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Best unlocked phones priced $600 and higher

AndroidGuys
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When it comes to purchasing a mobile device, buying an unlocked phone might be one of the smartest routes to take. There are plenty of reasons to consider an unlocked phone, including freedom to select and change carriers.

Given that technology outpaces consumer demands, most of us don’t really need a brand new flagship phone. But for those who like to stay on the cutting edge of technology, a high-end phone is always interesting.

If you’re shopping around for a new phone, and want to work with a fairly open-ended budget, we’ve got good news. There is a lot to choose from as it pertains to unlocked handsets in that price range.

We’ve gathered up a handful of attractive options that fall in the area of $600 or higher. Here, we showcase a variety of phone makers and models with some of the standout features.

How we Decided

We set a few basic guidelines in place to help consolidate the list of candidates. The models that follow all had to adhere to a couple of pre-requisites. Each phone has to run Android 11 or newer and have at least 8GB RAM. Additionally, we trimmed our list to devices with batteries of 4,000mAh or higher capacity.

This means current versions of software, plenty of memory for any task, and battery that easily lasts through a day or more.

Google Pixel 5

Google’s latest smartphone, the Pixel 5, builds on its predecessors in all the right ways, including price. Slightly less expensive than the previous generation, it’s a well-rounded phone that dances between mid-range and high-end hardware.

It runs the newest and most powerful version of Android yet and features another excellent camera experience, especially for the point-and-shoot user types. Standout details include water-resistant coating, wireless charging, and the return of the fingerprint reader.

Purchase the Google Pixel 5

OnePlus 9 Pro

The most powerful handset that OnePlus has ever produced, this one has pretty much every bell and whistle imaginable. Starting with the 6.7-inch display with an incredibly high 120Hz refresh rate and Fluid Display technology, things only get more interesting.

Strength comes from the Qualcomm snapdragon 888 processor with up to 12GB LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB UFS 3.1 storage, while the Android 11-based OxygenOS software gives users a delightful interface.

Perhaps most interestingly for this year, however, is the inclusion of Hasselblad camera tuning which results in more accurate and natural colors. It goes quite well with the 48-megapixel, 50-megapixel ultra-wide, and 3.3x telephoto cameras.

Purchase the OnePlus 9 Pro

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

The cream of the crop when it comes to Samsung’s 2021 phone lineup, very few handsets can rival its performance. Not only that, but it’s prettier than ever with the new color options, too.

Come for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor and the 12GB RAM, stay for the 5,000mAh battery and quad-core camera. Of course there’s plenty in between as well and it’s all in service of high-end prowess.

Everything runs smoothly but it looks even smoother when you’ve got a 6.8-inch Quad HD+ display that delivers to the tune of 120Hz refresh rate.

Purchase the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

ASUS ROG Phone 5

A gamer’s delight, this is the sort of phone that you look for if refresh rates, touch sampling rates, and cooling fans are a concern. That’s to say they’re high on hardware and often feature extra touches designed specifically for mobile gaming.

Powered by Android 11, this one offers up a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor with up to 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB UFS3.1 storage. We’re talking cream of the crop stuff.

The 6.78-inch screen has a 2448 x 1080 resolution and boasts incredibly high brightness (800 nits), touch sampling rate (144Hz), and HDR10+ certification. In other words, every game you throw at this one is gonna look great.

Other standout features include Gorilla Glass Victus, a triple camera array, multiple inputs for gaming controls, high-end audio, and a 6,000mAh battery to make sure your gaming lasts as long as you do.

Purchase the ASUS ROG Phone 5

Best Android phones at Ultra Mobile

AndroidGuys
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There are plenty of wireless service providers to choose from, at least here in the United States. In fact, some readers might think there are too many options to consider. But when it comes down to it, many of them rely on the networks offered by Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

Ultra Mobile, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), is one such carrier. Indeed, it has its own rate plans and features, but it licenses coverage from T-Mobile.

When it comes to buying a phone for use on Ultra Mobile there are a few options to consider. For starters, you can bring your current T-Mobile or unlocked device to the carrier. Additionally, you can buy an unlocked phone for use on Ultra Mobile.

