In the US, many carriers employ software locks to prevent you from using a phone you buy from them on a competing network. Unlocked phones—those you pay for in total up-front (often directly from the manufacturer)—are different. You can often use an unlocked phone on any carrier and switch carriers at will. How do you find an unlocked phone? PCMag has been writing about cell phones for more than three decades and reviewing them for around as long. We know unlocked phones. Our top picks include the latest flagships like the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, as well as more affordable models like the Google Pixel 8a, all of which are Editors’ Choice winners. Be sure to read our detailed reviews to learn which unlocked phone will best suit your needs, followed by our guide on what to consider when you buy an unlocked device.
Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. See how we test.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Best iPhone for Creators
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Pros & Cons
Fast, smooth performance
Excellent cameras
Long battery life
Useful Action button
USB-C connectivity opens up new features
Lighter than previous Pro Max
Specs & Configurations
Operating System
iOS 17
CPU
Apple A17 Pro
Dimensions
6.29 by 3.02 by 0.32 inches
Screen Size
6.7 inches
Screen Resolution
2,796 by 1,290 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
48MP, 12MP, 12MP; 12MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
20 hours, 15 minutes
Why We Picked It
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a lot going for it, including a large battery that lasts for over 20 hours of streaming HD video at full brightness. It also has the best camera system in an iPhone and a large screen that’s terrific for creative types. Other highlights include a fast USB-C Gen 2 port, a powerful A17 Pro processor, a sturdy titanium frame, and a versatile Action button. Buying unlocked from an Apple Store is easy and you shouldn’t face compatibility issues with any US carriers.
Who It’s For
Photographers and videographers are the main audience for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but it’s also ideal for anyone who just wants the best, longest-lasting iPhone they can buy.
Learn More
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Review
Best for Artists and Note-Takers
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Pros & Cons
Speedy performance
Beautiful screen
Terrific cameras
Useful AI features
Comes with S Pen stylus
Long support commitment
Specs & Configurations
Operating System
Android 14
CPU
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
Dimensions
6.40 by 3.11 by 0.34 Inches
Screen Size
6.8 inches
Screen Resolution
3,120 by 1,440 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
200MP, 12MP, 10MP, 50MP; 12MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
14 hours, 10 minutes
Why We Picked It
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra doesn’t make any compromises. It’s large and powerful, features one of the best camera systems, includes an S Pen stylus, and offers all the latest Galaxy AI features. If you buy the unlocked model from Samsung’s website, it will work with all US carriers and you get to pick from some online-exclusive colors.
Who It’s For
The S Pen stylus, along with Samsung’s powerful multitasking software, make the Galaxy S24 Ultra a great phone for artists and mobile professionals who like to be productive on the go.
Learn More
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review
Most Affordable Pixel Phone
Google Pixel 8a
Pros & Cons
Excellent cameras
Powerful performance
Useful AI features
Long battery life
Seven-year software support
Older protective glass on the front
Relatively slow charging
Specs & Configurations
Operating System
Android 14
CPU
Google Tensor G3
Dimensions
5.99 by 2.86 by 0.35 inches
Screen Size
6.1 inches
Screen Resolution
2,400 by 1,080 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
64MP, 13MP; 13MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
12 hours, 50 minutes
Why We Picked It
Google’s Pixel 8a is an ideal midrange phone. Its Tensor G3 processor can keep up with your entertainment demands, while its top-notch camera system competes with pricier phones. Meanwhile, the Pixel 8a’s bold design and variety of color options (Aloe, Bay, Obsidian, or Porcelain) help it stand out. Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and an IP67 rating ensure the device holds up to everyday perils, too.
Who It’s For
If you like Google’s version of Android, the Pixel 8a is your most reasonable choice. It’s highly capable and an excellent value.
