Shopping for Unlocked Cell Phones

Enjoy lower monthly phone bills by opting for an unlocked smartphone. Unlocked cell phones are free of carrier restrictions and don't require service contracts. Unlike phones locked to specific carriers, unlocked ones can switch between compatible providers at no cost.

Why Buy an Unlocked Cell Phone?

Benefits such as switching providers, the potential for no contracts, and cheaper phone plans are good reasons to avoid carrier-locked phones, whether you're home or traveling. With mobile devices that are unlocked, you also have less bloatware, and enjoy faster software updates and security patches. Carriers also have limited selections of smartphones for sale, and your's may not have the model you desire. Unlocked devices also have higher resale values, a huge benefit if you like reselling your phone and upgrading to a newer model.

Can I Use Unlocked Cell Phones with Any Carrier?

You can use an unlocked cell phone on a network as long as its antenna can pick up the carrier's frequencies. Most phones support network bands for multiple carriers. However, you should confirm that the unlocked device you want is compatible with the carrier you prefer. First, determine whether the phone is a GSM or CDMA model. All GSM phones have SIM card slots and work with carriers such as AT&T and T-Mobile. CDMA phones only work on CDMA networks such as Verizon and Sprint. Those with SIM slots are 4G LTE models. A few unlocked models support both CDMA and GSM bands.

Smartphone manufacturers usually make multiple variants of the same phones for different markets. For example, a dual-SIM smartphone is more likely to be an international variant than a U.S. model. This is an excellent choice if you're looking for a phone to use while traveling abroad.

Essential Accessories for Unlocked Smartphones

Accessories such USB wall chargers and power banks help keep cell phones powered. To protect your unlocked smartphone from damage, consider using a screen protector and putting it in a case. Phone cases are both functional and aesthetic accessories. Use them to change the look of your phone. For example, you can brighten a gray Samsung unlocked phone by installing it in a bright red case.

Thanks to advancements in wearable technology, a growing category of devices now complements and extends smartphone capabilities. These include activity trackers, smartwatches, and VR headsets. Cell phone speakers are rarely loud. If you enjoy listening to music and podcasts on your smartphone, consider getting headphones, earphones, and accessories for outputting audio, such as Bluetooth speakers.

Unlocked cell phones are for smartphone users looking to break free of carrier restrictions. You can find a wide selection of unlocked cell phones for sale at B&H Photo and Video.