The best unlocked phones you can buy today. Google Pixel 4a. The best unlocked phone overall. Display: 5.81-inch OLED (2340x1080) CPU: Snapdragon 730G RAM: 6GB Storage / Expandable. Samsung Galaxy S20 FE. Hot off the presses, the Huawei P40 Pro is yet to become available for purchase, but fans out there are already grinding their teeth. Nubia Red Magic 5G. Xiaomi Mi Note 10. Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro.

When it comes to buying phones, it’s tempting to lump your device cost into your monthly cell phone bill. Why not? The carrier offered you a few hundred dollars to switch and is discounting the phone a hundred bucks.

Consider the alternative – buying your phone outright. This method has benefits, especially if it’s unlocked. Going this route lets you decide your carrier and is void of bloatware and unwanted apps, plus more.

If you’re on the hunt for a new phone, you’ll find that the best unlocked mid-range handsets priced $250 to $400 offer tremendous value. It’s here where devices provide excellent performance that’s sure to last most consumers multiple years.

We’ve gathered a umber of attractive phones that fit in the budget of $250 to $400. Here, we showcase a variety of phone makers and models with some of the standout features.

Google Pixel 3a – $300

Not only is this one of the best unlocked mid-range values on this list, it’s probably one of the better choices for consumers shopping at any price. It’s hard to say what we love more, the amazing camera experience or the stock Android 9 Pie.

Given this is Google’s own product, it’s already lined up for the next release and beyond, too. The Snapdragon 670 processor, 4GB RAM, and 3,000mAh battery are more than sufficient for most consumers. (READ OUR REVIEW)

This one gets the Editors’ Choice award because of its all-around appeal and cost. There may be stiff competition coming down the line, but the discounted price puts this phone at the top of our list for now.

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Works with:Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and respective MVNO brands

Google | Amazon | Walmart | Best Buy | B&H | Various carriers

Razer Phone 2 – $400

If mobile gaming is something you care about, there are few phones which can rival this one, even more costly devices. The 5.7-inch display is not only sharp at 1,440 x 2,560 pixels, but the 120Hz refresh rate and insane brightness means unrivaled detail. A high-fidelity USB Type-C DAC so 3.5mm headphone users can enjoy up to 24-bit audio. Throw in IP67 waterproof rating and wireless charging and you see the appeal.

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Works with: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and respective MVNO brands

Best Chinese Unlocked Phones

Razer | Amazon | Best Buy | AT&T

Best Chinese Cell Phones

Phones

Motorola One Action – $250

Motorola’s One line is an interesting suite of devices, each with its own unique twist or user case. The One Action is what happens when you take a solid mid-range phone and pack in an action (think: GoPro) camera. Not just any old camera, mind you, but one that’s ultra-wide (117 degrees) and lets you hold the phone in any orientation you want.

There’s an octa-core processor with 4GB RAM and 128GB of storage space, with a microSD expansion card slot for up to 1TB worth of media. In other words, more phone than you know what to do with it.

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Other notable features include a large 6.3-inch display, fast charging, and a water-repellent coating. Extra points awarded for being compatible with all major carriers.

Works with: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and respective MVNO brands

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Best Chinese Unlocked Phones

Motorola | Amazon | Best Buy

Xiaomi Pocophone F1 – $300

Just because you don’t know the name of this phone doesn’t mean it’s not a good selection. A nice mix of high-end hardware with mid-range design, you’ll find a Snapdragon 845 processor with 6GB RAM and a dual-camera configuration around back. Also includes a 4,000mAh battery, microSD expansion card slot, and a 6.18-inch display.

Works with: AT&T, T-Mobile, and respective MVNO brands

Amazon | Newegg

Nokia 7.2 – $350

Sophisticated looking and powerful, there’s more than enough here to satisfy the needs of most consumers. Powered by Android 9 Pie, it’s already in line for Android 10. How do we know? It’s an Android One phone, which means years of software updates and regular security patches.

When it comes to performance, there’s a Snapdragon 660 processor with at least 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. An external microSD card slot allows for up to 512GB of media if you need more.

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In terms of cameras, there’s a lot to love here. The rear has a triple-sensor array that includes a 48-megapixel, 5-megapixel (depth), and 8-megapixel (ultra-wide) lens. Around front is a 20-megapixel camera. Rounding things out, we find a USB Type-C, 3.5mm headphone jack, and a dedicated Google Assistant button. Choose from three stunning colors: Charcoal, Cyan Green, and Ice

Works with: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and respective MVNO brands

Why Buy An Unlocked Phone

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Cheap Chinese Cell Phones

Amazon | Best Buy | B&H

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