Learn More
Google Pixel 8a Review
Best Folding Phone
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Pros & Cons
Incredibly versatile
Excellent productivity software
Beautiful screens
Slimmer, lighter design than previous generation
Pricey
Odd speaker placement
Specs & Configurations
Operating System
Android 13
CPU
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Dimensions
6.10 by 5.11 by 0.24 inches
Screen Size
7.6 inches
Screen Resolution
2,176 by 1,812 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
50MP, 12MP, 10MP; 10MP; 4MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
11 hours, 20 minutes
Why We Picked It
The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is Samsung’s best folding phone yet. It’s thinner and lighter than previous iterations and even closes without a gap. Both screens look beautiful, the performance is excellent, and the cameras take great pictures. The software experience continues to be top-notch as well, particularly for those who like to multitask.
Who It’s For
If you value versatility, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is an excellent pick because it can serve as both your phone and tablet. We’re also fans of the Dex feature for big-screen productivity tasks.
Learn More
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Review
Best Android Phone for Most People
Google Pixel 8
Pros & Cons
Competitively priced
Advanced AI features
Terrific cameras
Compact
Excellent build quality
Unimpressive battery life
No telephoto camera
Storage capped at 256GB
Specs & Configurations
Operating System
Android 14
CPU
Google Tensor G3
Dimensions
5.93 by 2.79 by 0.35 inches
Screen Size
6.2 inches
Screen Resolution
2,400 by 1,080 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
50MP, 12MP; 10.5MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
10 hours, 20 minutes
Why We Picked It
Google’s Pixel 8 is among the most future-proof Android handsets available. It also offers smooth software, good battery life, and excellent cameras with AI-enhanced editing tools. Available unlocked from Google’s store, it works on all three US carriers and supports both eSIM and physical SIM cards.
Who It’s For
If you want an Android phone with a great camera that will get updates for a long time, look no further.
Learn More
Google Pixel 8 Review
Best Affordable Android Phone
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
Pros & Cons
Affordable
Long battery life
Competent cameras
Excellent software upgrade policy
No IP rating
Plastic build
Specs & Configurations
Operating System
Android 14
CPU
Mediatek 6835
Dimensions
6.30 by 3.02 by 0.33 inches
Screen Size
6.5 inches
Screen Resolution
2,340 by 1,080 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
50MP, 5MP, 2MP; 13MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
14 hours, 3 minutes
Why We Picked It
A 5G phone with a high-resolution screen and a triple-camera setup for a quarter of the price of a Galaxy S24? That’s the Galaxy A15 5G. Samsung also promises four OS upgrades, meaning you can keep it for years without worry.
Who It’s For
If you want to get on a 5G network for not a lot of money, the Samsung A15 5G is an excellent and affordable pick that more than meets expectations.
Learn More
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G Review
Best Voice Phone
TCL Flip 2
Pros & Cons
Affordable
Long battery life
Clear earpiece and speakerphone
Wi-Fi connectivity
Email access
Can’t download additional apps
Poor cameras
Specs & Configurations
Operating System
AOSP
CPU
MediaTek 6739-CH
Dimensions
4.22 by 2.19 by 0.78 inches
Screen Size
2.8 inches
Screen Resolution
320 by 240 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
2MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
Approximately 14 hours of talk time
Why We Picked It
Nothing beats the simplicity of a flip phone for calling and basic texting. The affordable TCL Flip 2 handles those duties well, has Wi-Fi, and sports a 1.4-inch color screen on the front so you always know who’s calling.
Who It’s For
If you simply want a basic phone for voice calls and messaging, the TCL Flip 2 is the phone you should get.
Learn More
TCL Flip 2 Review
Best iPhone for Most People
Apple iPhone 15
Pros & Cons
Good size and weight
Solid performance
Capable cameras
USB-C port
Dynamic Island
No always-on display
No telephoto camera
Shorter battery life than other iPhones
Specs & Configurations
Operating System
iOS 17
CPU
Apple A16 Bionic
Dimensions
5.81 by 2.81 by 0.31 inches
Screen Size
6.1 inches
Screen Resolution
2,556 by 1,179 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
48MP, 12MP; 12MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
16 hours, 15 minutes
Why We Picked It
iPhones are the most easily available, universally unlocked line of phones in the US 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, most iPhones sold in the US now use eSIMs.
