Buy Unlocked Cell Phones
Looking to buy a new smartphone? At Target, find a wide range of unlocked cell phones to choose from. Unlocked phones can be moved from one network to another, typically by swapping the SIM card inside. Look through new, pre-owned and manufacture refurbished unlocked cell phones. Whether you are looking for an Apple iPhone, a Samsung Galaxy or a Moto, you are sure to find the perfect one for you. These unlocked cell phones come with features like auto focus, built-in-GPS, Dual sim, fingerprint reader, front camera, rear camera and more. Browse through a large collection of unlocked cell phones to find the right one for you.
buy unlocked cell phones
Enjoy numerous features and the high-speed computing capabilities of unlocked cell phones from various brands. With sleek casing designs and almost borderless frames, these mobile devices are easy to operate while on the go. Unlocked phones are compatible with different mobile coverage providers to accommodate businesses and individuals. Most phone models are cost-effective, making them suitable for smaller businesses and households.
Camera smartphones feature the option to adjust the photo style, like adding blur in the background, which is suitable for portraits and close-up shots. A zoom feature allows shooting from distance, making it simple to produce high-quality sharp images. Use the flash when taking photos to adjust lighting seamlessly. Practical photo optimizations let you create crisp photographs on memorable trips to capture nature, historic sites and co-travelers. Enjoy smooth video display when watching web clips, thanks to the fast computing capacity of quad-core processors and the pixelated screen. Large phone screens are convenient for browsing websites and folders with high-volume data efficiently.
Some unlocked cell phones feature fingerprint-detecting technology to provide proper security. It's an essential function for office employees protecting company information from third parties. Phone users can add a layer of damage protection to components and software by choosing cell phone covers and cases. Secure Bluetooth support enables connectivity with other Bluetooth-ready devices in the vicinity, allowing quick file transfers.
Besides unlocked cell phones, individuals can also choose no-contract prepaid phones. Some gaming phones feature eight cores and additional memory storage to prevent advanced video games from freezing, providing optimal gameplay. The vapor chamber cooling system in a gaming phone ensures frequent mobile phone use without overheating or application breaks. Front speakers produce clear sounds for most listening sessions while working or studying. It's easy to charge smartphones via the mini USB ports. Micro-card slots in an Android phone offer convenience to users who prefer to share files with others.
An unlocked Moto G Power was available at Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy and eBay for less than $200. However, the best deal I saw was at Swappa for under $100. These are especially great deals because Clark recommends the Motorola product line for people who are price sensitive.
Finally, I found a great deal on a refurbished Google Pixel 6 at Walmart for $279.97. The best deal I found on a brand new device was at eBay for $379. Swappa offered the same phone for $200-$258, but keep in mind that phones sold on this site will be used.
Every listing on Swappa is reviewed and approved by a team that checks verification photos, serial numbers, criteria compliance and seller history. You can browse the approved listings for phones in fair, good and mint conditions.
When I compared prices on unlocked phones in February 2023, Newegg offered the lowest prices on a Samsung Galaxy A53 behind only eBay and Swappa. For this reason, I recommend checking out Newegg before deciding where to buy an unlocked smartphone.
I'm that 5G guy. I've actually been here for every "G." I've reviewed well over a thousand products during 18 years working full-time at PCMag.com, including every generation of the iPhone and the Samsung Galaxy S. I also write a weekly newsletter, Fully Mobilized, where I obsess about phones and networks.
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.
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.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has two unique features: a built-in S Pen stylus and a 10x optical zoom camera that goes to 100x digitally. 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.
If you want the S Pen or a superzoom camera, you should get the S23 Ultra rather than the S23+. The S Pen is a great tool for doodlers and notetakers, and the 10x zoom is unique among phones in the US market and really does bring faraway objects closer.
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.
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.
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.
The Galaxy S23+ is our top pick for Android flagship phones: It offers class-leading power, excellent cameras, extensive battery life, and a standout display. And with the unlocked model, you can take advantage of its superb 5G connectivity on all the major US carriers. Like the S23 Ultra, you can even get it in some exclusive colors if you buy directly from Samsung online.
The Sunbeam F1 works on all three US networks and virtual carriers. It's a traditional flip phone from a small, focused start-up that has paid much 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.
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).
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.
Shopping for an unlocked handset can be 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. Sometimes, you can even unlock the phone you already have, though the particulars depend on the handset and carrier.
If you're in the market for a new smartphone, you'll almost certainly come across the term "unlocked phone." What exactly is an unlocked phone, and how can you tell if it's unlocked? Do you even want an unlocked phone, and if so, is it secure to use? We provide answers to all of your burning questions.
A smartphone that has been unlocked can be used with any cell phone carrier. Some phones aren't unlocked, meaning they can only be used with one carrier. That is not the case with an unlocked phone. However, a phone's network compatibility is only relevant for mobile phone carriers, not wireless networks like WiFi. Any phone, whether unlocked or locked, can connect to a WiFi network as long as that WiFi is operational.
When traveling, it makes international SIM cards simple to use. Phones that have been unlocked are free to connect to any network in the globe. The instructions for changing SIM cards for your phone model will be available from most providers.
Installing a SIM card is much easier if your phone is unlocked. Unlike locked phones, which are limited to using the network carrier's SIM card, unlocked phones give you the freedom to choose your carrier. It's very simple to put a fresh SIM card in a new unlocked phone device. You can choose a SIM card from any carrier and set it up once you've chosen the proper phone model based on the cellular network frequency specs. If you're transferring an old SIM card from another phone and want to transfer SIM data, you'll need to back up the data from the previous phone first before removing the SIM. You may do this by going to your SIM settings folder and selecting "export files to SIM card." 041b061a72