Should I buy an unlocked smartphone over Black Friday?

Bargains await outside your carrier store

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One of the ways to cut the cost of a smartphone is to sign a contract agreement with a cellular provider, but that discount comes with risk. If you’d rather not form a long term relationship with a spotty network, consider a phone that isn’t locked to one carrier. An unlocked phone can be a flexible, affordable option. We’re here to help you decide if aBlack Friday dealon an unlocked smartphone is right for you.

Smartphone makers used to lock every phone to a carrier network. The original iPhone was an AT&T exclusive for years, and it could not be used on any other carrier without hacking the phone. Today, almost all phones are sold unlocked, though some carriers still make you ask for a key to take your device on a different network.

Every smartphone on our list ofbest phonesis available unlocked. You can even get financing fromAppleorSamsungto spread out your payments, just as you would with a carrier agreement. You won’t get the phone for ‘free,’ as you would if you tied the purchase to your monthly cell phone plan, but you can switch to a new carrier with ease.

Where to look for unlocked phones

When you start exploring unlocked phone options, a new world of devices opens up. Your local carrier store has a limited selection, but major retailers includingWalmart,Best Buy, andTargetall sell a wider variety of unlocked phones, from manufacturers you’ll recognize, at a price that is much lower than you’d expect.

One of our favorite unlocked brands is Motorola. While Motorola used to be the premiere maker of flagship phones in the US, it now sells mostly bargain models that punch above their weight class and cost a fraction of what you’ll pay for a Samsung Galaxy S22.

If you thought the super-expensiveGalaxy S22 Ultrawas the only phone with a built-in stylus, you may be delighted to find out Motorola makes theMoto G Stylus, and you can buy one on sale now for under $200.

You’re going to skimp on quite a bit – it’s a fairly slow phone with a big screen and mediocre cameras. Did we mention it’s under $200! as a TargetBlack Friday phone deal?

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There is a wide range of Motorola phones, all available unlocked, and all starting under $500 with no carrier agreement in sight.

More familiar names return unlocked

There are plenty of other brands to consider when you’re looking at unlocked phones. We’ve enjoyed the latest unlocked devices from Nokia, especially the ruggedNokia XR20. Walmart has a number of the latest Nokia devices available unlocked, and these start as low as $200 with Black Friday deals.

Established flagship brands like OnePlus and evenGooglehave devices worth finding unlocked, as well. TheOnePlus Nord N200 5Gis a fine bargain handset, available as an unlocked Black Friday deal from Walmart.

You can find last year’sGoogle Pixel 6 Proon sale unlocked from Target. Google is no longer selling that phone, but thePixel 6ahas gotten a nice price cut for the holidays, and Google as well as our other favorite retailers are selling it unlocked for $299.

The risks of buying an unlocked phone

The first question is where you’ll go when you need help. If your screen breaks, will your local repair shop be able to fix it? If the screen suddenly turns black and white, will you know who to call for help?

With a Samsung or Apple phone, you have a well-published support number and walk-in stores to find assistance. If you buy a less common brand, you may need to turn to Google search to find answers.

Don’t be disappointed when it doesn’t qualify for an Android 14 upgrade next year. That isn’t the reason you buy an inexpensive, unlocked phone

These are all Android phones, and Android phones rely on multiple partners for software updates. One of those partners is the cell carriers, so phones that are not locked to a carrier may be less likely to receive updates over the long term.

Manufacturers of cheap phones have a spotty track record when it comes to supporting older devices. If you are happy with your bargain phone now, don’t be disappointed when it doesn’t qualify for anAndroid 14upgrade next year. That isn’t the reason you buy an inexpensive, unlocked phone.

Finally, it’s harder to find accessories for less common phones, and that includes cases and screen protectors. That’s a big deal, as a broken phone may have been what drove you to find a cheaper, unlocked phone in the first place. Before you buy a new phone, look around for a good case and screen protection, and make sure your phone is constantly wearing both.

The unlocked phones you should avoid

When you are shopping for an unlocked phone, you’ll see international versions of common phones. If you’re going to be using your phone in the U.S., it is important to buy a model intended for the US market. Don’t buy a cheaper international phone, even if you are sure it will work where you live.

First of all, the local device will have more compatible network bands for whatever cellular network you are using. You can make international phones work with our nationwide networks, but you won’t be able to take advantage of the newest, fastest 5G bands. Also, if you are in an area with bad service, especially on Verizon, an international phone won’t work with the older networks your phone might fall back on.

More importantly, your international warranty may not be valid in the U.S. If you get a great deal on aGalaxy S22 Ultraunlocked from Asia, you may have trouble if the phone needs service here in the US or in the UK.

A warranty often has regional exclusions for service. It is best to read the warranty thoroughly before you commit, and if you cannot, don’t assume your phone will get fixed for free.

Bottom line: should I seek out an unlocked phone over Black Friday?

If you’re buying a new phone over Black Friday, it’s probably already unlocked, but that doesn’t mean you need to sign a contract to get the best bargain. An unlocked phone is never a bad idea, whether you’re buying directly from Samsung or Apple, or seeking a bargain on Motorola or Nokia phones from a national retailer.

As always, we recommend reading our reviews and buying guides first, then if you find a phone you can trust, an unlocked phone is a great option for a Black Friday deal.

Phil Berne is a preeminent voice in consumer electronics reviews, starting more than 20 years ago at eTown.com. Phil has written for Engadget, The Verge, PC Mag, Digital Trends, Slashgear, TechRadar, AndroidCentral, and was Editor-in-Chief of the sadly-defunct infoSync. Phil holds an entirely useful M.A. in Cultural Theory from Carnegie Mellon University. He sang in numerous college a cappella groups.

Phil did a stint at Samsung Mobile, leading reviews for the PR team and writing crisis communications until he left in 2017. He worked at an Apple Store near Boston, MA, at the height of iPod popularity. Phil is certified in Google AI Essentials. He has a High School English teaching license (and years of teaching experience) and is a Red Cross certified Lifeguard. His passion is the democratizing power of mobile technology. Before AI came along he was totally sure the next big thing would be something we wear on our faces.

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