Cheap unlocked phone deals in April
It's a great time to be a wireless customer! Cell phone plans are more competitive than ever, and with contracts solidly in the history books, your phone can probably be unlocked for use on any carrier you choose.
What is an unlocked phone? It's a device that is no longer locked to a specific carrier. This allows you to take it to another carrier if you find a cheaper plan.
There are some conditions though. In the following guide, you'll learn what an unlocked cell phone means, when you can and cannot take your device to another carrier, how to find the best unlocked cell phone deals and how to save 50% or more on your cell phone plan.
It's a lot of information to cover so let's get started!
Best Unlocked iPhone deals
Unlocked iPhone SE deals
| Device | Price |
|---|---|
| Apple iPhone SE (Refurbished) | $99.97 |
| Apple iPhone SE (Unlocked) | $149 |
| Apple iPhone SE (AT&T) | $149 |
| Apple iPhone SE (T-Mobile) | $349 |
| Apple iPhone SE (Verizon) | $349 |
Screen Size | 4.7" |
Screen Resolution | 1334 x 750 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | A13 Bionic pixels |
Internal Memory | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
Operating System | iOS 13 |
Back Camera | 12MP |
Front Camera | 7MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | 4K, FHD, HD |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Talk Time | Up to 14 hours |
Dimensions | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3mm |
Weight | 148g |
Splash Proof | IP67 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | Yes |
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
Unlocked iPhone 12 deals
Screen Size | 5.4" |
Screen Resolution | 2340 x 1080 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | A14 Bionic Chip pixels |
Internal Memory | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
Operating System | iOS 14 |
Back Camera | Dual 12MP |
Front Camera | 12MP |
HDR for Photos | HDR |
Video Resolution | 4K, FHD, HD |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Dimensions | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4mm |
Weight | 135g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | nano |
eSIM | Yes |
Pros
Great compact size
Excellent camera
5G compatible
Brilliant OLED display
Cons
Battery life
No tele lens
| Device | Price |
|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 12 (Refurbished) | $629.99 |
| Apple iPhone 12 (Unlocked) | $579 |
| Apple iPhone 12 (AT&T) | $579 |
| Apple iPhone 12 (T-Mobile) | $829 |
| Apple iPhone 12 (Verizon) | $829 |
Screen Size | 6.1" |
Screen Resolution | 2532 x 1170 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | A14 Bionic Chip pixels |
Internal Memory | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
Operating System | iOS 14 |
Back Camera | Dual 12MP |
Front Camera | 12MP |
HDR for Photos | HDR |
Video Resolution | 4K, FHD, HD |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Talk Time | Up to 20 hours |
Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4mm |
Weight | 164g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | nano |
eSIM | Yes |
Pros
Attractive design
Fantastic audio quality
5G compatible
Amazing OLED display
Cons
No charger or headphones included
Battery life
Not much camera upgrade
Screen Size | 6.1" |
Screen Resolution | 2532 x 1170 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | A14 Bionic Chip pixels |
Internal Memory | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
Operating System | iOS 14 |
Back Camera | 12MP (Ultra Wide, Wide, Telephoto) |
Front Camera | 12MP |
HDR for Photos | HDR |
Video Resolution | 4K, FHD, HD |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4mm |
Weight | 189g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | nano |
eSIM | Yes |
Pros
Bright and colorful OLED display
Good photo quality
5G compatible
Good quality speakers
Attractive design
Cons
Shorter battery life than iPhone 11
No charger or headphones included
Screen Size | 6.7" |
Screen Resolution | 2778 x 1284 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | A14 Bionic Chip pixels |
Internal Memory | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
Operating System | iOS 14 |
Back Camera | 12MP (Ultra Wide, Wide, Telephoto) |
Front Camera | 12MP |
HDR for Photos | HDR |
Video Resolution | 4K, FHD, HD |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Dimensions | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4mm |
Weight | 228g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | nano |
eSIM | Yes |
Pros
Durable and water resistant
Large OLED screen
5G compatible
Great battery life and fast charging
Photo and video quality
Cons
Expensive
Heavy
No charger or headphones
Unlocked iPhone 11 deals
| Device | Price |
