Best unlocked cell phone deals: Best unlocked phones 2023 | Tom’s Guide

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Best Unlocked Smartphone Deals | PCMag

If you’re not enrolled in a program that lets you get a new phone every year through your carrier, you may suffer from sticker shock when it’s time to upgrade. New flagship phones drop every year, and they might offer faster processors and different features—but should you spend $1,000 on a phone if yours is still plugging along? That’s the benefit of unlocked phones: They’re not tied to a carrier, so they offer more freedom and less bloatware. They also receive some serious price cuts through the year, which can save you money.

Whether you’re an iPhone fanatic or an Android aficionado, an unlocked smartphone is out there for you. And there’s a good chance you can find a deal on something you’ll want to use. If you’re looking for your first unlocked phone, or if you’ve been carrier-agnostic for years, you still have a few basic decisions to make regarding your next phone purchase. 

The first major decision to make is iOS versus Android. If you’re Apple all the way, your decision is somewhat easy, but there’s no shortage of excellent Android phones. Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel are the two biggest players in that market, but phone makers such as Motorola and OnePlus also produce highly rated devices.

Once you decide on your mobile OS, there are a few other variables to consider, including storage capacity, battery life, and camera quality. Most phones do pretty well in all of these nowadays categories, but if you want a phone that’ll go for days without a charge, that might not be the same phone with the most powerful camera onboard. 

Finally, price is always a huge consideration. Going into $1,000-plus territory for a phone can be tempting, but a number of models on the market give you great performance for around $500 (or less). Saving a few bucks on any of these phones is even more satisfying, since you’ll likely be carrying it around for years. Here are the best deals we’ve found:

Google Pixel 7a Unlocked Phone


((Credit: Eric Zeman))

The Google Pixel 7a is the latest entry in Google’s smartphone line. It runs on the Android 13 operating system and uses the same powerful Google Tensor G2 processor that the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro do, making it a great value. Measuring 6.0 by 2.8 by 0.4 inches and weighing 6.8 ounces, this compact device has a 6.1-inch OLED screen with 2,400-by-1,080 resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate, which improves on the Pixel 6a’s 60Hz refresh rate. Social-media influencers and amateur foodies alike will be happy to know that the Pixel line continues to be a leader in camera quality. As an added bonus, you get a $50 Amazon gift card with your purchase.

  • Google Pixel 7a 128GB Unlocked Phone + $50 Amazon Gift Card
    (Opens in a new window)
    for
    $499.00

    (List Price $549)

iPhone 13 Unlocked Phone


((Credit: Molly Flores))

Long battery life and fast performance makes the iPhone 13 a clear winner. It uses Apple iOS 15 and the Apple A15 Bionic CPU with next-generation Neural Engine. Its gorgeous 6. 1-inch Super Retina XDR display with 2,532-by-1,170 resolution looks great whether you’re chatting via FaceTime or watching a Netflix show. Both the front-facing and rear-facing cameras are 12 megapixels; you’ll want to snap photos and selfies galore.

  • iPhone 13 6.1″ Super Retina XDR 128GB Unlocked Phone
    (Opens in a new window)
    for
    $679.99

    (List Price $729.99)

OnePlus 10T Unlocked Phone


((Credit: Sascha Segan))

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 mobile platform, the OnePlus 10T delivers fantastic performance whether you’re making a call, sending a message, surfing the web, or playing a game. The 50-megapixel triple camera system offers superb image clarity, and you can save your photos and videos in up to 256GB of storage. The 6.7-inch screen supports HDR10+ and has an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate to make the most of the Full HD resolution.

  • OnePlus 10T 128GB 5G Unlocked AMOLED Phone
    (Opens in a new window)
    for
    $429. 99

    (List Price $649.99)

Google Pixel 6a Unlocked Phone


((Credit: Dave LeClair))

The Google Pixel 6a may not be brand spanking new, but if you’re in the market for a midrange Android phone, it’s a strong value and a PCMag Editors’ Choice winner. With a vibrant OLED display and a decent camera, this phone also has a Google Tensor CPU and runs the Android 12 operating system. Measuring 6.0 by 2.8 by 0.35 inches, the Pixel 6a’s distinct appearance sets it apart from other phones. But the lack of a microSD card slot might be a dealbreaker for some.

