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Buying an unlocked cellphone means you have the liberty to choose whichever carrier offers you the best plan, and switch to another whenever it’s convenient for you. I’ve done it this way for many years, and have been able to take advantage of some sweet deals and perks from carriers trying to convince me to switch.
If this sounds fun to you, then you’re going to need to start by buying an unlocked phone—but that doesn’t mean you need to spend $800, $900, or more than $1,000. Here, I’ve rounded up the best unlocked cellphone deals you can get right now.
The best deal on a unlocked Google phone: The Pixel 9 Pro
After the Google Pixel 10 was released earlier this year, the Pixel 9 Pro dropped dramatically in price—and you can still find it at the lows it hit during Amazon’s October Prime Day sale. The Pixel 9 Pro is the most premium model in the Pixel 9 lineup, and right now, an unlocked 128GB Google Pixel 9 Pro is discounted to $699 (originally $999). That’s the second-lowest price it has ever reached on Amazon, according to price-tracking tools. The 1TB version is also at a record-low price of $982.40 (originally $1,499), making it the best deal if you need upgraded storage.
The best deal on an unlocked Samsung phone: The Galaxy S25 Edge
The Galaxy S25 Edge is Samsung’s thinnest phone, and you can get it for $729.99 (formerly $1,219.99). If you’re interested in a thin and light Galaxy phone that comes with Samsung’s latest hardware, this is a great buy. It just came out this past summer, is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, and comes with 12GB of RAM and upgraded storage of 256GB. It has a dual camera setup with a 200 MP wide lens and 12 MP ultra-wide and front lenses, and it’s super thin at around 5.84mm, proving you don’t need to spend top dollar to get a great device.
What do you think so far?
The best unlocked budget Samsung deal: The Galaxy S25+
It’s not often you find this good a deal on a refurbished flagship model, but that’s what we have with the Galaxy S25+. It’s currently $598 (originally $899) from Amazon. This is an “excellent” refurbished phone from Samsung’s S25 lineup. You can see the difference between the S25 Edge and the S25+ here, but in short, they are pretty similar, with the Edge supporting a stylus and a thinner build. You can’t really go wrong with either phone.
The best unlocked budget Android deal: The Pixel 9a
If you’re looking for the best value Pixel (and arguably the best all-around Google phone yet, according to Lifehacker’s associate tech editor Michelle Ehrhardt’s review), you should consider the 128 GB unlocked Pixel 9a for $399 (originally $499). That’s the lowest price it has ever been, and honestly, it’s a great value for any Android user, with performance and design choices that outmatch its only so-so specs. If you don’t mind spending a bit more for a better camera, go with the Pixel 9 for $544.98 (originally $799), also at a great discount.
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