|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 11 (Refurbished) | $499.99 |
| Apple iPhone 11 (Unlocked) | $349 |
| Apple iPhone 11 (AT&T) | $349 |
| Apple iPhone 11 (T-Mobile) | $599 |
| Apple iPhone 11 (Verizon) | $599 |
Screen Size | 6.1" |
Screen Resolution | 1792 x 828 pixels |
HDR Screen | No pixels |
Processor | A13 Bionic pixels |
Internal Memory | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
Operating System | iOS 13 |
Back Camera | 12MP (Dual) |
Front Camera | 12MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | 4K, FHD, HD |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Talk Time | Up to 17 hours (video playback) |
Dimensions | 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3mm |
Weight | 194g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | Yes |
Model Number | A2111 |
User Manual |
Pros
Tougher and water resistant design
Great quality speakers
Good photos from main camera
Excellent selfie photo and video quality
Powerful A13 processor
Cons
No screen update
Storage starts at 64GB
Only a 5W charger included
Screen Size | 5.8" |
Screen Resolution | 2436 x 1125 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | A13 Bionic pixels |
Internal Memory | 64GB, 256GB, 512GB |
Operating System | iOS 13 |
Back Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide, Wide, Telephoto |
Front Camera | 12MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | 4K, FHD, HD |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Talk Time | Up to 18 hours (video playback) |
Dimensions | 144 x 71.4 x 8.1mm |
Weight | 188g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | Yes |
Model Number | A2160 |
User Manual |
Pros
Fast charging battery
Quality stereo speakers
Amazing video quality
Fast A13 processor
Cons
Ultra wide camera lacks autofocus
Very expensive
No headphone jack
Best Unlocked Galaxy deals
Unlocked Galaxy S20 5G deals
Unlocked Galaxy Note 20 deals
Unlocked Galaxy S10 deals
| Device | Price |
|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S10 (Refurbished) | $320 |
| Samsung Galaxy S10 (Unlocked) | $699 |
| Samsung Galaxy S10 (Verizon) | $699 |
Screen Size | 6.1" |
Screen Resolution | 3040 x 1440 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | Snapdragon 855 pixels |
Internal Memory | 128GB, 512GB |
Operating System | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
Back Camera | 12MP, 12MP, 16MP (Triple) |
Front Camera | 10MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | 4K, FHD, HD |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Talk Time | Up to 34 hours |
Standby Time | Up to 3.67 days |
Dimensions | 149.9 x 70.4 x 7.8mm |
Weight | 157 g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | No |
Model Number | SM-G973U |
User Manual |
Pros
Compact size
Amazing photo and video quality
Stunning display
Reverse wireless charging
Cons
Fingerprint reader accuracy
Average battery life
No auto focus on Ultra wide camera
Slow charging
| Device | Price |
|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S10+ (New) | $799 |
| Samsung Galaxy S10+ (Used) | $359.99 |
| Samsung Galaxy S10+ (Refurbished) | $369.99 |
| Samsung Galaxy S10+ (Unlocked) | $799 |
| Samsung Galaxy S10+ (Verizon) | $799 |
Screen Size | 6.4" |
Screen Resolution | 3040 x 1440 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | Snapdragon 855 pixels |
Internal Memory | 128GB, 512GB, 1TB |
Operating System | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
Back Camera | 12MP, 12MP, 16MP (Triple) |
Front Camera | 10MP, 8MP (Dual) |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | 4K, FHD, HD |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Talk Time | Up to 39 hours |
Standby Time | Up to 4.17 days |
Dimensions | 157.6 x 74.1 x 7.8mm |
Weight | 175g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | No |
Model Number | SM-G975U |
User Manual |
Pros
Has a headphone jack
Reverse wireless charging
In screen fingerprint sensor
Amazing photo and video quality
Spectacular display
Cons
No autofocus on ultra-wide cam
Slow software update
Low light selfies
Night mode needs improvement
| Device | Price |
|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S10e (Refurbished) | $293 |
| Samsung Galaxy S10e (Unlocked) | $579 |
| Samsung Galaxy S10e (Verizon) | $579 |
Screen Size | 5.8" |
Screen Resolution | 2280 x 1080 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | Snapdragon 855 pixels |
Internal Memory | 128GB, 256GB |
Operating System | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
Back Camera | 12MP, 16MP (Dual) |
Front Camera | 10MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | 4K, FHD, HD |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Talk Time | Up to 31 hours |
Standby Time | Up to 3.33 days |
Dimensions | 142.2 x 69.9 x 7.9mm |