Customers can also purchase a phone directly from Ultra Mobile. There’s quite a robust selection to choose from, but select models rise to the top.

What follows are some of the best Android phones available at Ultra Mobile today. These aren’t the most powerful, but rather the best for particular needs.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G

“The cream of the crop when it comes to Samsung’s 2021 phone lineup, very few handsets can rival its performance. Not only that, but it’s prettier than ever with the new color options, too.

Come for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor and the 12GB RAM, stay for the 5,000mAh battery and quad-core camera. Of course there’s plenty in between as well and it’s all in service of high-end prowess.

Everything runs smoothly but it looks even smoother when you’ve got a 6.8-inch Quad HD+ display that delivers to the tune of 120Hz refresh rate. “

Shop Galaxy S21 Ultra at Ultra Mobile

Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition

Well-rounded Flagship

If you’re on the hunt for a phone that you plan to own for a few years, you don’t want to cut corners. You want a flagship phone. The problem is that too many of them cost way more than we’re willing to spend.

The Fan Edition of the flagship S20 is what happens when you keep the most important stuff and toss aside the frills (and extra cost).

Here, you get a large screen with high refresh rate, a large battery, three rear cameras, and a modern Android and user interface. Offered in two attractive colors, it’s the S20 you deserve.

Shop Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition at Ultra Mobile

Samsung Galaxy A51

Modest Mid-range

One of the best things about today’s breed of smartphones is that you can often purchase a generation or two later and still end up with more than you need. Or, you can go with the Galaxy A series which is a way to get many of the better features found in more prominent models.

For about one third of today’s top phones you can get something that will last a couple of years. We’re talking plenty of hardware, a beauty of a screen, and one of the better cameras around. Here you’ll get a sizable (6.5-inch) screen, plenty of memory and storage, and a quad-camera setup on the back.

Shop Samsung Galaxy A51 at Ultra Mobile

Motorola Moto G Stylus

Multi-Tasking

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly approach to a phone with a digital stylus, this Motorola is your ticket. Priced a fraction of the Samsung counterpart, it’s an incredible mid-range phone with a quad-camera experience.

Powered by a largely untouched Android 10, it offers up a 6.4-inch screen, a bunch of storage (128GB), and a strong battery. Throw in a headphone jack, USB Type-C charging port, and dual speakers and we’ve got an affordable winner that suits many users.

Shop Motorola Moto G Stylus at Ultra Mobile

Motorola Moto E

Budget-Friendly & Stock Android

We absolutely love what Motorola does with its Android phones. They run a bare bones software experience that leaves things the way Google intended, and feature affordably priced alternatives to flagships.

Here, you get a big (6.2-inch) screen, a very modern build of Android (10), and respectable smattering of mid-range hardware. Key details include an octa-core processor, 32GB internal storage, and a microSD card slot for external media.

Other things we appreciate? A water resistant coating, USB Type-C charging, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Shop Motorola Moto E at Ultra Mobile

Master & Dynamic MW08 true wireless earbuds review

Scott Webster
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Master & Dynamic’s latest audio offering is the MW08, a successor to the MW07 line (2019) of truly wireless earbuds. Priced $299, they’re available in a variety of colors: white, black, blue, and brown.

Although they bear a striking similarity to its predecessors, the new earbuds are composed of different materials and boast improved battery life and active noise cancellation (ANC).

Our team has been provided a pair of MW08 earbuds and spent a few weeks listening to music, audiobooks, and podcasts in a variety of environments. Here’s our review of the Master & Dynamic MW08.

Design

At first blush the MW08 looks identical to other models in the Master & Dynamic lineup, but they’re subtly different. They’re a tad bit smaller which makes them a smidge lighter, leading to a more comfortable in-ear experience. 

Also, flipping them over reveals that the built-in stabilizer fins or wings that helped keep the MW07 stay in ear are not present. You won’t need them, though, because these are comfortable to wear, even for longer periods. 

As for materials, these are premium earbuds all the way through. The polished ceramic looks sharp; we were able to see both the black and white versions of the finish and each were attractive. The only plastic you’ll really find here is just behind the outer housing and stainless always classes things up.

