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Best unlocked Android phones in 2022

Best unlocked Android phones in 2022

best unlocked android phones
(Paradigm credit: Tom's Guide)

The all-time unlocked Android phones give you ultimate control over your smartphone ownership experience, rather than buying your handset through a wireless carrier. When you buy a phone unlocked, yous can pick a device without having to commit to a specific carrier and wireless program. And many of the all-time Android phones are available unlocked, given yous ample pick.

Mostly, these Android phones are sold directly by the phone makers themselves or through online retailers similar Amazon and Best Buy. And once yous've made your choice, you can start searching for the all-time cell phone plan from the phone carrier of your choosing. While you'll have to pay more upfront to buy a telephone unlocked, it gives yous complete control over your carrier, contract length, cost and more than.

  • Best unlocked phones: More buying options
  • OnePlus 9 Pro vs. Galaxy S21 Ultra: The ultimate Android phone face-off

So what are the best unlocked Android phones? And which 1 will all-time suit your electric current budget? Here are our electric current picks.

What are the best unlocked Android phones?

The best unlocked Android phone you tin can get is the best value on this listing — the Google Pixel 5a. Other phones boast more premium features, but information technology'due south difficult to beat the Pixel 5a splendid cameras and 5G compatibility that price y'all less than $500. If you can afford to pay a picayune bit more, the Pixel 6, powered past Google'south Tensor processor is also a groovy option.

Nosotros like the premium features in the OnePlus 9 Pro, though the OnePlus 10 Pro is about to supervene upon it. If you want premium features for less, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE packs many of the same capabilities equally the more expensive members of the S21 lineup, but for a lower cost.

Speaking of low prices, you lot'll find plenty oof low toll options on this all-time unlocked Android phones listing, including the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G and Moto G Stylus. And if yous're interested in foldables, so we think the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 is your all-time bet since it starts at $999.

The best unlocked Android phones right now

best unlocked phones: google pixel 5a

(Image credit: Tom'southward Guide)

i. Google Pixel 5a

The best unlocked Android telephone you can buy

Specifications

Brandish: 6.43-inch OLED (2400 ten 1080)

CPU: Snapdragon 765G

RAM: 6GB

Storage / Expandable: 128GB / No

Rear camera: 12.2MP (ƒ/1.7), 16MP (f/2.ii)

Front camera: 8MP (ƒ/ii.0)

Weight: 6.5 ounces

Bombardment life (Hrs:Mins): nine:45

Reasons to buy

+

Spectacular cameras

+

Big, bright display

+

IP67 water resistance

Reasons to avoid

-

Older chipset

-

Limited to US and Japan

Because unlocked phones require you lot to pay the full cost upfront, nosotros think the Google Pixel 5a is your best bet. While not the most powerful device, it's got a not bad camera and a low price tag that makes it the best midrange phone you tin can purchase. It bests its predecessor, the Pixel 4a, with a bigger brandish and battery, plus 5G and a 2nd camera.

Thanks to Google's powerful photograph software, the two cameras produce terrific shots. With a 6.43-inch display, this phone might be a bit large for some hands (and it'due south considerably larger than the 4a). You'll besides go a 3.5mm headphone jack, a fleeting sight on smartphones these days.

For $449, the Pixel 5a is one of the best Android values right at present. While it might take middling performance, its incredible cameras, big battery, and 5G brand it a great phone to buy for budget-conscious buyers. Its biggest flaw is that information technology'southward express to the U.s. and Japan.

Read our full Google Pixel 5a review .

