Bonnie Cha, Senior Associate Editor April 8, 2010
Let's be honest: no one enjoys signing carrier contracts. They lock you down to a service provider for a length of time and you're often limited to their selection of phones. However, it doesn't always have to be that way.
Unlocked cell phones let you use the handset on multiple carrier networks by swapping SIM cards, but there are several things to remember about unlocked phones. First, it has to be a GSM handset, since those use SIM cards. Here in the States, the GSM providers are AT&T and T-Mobile; Sprint and Verizon Wireless operate CDMA networks and don't use SIM cards.
Also, prepare yourself for some sticker shock. Since these phones don't receive carrier subsidies, you're going to pay full retail price for them, which is often quite high. However, if that's a price that some are willing to pay for freedom of choice, then here are some of the latest unlocked smartphones available today.
| Product name | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $340.00 | $369.00 |
$529 unlocked. | Pricing not available |
| CNET editors' rating | ||||
| Average user rating | ||||
| Review date | December 12, 2009 | August 18, 2009 | January 06, 2010 | January 26, 2010 |
| The Bottom Line | While it has yet to reach its full potential, the Nokia N900 is a powerful mobile device with excellent browsing capabilities and vast customization options. However, its unintuitive interface and other limitations make this a smartphone for tech enthusiasts and early adopters only. | While the lack of 3G and expensive price tag will keep it out of the hands of the masses, the Samsung i890 Omnia HD is a powerful multimedia smartphone that rivals the other high-end touch-screen devices. | It doesn't have all the features we'd like, but the Nexus One greatly enhances the Google Android family with a fast processor, good call quality, and improved voice control features. What's more, we love that all versions of the phone will be unlocked. | Though the price might be off-putting to many, the Nokia E72 is a well-designed and full-featured messaging smartphone for business users. |
| Similar Products | Compare more products | Compare more products | Compare more products | Compare more products |
| Features | ||||
| Service Provider | Unlocked | Info unavailable | Unlocked | Unlocked |
| Cellular technology | WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM | Info unavailable | WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM | WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM |
| Band / mode | WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | Info unavailable | WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Wireless Interface | IEEE 802.11b/g Bluetooth 2.1 EDR | Info unavailable | Bluetooth (A2DP) Bluetooth 2.1 EDR | Bluetooth 2.0 EDR IEEE 802.11b/g |
| Weight | 6.4 oz | Info unavailable | 130 g | 4.5 oz |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
| Buying choices | | | $529 unlocked. | Pricing not available |