The white earbud’s carrying case, which sits and opens along on its narrow edge, comes in with a stainless steel finish. We have a pair of the MW07’s that also come with a stainless steel case and found it picks up scuffs and scratches quite easily. So, if that’s something that concerns you, opt for the black version of the MW08 as it has a matte black case.

The case charges up via USB Type-C and has three lights to indicate the level of battery. Master & Dynamic says the case can charge up to 50% in just 15 minutes and we can verify that is accurate. Moreover, it only takes 45 minutes to full charge the case.

As far as battery life goes, Master & Dynamic say you should get about 12 hours of playback at 50% volume levels with around 10 hours for ANC mode. Our testing saw it falling short of these figures but not by much. The case allows for nearly three more full charges, too. Our habit of charging once every week or so was just fine for our needs, especially considering the speed.

Features

The MW08 retains the same physical controls from the previous generation, something we immediately appreciate. That is to say that they are easy to locate without looking and respond firmly to pressing. Also great, it takes very little time to figure them out.

The left earbud has two buttons which control volume levels but long pressing them enables and disables ANC and ambient listening modes. 

The earbuds have a built-in optical sensor that can detect when they’re removed from your ear, immediately pausing music. There is an option to disable this feature in the companion mobile app but it does help with battery life.

I like the tactile feel that comes with a physical button press, and the MW08’s are quite clicky and more responsive than the tap-based stuff used by other brands. You’ll want to brace the underside of the earbud when pushing any buttons, though, but a simple pinch of the earbud suffices; it’s a one-handed gesture on either ear.

When it comes to pairing, the MW08 only allow you to have one device actively paired with them at a time. Should you have a laptop, tablet, or another user in the house that might like to share the earbuds you’ll have to put them into pairing mode (long press right ear bud) each time you switch. It’s not a deal-breaker for us as we tend to stick with one device for music needs, but it’s worth pointing out.

Active noise cancellation is present and from our very unscientific testing, we think it’s considerably better at blocking external and environmental noises. It does a great job of filtering and removing voice in particular. If you plan to wear your earphones in a home office, coffee shop, or library, you’ll likely not hear a thing other than your music.

New for the MW08 is an M&D Connect app from Master & Dynamic. Simple and straightforward, it gives listeners a bit of control over their audio experience. It’s a good start for the company as it allows for switching between Max ANC and All Day ANC settings as well configurations for battery and ambient mode.

We’d really like to see the ability to manage EQ settings for various types of audio content but that’s more of a want than a need. On their own, the MW08 are balanced nicely and the overall experience is a solid one. Perhaps an update will allow for this in due time.

Audio

We’re huge fans of the Master & Dynamic brand and have yet to come across one of its products that leave us unfulfilled or needing more, especially when it comes to the sound. The MW08 are just the latest for a company who continually steps up to the plate only to knock homers out of the park.

Giving that we are not an audiophile website or one that centers around headphones, we know good audio when we hear it. The experience here is right in line with expectations in that it’s warm and inviting, evenly distributed, and crisp.

We’ll occasionally enable the ambient listening mode so that we can half-listen for someone who may be looking to get our attention. Moreover, we’ll usually dip in and out of ANC based on what we’re doing. Regardless of the mode we find that it’s quite apparent when they’re enabled and when they’re disabled; it’s not ambiguous at all.

Taking calls on truly wireless earbuds is always a touch strange if only because it sounds like the caller is inside your head. With that in mind, voice is very clear and balanced for phone calls.

Conclusion

Master & Dynamic have another winning pair of earbuds with the MW08 and we feel very comfortable recommending them for people looking for a quality set.

We’d like to see wireless charging in successive models, and we’d appreciate being able to pair to more than one device at a time, but those details don’t deter us this round.

We suggest the matte black case if you play it a little fast and loose with your accessories as the stainless steel does show its wear and tear easily. Either way, the ceramic earbuds look and sound excellent.

Learn more about the MW08 true wireless earbuds at the Master & Dynamic website where you can purchase them in a handful of colors for $299.