Google Pixel 6 held in hand joins the best unlocked android phones

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

2. Google Pixel 6

Best Android 12 experience

Specifications

Display: 6.4-inch OLED (2400 x 1080; 90Hz)

CPU: Google Tensor

RAM: 8GB

Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB / No

Rear cameras: 50MP main (ƒ/1.85), 12MP ultrawide (ƒ/2.ii)

Front end photographic camera: 8MP (ƒ/ii.0)

Weight: 7.3 ounces

Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 8:xiii

Reasons to buy

+

Costs less than $600

+

Tensor fleck and Android 12 power terrific new features

+

First-class cameras

Reasons to avoid

-

5G connectivity hampers battery life

-

Pixel vi Pro offers more premium features including a telephoto lens

The Google Pixel 6 introduces the world to Tensor, the starting time system-on-fleck designed by Google.Yous can expect performance comparable to the Snapdragon 888, but the real story hither is Google'southward emphasis on automobile learning. The Pixel half-dozen sports a number of software-powered features from new photograph editing skills to a smarter, more capable Google Banana. Having Android 12 installed on the phone also means a pure Android experience.

Though the Google Pixel 6 Pro has the more impressive features — information technology's got a telephoto lens in addition to wide and ultrawide cameras, and its larger screen offers a 120Hz refresh rate to the 90Hz rate on the standard Pixel half dozen — we think this half-dozen.iv-inch phone is the better option for fans of unlocked devices. Yous can selection up a Pixel six unlocked for $599, which is an extremely bonny toll for such a feature-rich device.

Read our full Google Pixel 6 review .

Samsung galaxy s21 fe best unlocked android phone

(Epitome credit: Tom's Guide)

3. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE

The best unlocked Android telephone from Samsung

Specifications

Display: 6.4-inch OLED (2400 10 1080)

CPU: Snapdragon 888

RAM: 6GB, 8GB

Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB / No

Rear photographic camera: 12MP (f/1.8) main, 12MP (f/ii.2) ultrawide, 8MP telephoto (f/ii.4)

Front camera: 32MP (ƒ/two.two)

Weight: 6.2 ounces

Bombardment life (Hrs:Mins): 7:46

Reasons to purchase

+

Low cost compared to other S21 models

+

Snapdragon 888 chipset

+

Takes great photos

Reasons to avoid

-

Subpar battery life

-

120Hz refresh charge per unit isn't dynamic

If you're looking for an unlocked Samsung flagship telephone that won't take too big a seize with teeth out of your wallet, the Galaxy S21 Atomic number 26 is currently your best bet. You make some merchandise-offs from the residue of the Galaxy S21 lineup — there's not as much RAM and the display refresh rate must exist adjusted manually — just in exchange, you lot pay $699. That'due south $100 less than the standard S21 and $500 less than the Galaxy S21 Ultra.

Other than retentiveness, refresh rate and the MP rating on the telephoto lens, the Milky way S21 FE is essentially a member of the S21 family unit. You get the aforementioned Snapdragon 888 chipset, and a triple photographic camera array capable of producing photos that can hold their own against whatever camera phone. (We're peculiarly impressed by the Dark way on the S21 Iron, which Samsung took pains to improve.) The display is nice and brilliant, likewise.

About the only reason to hesitate on getting the Galaxy S21 FE is the looming Galaxy S22 launch. Information technology may be worth waiting to see what features those phones deliver, and how that affects pricing on Samsung's current devices.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S21 FE review .

Best Unlocked android phones: Samsung Galaxy S21

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

4. Samsung Galaxy S21

A more full-featured Samsung pick

Specifications

Display: half-dozen.2-inch OLED (2400 10 1080; 48-120Hz)

CPU: Snapdragon 888

RAM: 8GB

Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB / No

Rear camera: 12MP (ƒ/ane.eight) wide; 12MP (ƒ/ii.ii) ultrawide; 64MP (ƒ/2.0) telephoto with 3x optical zoom

Forepart photographic camera: 10MP (ƒ/ii.ii)

Weight: 6.07 oz

Bombardment life (Hrs:Mins): ix:53 (60Hz); vi:31 (adaptive)

Reasons to buy

+

Dynamic 120Hz refresh rate

+

Everyman price S21 model

+

Impressive photographic camera array

Reasons to avert

-

No MicroSD card slot

-

High refresh rate drains battery

The Samsung Galaxy S21 doesn't require the merchandise-offs of the Galaxy S21 FE, and it's also cheaper than $ane,199 Galaxy S21 Ultra, making it a good centre ground if you want an unlocked Android telephone that's loaded with features.

