The best unlocked Android phones for demanding users

If you don’t like buying phones on contracts, unlocked Android phones are for you. They’re available from various retailers and can be used with any carrier of your choice. Unlocked smartphones also allow you to switch between carriers with ease.

Before jumping into our top picks, note that this article only includes devices officially released in the US and backed by a warranty. It’s also focused on high-end handsets aimed at demanding users. If you’re looking for something more affordable, check out our roundup of the best cheap Android phones you can get. You’ll also find a few great budget-friendly and mid-range options in our best prepaid phones post.

First: The pros and cons of going with an unlocked phone

What is an unlocked phone?

SIM-unlocked phones are devices with no limitations as to which GSM network they can be used on. You can pop any SIM card into an unlocked phone, and everything should work. Of course, this is given that the unlocked handset supports the bands the network uses.

On the other hand, carrier-locked smartphones only work with a specific carrier. These are usually devices sold straight from the carrier, and they’re locked to avoid fraud. People might stop paying for their plans and take the phones elsewhere, or they could stop paying smartphone payment plans. Carrier-locked devices give cellphone service providers a level of protection to avoid losing money on subsidized or unpaid smartphones.

That said, carriers often have some kind of unlocking policy for smartphones. You can check your carrier’s website for more details.

Also: Unlocked phones vs. carrier phones

The best unlocked Android phones

Editor’s note: We’ll regularly update this list of the best unlocked phones as new devices launch.

Samsung Galaxy S23 series

The Samsung Galaxy S23 series includes three of the best unlocked Android phones: the standard S23, the S23 Plus, and the S23 Ultra. They all have the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, so you should have no issues with pure performance.

The Galaxy S23 is the cheapest and smallest of the lot, but it is pretty similar to the S23 Plus, apart from the display, battery size, and charging speeds. The S23 Plus can charge faster at 45W instead of the S23’s 25W charging. Both have 8GB of RAM and come with up to 512GB of storage. The S23 Plus has no 128GB option, though. They also have the same camera setups: a 50MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultrawide camera, and a 10MP telephoto lens.

The S22 Ultra, on the other hand, is an absolute beast. It handily beats the other two across a variety of features. It has a massive 6.8-inch QHD+ display, but all devices feature a 120Hz refresh rate and a gorgeous Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel. The S22 Ultra also has the most cameras, including a 200MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultrawide camera, and two 10MP telephoto sensors, one of which is a periscope camera. There’s also a laser autofocus sensor in the back and a 12MP front camera. Not to mention the larger 5,000mAh battery.

Galaxy S23 specs:

Galaxy S23 Plus specs:

Galaxy S23 Ultra specs:

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Z Fold 4

Not only is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 one of the best unlocked phones you can get, but it’s also one of the most fun and interesting ones. The device’s unique design, reminiscent of classic flip phones, makes it a special conversation starter. Not to mention you can relive the dramatic method of hanging up a call by shutting the phone close!

Cool design aside, the phone is no slouch. It has a powerful Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor and 8GB of RAM. The foldable display is excellent, measuring 6.7 inches and featuring a Full HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. You even get a small display on the outside for notifications. The only real downside is the battery is pretty small at 3,700mAh, but that’s the sacrifice you must make when you go for such a small foldable handset.

More: The best foldable phones available

If you want a larger screen and a more premium experience, consider the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4. While the Z Flip 4 is a tiny device that folds out into a regular-sized handset, the Z Fold 4 is more of a regular-sized device that folds out into a tablet.

The Galaxy Z Fold 4 is also a very powerful handset, and Samsung made no compromises. Specs include a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, 12GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of storage. It also features a 4.400mAh battery, a triple camera setup, and a large 7.6-inch main display. It’s also one of the most expensive phones around, though.

Galaxy Z Flip 4 specs:

Galaxy Z Fold 4 specs:

Google Pixel 7 series

Google’s latest Pixel 7 family features two impressive handsets. The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro have a unique design, competent performance, great displays, and a fantastic smartphone experience.

A lot of this is due to the Google promise, which includes the vanilla Android experience and timely updates. That’s not all the phones have going for them, though. They also come with Google’s new Tensor G2 chipset and plenty of RAM, keeping them running smoothly, regardless of what you throw at them.

Next: All the best Google products around

The standard Pixel 7 features a 6.3-inch AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, while the Pixel 7 Pro takes things up a notch with a 6.7-inch QHD+ LTPO AMOLED panel running at 120Hz. We can’t forget about the prices, which come in at very competitive levels. You can’t ignore these devices when looking for the best unlocked Android phones.

Pixel 7 specs:

Pixel 7 Pro specs:

ASUS ROG Phone 6 and 6 Pro

The ASUS ROG Phone 6 series is extraordinary. These devices were made for gaming, make no compromises, and blow other phones out of the water in nearly every department.

The phones come with powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipsets and up to a whopping 18GB of RAM. Both also feature a massive 6,000mAh battery. The display is equally impressive, featuring an AMOLED panel with a 165Hz refresh rate and a sizeable 6.78-inch size.

These unlocked Android phones will also offer other unique features to improve your gaming experience. They come with a whopping 720Hz touch response time, shoulder triggers, the ASUS Armoury Crate app, and the gaming look we know many of you love.

ROG Phone 6 specs:

ROG Phone 6 Pro specs:

Sony Xperia 1 IV

Sony is known for making some of the most expensive smartphones, and the Sony Xperia 1 IV is absolutely no exception. Its MSRP is set at a whopping $1,599 in the USA. Is it worth it? It depends.

The Sony Xperia 1 IV is definitely a high-end phone. It comes with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, 12GB of RAM, as much as 512GB of storage, a large 5,000mAh battery, and a gorgeous 6.5-inch OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and 4K resolution.

While very capable, those are specs you can usually get from most other high-end phones, and they don’t cost nearly as much. What makes the Sony Xperia 1 IV so special? It’s mostly its camera capabilities. Sony’s specialized camera features power the triple 12MP shooters. These include unique content-creator apps, amazing 4K video capture (which can go as high as 120fps), and stunningly fast autofocus, similar to what we see in Sony mirrorless cameras. It even offers other cool mirrorless features like eye autofocus.

The Sony Xperia 1 IV may be the best option for mobile videographers. It’s also still one of the best camera phones available.

Xperia 1 IV specs:

OnePlus 11

While it launched only in China initially, the OnePlus 11 is reaching global markets, including North America. This is one of the best unlocked phones you can get, offering a premium design, capable performance, and overall high-end experience.

Specs are nothing to scoff at. The OnePlus 11 comes with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and up to 16GB of RAM. The screen is gorgeous, offering a 6.7-inch LTPO3 Fluid AMOLED panel with a QHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate.

You also get an IP64 rating, which sadly isn’t as good as the OnePlus 10 Pro’s IP68 rating. Also included are a large 5,000mAh battery and 100W fast charging (80W in the USA). Any phone with these characteristics should cost a small fortune, and while the OnePlus 11 isn’t cheap, it’s surprisingly competitive with a $900 MSRP.

OnePlus 11 specs:

These are our picks for the best unlocked Android phones you can get in the US, although there are plenty of other great options out there as well. There’s also a chance you won’t mind going with a locked phone, as doing so comes with its benefits. You should check out our list of the best Android phones if you need more options and can handle a carrier-locked device.