Qualcomm security flaw could allow hackers to listen to your calls, millions of Android phones are affected

Jason England
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Recently, Israeli security firm Check Point Research announced that it found a flaw in Qualcomm’s chips that could allow hackers to listen in on your calls. This is a big deal considering a very large portion of Android devices are powered by the Snapdragon series of processors made by Qualcomm.

Popular smartphones from Samsung, Google, OnePlus, LG, and more all use Qualcomm’s chipsets. Check Point says that it’s possible up to 30% of all Android phones could be affected. However, if you’re using a phone powered by another chipset, such as MediaTek, Exynos, or Kirin–then your device would be unaffected.

According to the report, the flaw is located in the Mobile Station Modem and has been present in Qualcomm chips since the early 1990s up until present day.

We discovered a vulnerability in a modem data service that can be used to control the modem and dynamically patch it from the application processor. An attacker can use such a vulnerability to inject malicious code into the modem from Android. This gives the attacker access to the user’s call history and SMS, as well as the ability to listen to the user’s conversations. A hacker can exploit the vulnerability to unlock the SIM, thereby overcoming the limitations of the service providers imposed on the mobile device.

It is not known if the flaw has been exploited out in the wild yet, but Check Point first reported it to Qualcomm back in October of 2020. In a statement to Tom’s Guide, Qualcomm says it made a fix available to patch the flaw back in December 2020.

However, the catalog number for the bug, CVE-2020-11292, has not been referenced in any security bulletins published for Android. Perhaps Google patched it quietly, or another manufacturer such as Samsung has done so. Regardless, if you haven’t received a security update for your phone since November 2020, then your phone is most likely vulnerable.

There’s really nothing you can do about it at this time though, except for continuing to check for updates for your phone. The good news is, Qualcomm says a scenario where your phone would be exploited by this flaw is very unlikely because it would require breaching Android security first.

Furthermore, Check Point also left out many technical details about the vulnerability to prevent aiding any hackers in using it, and there have not been any reports of it being used as of yet.

 

Google implements new menu option for YouTube TV in the main YouTube app for Roku

Andrew Allen
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The ongoing battle between Google and Roku continues. Google sent another update email out a few hours ago offering a new, slick solution to YouTube TV users who might have been left out in the cold when Roku pulled the app from its TV platform.

You can now access YouTube TV directly from the standard YouTube app on Roku devices. This means the YouTube TV app is pretty much irrelevant if you don’t mind searching a bit for the new option inside YouTube’s proper app.

To get this newfound option you need to follow the following steps laid out by Google.

  • Open up the main YouTube app
  • Motion to the left of the screen with the remote to reveal the Menu
  • Scroll past the Settings option at the bottom
  • Select “Go to YouTube TV”‘

Boom! Now, even if you missed out on installing YouTube TV before this heated dispute, you can now access all the live TV you’ve been paying for through the YouTube app on Roku.

Google is rolling this new addition to the YouTube app over the next few days according to this announcement. So, if you don’t see the YouTube TV option right away give it some time. It’s also reminding users of Roku devices that both companies are still actively trying to come to a resolution that would see the YouTube TV app return.

Either way, it’s both sad and clever to see Google implement this tweak to keep YouTube TV subscribers happy on Roku devices.

Google Assistant is getting some new family-focused features in time for Mother’s Day

Jason England
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Mother’s Day is this weekend and Google has some new features for Assistant to make running your household even easier. For starters, it is expanding the Broadcast feature to work on phones.

Broadcast is one of the most useful features when communicating with the members in your house. It allows you to send a message across all Assistant-enabled devices such as, “time for dinner” to gather everyone to the dining table at once. That beats yelling, and it’s like having your own personal intercom system.

How could Google make this even better? By extending it to your phone of course. Now, with Family Broadcast when you send a Broadcast message, it will pop up on everyone’s phone, no matter if they have an Android or an iPhone. Plus, they can even reply back using their voice. Just make sure each person has the Google app installed and that you have them in your Google Family Group.