Using the same Snapdragon 888 that's seen in the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, this is one of the about powerful phones out there. This effects the photographic camera which, while virtually identical to the Galaxy S20's in specs, makes use of the more than powerful processor and AI for a vast improvement. However, you practice lost expandable storage with this handset and Samsung has also slightly downgraded the screen's resolution.

Read our total Samsung Galaxy S21 review .

best unlocked android phones: oneplus 9 pro

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

5. OnePlus ix Pro

Another cracking unlocked Android telephone

Specifications

Display: 6.vii-inch AMOLED (3168 ten 1440; 120Hz)

CPU: Snapdragon 888

RAM: 8GB, 12GB

Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB / No

Rear camera: 48MP (f/1.8) wide, 50MP (f/two.2) ultrawide, 8MP (f/two.iv) telephoto with 3.3x optical zoom, 2MP (f/2.4) monochrome

Forepart camera: 16MP (ƒ/2.four)

Weight: 6.9 ounces

Bombardment life (Hrs:Mins): ten:xl (120Hz) / x:38 (60Hz)

Reasons to buy

+

Super fast charging

+

Powerful processor

+

120Hz refresh rate

+

Best OnePlus cameras yet

Reasons to avoid

-

No IP rating for water resistance

-

More expensive

The OnePlus 9 Pro is on the list for practiced reason: it's an all-round fantastic handset that, while more than expensive than whatsoever previous OnePlus telephone, also offers some truly impressive specs.

You'll get incredibly fast charging at 65W cheers to OnePlus' proprietary technology. We were able to nearly fill the phone's tuckered 4,500 mAh battery after one-half-an-hour of charging. That battery lasts nearly 11 hours on a charge, fifty-fifty when we had enabled the OnePlus 9 Pro's adaptive display characteristic, which changes the screen's refresh rate depending on your activeness.

Information technology's not all perfect here with no official IP water resistance rating given to the OnePlus 9 Pro as well as some colour inconsistencies in photos shot by the nine Pro's four rear cameras. Nevertheless, these are pocket-size concerns in an otherwise excellent Android phone. More than meaning is the fact that OnePlus has revealed a new version, the OnePlus 10 Pro, that's shipping in Mainland china right now and coming to other countries later on. You might want to hold off to see what the new OnePlus flagship has to offer.

Read our full OnePlus 9 Pro review .

best unlocked android phones: moto g power 2022

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

6. Moto G Power (2021)

Affordable and packed with a behemothic battery

Specifications

Display: 6.6-inch LCD (1600 ten 720)

CPU: Snapdragon 662

RAM: 3GB, 4GB

Storage / Expandable: 32GB, 64GB / Yes

Rear camera: 48MP (ƒ/1.7) principal; 2MP (ƒ/ii.4) macro; 2MP (ƒ/two.4) depth

Front camera: 8MP (ƒ/ii.0)

Weight: seven.3 ounces

Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 14:04

Reasons to buy

+

Big battery

+

Low price tag

+

Attractive design for a budget phone

Reasons to avoid

-

Not a very powerful screen

-

Slow performance

Stepping away from the well-nigh popular brands of Samsung, Google and OnePlus, the Moto G Power is a surprising standout pick for budget hunters, offering an impressive performance for a depression price.

The standout feature here is the handset's battery. Offering a massive 5000 mAh battery, this is more powerful than... well, any other handset on this list including the Note 20 Ultra and S21 Ultra. In fact, only the previous Moto G Ability tops the 2022 version on our best phone battery life list.

While the Moto G Power (2021) doesn't utilize the most powerful processor around, the Snapdragon 662 inside the telephone will be practiced enough for about users. The cameras are also surprisingly solid, given the low price.

Outside of the battery, the cost is the most appealing characteristic to the Moto G Ability (2021), which is available starting at $199 if yous don't opt for more RAM and storage. A newer version of the phone — the Moto Chiliad Power (2022) — offers more storage for $199, but information technology has a weaker processor that doesn't performa also. We'd still recommend the 2022 model between the two.