Who It’s For
The average consumer in the market for an unlocked phone should be comfortable with the mainstream iPhone 15. It’s easy to use, powerful, and switches carriers easily.
Learn More
Apple iPhone 15 Review
Best Flip Phone
Motorola Razr+
Pros & Cons
Excellent display quality
Highly functional external screen
Portable, stylish design
Unimpressive IP rating
Dated processor
Specs & Configurations
Operating System
Android 13
CPU
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
Dimensions
6.73 by 2.91 by 0.28 inches
Screen Size
6.9 inches
Screen Resolution
2,640 by 1,080 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
12MP, 13MP; 32MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
14 hours
Why We Picked It
The Motorola Razr+ is appealing thanks to its bright, pixel-rich display, solid everyday performance, and capable set of cameras, but we picked it because it’s a fun folding phone that changes things up. This device bends in half at the waist and flips down into a small, pocketable square that’s easy to use even when closed.
Who It’s For
This flip is for people tired of the same old slab-style smartphones looking for something different. It may not be as powerful as a Galaxy or a Pixel flagship, but it’s got far more personality.
Learn More
Motorola Razr+ Review
Best Alternative to Google and Samsung
OnePlus 12
Pros & Cons
Bright, crisp display
Excellent battery life
Rapid wired and wireless charging
Powerful processor
Lacks mmWave 5G
Not as waterproof as competing phones
No special AI features
Specs & Configurations
Operating System
Android 14
CPU
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Dimensions
6.47 by 2.98 by 0.36 inches
Screen Size
6.82 inches
Screen Resolution
3,168 by 1,440 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
64MP, 50MP, 48MP; 32MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
18 hours, 10 minutes
Why We Picked It
The OnePlus 12 is an off-the-beaten-path flagship that goes spec for spec against its top rivals. Moreover, its 5,000mAh battery charges faster than most: It goes from 0% to 100% in just 38 minutes with the included 80W charger.
Who It’s For
A top-tier processor, super-fast charging, and a reasonable price make the OnePlus 12 an ideal Android phone for power users who don’t want to spend too much.
Learn More
OnePlus 12 Review
Buying Guide: The Best Unlocked Phones for 2024
The Best Phones of the Year
What Is the Best Unlocked Phone to Buy?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 avoid 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.If you go with a prepaid carrier, ensure it supports the phone you want; we’ve heard several stories of MVNOs not supporting phones that theoretically work on their networks.
What Is 5G?
Can You Put Any SIM Card Into an Unlocked Phone?There are a few downsides to going the unlocked route. If you change SIM cards overseas, you won’t have your US phone number while you travel. Most of the phones on our list work on all three major US carriers, but you should check out our reviews before you buy because a few might not connect to all the carriers’ 5G networks—or overseas networks.
Samsung Galaxy S24+ (Credit: Eric Zeman)
On the plus side, with the growing number of phones with 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. On this list, the Pixel 8 series, the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, and Apple’s iPhones support eSIM or dual SIM, which lets you attach two lines to one phone. Dual SIM is great for maintaining a work line and a personal line, or lines for two different countries, that ring a single device.
Google Pixel 8 (Credit: Eric Zeman)
Where Can You Buy a New Unlocked Phone?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 (Google, OnePlus, Samsung) are all good bets. Sometimes, you can even unlock the phone you already have, though the particulars depend on the handset and carrier.If that large upfront payment is a concern, some retailers including Apple, Best Buy, Google, and Samsung will allow you to finance devices over two or three years to break down the cost.
Recommended by Our Editors
Ready to break free? Pick up one of these handsets, and don’t feel tied to your carrier any longer. And if you’re looking for the best deal, check out our tips for getting the best price on a new phone and our picks for the best cheap phones.Dave LeClair and Sascha Segan contributed to this story.
