked phone should be happy with this reliable flagship.
PROS
- Top-of-the-line performance
- Excellent cellular reception
- True 3x zoom camera
CONS
- Photos can look a little washed out
- 45W charging doesn’t make a big difference in speed
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Best Battery Life
Why We Picked It
The iPhone 14 Pro Max has the best battery life of any iPhone we’ve tested—ever. It has a lot of other things going for it, too, such as the best camera system in an iPhone and a large screen that’s terrific for creative types. Because it’s an iPhone, it’s also easy to buy unlocked from an Apple Store. Finally, it works with all US carriers via an eSim.
Who It’s For
Photographers and videographers are the main audience. It’s also a top choice for people who want an iPhone but rarely get around to charging their phone.
PROS
- High-quality hardware
- Always-on display includes widgets
- Top-notch cameras
- Stellar wireless performance
CONS
- Pricey
- Dated design and Lightning connector
Google Pixel 7
Best Android Software
Why We Picked It
Google’s Pixel phones have the smoothest software and are among the most future-proof Android handsets. The Pixel 7 also has an all-day battery and excellent cameras. Available unlocked from Google’s store, it works on all three US carriers.
Who It’s For
If you want an Android phone that will get updates for a long time and sports a great camera, look no further.
PROS
- Fantastic value
- Incredible cameras
- Excellent performance
- Great-looking display
- Smooth Android 13 experience
Google Pixel 6a
Best Midrange Android Phone
Why We Picked It
Google’s phones have smooth, simple software and they always get updates first. The Pixel 6a also has the best camera on a midrange phone. It works on all three US carriers and you can buy it directly from Google.
Who It’s For
People whose tastes outpace their budget. Technophiles generally love the software on Pixel phones, which keeps things clean. You can also rest easy knowing that the device will continue to get updates for several years. To top it all off, the Pixel 6a is quite affordable.
PROS
- Excellent overall value
- Fantastic battery life
- Vibrant OLED display
- Solid camera
CONS
- Lacks microSD card slot and 3.5mm headphone jack
- Doesn’t support wireless charging
- Weak cellular performance in some areas
Motorola Moto G Pure
Best Phone Under $200
Why We Picked It
The Moto G Pure is the least expensive, best-designed smartphone in the US under $200 (at least in terms of MSRP). It doesn’t offer class-leading performance, but it’s perfectly fine for making phone calls and checking the weather, and, of course, it works on all US carriers.
Who It’s For
This device is ideal for people who just broke their phones and need a stopgap, people who need an extra phone, and kids.
PROS
- Good performance for the price
- Long battery life
- Solid LTE connectivity
CONS
- Low amount of storage
- No fast charging
OnePlus 10T
Best Affordable Flagship
Why We Picked It
The OnePlus 10T is fast (because of its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor) and has terrific reception on T-Mobile and Verizon. It also costs less than other flagships, which matters because you’re probably paying for your unlocked phone upfront.
Who It’s For
People who want a flagship, but don’t want to spend a fortune. Although the difference between the OnePlus 10T’s $649 and the Samsung Galaxy S22+’s $999 isn’t much over a 24-month payment plan, that $350 is quite a chunk of change if you’re putting it all on the table at once.
PROS
- Powerful processor
- Excellent cellular reception
- Fastest wired charging of any US phone
CONS
- Camera quality isn’t on par with flagships
- No wireless charging support
- Current Android skin is overbearing and clunky
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Best for Artists and Notetakers
Why We Picked It
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has two unique features: a built-in S Pen stylus and a 10x optical zoom camera that goes to 100x digital zoom. If you buy the unlocked model from Samsung’s website, it should work with all US carriers and you get to pick from some online-exclusive colors.
Who It’s For
If you want the S-Pen and/or superzoom, you should get an S22 Ultra rather than an S22+. The 10x zoom is unique among phones in the US market and it really does bring faraway objects closer.
PROS
- S Pen integration
- Long battery life
- Bright screen
- Excellent reception in low-signal environments
CONS
- Very large
- Expensive
- Back scratches easily
- Few camera improvements over predecessor
Nokia 6300 4G
Best Dual-SIM Phone
Why We Picked It
A curious little phone, the Nokia 6300 is an inexpensive candybar device that runs the fairly basic KaiOS. The handset offers web access, a limited selection of apps, and Google Assistant, but it can’t run full Android apps. Critically, though, it has dual physical SIM slots, a feature that is common abroad but rare in the US. That means you can keep your primary line while you add a second SIM when you travel internationally.