Next up, Family Bell is expanding to eight new languages, including French, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, German, Hindi, and Korean. The change won’t happen by Mother’s Day, but Google says it will be rolling out over the coming weeks. What is rolling out immediately, is the ability to have Family Bells ring across multiple Assistant smart speakers or displays.

In case you didn’t know, Family Bell is like setting a reminder on steroids. It allows you to create reminders for those tasks you always forget to do and pick which Assistant-enabled speaker or display you want it to pop-up on. It even allows for repeating reminders so you can make sure to get the trash out every week, or whatever else you keep forgetting to do. Also, just like with timers and alarms, you can just say “stop” when you hear the Family Bell without having to say “Hey Google” first.

More stories and games are coming to Assistant smart displays and speakers as well. It’s all kicking off with some Harry Potter stories thanks to Google’s partnership with Pottermore Publishing. Just say “Hey Google, tell me a Quidditch Story” and you’ll be able to learn more about the fantastical sport from the world of Harry Potter. And later this year, there will be more stories to come from the Wizarding World.

The “Who Was?” series is also coming to smart displays from Penguin Random House. Just say “Hey Google, talk to Who Was Heroes” and you can listen to stories about Ida B. Wells, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and more than 100 others. A full list can be viewed by saying, “Hey Google, tell me a story.”

Do you think you’re smarter than a fifth grader? Well, now you can find out, because you the popular game show has come to smart displays. All you have to do is say, “Hey Google, talk to Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?” and get ready to have some fun.

Google also has a special Easter egg for Mother’s Day. If you want to see what it is, then try setting a timer on the special day and find out.

Additionally, there are some new songs joining the handwashing song for kids. You can now request songs for cleaning up, brushing your teeth, and even for sleeping. To do that, just try these commands, “Hey Google, sing the clean up song,” “Hey Google, sing the brush your teeth song,” or “Hey Google, sing the go to sleep song.”

How to watch Disney Plus with others using GroupWatch

Jason England
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During the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve seen a lot of normal every day activities change. Some have changed for the near term, and some will be long-lasting changes. One of the things we used to take for granted before the COVID-19 hit was getting together to watch movies and TV with our friends and family.

Fortunately, many of the streaming services have stepped up with Watch Party features to allow us to stream together while apart. Some of the services that support this include Disney+, Hulu, and Prime Video. Today, we’ll look at how to start GroupWatch when using Disney Plus so you can watch your favorite shows and movies with others.

Before we get started, you’ll need to use a device that supports GroupWatch. This includes all Disney+ supported devices except select Roku models and the PS4. Next, you can only start GroupWatch on the website or using the app. However, you can accept invites on your TV or switch to your TV after accepting an invite.

1. Open the Disney+ website on your computer or the app on your mobile device.
2. Navigate to the video title you’d like to watch with others using GroupWatch.
3. Click on GroupWatch, and send the invite link to the others you’d like to watch the video with.

That’s all there is to it. Now you can enjoy your favorites from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and more with all your friends and family–even when you can’t be together in the same room.

GroupWatch allows for up to seven people to watch at the same time, including up to four profiles from the same Disney+ account. Also, during playback, you can share reactions on the website or using the mobile app, even if you’re watching from your TV.

If you ever get disconnected or exit the app, opening it back up should prompt you to rejoin the GroupWatch. If not, then navigate back to the video title and click on the GroupWatch icon to join again.

Some other things you should know. Only the person starting the GroupWatch can start the video title, but once it is actively playing, anyone in the group can pause, resume, fast forward, or rewind the video.

Play Store’s safety section brings Apple like Privacy Labels to Android

Jason England
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Apple first introduced Privacy Labels back in 2020 that gave users an overview of the data apps collect or have access to. It’s essentially akin to a nutrition label you find on the side of food packages. Since then, users on Android have wondered, when will Google step up and do the same?

Looks like the answer is soon, but not too soon. Google recently posted a pre-announcement of a new “safety section” that’s coming to the Play Store on the Android Developers Blog. The new safety section is meant to “help people understand the data an app collects or shares, if that data is secured, and additional details that impact privacy and security.”

