Best buy unlocked cell phones for sale

Q: Can I buy a unlocked phone and use any carrier?

A carrier-imposed lock” is a software code that prevents your phone from working on another cellular network. With an unlocked” phone, on the other hand, you can get service with any carrier on a compatible network — and thats just one of the benefits of an unlocked phone.

Unlocked Cell Phones

Looking to buy a new smartphone? At Target, find a wide range of unlocked cell phones to choose from. Unlocked phones can be moved from one network to another, typically by swapping the SIM card inside. Look through new, pre-owned and manufacture refurbished unlocked cell phones. Whether you are looking for an Apple iPhone, a Samsung Galaxy or a Moto, you are sure to find the perfect one for you. These unlocked cell phones come with features like auto focus, built-in-GPS, Dual sim, fingerprint reader, front camera, rear camera and more. Browse through a large collection of unlocked cell phones to find the right one for you.

Table of Contents Show

Unlocked Cell Phones
What is an unlocked cell phone?
How do you use an unlocked cell phone?
Will unlocked cell phones work internationally?
What type of unlocked phones are available?
Can I get unlocked phone from bestbuy?
Is it worth buying an unlocked phone?
Can I buy an unlocked phone and put my SIM card in it?
Can I buy a unlocked phone and use any carrier?

What is an unlocked cell phone?

When you have an unlocked phone, it isn’t tied to any one specific carrier. Previously, carriers would “lock” devices to their network and services when customers purchased them on term contracts. Because the phone came with a subsidy to reduce the upfront price, the term contract was meant to ensure carriers recouped the full cost.

Locked phones weren’t able to work with other SIM cards, including those in foreign countries when travelling. As of Dec. 1, 2017, carriers were mandated by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to offer all devices unlocked, though contracts still come with subsidies. There are also cell phones you can purchase outright without a contract from a carrier.

No matter how you acquire an unlocked phone, it means you can use it with any carrier you like. That gives you some flexibility in choosing the service you feel best suits your needs.

How do you use an unlocked cell phone?

With your choice of carrier, you can use the services you pay for without having to worry about whether or not your phone is compatible. Even if you wanted to switch carriers, you can take your phone with you and join another one, often with a monthly rate plan discount for bringing your own device.

There may be rare cases where a phone may not be fully compatible with a certain carrier, though that is less likely with major carriers. Regional ones may have some restrictions, but they are increasingly less common with the latest phones.

You may have noticed terms like, “jailbreak” for iPhones, and “rooted” for Android phones. These are not the same as an unlocked phone. Jailbreaking an iPhone refers to removing restrictions related to media or app selection by installing unauthorized software to get past those limitations. While that is technically “unlocking” a phone’s capabilities, it has nothing to do with unlocking from a carrier’s network. If you do jailbreak or root a phone, you are also voiding any warranty, so beware of trying it.

Will unlocked cell phones work internationally?

Yes, unlocked phones are ideal for international travel because you only need to swap out your SIM card for another card from a local carrier to get service. This could be on a limited basis to cover the duration of your trip, or for a longer period if you will be staying to study or work in a foreign country.

Most countries support the GSM network globally, as do most cell phones, so compatibility is often not an issue. Certain countries may use wireless spectrum bands that are not in Canada, and that may result in your North American phone lacking some functionality. It’s best to do a little research before travelling to be sure.

Most Canadian carriers also offer roaming services that enable you to continue using your phone while abroad for a special daily fee. Phones don’t have to be unlocked to benefit from that, but when it is unlocked, you can choose between that or buying a local SIM card to get the best deal for yourself.

What type of unlocked phones are available?

You can find any phone from any manufacturer unlocked today. While smartphones are still widely available on contract terms from wireless carriers, you can also purchase them outright at full cost without signing any sort of contract. In either case, the phone will be unlocked, as per the CRTC rules.

These include the most popular brands, like Apple, Samsung, Google, Asus and more. And they can be the most popular flagship models with the latest and greatest features, or mid-range and affordable handsets that offer great value. No matter the type of phone you choose to go with, the brand or model will be available unlocked.

Can I get unlocked phone from bestbuy?

Most of the time, we are able to remove the lock without any loss of data. To get started, please make an appointment with your local Best Buy's Geek Squad and we'll go over what you can expect. We'll likely check in the phone and start our work there too.

Is it worth buying an unlocked phone?

Buying an unlocked phone gives you the freedom to do whatever you want with it. If you want to try out one carrier for a month and then try out another, that's totally possible. If you don't want to have any carrier attached to it at all and instead use it as a Wi-Fi-only device, that's fine, too.

Can I buy an unlocked phone and put my SIM card in it?

Unlike locked phones, which are limited to using the network carrier's SIM card, unlocked phones give you the freedom to choose your carrier. It's very simple to put a fresh SIM card in a new unlocked phone device.

Can I buy a unlocked phone and use any carrier?

A carrier-imposed “lock” is a software code that prevents your phone from working on another cellular network. With an “unlocked” phone, on the other hand, you can get service with any carrier on a compatible network — and that's just one of the benefits of an unlocked phone.