Weight | 150 g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | No |
Model Number | SM-G970U |
User Manual |
Pros
Compact size
Outstanding display
Amazing build quality
Good battery life
Cons
Fingerprint reader placement
Autofocus is needed on ultra-wide angle camera
Night mode needs improvement
Unlocked refurbished phone deals
Screen Size | 5.8" |
Screen Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | Exynos 7884 pixels |
Internal Memory | 32GB |
Operating System | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
Back Camera | 8MP |
Front Camera | 5MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | FHD |
Wireless Charging | No |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Talk Time | Up to 23 hours |
Dimensions | 147.3 x 69.6 x 8.4mm |
Weight | 141g |
Splash Proof | No |
Water Resistant | No |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | No |
Model Number | SM-A102UZKAXAA |
Pros
Great battery life
Stylish design
Cons
Lacks good performance
Poor sound quality
No fingerprint sensor
Not water-resistant
| Device | Price |
|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (Refurbished) | $179.99 |
Screen Size | 5.5" |
Screen Resolution | 2560 x 1440 pixels |
HDR Screen | No pixels |
Processor | Snapdragon 820 pixels |
Internal Memory | 32GB |
Operating System | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) |
Back Camera | 12MP |
Front Camera | 5MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | HD, 4K |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | No |
Talk Time | Up to 27 hours |
Dimensions | 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7mm |
Weight | 157g |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | No |
Model Number | SM-G935V |
User Manual |
Pros
Good battery life
Improved camera
Water resistant
MicroSD support up to 200GB expandable memory
Fast focusing camera
Cons
Expensive
Glass design makes it fragile
Glass back is a fingerprint magnet
Touchwiz is not fully optimized
| Device | Price |
|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S8 (Refurbished) | $161 |
Screen Size | 5.8" |
Screen Resolution | 2960 x 1440 pixels |
HDR Screen | No pixels |
Processor | Snapdragon 835 pixels |
Internal Memory | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
Operating System | Android 7.0 (Nougat) |
Back Camera | 12MP |
Front Camera | 8MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | HD, 4K |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Talk Time | Up to 20 hours |
Dimensions | 148.9 x 68.1 x 8mm |
Weight | 155g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | No |
Model Number | SM-G950U |
User Manual |
Pros
Excellent camera
Large and amazing display
Headphone jack
MicroSD Support
Cons
Poor Battery life
Badly placed fingerprint sensor
Fragile
| Device | Price |
|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Refurbished) | $279.99 |
Screen Size | 6.3" |
Screen Resolution | 2960 x 1440 pixels |
HDR Screen | No pixels |
Processor | Snapdragon 835 pixels |
Internal Memory | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
Operating System | Android 7.1.1 (Nougat) |
Back Camera | 12MP |
Front Camera | 8MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | HD, 4K |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Talk Time | Up to 22 hours |
Dimensions | 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.6mm |
Weight | 195g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | No |
Model Number | SM-N950U |
User Manual |
Pros
Two cameras take fantastic pictures
MicroSD expansion
6GB of RAM
Amazing design and build
Cons
Badly placed fingerprint reader
Quite big and heavy
Speaker is weak
| Device | Price |
|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S9+ (Refurbished) | $230 |
Screen Size | 6.2" |
Screen Resolution | 2960 x 1440 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | Snapdragon 845 pixels |
Internal Memory | 128GB |
Operating System | Android 8.0 (Oreo) |
Back Camera | 12MP |
Front Camera | 8MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | HD, 4K |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Dimensions | 158.1 x 73.8 x 8.5mm |
Weight | 189g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | No |
Model Number | SM-G965U |
User Manual |
Pros
Long battery life
Great display
Camera performance
High-end build
Wireless charging
Cons
Expensive
Fragile all glass design
No major upgrades
Unlocked phone benefits
When it comes to value the best unlocked smartphone deals are in the used and refurbished market.
Benefits of buying a refurbished smartphone:
Save money: You can get a popular device just a model or two old for about half the retail price.
Keep your freedom: Having an unlocked, paid-off phone means you can switch to a new carrier if you find a better deal.