  • Google Pixel 6a 6.1″ FHD+ 128GB Unlocked Phone
    (Opens in a new window)
    for
    $299.00

    (List Price $349)

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Best Samsung Galaxy S23 Deals—and Which Model to Buy

Since the S23+ has the same exact camera setup as the S23, the only difference outside of size is charging speed—it supports 45-watt charging (charger not included), so it will juice up a little faster than the S23. In our prior experience, the charging speed isn’t drastically different, so this really shouldn’t factor into your decision. Get it if you want more battery or a slightly bigger screen, but we think you’re better off spending a bit extra for the feature-rich S23 Ultra.

Best for Camera and Stylus Lovers

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra ($1,200)

Galaxy S23 Ultra

Photograph: Samsung

The Galaxy S23 Ultra (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is the crème de la crème of Samsung’s lineup. It retains the same great 10X optical zoom camera as its predecessor that lets you take sharp photos of subjects far away. It also has a 3X optical zoom, and who doesn’t love options? If you’re an S Pen fan, this is the only Samsung phone with a built-in stylus that’s accessible from the bottom edge of the device. It’s the largest phone of the trio at 6.8 inches (and the heaviest), and while it has an adaptive refresh rate like the other two, it can shift between 1 and 120 Hz when needed, meaning it’s a little more battery-efficient. It has a 5,000-mAh battery, and in our testing, it frequently lasted well into a second day on a single charge. 

Like the S23+, it features 45-watt charging, and the base model comes with 256 GB of internal storage, but the big change here is the primary 200-megapixel camera. It’s the highest megapixel count we’ve ever seen on a Samsung phone, offering higher-resolution photos, more details, and brighter low-light images than its predecessor.  

There are other great phones. If you’re alarmed at these prices, well, you should be. Phones are unnecessarily expensive these days. You absolutely don’t need to spend anywhere near $800 to get a great smartphone. Check out our Best Android Phones and Best Cheap Phones guides for additional recommendations at stomachable prices. 

Should you upgrade? If you have the Galaxy S22 or S21 series, there’s no reason to upgrade. The phones are quite similar, so unless you’re having issues with your phone and you can’t get it fixed, save your cash and wait another year or two. Anyone with an older Samsung phone should feel welcome to upgrade; just know that these are not your only options. You can wait a few weeks to grab a Galaxy S22 at a killer price (ideally for around $600) or go for a cheaper phone. Samsung phones also routinely go on sale, so it’s worth waiting for the next big holiday event to see how low prices drop for the S23 range. 

Where to Buy the Galaxy S23 Series Unlocked

Galaxy S23 Series

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

We recommend unlocked smartphones over buying a phone directly from a wireless carrier. Why? Carriers sell locked phones, meaning if you suddenly want to switch from AT&T to Verizon, you’ll have to jump through hoops to unlock the device and access it on the new network. (There are also certain restrictions on how long you’ll need to be on a plan before you can unlock a device.) You can easily use unlocked phones in other countries without having to pay exorbitant prices for international data, and unlocked phones are less likely to include bloatware apps. They often also receive software updates faster. 

Get the Galaxy S23 Range From Samsung.com (Unlocked)

Samsung has some exclusive color options for these phones when you buy directly from its site, whether you go for the Galaxy S23 or Galaxy S23+, though the Galaxy S23 Ultra only comes in the four main colors. In the Exclusive Offers section, you can currently get a discount if you bundle your phone purchase with the Galaxy Watch5 Pro smartwatch and Galaxy Buds2 Pro earbuds. Samsung is also throwing in $100 in instant Samsung. com store credit, which you can use for accessories like cases and chargers. 

Get the Galaxy S23 Range From Amazon (Unlocked)

Amazon is offering the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, and Galaxy S23 Ultra for the same prices as Samsung, though it doesn’t include any special offers. If you’re waiting for a discount, you’ll most likely see it here first. 

Get the Galaxy S23 Range From Best Buy (Unlocked)

Best Buy has the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, and Galaxy S23 Ultra for the same prices, but you can save up to $600 by trading in a similar device. You can use its tool to see an estimate of how much you’ll knock off the retail price. It’s worth noting that you can likely get more money for your current phone by selling it yourself, depending on the condition it’s in. Best Buy is also offering three months of Google One’s 100-GB plan and a four-month free trial of Amazon Music for new subscribers only.  

Wireless Carrier Deals for the Galaxy S23 Series 

These models will likely come to the wireless carriers locked, so it will be a hassle to use them on other networks. Purchasing on a payment plan can also quickly add up to much higher recurring expenses.

