We live and breathe smartphones here at Digital Trends. With hundreds of phone reviews under our belts, we’re always ready to debate the merits and weaknesses of a new device, and we take our time in selecting the very best to recommend. Before you buy one of these phones from our list, be sure to double-check that the phone you’re buying works on your carrier’s bands.
Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus
Best unlocked phone overall
Why should you buy this? It’s a beautiful, stylish phone with all the features you could want.
Who’s it for? Samsung fans after the best-looking global phone around.
Why we picked the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus:
So it’s not the best camera phone, the most powerful phone, or even the most affordable phone — but the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus is well of the best well-rounded smartphones you can buy right now, and it’ll work on pretty much every network out there. The latest hardware means it’s a powerful beast, thanks to the Snapdragon 865, up to 12GB of RAM, and a hefty 4,500mAh battery that’ll easily last a day on moderate use. A triple-lens camera on the back provides strong shots in a variety of circumstances, and it’s all underlined by a svelte design that’s neither too big nor too small. It nestles perfectly in the hand, and it feels reassuringly solid to boot.
Samsung is a global brand, so it makes sense it makes its biggest flagships available pretty much everywhere.
Google Pixel 3a
Best unlocked midrange phone
Why should you buy this? For a pure Android experience at an affordable price point, Google’s Pixel 3a can’t be beat.
Who’s it for? Android fans seeking a slick, unlocked phone.
Why we picked the Google Pixel 3a:
Google matches the iPhone on every front with its Pixel line, and the Pixel 3 is one of our favorites. The Pixel 3a may lack the same powerful processor, but it does have a truly great camera and Google’s A.I. smarts to make it really compelling. It also ducks some of the usual Android problems, thanks to regular security updates and super-slick software that shows off Google’s elegant software design.
The Pixel 3a is also quite small, so you might consider the Pixel 3a XL as an alternative that offers exactly the same fully unlocked credentials in a bigger package. There’s very little difference between the two, apart from the size and screen.
Moto G7
Best budget unlocked phone
Why should you buy this? It boasts an impressive range of features and a stylish design
Who’s it for? Bargain hunters looking for a decent phone to work on any carrier.
Why we picked the Moto G7:
When you dive into the budget end of the pool, you should be careful, because deal-breaking compromises are common. Thankfully, Motorola’s Moto G7 is largely free of them. This phone ticks all the boxes, with a big, bright display, good performance in terms of speed, a fast-charging battery, and a dual-lens camera that easily outshines the budget competition.
With support for a wide range of networks and bands — including the big four in the U.S. — you shouldn’t have any trouble using the Moto G7 wherever you like.
How we test
We are obsessed with smartphones here at Digital Trends and we test them to the limit. The phones we review serve as our main devices for at least a week, usually longer, and we use them for everything from messaging and calls, to photos and gaming. They go to work with us, they go to bed with us, and they even go to the toilet with us. We never recommend a device that we wouldn’t be happy using ourselves.
When it comes to unlocked phone testing, we make sure that the phones we recommend actually work on the majority of networks and warn you if there are caveats.
Will the phone works on your carrier?
You must be careful when buying an unlocked phone. Some retailers will advertise phones as unlocked, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they will work with any carrier. Some carriers have stricter controls than others, and even if a phone could technically work on their network, they might not allow it.
Start by checking which bands your device supports and what carriers they correspond to. The vast majority of unlocked handsets will work with GSM networks (like AT&T and T-Mobile), but many won’t work with CDMA networks (like Verizon and Sprint).
Ideally, you’ll be able to find someone talking about using your chosen phone with your chosen carrier simply by searching in Google. For example, search “OnePlus 6 Verizon” and you’ll see a number of forum posts about the issues people have had. If in doubt, check with your carrier and do further research.
Manufacturers also sometimes produce different models of the same phone with different band support, so you must do your homework to ensure that your pick will work on your preferred carrier. The Will My Phone Work website is another good resource to help you.