Who It’s For
Frequent travelers are often frustrated by a desire to have both their US line and another number on their phone. High-end US phones such as the Pixel 6 Pro, iPhone 13, and Galaxy S22 now have dual-SIM with eSIM, but not all plans support eSIM. This little phone is more broadly compatible because it has two physical SIM slots. And, oh yeah, it costs a whole lot less than those alternatives.
PROS
- Dual SIMs
- Broad carrier support for 4G and Wi-Fi calling
- Speech-to-text support
- Native WhatsApp client
CONS
- No popular US streaming music services
- Poor group text support
- KaiOS is slow
Sunbeam F1
Best Unlocked Voice Phone
Why We Picked It
The Sunbeam F1 works on all three US networks as well as virtual carriers. It’s a traditional flip phone from a small, focused start-up that has paid a lot of attention to usability and user experience, which you don’t generally get on voice-focused phones. The company offers three different models that accommodate different levels of disconnection.
Who It’s For
The voice-and-text-only user. The F1 handles calls, texts, and group chats well. Plus, you can use it with either a mainstream carrier plan or one from a cheaper virtual carrier.
PROS
- Thoughtful design
- Solid construction
- Loud earpiece
- Three levels of feature restrictions
CONS
- Lacks band 71 for T-Mobile
- Long-term support not guaranteed
Buying Guide: The Best Unlocked Phones for 2023
What Is the Best Unlocked Phone to Buy?
With an unlocked device, you can trade up or sell your phone whenever you want, without waiting for the end of a leasing or installment plan. You can also own multiple handsets and swap your SIM card between them. If you travel internationally, you can pop in a local, pay-as-you-go card overseas and never pay horrendous international roaming charges. You can also take advantage of super-cheap prepaid plans from virtual operators in the US that piggyback on compatible networks (for the best carrier where you live, see our story on the Best Mobile Networks).
If you go with a prepaid carrier, make sure it supports the phone you want; we’ve heard several stories of MVNOs not supporting phones that theoretically work on their networks.
What Is 5G?
Can You Put Any SIM Card Into an Unlocked Phone?
There are a few downsides to going the unlocked route. If you change SIM cards overseas, you won’t have your US phone number while you travel. Most of the phones on our list work on all three major US carriers, but you should check out our reviews before you buy because a few might not connect to all the carriers’ 5G networks—or overseas networks.
AT&T doesn’t permit Wi-Fi calling on many unlocked phones, and it has a complex PDF(Opens in a new window) that lists which phones it supports. If you want Wi-Fi calling on an unlocked AT&T phone, stick with iPhones and Google Pixels.
On the plus side, with the growing number of phones with electronic SIMs (eSIMs), changing carriers is easier than ever. Simply select your carrier from a menu on your phone or by scanning an online QR code, and you won’t need to wait for a physical SIM to arrive in the mail.
On this list, the Pixel 7 series, the Samsung Galaxy S22 series, and Apple’s iPhones support eSIM and dual SIM, which let you have two lines attached to one phone. The Nokia 6300 4G has two physical SIMs. Dual SIM is great for maintaining a work line and a personal line, or lines for two different countries, that ring a single device.
You can quickly add and remove eSIMs on the Pixel 6
(Credit: Dave LeClair)
Where Can I Buy a New Unlocked Phone?
Shopping for an unlocked handset can be a bit tricky because carrier stores don’t stock them. If you’re looking for one, Amazon, the Apple Store, Best Buy Mobile, and manufacturers’ online stores are all good bets. In some cases, you can even unlock the phone you already have, though the particulars depend on the handset and carrier.
Recommended by Our Editors
Our most recent picks for unlocked devices in each major price category include the iPhone 14 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S22+ at the high end, the Google Pixel 6a and the iPhone 14 in the midrange, and the Nokia 6300 4G and the Moto G Pure at the affordable end. Our top choice for an unlocked voice phone is the thoughtful and simple Sunbeam F1.
Ready to break free? Pick up one of these handsets and don’t feel tied to your carrier any longer.
And if you’re looking to get the best deal, check out our tips for getting the best price on a new phone and our picks for the best cheap phones and best cheap phone plans.
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