Plenty of reliable sellers: The used cell phone industry is booming, resulting in a variety of reputable sellers to choose from, stocking everything from Samsung unlocked phones to unlocked iPhones and more.
Repairs are easy: With this market growth many affordable phone repair services are available.
More bang for your buck: You could spend up to $1000 on a shiny new smartphone only to get a couple of small upgrades from the previous model. It's seldom worth the price hike.
Key considerations when buying an unlocked phone
Now that you know why buying a used or refurbished phone online is a budget-wise decision here are some things to keep in mind while shopping:
Refurbished vs. used - used smartphones come as-is, while refurbs are devices which have been repaired and repackaged for sale.
Returns - choose a seller with a solid return policy in case the item doesn't meet your expectations.
Warranties - many sites offer a warranty on their products. These range from 30 days (from BuyBackWorld, for example) to a full year, like Decluttr offers.
Device compatibility: As we discussed above, you may experience problems taking a CDMA phone to a GSM network and vice versa. Your best bet is to compare unlocked cell phones made for the specific network you want. For example, if you have T-Mobile, look for the best T-Mobile cell phone deals.
Certification - some sellers offer certified iPhones and Android devices so you can be sure it's been put through rigorous testing.
Condition - some sellers use "grades" to indicate the phones condition. A is the best, B may have some minor wear, C has visible defects. Other sites use "Excellent", "Good", and "Fair" to convey the same information.
Payment plans - more and more sites are offering device payments. These typically come with high interest so think hard before taking advantage of the offer.
If you have the luxury of time, you'll find the cheapest unlocked phone prices when you buy right before a new model comes out. For example, when the Samsung Galaxy S9 came out, the price of used Samsung Galaxy S8 phones dropped considerably.
What is an unlocked phone?
An unlocked phone is a device that has been released from its tie to the original carrier. When you buy a phone through, say, T-Mobile, until that phone is unlocked you can't, for example, take that phone to AT&T.
In order for a phone to be unlocked from the carrier:
The account must be in good standing.
The phone must not have been reported stolen.
The remaining balance on any device payments must be paid off.
The exception to the rule is Verizon Wireless - Verizon phones come unlocked. The carrier had announced plans to implement a locking period at the end of 2018 but at the time of this writing that hasn't happened yet.
Can you use an unlocked phone on any network?
Yes, and no. The two types of signals used in wireless technology are GSM and CDMA. AT&T and T Mobile operate on GSM networks, Sprint and Verizon on CDMA.
While you may be able to take a GSM phone to a CDMA network and vice versa, only your 4G signal will work. If your signal drops down to 3G your phone will become a paperweight.
If your phone is a universal (sometimes called global) unlocked phone, it is designed for full functionality on both technologies. There are only a few models of global unlocked versions. These devices are more expensive, but come in handy if you're a frequent international traveler because you can just pop in a new SIM card at your destination.
COMPARE NOW: Unlocked Cell Phone Prices
Cheap cell phone plans
If you're buying an unlocked phone in order to switch carriers you'll be happy to know you can save up to 50% off your cell phone bill by going with an MVNO.
Switch to a low cost carrier
Mobile Virtual Network Operators - MVNOs - are smaller carriers that buy or lease extra space on the big four networks. Lower overhead allows them to sell service to you at a lower cost than you'd pay a major wireless carrier.
MVNO benefits
Cheap cell phone plans.
Service on the same reliable 4G LTE networks you're used to.
Freedom from contracts, credit checks, and overage fees - cancel any time.
Custom plans so you only pay for what you need.
Bring your own phone and number.
MVNOs offer all the same options as the big guys. Choose exactly what you need - from family plans to unlimited data plans and everything in between.
There are MVNOs for all four major networks - AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint.
COMPARE NOW: Cheap Cell Phone Plans
Sell Your Old Phone for Cash
Don't leave that old device lying around - turn it into extra cold, hard cash in your wallet!
When you sell your phone instead of trading it in you'll get cash instead of credit, plus you'll get a higher offer for it, especially if it's in great condition.
Recap
Buying a used unlocked cell phone can save you more than 50% off retail. It's a great deal as long as you:
Compare prices before buying.
Choose a site or seller that meets your wants and needs (price, warranty, shipping, etc.)
Compare cell phone plans from MVNOs to maximize your savings.
Sell your old phone for cash.
