Unlocked cell phones: Put more freedom in your handset

Though they were relatively unknown just a couple of years ago, unlocked phones are a hot item in the United States. Because an unlocked phone has no settings that tie it to a particular carrier, you can use it with more than one wireless operator. That can be great for people who switch carriers, or for frequent travelers who want to make calls overseas. Also, you can choose from a wider selection of models when buying an unlocked phone.

Just remember that while all phones can be unlocked, the best unlocked handsets use GSM technology (think T-Mobile and AT&T). Also, keep in mind that the phone should support the 850 and 1900 GSM bands if you want to use it in the United States. Here are the latest unlocked phones that we've reviewed. The Sony Ericsson K850i is a superior camera phone. We didn't love its controls, but it's a solid model in all respects. The Samsung Armani has a slim and sexy design, but its touch-screen interface was tricky to use and it didn't offer as many features as we hoped for. The Nokia N82 is a powerful and well-performing smartphone, even if it lacks support for U.S. networks. For music fans, the Samsung SGH-i450 is an ideal choice, and the rugged Sonim XP1 should appeal to anyone with an extreme lifestyle.