unlocked cell phonesDid you know it’s much cheaper to buy your phone independent of a carrier? The big cell companies sell phones at a tremendous markup, disguising their overpricing through subterfuge: The true price of the phone gets rolled into the monthly cellular bill.
Never buy a smartphone from a carrier—ever. Most consumers don’t know that they can purchase their phones from retailers and pay less than if they did from the carrier. The key word that you’re looking for is unlocked. Unlocked phones can work withMVNO plans, which offer the same service as the big carriers for about half as much.
The six phones presented in this article provide excellent value, with prices starting at $120 and going as high as $650. However, if you are looking to sign a contract with a carrier (and I strongly suggest that you do not), check out Matt Smith’s list of the best phones you can buy right now—he’s absolutely correct. However, if you need reasons to dump your carrier and hook up with an MVNO, read about it here.

Two Kinds of Phones

As I’ve mentioned before, there exist two kinds of unlocked phones—those that work with GSM networks, those that work with CDMA. I should note at this point that other technologies exist, but they’re not entirely mainstream and largely based on the ubiquitous GSM standard.
CDMA: CDMA technology semi-locks phones into a single network, so while these phones can unlock, there’s all kinds of associated hassles in transferring them from one carrier to another. For GSM phones, however, phones can migrate to another network by simply changing the SIM card. CDMA technology in comparison does not use any kind of card.

  • In the US: Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel, MetroPCS and US Cellular.
  • In Japan: DoCoMo.
GSM: Internationally, GSM remains the dominant cell technology. CDMA does exist in almost all markets, although it’s generally associated with third tier carriers. It’s only in the US that it possesses the lion’s share of the market. Consequently, most dual-SIM international phones are GSM based.
  • In the US: T-Mobile and AT&T.
  • In India: Airtel, Reliance Communications and Idea Cellular
  • In the United Kingdom: O2, EE andVodafone
The phones presented in this article are specifically labeled with the correct network that they function on. When purchasing a phone, always make sure you’re buying the right model for your network. If you’re switching to an MVNO, the MVNO will correspond with a particular network—for example, Ptel (which rents spectrum from T-Mobile) only works with GSM phones, both AT&T and T-Mobile. I explain in detail in this article.

Criteria

I use three factors in determining the phone’s final grade: First, the best features of the phone are weighed. Second, the worst features of the phone are weighed. Third, I divide the price of the device by the aggregated consumer feedback scores from Amazon, Newegg or other review websites (whichever was available). The final result shows how much you pay per star of rating. This measure isn’t intended as a serious metric, although it should indicate better overall value, rather than raw performance.

BLU Dash 4.0 ($119.46 via Amazon)

BLU Product’s Dash 4.0 is the cheapest Android 4.0 smartphone you can buy unlocked,anywhere. While the manufacturer is a newcomer, their products have been getting solid reviews. And they’re also the only manufacturer that specializes in unlocked cell phones.
Networks: GSM
Pros:
  • The lowest priced, unlocked Android phone with Ice Cream Sandwich.
  • Dual SIM for international travelers.
  • Good value for its performance and features.
  • Great value and lowest total price for a brand-new phone.
Cons:
  • This phone may not receive an update to JellyBean.
  • No root access or custom ROM community.
Per star rating: $119.46/3.8 stars = $31 per star.
unlocked cell phones

Apple iPhone 3G 8GB ($174.94 via Amazon)

Apple’s iPhone 3G still works great, even though it’s aging. If you’re locked into the iOS app environment, the 3G provides the cheapest entry point for a mobile device that’s still functionally modern. Also, for refurbished phones, consider purchasing an after-market replacement plan.
Networks: GSM
Pros:
  • The cheapest entry point for iOS.
  • Inexpensive replacement parts.
  • Inexpensive cases and peripheral devices on secondary markets.
Cons:
  • Old: The iPhone 3G is already several years old.
  • Poor value: For what you pay, this is a very poor deal.
  • Refurbished.
  • No iOS 6: While a jailbroken 3G in theory might take iOS 6, the performance would likely be terrible.
Per star rating: $174.94 / 2.8 stars = $62.48 per star

HTC Nexus One ($155 via Amazon.com)

HTC built the first phone in the Nexus series. While the phone’s single core CPU is starting to feel its age, it retains one of the strongest followings within the Android development community. Also, for refurbished phones, consider purchasing an after-market replacementplan.
Networks: GSM
Pros:
  • Strong custom ROM support and easy to root—support for JellyBean!
  • Inexpensive replacement parts.
  • Inexpensive cases and peripheral devices on secondary markets.
Cons:
  • Old: The 1GHz single core CPU
  • No warranty.
  • Refurbished.
Per star rating: $155 / 3.7 stars = $41.90 per star.

