In the US, many carriers employ software locks that prevent you from using a phone you buy from them on a competing network. Unlocked phones—those you pay for in total up-front, often directly from the manufacturer—are different. You can generally use an unlocked phone on almost any carrier and switch carriers at will. How do you find an unlocked phone? PCMag has been writing about cell phones for more than three decades. We know unlocked phones. Our top picks include the latest…

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