Read our total Moto G Power (2021) review .

best unlocked android phones: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

seven. Samsung Galaxy A52 5G

A super affordable Samsung handset

Specifications

Brandish: 6.5-inch AMOLED (2400 x 1080)

CPU: Snapdragon 750G

RAM: 6GB

Storage / Expandable: 128/256GB / Yes

Rear camera: 64MP main (ƒ/i.8), 12MP ultrawide (ƒ/two.2), 5MP macro (ƒ/2.iv), 5MP depth (ƒ/2.4)

Front camera: 32MP (ƒ/2.2)

Weight: 6.67 ounces

Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 12:xix (60Hz), ten:nineteen (120Hz)

Reasons to buy

+

120Hz refresh rate

+

Affordable 5G device

+

Long-lasting battery

Reasons to avoid

-

More powerful Samsung phones available

Like the Google Pixel 5a, the Samsung Galaxy A52 is a vivid Android telephone for those on a tighter budget. Despite being the cheapest Samsung handset on our listing of the all-time unlocked Android phones, the A52 still offers some impressive features for a midrange handset.

Non only does the Galaxy A52 work on 5G networks, but its 4,500 mAh lasts a long time on a charge — more than than 12 hours when you apply the telephone with its brandish ready to a 60Hz refresh charge per unit. Unlike a lot of other midrange phones, though, you can ramp upwards that refresh charge per unit to 120Hz. That puts a striking on bombardment life, but you will go a smoother scrolling screen every bit part of the tradeoff.

The main rear lens takes some good photos, though the other 3 rear cameras don't add together much to the party. Nevertheless, for less than $500, you tin get a very capable device that delivers on some of the near important things smartphone shoppers are looking for.

Read our full Samsung Milky way A52 5G review .

Moto G Stylus 5G comes with its own stylus making it one of the best unlocked android phones

(Paradigm credit: Tom'southward Guide)

8. Moto Thou Stylus 5G

A budget unlocked Android phone with a stylus

Specifications

Brandish: vi.8-inch LCD (2400 x 1080)

CPU: Snapdragon 480 5G

RAM: 6GB

Storage / Expandable: 256GB / Yes

Rear photographic camera: 8MP (f/1.7) main, 8MP (f/2.2) ultrawide, 5MP (f/2.2) macro, 2MP (f/two.4) depth

Front camera: 16MP (f/two.2)

Weight: 7.67 oz

Battery life (Hrs:Mins): ten:l

Reasons to buy

+

Handy built-in stylus

+

Splendid battery life

Reasons to avert

-

Unimpressive cameras

-

Express software updates

More than expensive phones like the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra now offer stylus support with Samsung's S Pen, but the Moto Thousand Stylus 5G proves you don't need to spend big bucks for a telephone with a handy input device. The stylus pops out of the Motorola telephone's frame for easy note-taking and photo editing.

For $399, yous become a 5G-capable phone that lasts a long time on a accuse — nearly eleven hours on our battery test. The cameras are very unremarkable, just this is a good productivity booster for Android users on a budget.

Read our full Moto Thousand Stylus 5G review .

OnePlus Nord N200 5G review

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

9. OnePlus Nord N200 5G

The cheapest unlocked 5G telephone

Specifications

Display: 6.49-inch LCD (2400 x 1080; 90Hz)

CPU: Snapdragon 480 5G

RAM: 4GB

Storage / Expandable: 64GB / Yes

Rear camera: 13MP (f/2.2), 2MP (f/two.four) macro. 2MP (f/two.four) depth sensor

Forepart camera: 16MP (f/2.ane)

Weight: 6.67 oz

Battery life (Hrs:Mins): x:28

Reasons to buy

+

Excellent fast-refreshing display

+

The lowest-cost for a 5G phone nosotros've yet seen

+

Expert bombardment life

Reasons to avoid

-

Subpar cameras

-

Limited software updates

Phones that work with 5G networks no longer demand to flirt with $1,000 prices. Device makers have rolled out cheaper 5G phones, and OnePlus lowers the threshold even further with the OnePlus Nord N200 5G.

