The 5 Best Cheap Unlocked Phones in 2023
What are the best cheap unlocked phones?
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About Rob
Rob has 15+ years experience running price comparison & review websites that empower consumers to find the cheapest cell phone services, cell phone deals, home phone, and internet providers available. He has been published in Forbes, US News, Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, Inc.
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5G wireless networks, cell phone plans, cell phone deals, MVNOs, internet services, tablets, comparison shopping, money saving, reviewing telecom products & services
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About Amanda
Amanda has 20+ years of experience as an educator. Her teaching career, paired with her love for research and technology, has led her to MoneySavingPro. Her personal experience with eSIMs and MVNOs after switching her entire family away from big wireless in the last few years has taught her the ins and outs of the industry. And saved her hundreds per month.
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Last updated on October 23rd, 2023
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Are you looking for the cheapest unlocked phone? We can help you find the best deal while saving up to $600 a year, per line.
At a time when all your household costs are increasing, your cell phone bill doesn't need to be one of them. At MoneySavingPro we can help you find the unlocked phone you want, on your favorite network, at a much lower cost.
We've compiled a list of the cheapest unlocked phones from low-cost carriers, so you can find the best phone deal at the cheapest price without sacrificing your wireless service.
Cheapest unlocked cell phones
Cheap unlocked iPhone deals
Apple iPhone SE (2nd Gen)
- 64GB storage
- Verizon 5G & 4G LTE networks
- NEW condition
- $229 $160 full price
The Apple iPhone SE (2nd Gen) has 64GB storage capacity. It includes a 4.7 inches screen and 12 MP camera. This new iPhone SE (2nd Gen) is available from Twigby with Verizon network coverage and prices starting from $40/mo.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Water-resistant
- Amazing A13 chip performance
- Affordable price
- Touch ID
Cons
- Battery capacity
- Night mode is missed
- Only a 5W charger
Apple iPhone 12
- 64GB storage
- AT&T 5G & 4G LTE networks
- NEW condition
- $729 full price
The Apple iPhone 12 has 64GB storage capacity. It includes a 6.1 inches screen and 12 MP camera. This new iPhone 12 is available from Red Pocket with AT&T network coverage and prices starting from $30/mo.
Pros
- Attractive design
- Fantastic audio quality
- 5G compatible
- Amazing OLED display
Cons
- No charger or headphones included
- Battery life
- Not much camera upgrade
Apple iPhone 13
- 128GB storage
- T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE networks
- NEW condition
- $629 full price
The Apple iPhone 13 has 128GB storage capacity. It includes a 6.1 inches screen and 12 MP camera. This new iPhone 13 is available from Mint Mobile with T-Mobile network coverage and prices starting from $26/mo.
Pros
- Super Retina XDR OLED display
- 4K video recording
- 5G compatible
- Improved battery
- A15 Bionic chip
Cons
- No design upgrade
Compare unlocked iPhone prices
| Device | 64GB | 128GB | 256GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) | $18/mo | $20/mo | $24/mo |
| Apple iPhone 12 mini | $21/mo | $28/mo | $32/mo |
| Apple iPhone 13 mini | - | $26/mo | $30/mo |
| Apple iPhone 13 | - | $26/mo | - |
| Apple iPhone 15 | - | $29/mo | $33/mo |
| Apple iPhone 12 | $30/mo | $32/mo | - |
| Apple iPhone 12 Pro | - | $33/mo | - |
| Apple iPhone 15 Plus | - | $33/mo | - |
Cheapest unlocked phones benefits
Low-cost carriers offer the same phones as the big three, from the latest Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy phones to budget-friendly Motorola phones.
If flexibility is important, unlocked cell phones from MVNOs can give you the freedom you're looking for, along with plenty of other benefits.
- Save money: Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest unlocked phones while saving you up to $600 per year, per line.
- No long-term commitment: Find a selection of unlocked cell phones that don't tie you to one network or carrier. So you can leave at any time without additional costs.
- Cheap monthly payments: Many low-cost carriers offer affordable interest-free payment plans on their phones along with cell phone plans starting from only $10 a month.
- Unlimited data plan: There's still the option of unlimited data phone plans, however unlimited doesn't always mean unlimited, so be sure to check the small print.
- 5G compatible: If you want access to the fast 5G network, there are plenty of cheap unlocked 5G phones to choose from.
- iPhone deals: Whether you're looking for the latest Apple iPhone or a cheap iPhone SE, you'll find the cheapest unlocked iPhones with MVNOs.
- Phones for seniors: Choose from a range of the cheapest unlocked cell phones suitable for seniors, including basic cell phones or popular flip phones.
- Phones for kids: Low-cost carriers offer a variety of cheap unlocked phones, and for even more savings they offer the best family phone plans with multi-line discounts.
Compare cheap prepaid cell phone plans
| Carrier | Network | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tello 2GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 2GB | $10/mo |
| Boost Mobile 5GB plan | AT&T & T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 5GB | $5/mo $15/mo |
| Mint Mobile 15GB plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 15GB | $10/mo $20/mo |
| Mint Mobile unlimited data plan | T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | Unltd | $15/mo $30/mo |
| US Mobile 30GB plan | Verizon & T-Mobile 5G/4G Coverage | 30GB | $0/mo $50/mo |
T-Mobile vs Boost Mobile comparison
Keep your T-Mobile phone, number & coverage: Save $612 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $75/mo | $900/yr |
| Boost Mobile | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $25/mo | $288/yr |
| Savings | $50/mo | $612/yr | ||
Switch to a cheap prepaid phone carrier
Thinking about switching carriers? Now's a great time. Save about $600 a year by switching to one of the best MVNOs.
MVNOs - Mobile Virtual Network Operators - are cheap cell phone providers that use the same networks as the big three carriers.
The low cost carriers operate mostly online and have lower overhead, which means they can offer you cheap cell phone plans starting at just $10 per month without compromising your quality of service.
Cheap unlocked phones FAQs
The best value unlocked phones are available from MVNOs. Deals are changing constantly, but you'll find some affordable prices, and sometimes discounts, on certain handsets.
Compared to getting tied into a lengthy contract, unlocked cell phones could save you hundreds of dollars in the long run. As well as saving you money without a contract they give you the flexibility to change plans or phones when it suits you.
Recap
Whether you're looking for the latest iPhone or just a cheap cell phone, Mobile Virtual Network Operators can save you hundreds of dollars a year.
MVNOs, like Visible or Mint Mobile, offer unlocked phones with cheap plans, often with interest-free payments over 12-24 months.
Although the major networks offer to finance over 36 months, being tied into their over-priced unlimited data plans for 3 years could mean wasting as much as $2,000!
Compare deals from low-cost carriers to find the best unlocked cell phones at the cheapest price.
Unlocked cell phone guides
- Best Unlocked Apple iPhones
- Best Unlocked Cell Phones
- Best Unlocked Samsung Phones
- Best Unlocked GSM Phones
- Best Unlocked CDMA Phones
- Best Unlocked Motorola Phones
- Best Unlocked 5G Phones
- Best Unlocked Android Phones
- Best Cheap Unlocked iPhones
- Best Cheap Unlocked Phones
- Best Refurbished iPhones
- Best Refurbished Cell Phones
- Best Refurbished 5G Phones
- Best Refurbished Android Phones
