The best place to buy an unlocked phone is Apple for a new iPhone, Samsung for a new Galaxy, Best Buy for brand choice and local pickup, Swappa for used phones, or Back Market for refurbished models.
This guide compares 5 places to buy an unlocked phone and explains what to check before ordering.
Best Places to Buy Unlocked Phones
| Retailer | Best for | Main advantage | Important caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | New iPhones | Direct support and unlocked models | Carrier installment plans can lock the phone |
| Samsung | New Galaxy phones | Choose your carrier and plan | Confirm the exact US model and network compatibility |
| Best Buy | Phones from multiple brands | Broad selection and store pickup | Marketplace and pre-owned listings may have different terms |
| Swappa | Used and refurbished phones | Direct buyer-to-seller marketplace | Check condition, battery health and warranty |
| Back Market | Refurbished phones | 30-day returns and a seller-backed one-year limited warranty | The warranty comes from the seller, not Back Market |
Buying from Apple or Samsung is usually the simplest option for a new phone. Best Buy works well when you want to compare brands or pick up a device locally. Swappa and Back Market offer more ways to save on pre-owned and refurbished phones.
1. Apple Is the Best Place to Buy an Unlocked iPhone
Apple is the simplest choice for a new unlocked iPhone. When you pay in full or use an Apple financing option, Apple states that the iPhone is unlocked and usable with any compatible carrier. An iPhone financed through AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon remains locked until the device is paid off.
Choose "Connect to any carrier later" during checkout if you do not want to activate a carrier plan immediately. Apple also provides setup assistance, data-transfer help and in-store support.
Buy from Apple if you want:
- A brand-new iPhone
- Apple warranty and support
- An unlocked phone without a carrier contract
- Help transferring data from your old phone
- The option to use a physical SIM or eSIM, depending on the model and carrier
2. Samsung Is the Best Place to Buy an Unlocked Galaxy Phone
Samsung sells phones labelled "Unlocked by Samsung." These devices let you choose your carrier and data plan instead of buying a phone tied to AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon.
Samsung is the best option if you want a new Galaxy S series, Galaxy Z foldable or Galaxy A series phone from the manufacturer. Buying directly also lets you compare Samsung trade-in offers, financing and warranty coverage.
Before buying an imported or international Samsung model, confirm that it supports the frequency bands, eSIM features and software version required by your US carrier.
3. Best Buy Is the Best All-Purpose Retailer
Best Buy is useful when you want to compare unlocked iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, Motorola and other Android phones in one store. Its unlocked-phone section includes new devices, pre-owned phones and refurbished models. Best Buy also offers store pickup and shipping.
Best Buy is a practical choice when you need a phone quickly or want to see a device in person before buying.
Check the product page carefully. An "unlocked" listing may be:
- A new phone sold by Best Buy
- A refurbished phone
- A pre-owned phone
- A product from a third-party seller
The warranty, return period and seller can differ between listings. For the clearest terms, choose a new device with a stated manufacturer warranty and confirm who sells and fulfils the order.
4. Swappa Is a Good Choice for Used Unlocked Phones
Swappa focuses on used and refurbished technology. Its unlocked-phone section includes used iPhones, Samsung Galaxy phones, Google Pixel devices, Motorola phones and other models. Swappa says buyers and sellers transact directly, with buyer and seller protections built into the marketplace.
Swappa also requires listed phones to be fully paid off before they can be sold. Review each listing before buying, including the seller rating, device condition, battery information and return terms.
Swappa is best when you want:
- A recent flagship phone for less than retail price
- A specific older iPhone or Galaxy model
- More choice than a typical retailer
- A marketplace with an unlocked-phone category
5. Back Market Is Useful for Refurbished Phones
Back Market sells refurbished electronics through professional refurbishers. Back Market says refurbished smartphones are tested, checked for carrier locks and covered by a 30-day return period plus a one-year limited warranty provided by the seller. It also states that refurbished devices meet a minimum battery-health standard of 80 percent under its quality promise.
Back Market can suit buyers who want a refurbished phone with a stated return period and warranty. Check the condition grade, battery policy, seller information and exact model before ordering.
An Unlocked Phone May Still Be Incompatible With Your Carrier
Unlocked does not mean universally compatible. An unlocked phone is not tied to one carrier, but it must still support your carrier's network bands, software requirements and activation features.
Before buying:
- Find the phone's exact model number and IMEI.
- Enter the IMEI into your carrier's compatibility checker.
- Confirm that the phone is unlocked.
- Check whether you need an eSIM or physical SIM.
- Confirm that the phone supports your carrier's 4G LTE and 5G networks.
Verizon requires an unlocked and network-compatible device for its bring-your-own-device program. T-Mobile uses the IMEI to check compatibility and lock status. AT&T provides a tested-device list and compatibility-checking process.
What to Check Before Buying a Used Unlocked Phone
Used phones need more checks than new phones. Confirm all of the following before completing the purchase:
- The listing says unlocked, not merely "compatible with" a carrier.
- The phone is not reported lost, stolen or blocked.
- The seller provides the exact model number.
- The battery condition is stated clearly.
- The phone has a return period.
- The phone has a remaining warranty or marketplace protection.
- The phone does not have an outstanding financing balance.
- The seller has removed the previous account from the device.
For an iPhone, Apple warns buyers not to accept a used device that shows "iPhone Locked to Owner" or requests the previous owner's Apple Account during setup.
For an Android phone, the previous owner should remove their Google Account before resetting the device. Google's device protection system can require the previous owner's account or screen-lock information after a reset.
Should You Buy an Unlocked Phone From a Carrier?
You can buy an unlocked phone from a carrier, but read the financing terms first. Carrier promotions may involve monthly bill credits, trade-in requirements or a device lock until the balance is paid.
If you want an unlocked phone immediately, look for a model specifically labelled unlocked from Apple, Samsung, Best Buy, Swappa or Back Market. Do not assume that a discounted carrier phone is unlocked just because the phone is compatible with other networks.
Bottom Line
Check the exact model and IMEI before you pay. An unlocked phone is useful only if it supports the carrier and features you plan to use.