While this is certainly a budget phone — the disappointing camera functioning confirms that — you exercise get some premium features in the OnePlus Nord N200 5G, including a 90Hz refresh rate that produces smoother scrolling than what more than expensive phones with 60Hz displays tin can yield. We too similar the battery life, which outperformed the average smartphone fifty-fifty with the faster refresh charge per unit enabled.

The OnePlus Nord N200 5G is available through T-Mobile, but OnePlus also sells its new upkeep phone unlocked, both at its own store and at diverse retailers. If y'all're looking to get a 5G telephone without spending big bucks, the OnePlus Nord N200 5G certainly deserves some consideration.

Read our full OnePlus Nord N200 5G review .

samsung galaxy z flip 3 is a better option for the best unlocked android phones now that it's less than $1,000

(Prototype credit: Tom's Guide)

10. Samsung Milky way Z Flip iii

The best unlocked Android phone with a foldable screen

Specifications

Brandish: six.7-inch AMOLED (2640 10 1080; 120Hz) inner, 1.9-inch AMOLED (260 x 512; 60Hz) outer

CPU: Snapdragon 888

RAM: 8GB

Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB / No

Rear camera: 12MP (f/1.8) main, 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide

Front camera: 10MP (f/2.4)

Weight: 6.5 oz

Bombardment life (Hrs:Mins): 5:43 (adaptive); 6:00 (60Hz)

Reasons to buy

+

Smashing price for a foldable

+

More than durable than earlier

+

Bigger cover display

Reasons to avoid

-

Weak battery life

-

Noticeable crease where display folds

Up until now, foldable phones take non really been viable options as unlocked devices, as their high price tags meant paying well over $1,000 in ane get. But the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 changes that, now that Samsung has dropped the cost to $999.

You get a very attractive flip phone with that opens to reveal a foldable 6.7-inch display. This version of the Flip features a much larger external display, which is good for notifications and a view finder that saves you lot from having to open upwardly the telephone.

We wish battery life was much amend on this device — it's hands the biggest marking against the Galaxy Z Flip 3. But if you're committed to unlocked devices and you want a foldable phone, this is the one to get.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 review .

What is an unlocked Android phone?

When it comes to buying a new telephone, yous have ii options — an unlocked device or i that's tied to a phone carrier. In a nutshell, unlocked simply means yous are getting a phone with no connections to a carrier however.

This allows y'all to hand choice one of the all-time jail cell phone plans for your phone. While unlocked phones are most e'er the cheaper choice overall, y'all do have to pay for the telephone up front. (Carriers allow yous pay off your phone in installments to keep yous tied to their service.)

Only with one of the all-time unlocked Android phones, you're free to cull a cheap plan from somewhere like Mint Mobile or opt for service with more of the bells and whistles from AT&T or Verizon.

How we test the all-time unlocked Android phones

We review every phone we feature in these guides, putting them through rigorous testing. That includes benchmark testing to measure the processor and graphics performance, besides equally a battery test in which nosotros run into how long a fully charged phone tin last when it surfs the web continuously. Additional tests include measuring the colour accurateness and effulgence of displays.

Nosotros also consider how much a phone costs, and how available it is. A consideration specific to the best unlocked Android phones is whether they piece of work on all networks — some unlocked phones don't take the necessary bands to work with certain carriers.

To gather our guide, nosotros consider unlike cost ranges, features and capabilities. This means yous'll see a good mix of more affordable handsets and flagship phones.

Jordan is the Phones Editor for Tom's Guide, covering all things phone-related. He's written about phones for over five years and plans to go on for a long while to come up. He loves zippo more than relaxing in his home with a book, game, or his latest personal writing project. Jordan likes finding new things to dive into, from books and games to new mechanical keyboard switches and fun keycap sets. Hashemite kingdom of jordan tends to lurk on social media, but you can all-time reach him on Twitter.

Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-unlocked-android-phones

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