Unlock Big Savings On Smartphones By Buying "Unlocked"

Do you know what an "unlocked" cellphone is? Here's your unofficial definition: A phone which isn't "software" locked to any specific carrier and can be used on the network of your choice. Just in time for Black Friday, tech expert Juan Carlos Bagnell walks us through what that really means for you and your wallet in the video above.

In practical terms, an unlocked phone is very similar to the phones you buy from carriers. For example, Google's Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are carrier exclusives on Verizon but you can buy the phones unlocked direct from Google. Same phones, two different options. If you want to lease the Pixel, and keep everything "under one roof" so to speak, you can purchase through Verizon. If you want to take it elsewhere, or even use it on Verizon's network, you can buy from Google and you won't be locked into any carrier agreements.

If you're a business user, this is a great way to buy because many unlocked phones come with SIM slots which support two SIM cards being used at the same time. That means that if you have your service here in the States with one carrier, and travel abroad frequently, you can keep the SIM from the country you regularly travel to in your phone and just use it as soon as you're on the ground in the other country. Convenient!

The phones mention in the segment are:

 

Budget Unlocked Phones:

Moto e4 Plus $140 with ads and Moto G5 Plus $185 with ads - Amazon Prime versions with ads  

Alcatel Idol 5S  $175 with ads or $280 without.

 

Mid-Tier Unlocked Phones:

OnePlus 5 $480

Blackberry KEYone $540

 

Premium Unlocked Phones:

Huawei Mate 10 TBA 

Razer Phone $700