Something strange is happening in the US, where wireless carriers once sold dramatically different phones, and buying an unlocked handset through a store that wasn't your carrier was a risky proposition best left for the gadget-savvy. Now, two-year contracts are practically a thing of the past, most-wanted phones appear on all major networks, and phone-makers are beginning to succeed in. Unlocked phones are on the rise.

Simply buy a SIM card, stick it in your device, and you're good to go. There's no need to wait for activation, and best yet, you can keep your phone around for as long or as short a time as you'd like without paying any surprise fees.

Aug 31, 2015 Phones Best unlocked Android smartphones you can. Unlocked phones are. That's mostly AT&T and T-Mobile, though Motorola phones. Shop Best Buy for a great selection of unlocked cell phones, including unlocked iPhones, Galaxy Phones, Blu Cell Phones & many other trusted brands.

Here are some of our favorite handsets that you can purchase and use wherever you go -- even all around the globe -- carrier-free. (You can use them on any compatible network; in the US, that's mostly AT&T and T-Mobile, though Motorola phones will also work with Verizon and Sprint's network technologies.). Unlock Iphone 6 Passcode Without Computer.

Editors' note: This piece was originally published June 12, 2012 and updates regularly. The Motorola Moto G is a great-value budget phone. In fact, it's one of the best, contract or no. Sarah Tew/CNET (late 2015 edition) Motorola continues to crank out Goldilocks phones whose look and feel manage to lure us in, even when the specs are ho-hum. For $220, you get a comfortable, 5-inch display with a decent camera and 16GB of storage, plus, you can swap backplates to add your own flair. There's an even cheaper model with half the storage and RAM for $180, but in our opinion, this is the one worth getting. (We're also looking forward to the higher-caliber, but that isn't out yet at the time of this story.) Read CNET's full.

On the Idol 3, either way is 'up'. Josh MIller/CNET For $250, Alcatel's Idol 3 is a high-value Android handset with a nice 13-megapixel camera, good speakers, and a large, high-resolution screen. Alcatel's phone also has an unusual feature: its software flips 'up' no matter how you hold it.. You can buy four backings if 'sandstone' doesn't do it for you. Josh Miller/CNET The sequel to last year's OnePlus One improves the phone's design, hardware and software. It gains a metal (rather than plastic) rim, a sliding switch to manage notifications, and specs that include a 5.5-inch display and a respectable 13-megapixel camera that takes nice shots. Phone Unlocker V2 2 Free Download.

It costs $390 for the 64Gb version and there are four alternate backings you can buy, such as in Kevlar or wood, if the default 'sandstone' isn't your thing.. This is our favorite ZTE phone yet. Josh Miller/CNET ZTE's high-end Axon Pro is a competitively-priced flagship worthy of the name. Its $500 price tag brings with it an ultracrisp 2,560 x 1,440-pixel resolution on a 5.5-inch screen, and its polished body comes in three colors: blue, silver and gold. The phone's capable 13-megapixel camera and hardware performance make it a truly excellent unlocked handset.. This is a likable $250 device. CNET It's got a pretty, lightweight design with a 5-inch screen and all the Android software fixings.

This $250 phone gives others in the budget category a run for their money. While specs aren't as high as on Alcatel's phone, for instance, the P8 Lite still satisfies casual users. Read the full.