  • Verizon: If you switch to Verizon or upgrade your existing device, you can get up to $800 off any Galaxy S23 device with a qualifying trade-in device on a 5G unlimited plan (up to $1,000 off for the S23+ and S23 Ultra). Verizon is throwing in a Galaxy Watch5 smartwatch and Galaxy Tab S7 FE 5G tablet for free with your purchase too, though this requires a new line activation and service plan for the watch and tablet. If that’s not your jam, you can get a $200 Verizon eCard to use at the carrier if you switch from another network. 
  • AT&T: New and existing customers can get up to $800 off on the Galaxy S23, S23+, and S23 Ultra with an eligible trade-in, an eligible unlimited plan, and a qualifying installment agreement. (AT&T’s footnotes say that a zero downpayment applies to “well-qualified customers only.”) The savings come in the form of monthly bill credits. If you don’t want this promotion, you can instead get 50 percent off any Samsung accessory—just add the accessory you want to your cart and you’ll see the savings at checkout. 
  • T-Mobile: T-Mobile is offering up to $800 off the Galaxy S23+ and S23 Ultra when you trade in an eligible device on the Magenta Max plan (or start a new line). You can also get the Galaxy S23 for free with the same promotion—though, for all of these, you’ll see savings in bill credits over 24 months. If you don’t have that plan, you can trade in an eligible device to get up to $400 off with a qualifying plan.
  • Mint Mobile: Our favorite cheap phone plan is offering $50 off the Galaxy S23, S23+, and S23 Ultra for any of its 12-month plans. These plans include unlimited talk and text, plus 5G support, and the “unlimited” plan adds 35 GB of 5G and 4G LTE data (so yes, it’s not unlimited). 

Top 5 Unlocked Android Cell Phones

Getting unlocked Android cell phones is a great option if you don’t want your device to be tied to just one dealer. After all, it’s your phone, right?

You can then also choose how to use it, including which network you want to use.

However, this is not the case if you have a smartphone that is currently under contract with a dealer. So to solve your problem you have 2 options:

Since you are still reading this, we are sure you have chosen number 2. With that said, we have taken and reviewed the best unlocked Android smartphones on Amazon to give you a choice.

Must Read: Difference Between Locked and Unlocked Android Phones

Top 5 Amazon Cell Phones with Android Unlocked

1.Huawei Mate SE

Huawei Mate SE Black

Since the beginning, Huawei has been a rather underrated smartphone brand as they don’t disappoint their customers with all the information and specifications they provide.

The

Huawei Mate SE is one of their underrated smartphones. Because for a budget phone, you can enjoy a dual rear camera, a high resolution front camera and a very sensitive fingerprint sensor.

In terms of performance, the Mate SE is equipped with a powerful 2.36GHz octa-core processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. So if you like multitasking or gaming, this phone won’t let you down.

However, one of its drawbacks is the battery capacity of 33450 mAh, which is quite small considering that you can do several things with this smartphone. In addition to this, it has been reported that some batches are experiencing issues with auto-pairing with Bluetooth devices.

Other customers have also purchased the best Amazon external batteries with this smartphone. Anker PowerCore is a powerful power bank with 20100mAh capacity and 4.8A output for fast charging.

External battery Anker PowerCore 20100 milliamp-hour black

Related: Top 5 Portable Solar Chargers for Android Phones

2. BRIGHT BLUE XL4

BRIGHT BLUE XL4

You’ve probably never heard of BLU smartphones, and it’s not obvious. However, it may surprise you that they have smartphones that can perform just as well as other well-known manufacturers.

VIVO XL4 has narrow bezels that leave the display 6.19 wideinches with a screen-to-body ratio of 80%. So if you enjoy watching videos, playing games, or just having a big phone display, this is a great option for you.

Right now, for the price, you get a 13MP + 2MP dual rear camera and a 13MP selfie camera, making it the ultimate photo camera. In addition to this, it has a 4000 mAh battery with fast charging capability.

One of the main disappointments of VIVO XL4 is that some objects have problems connecting to Wi-Fi. If you ever decide to purchase this phone and encounter the same problem, please contact BLU immediately.

Don’t forget that prices on Amazon change from time to time, so if you want to get this smartphone at this price, click or tap the “Now” button right now.

3. Smartphone UMIDIGI A3

UMIDIGI A3 black smartphone

If you think that the price of this phone is a typo, it is not. The UMIDIGI Mobile A3 is the cheapest unlocked cell phone on our list, but it won’t disappoint when it comes to data and specifications.

The most notable feature of this smartphone is its ultra-clear 1440 x 720 pixel display, which is probably the best we’ve seen considering it costs less than $100. Even at 20% brightness, the on-screen display is still were impressed.

In addition, for its price, the A3 is incredibly compatible with LTE. So having an unlocked phone is of great importance as you will be able to use it no matter which dealer you sign up with. In addition to that, it also has fingerprint and face scanning features.

