The best unlocked phone in the US means that you're able to switch between US carriers and can travel the globe without being tied down to a single network like AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, or Sprint. That's important when you want to swap out your SIM card and save money on a cheaper local carrier when traveling the world. You can say goodbye to expensive international roaming charges with an unlocked phone.
No contract, unlocked smartphones do come with some drawbacks that you should know about before we list our recommendations. They’re almost always more expensive upfront since you don’t sign up for a normal two-year contract and you're not paying it off over time. You're no longer subsidizing the full price of the phone (no, it doesn't really cost $199), so the initial cost will be much higher.
High up-front costs can be worth it, though. Freely switching between carriers means you can always get the right mobile plan at the right price for you. Want unlimited data one month but won't need it the next month? With an unlocked phone, you can switch as needed without worrying about breaking some agreement you have with an American carrier.
The best unlocked phone deal right now is also the best smartphone you can buy in 2018: Samsung big, powerful Galaxy S9 Plus. it has a stunning 6.2-inch Super AMOLED display that isn’t flanked by ugly bezels or an over-hyped notch. Its dual-lens, dual-aperture camera is also one of the best on the market, according to our best camera phones list. Let’s not forget it also has a big, fast-charging battery, Face Unlock and a commendable 3.5mm headphone jack. AR Emoji we could do without.
Will it work for me? The Galaxy S9 Plus supports a wide range of connections, with GSM and CDMA support. It’ll work on all major US mobile carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, Sprint T-Mobile and US Cellular, and even on many smaller carriers, like Boost Mobile and Cricket. And Samsung always has good unlocked phone deals going on, which we've highlighted in the widgets.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus review
You're lucky. Apple’s most advanced iPhone to date didn’t initially launch unlocked, but the company has since released a SIM-free model for the same price. Apparently the best deal on an unlocked iPhone X was to wait one month. Go figure.
The iPhone X boasts a fully revamped design, with a bezel-free, 5.8-inch display. This is Apple’s first iPhone to include an OLED screen, for vastly improved image contrast and better battery life. The iPhone X’s advanced front-facing camera enables Apple’s secure facial recognition and Animoji. Though iOS 11 problems can crop up, this is still the best iPhone there is, and that makes it the best unlocked iPhone as well.
Will it work for me? Apple says the unlocked iPhone X as working with any carrier. Expect no issues getting connected with AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint or Verizon, or any other smaller carriers like Cricket, Boost and the iPhone-only carrier Virgin Mobile.
Read more: iPhone X review
Samsung’s Galaxy S9 is a great unlocked option for someone with a slightly smaller budget and hand. In most ways, it lives up to the reputation established by the Galaxy S9 Plus. It has the same powerful Snapdragon 845 chipset, a brilliant Super AMOLED display, but 5.8 inches in this case. Casual photographers will get a lot of mileage out of the new camera, which can capture superb low-light photos. Stereo speakers make streaming movies and TV shows that much better. And, Hi-Fi audio fans can breathe easy knowing the Galaxy S9 also has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Will it work for me? The Galaxy S9 supports a wide range of connections, with GSM and CDMA support. It should work on all major US mobile carriers and even on many smaller carriers.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy S9 review
For a clean Android experience and fast updates to the latest software, the Pixel 2 XL is the right choice. It’s the biggest and latest from Google, and has an edge on the smaller Pixel 2, as it has reduced bezels around a crisp Quad HD+ OLED display. That screen is 6 inches and flanked by front-facing stereo speakers for a superior experience watching content. The Pixel 2 XL camera also ranks among the best on a smartphone. Pair all that with a good battery life, and you’ve got a great unlocked phone.
Will it work for me? The Pixel 2 XL boasts world-wide network compatibility, supporting both GSM and CDMA networks. It should work on all GSM-based mobile carriers in the US as well as Sprint, Verizon, smaller MVNOs and Google’s Project Fi network.
Read more: Google Pixel 2 XL review
The Galaxy Note 8 may not be Samsung’s latest phone anymore, but it’s still the biggest, and that’s handy for folks that want as much screen real estate as possible. It comes with a dazzling 6.3-inch Super AMOLED display that goes right to the edges of the phone. There’s still plenty of performance coming from the Snapdragon 835 chipset as well. The dual-camera setup doesn’t fall far behind the competition either. Samsung’s S Pen for the Note 8 opens the door to special features that make this phablet a great pick for customers with mobile productivity in mind.
Will it work for me? The Galaxy Note 8 supports a wide range of connections, with GSM and CDMA support. It should work on all major US mobile carriers and even on many smaller carriers.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review
The LG V30 is easy to miss, but it’s LG’s best smartphone, at least until the LG G7 ThinQ gets herer. It has a dazzling design the can go toe-to-toe with Samsung’s. The 6-inch OLED display is a crisp 2880 x 1440, and the phone has wonderful battery life. True audiophiles need look no further, as the included 3.5mm headphone jack and LG’s Quad DAC make for a superior smartphone audio experience.
Will it work for me? The LG V30 supports a wide range of connections, with GSM and CDMA support. It should work on all major US mobile carriers and even on many smaller MVNO carriers.
Read more: LG V30 review
Last year’s best Android smartphone makes for a great choice as an unlocked smartphone. The Galaxy S8 design still looks phenomenal with its bezel-reduced 5.8-inch Infinity Display, and the high resolution isn’t going to stop looking insanely crisp any time soon. The Snapdragon 835 powering the Galaxy S8 still has life in it, and the cameras won’t disappoint casual photographers. Best of all, since this isn’t the newest Samsung phone on the market, it’ll be easy to find great deals on the Galaxy S8, so you can save money on the phone and save money with your pick of mobile networks.
Will it work for me? Samsung says the unlocked Galaxy S8 as working on all four major US carriers, so you’ll have no trouble using it on AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint or Verizon. Other GSM and CDMA networks may have varying support, but most major networks should be supported. You can learn more here.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy S8 review
If you don’t need all the bells and whistles of the iPhone X, then the iPhone 8 Plus is a wonderful choice with a more palatable price tag. It has the same powerful processor as the iPhone X and boasts a big 5.5-inch display that presents extra appealing imagery thanks to Apple’s True Tone technology. The dual-camera setup on the back also snaps the high-quality still photos Apple has a reputation for delivering.
Will it work for me? Apple says the unlocked iPhone 8 Plus as working with any carrier. Expect no issues getting connected with AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint or Verizon as well as smaller regional carriers.
Read more: iPhone 8 Plus review
For excellent design, a big screen and a discounted price, the Galaxy S8 Plus is solid pick. It’s no longer the newest phone, but like the smaller Galaxy S8, the Plus still has decent life ahead of it with it’s superb 6.2-inch display and Snapdragon 835 chipset. The 3,500mAh battery also helps the Galaxy S8 Plus go the extra mile. Since the Galaxy S9 Plus is already available, you can get great deals on the Galaxy S8 Plus.
Will it work for me? Samsung says the unlocked Galaxy S8 Plus as working on all four major US carriers, so you’ll have no trouble using it on AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint or Verizon. Other GSM and CDMA networks may have varying support, but most major networks should be supported. You can learn more here.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus review
The iPhone 8 offers up a lot of the same things as the iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X while being more portable and more affordable. It may only have one rear camera, but it’s still a great shooter. Inside, it’s powered by the same processor as its larger siblings. And, like the others, it supports wireless charging. For a new unlocked iPhone at the best price possible, the iPhone 8 is a great choice.
Will it work for me? The unlocked iPhone 8 works with any carrier, according to Apple. You won’t see any issues getting connected with AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon or smaller US carriers.
Read more: iPhone 8 review
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