BLU Vivo 4.3 ($188.99 via Expansys)

BLU Products manufactures a range of low-cost Android smartphones. Although an relative unknown in the US, it provides some of the best deals on an unlocked phone around. Additionally, it recently committed to upgrading the Vivo 4.3 to JellyBean. As a result, the Vivo provides a great deal to those who want a good performing phone, without the potential for modifying the ROM.
Networks: GSM
Pros:
  • OS Upgrade forthcoming: JellyBean (Android 4.1)
  • Decent quality camera.
  • Pentaband (high compatibility with GSM networks) and dual-SIM.
Cons:
  • Development support for unlocked phones unlikely.
  • Dual core processor not comparable to cutting edge smartphones.
  • Lack of LTE.
  • Not rootable and no custom ROM community.
Per star rating: $188.99 / 4.2 stars = $45 per star.

LG Nexus 4 (8GB $299, 16GB $349)

The Nexus 4 is part of Google’s Nexus program, where Google picks the parts and the manufacturer produces it. The Nexus series remains one of the best performing phones on the market. As an added bonus, these phones are highly prized because they can easily be rooted and modified with a custom ROM. Full disclosure: I own a LG Nexus 4 and love it more than my own family.
Networks: GSM, rumors of a Sprint and Verizon CDMA model on the horizon.
Pros:
  • Best valued smartphone in terms of cost-to-performance.
  • Great custom ROM support and easy to root.
  • High quality construction.
  • Good camera.
Cons:
  • No microSD support.
  • No official LTE support.
  • Partially sealed in battery: The Nexus 4 battery isn’t entirely user replaceable. Removing the battery requires a Torqx screwdriver and a hairdryer or heat-gun.
  • Fragile: The glass back shatters easily.
Per star rating: $299 / 4.5 stars = $66 per star and $349 / 4.5 stars = $77 per star.

Samsung Galaxy S3 ($439.95)

Samsung, recently scandalized by possible phony HTC reviews, currently dominates the smartphone market. Their flagship phone, the S3, comes well regarded and is compatible on all major networks in the US. However, the GSM version works great internationally.
Networks: GSM, Verizon-CDMA, Sprint-CDMA
Pros:
  • Remains one of the fastest handsets around.
  • Android 4.0 (ICS).
  • Large Super AMOLED screen at 4.8″.
  • Good community support for rooting and installing custom ROMs.
Cons:
  • Soon to be replaced by the Galaxy S4.
  • Samsung does not update their phone’s operating systems.
  • International edition doesn’t have LTE, although it does have a quad core CPU.
Per star rating: $439.95 / 4 stars = $110 per star.

iPhone 5 ($650 via Apple Store)

The most ubiquitous brand in this article, Apple created the smartphone market.
Networks: GSM (requires contract for Verizon-CDMA and Sprint-CDMA)
Pros:
  • Latest, state-of-the-art product from Apple.
  • Cutting edge features.
  • iOS, if you are locked into the Apple app ecosystem.
Cons:
  • Most expensive phone you can buy.
  • Small screen, although high quality Retina display.
Per star rating: $650/3.7 stars = $175 per star.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for an unlocked cell phone with good value, BLU Products Dash 4.0 or the BLU Vivo 4.3 provide the best products on the market. Unfortunately, because of the relative obscurity of their manufacturer, few reviewers have given credit to otherwise value-packed phones.
unlocked cell phones
On the other hand, the best reviewed, unlocked cell phone on the market is the Nexus 4. Personally, if I weren’t so obsessed with custom ROMs, I would have preferred the Dash or the Vivo over my Nexus. Combined with the right plan from an MVNO, you can save hundreds of dollars a year and still have a great phone.
Anyone own a BLU phone? Or does anyone else prefer MVNOs/prepaid plans? Let us know in the comments.