By now, you probably won’t be surprised that this smartphone has flaws if it’s cheap, and make no mistake. First, the dual camera is not as good as one would expect from a 12MP + 5MP resolution.

On top of that, it has a poor battery life of only 3,300 milliamp hours, so you might need to charge this phone at least a couple of times a day.

4.UMIDIGI Z2

UMIDIGI Z2 Twilight Black

Here we have another one from UMIDIGI and this time it’s an unlocked Z2 mobile phone. If you’re impressed with the A3, you’ll love it even more.

Z2’s top features are its highly sensitive fingerprint sensor and fast face unlock. These two security features often don’t work on certain devices. Hence, it is good that this smartphone did not disappoint in this regard.

In addition to that, both the front and rear cameras have 16MP + 8MP lenses, which means you won’t be disappointed if you’re after something that can make your photos look crisp and bright.

However, the Z2 generally had good reviews from other buyers. However, some of its shortcomings include lag and a battery that isn’t enough for gaming.

We generally recommend this smartphone to photography lovers or selfie lovers.

5. Motorcycle X4

Unique 4th Generation Silver Prime X Motorcycle
The

Motorcycle X4 might be the last one on our list, but it’s definitely not the most important unlocked cell phone we can find.

For the price, it contains all the information and features you wouldn’t expect. First, it has an IP68 water resistance rating, protecting your phone from spills and splashes. In addition to this, you can communicate with Amazon Alexa through this smartphone.

While taking photos, it has a 16MP selfie camera with flash and a 12MP + 8MP dual rear camera. With this resolution, the X4 can easily capture quality photos even in low light.

In terms of responsiveness, it has a 2.2GHz octa-core processor coupled with 3GB RAM and 32GB RAM, making it a little sluggish when the RAM is completely used up. Also, its internal storage is a little underwhelming, but it can be expanded up to 1TB of external storage.

Repeated questions about unlocked cell phones

Is it preferable to get an unlocked phone?

Actually “best” depends on your priority. Unlocked phones give you the ability to use your device with many if not all network carriers. So, if you are loyal to one particular dealer, you will be fine even with a contract phone.

Are unlocked phones much more expensive?

Unlocked phones seem much more expensive at first. However, it gives you your money’s worth in the long run as they don’t have long term subscription contracts that tie the device to the dealer.

Can an unlocked phone be used on any carrier?

Each unlocked phone will work with GSM carriers including T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, Cricket, Fácil Mobile and Tracfone.

Should I buy an unlocked cell phone?

As a rule, unlocked smartphones are a great option if you want to use your device in a lot more retailers and if you plan to resell it. In most cases, unlocked cell phones have a much higher resale value, making them profitable in the long run.

Did you find the unlocked cell phone you are looking for in our listing? What do you think about unlocked smartphones? We’d love to hear about it in the comments right now!

top photo

Unlocked and prepaid cell phones online

Fusion Electronix explored the electronics universe in search of the best mobile phones. As gadget lovers, it’s all about offering the latest quality mobile phones. We love discovering new smartphones and additional features, including technical specifications such as weight, screen size, and phone capabilities. Along with smartphones, we offer many phone categories such as phone accessories, cell phone parts, regular phones, unlocked and prepaid cell phones online to meet all your communication needs.

Our offers represent the best cell phone deals on the mobile phone market. Whether you’re looking for the latest Samsung Galaxy or Apple iPhone, we promise the best smartphone deals on the market. Fusion Electronix wants to be your home for the best cell phone deals. Take a look around. If you have any questions please contact us and one of our courteous representatives will be happy to assist you.

Need help finding the perfect phone? Call us at 925-727-3036 or fill out our customer service form and one of our experts will be happy to assist you.

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  • Samsung Galaxy S23 ultra Smartphone SM-S918U Factory Unlocked Android Smartphone 200MP Camera Night Mode Long Battery Life S Pen Adaptive Display

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  • Samsung Galaxy S23+ Plus SM-S911U 8GB RAM (FACTORY UNLOCKED) 6.6″

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  • Samsung Galaxy S23 SM-S911U 256GB 8GB RAM (FACTORY UNLOCKED) 6.1″

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    SAMSUNG Galaxy XCover6 Pro 5G | Rugged (IP68) unlocked | Dual Sim (1 Nano Sim + 1 eSIM) | 128 GB | Black (SM-G736UZKEXAA)

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    Motorola Edge | 2022 | 2 day battery | unlocked | 8/256 GB | 50 megapixel camera | Mineral gray

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