Unlocked phones are so popular as they give you the freedom to choose your own network and pick up the best deal for your needs.
Which are the top unlocked smartphones?
Based on our testing, the Google Pixel 5a is the best unlocked phone. The Pixel 5a replaces the Pixel 4a. It offers the same excellent camera and screen as the Pixel 4a, but is a little more expensive than the last year.
It may look old-fashioned, but Apple’s cheapest iPhone is the iPhone SE, at only £399
The SE is an excellent value for money, especially considering it packs Apple’s powerful A13 processor in a small phone. Every wireless carrier offers the iPhone SE, but Apple sells it unlocked. This makes it one of the best-unlocked iPhones and allows you to take it to any other network.
Apple’s phones are usually sold unlocked, so iOS fans who want phones larger than the iPhone SE, take note. This includes the iPhone 13 that Apple just unveiled, which we have yet to review. The new iPhones’ arrival has resulted in lower prices for the remaining models. This means that you will have to spend less upfront. Samsung Galaxy S21 phones are also available unlocked. However, the Galaxy S20FE is more affordable to purchase one of the best unlocked Samsung smartphones.
These are the best unlocked phones available today.
1. Google Pixel 5a
The best unlocked phone overall. is a Google
SPECS
- Display: 5.81-inch OLED (2340×1080)
- CPU: Snapdragon 730G
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage / Expandable: 128GB / No
- Rear camera: 12.2MP (f/1.7)
- Front camera: 8MP (f/2.0)
- Weight: 5.04 ounces
- Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 8:55
- Display: 6.43-inch OLED (2400 x 1080)
- CPU: Snapdragon 765G
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage / Expandable: 128GB / No
- Rear cameras: 12.2MP (f/1.7), 16MP (f/2.2) ultrawide
- Front camera: 8MP (f/2.0)
- Weight: 6.5 ounces
- Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 9:45
- Why you should buy:
- +Detailed AMOLED display+Flagship-worthy photography+Good value
Reasons to avoid:
Outdated chipset -No U.K.
The Google Pixel 5a is our choice for the best unlocked phone, replacing its Pixel4a predecessor. The Pixel 5a is half the flagship phone price, but its 6.4-inch screen and dual rear cameras are still impressive. The device also has an IP67 rating that protects it from dust and water.
A few limitations are worth mentioning.
The first is that you can only purchase this phone in the U.S. or Japan. This makes it difficult for U.K. readers to consider buying this phone. A second problem is the lack of computing power since the chip was unchanged from the Pixel 4a 5G.
You get a capable phone camera that is still affordable at less than £500. The Pixel 5a is a great phone, even though it doesn’t have flagship features such as a high-resolution display or a telephoto lens. The Pixel 5a will get the latest update Android12 as soon as it becomes available.
2. iPhone SE
Apple lovers will love this unlocked iPhone.
Specifications
- Display: 4.7-inch LCD (1133×750).
- CPU: A13 Bionic
- RAM: 3GB
- Storage / Expandable 64GB, 128GB and 256GB /
- Rear camera 12MP (f/1.8).
- Front camera: 7MP (f/2.2).
- Weight: 5.22 ounces
- Battery life (Hrs.Mins): 9/18
- Why you should buy:
- +Affordable price
- +Top-of-the-line A13 processor+Compact design
Reasons to avoid
-No Night mode on the camera
-Big bezels
Apple’s iPhone SE is a cheaper version of its flagship handsets, similar to Google’s Pixel 4a. Cupertino still includes the same processor as the iPhone 11 line, which gives the iPhone SE a lot of performance for only £400.
There will be some compromises to get to a lower price. The iPhone SE has a single rear camera, unlike Apple’s other phones. However, that 12-megapixel lens performed well during our tests. Although the iPhone SE could have Night Mode to improve low-light photography, photos taken in normal conditions are comparable to those produced by Google’s Pixels.
Other features, such as wireless charging, are also available on the iPhone SE. The new iPhone SE is also affordable and will receive new software updates for many years. This is a benefit that often goes unnoticed by other Android phones in the same price range. This includes iOS14, which has added many new capabilities to the iPhone SE. The iPhone SE will be a small, powerful phone with iOS15 just around the corner.
3. iPhone 12
The iPhone 12 is the unlocked premium phone at its best
Specifications
- Display: 6.1 inch OLED (2532×1170).
- CPU: A14 Bionic
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage / Expandable 64GB, 128GB and 256GB /
- Rear camera: 12MP wide (f/1.6), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.4)
- Front camera: 12MP (f/2.2).
- Weight: 5.78 oz
- Battery life (Hrs.Mins): 8/25 (5G), 10/23 (LTE).
Why you should buy:
+Attractive new design with MagSafe+Comprehensive 5G coverage+Impressive dual cameras+Incredible performance
Reasons to avoid:
Only 64GB of storage base
-no charger or headphones in the box
The iPhone 13 may eventually make our top unlocked phones list.
However, the iPhone 12 is currently the best unlocked iPhone available for most people. This is mainly because Apple recently reduced the price by £100. The iPhone 12 has many of the same features as the iPhone 12 Pro but is smaller and more manageable for most users.
The iPhone 12 starts at £729 unlocked and offers 5G connectivity to more networks than any smartphone. This makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking for 5G but not tied to any provider. Apple’s 5-nanometer A14 Bionic chips, the fastest in any smartphone before the A15 Bionic, make the iPhone 12 a great choice.
We have a few complaints about the iPhone 12. The handset is quite expensive when you consider the possibility of requiring a fast charging adapter. Apple does not include one with the purchase. If we are honest, 64GB is a disappointing amount of base storage. The base storage on the iPhone 13 is increased to 128GB. The iPhone 12 is the best option for those who want the premium iPhone experience, but at a fair price.
4. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The Galaxy S21 is the unlocked premium Android phone
Specifications
- Display Size: 6.8 inches AMOLED (3200×1400); 10 to120Hz
- CPU: Snapdragon 888
- RAM: 12GB,16GB
- Storage / Expandable : 128GB. 256GB. 512GB. / No
- Rear camera: 108MP (f/1.8),12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2),10MP telephoto (3x Zoom, f/2.4),10MP telephoto (10x Zoom, f/4.9), laser sensor
- Front camera: 40MP (f/2.2).
- Weight: 8.08 ounces
- Battery life (Hrs.Mins): 11/25 (60Hz), 0:07 (adaptive).
Why you should buy:
+Dynamic 6.8 inch AMOLED display
+Dual Telephoto Lenses
+S Pen Support
+Great Battery Life
Reasons to Avoid
-No microSD or charger
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a great unlocked phone if you have the budget. It has a 6.8 inch Dynamic AMOLED screen, Snapdragon 888 Plus processor, and an optional flexible S Pen stylus. All for just £1,199.
It is large, beautiful, and powerful. It’s also a large phone, but it also has excellent photo performance. It has a high-resolution, high refresh-rate display and is very battery-friendly. You can also use the new S Pen stylus.
The S Pen allows you to get more out of apps such as Samsung Notes. It syncs across multiple devices and will enable you to add audio recordings to written notes or typed ones. You can also get more from the S21 Ultra’s wireless DeX Mode or Windows Your Phone projection, which are both available on larger displays.
5. Samsung Galaxy S21
Samsung’s best selling smartphone
Specifications
- Display: OLED Display 6.2 inches (2400×1080; 48–120Hz)
- CPU: Snapdragon 888
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage / Expandable : 128GB, 248GB / No
- Rear camera: 12MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 64MP telephoto (f/2.0), and 12MP (f/2.2).
- Front camera: 10MP (f/2.2).
- Weight: 6.07 oz
- Battery life (Hrs.Mins): 9/54
Why you should buy:
+Excellent dynamic 120Hz display+Powerful performance+Refined design
Reasons to avoid:
No MicroSD card slot or charger
– Plastic back
The Samsung Galaxy S21 unlocked phone is the best you can get in 2021. It looks great and offers a fantastic camera experience thanks to its triple-lens setup. This allows you to take better portraits and use the Space Zoom feature, providing you with 30x zoom photos. The Galaxy S21 offers more than just that.
The Snapdragon 888 processor, the latest from Qualcomm, is included, providing faster processing and higher power efficiency. The display’s 1080p resolution can run at 120Hz, giving an excellent user experience. The phone’s refresh rate can be adjusted to conserve battery life. You can set the display to 60Hz if you don’t want a faster frame rate.
Samsung made some compromises to reach the £799 price point — £200 less than last year’s S20. It is made of high-quality plastic and not glass, so it feels more premium. The box does not include a charger, and the MicroSD slot is absent. Some may question these decisions, but you can rest assured that the Galaxy S21 is a top-quality phone.
6. iPhone 11
An iPhone premium, for less
Specifications
- Display: 6.1-inch LCD (1792×828)
- CPU: A13 Bionic
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage / Expandable 64GB, 128GB and 256GB /
- Rear camera: 12MP wide (f/1.8); 12MP ultrawide (f/2.4) / 12MP
- Front camera: 12MP (f/2.2).
- Weight: 6.84 ounces
- Battery life (Hrs.Mins): 11 :20
Why you should buy:
+Ultra Wide Camera+Excellent Night Mode+A13 bionic is fast
Reasons to Avoid
-Skimpy storage in the base model
-Fast charging not included
Although the iPhone SE and iPhone 12 are some of the most desirable unlocked phones, they’re not Apple’s only options. The iPhone 11 is a larger phone that’s now £200 cheaper than its initial price.
Some phones have larger screens and better cameras than others. The iPhone 11’s lower price — now starting at £499, in the wake of the unveiling of the iPhone 13 — is too tempting to ignore. You won’t have to sacrifice as much in return for these savings. Two rear cameras still offer the same features as the iPhone 11 Pro series. For example, better photos in low lighting.
The iPhone 11’s powerful A13 Bionic processor remains the same.
The iPhone 11’s modem is slower and connects only to LTE. The iPhone 11’s modem is slower and only supports LTE. You can purchase an unlocked iPhone 11 version from Apple.
7. Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
The best Android flagship price
Specifications
- Display: 6.5-inch AMOLED (2400×1080).
- CPU: Snapdragon 865
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage / Expandable : 128GB/Yes
- Rear camera: 12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 8MP telephoto (f/2.4).
- Front camera: 32MP (f/2.2).
- Weight: 6.7 ounces
- Battery life (Hrs.Mins): 9:03
Why you should buy:
+ Big 120Hz display
+Affordable Price
+Snapdragon-865 processor and 5G
Reasons to avoid:
-The battery life can be a bit disappointing.
-The Fast Charger is not included with the phone
The Galaxy S20 may seem a bit too expensive at £999. Why not save £300 and get the Galaxy S20FE instead? The Galaxy S20 FE has many features, including a Snapdragon 865 processor that supports 5G and a 120Hz refresh rate. It also comes at a lower price.
You’ll be able to get a phone with a plastic shell instead of metal, and the telephoto lens of the FE has fewer megapixels.
The Galaxy S20 FE can be purchased unlocked at Samsung and other retailers. However, if you want to use it with Verizon, the Galaxy S20 FE will need to be the model specifically designed for Verizon’s mmWave-based network. This unlocked phone works with AT&T and T-Mobile 5G.
For £100 more you can get the Galaxy S21 FE. It’s worth noting that the Galaxy S21FE could be coming this fall.
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