It will do this in several ways. One of the ways is by displaying whether an app has certain security features, such as data encryption. Another way will be by displaying whether or not it abides by Android’s Families policy.

Furthermore, it will also show which data the app needs to function, as well as showing if that data is required or optional, giving users the choice of whether or not to share it. Even better, if an app allows for you to request your data to be deleted when you uninstall it, that will also be displayed.

Of course, all of this is dependent on app developers actually being upfront and honest about their privacy practices. That’s why Google will hold developers accountable by requiring them to fix any violations of the new policy as well as any data they have misrepresented.

Failure to do so, will make the developer “subject to policy enforcement.” Whatever that means, as Google has not laid out what the punishment could entail. Most likely, it would lead to the app being pulled or at the very least unlisted until the infractions have been addressed.

All of this is fantastic news for privacy-minded Android users, even Google’s own apps will be subject to displaying this safety information. Unfortunately, the current deadline is the second quarter in 2022, that’s when all new and existing apps will be required to add this information.

However, the safety section will debut in the first quarter of 2022, so you may begin seeing some developers taking advantage of it at the beginning of next year.

 

Best unlocked phones between $400-$600

AndroidGuys
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0

When it comes to purchasing a mobile device, buying an unlocked phone might be one of the smartest routes to take. There are plenty of reasons to consider an unlocked phone, including freedom to select and change carriers.

Given that technology outpaces consumer demands, most of us don’t really need a brand new flagship phone. In fact, even the devices that are 1-2 years old are more than sufficient for the typical user. That’s largely where we are here in this list of best unlocked phones.

If you’re shopping around for a new phone, and can work with a decent budget, we’ve got good news. There is a lot to choose from as it pertains to unlocked handsets that don’t cost all that much.

We’ve gathered up a handful of attractive options that fall in the price range of $400 to $600. 

How we Decided

We set a few basic guidelines in place to help consolidate the list of candidates. The models that follow all had to adhere to a couple of pre-requisites. Each phone has to run Android 10 or newer and have at least 6GB RAM. Additionally, we trimmed our list to devices with batteries of 3,000mAh or higher capacity.

This means current versions of software, a decent amount of memory for most tasks, and battery that lasts through a day or more.

Google Pixel 4a 5G

One of the best all around smartphones you’ll find on the market, it’s the perfect blend of mid to upper tier hardware with Android the way it’s intended. And it also has one of the premier camera experiences for those who like to point and shoot without fussing with settings or switching cameras.

For your money you’ll get an excellent device with more than enough to get your daily tasks done. A Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage runs the show and the 3800mAh battery makes sure the show lasts all day.

Other features we’re fond of include the 5G connectivity, 3.5mm headphone jack, and ultra-wide camera.

Purchase the Google Pixel 4a 5G

Motorola Edge

A stunning departure from the entry-level Moto G and E series of phones, this Motorola handset is big, gorgeous, and largely future-proof for most users.

Running a stock version of Android, the phone features Motorola’s custom touches for personalization and user delight. The 6.7-inch 2340 x 1080 pixel display stretches edge to edge with a hole-punch camera and looks great playing games or streaming video.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 765 processor may be mid-range by industry standards but when paired with 6GB RAM and a generous amount of storage (256GB), it’s hard to argue for more.

Purchase the Motorola Edge

Nokia 8.3 5G

Nokia is one of our favorite brands in the unlocked phone space, if only because of the way it treats Android. Its handsets come with a stock version of the software and are backed by multiple years of updates and security patches.

It does well on the hardware front, too, offering consumers a great bang-for-buck value proposition. Here, you get a high-end device with 5G support, but at a much cheaper rate than what other brands demand.

Noteworthy details include a quad camera system with ZEISS cinematic effects, a combo power button and fingerprint reader, a dedicated Google Assistant button, and a two-day battery.

Purchase the Nokia 8.3 5G

OnePlus 8T

About as well-rounded of a phone that you’ll find, the OnePlus 8T also does a great job of keeping its price in check. It’s powered by Android 11, offers 5G support, and comes with a whole suite of high-end hardware.

On the front the 6.55-inch screen comes with a 120Hz refresh rate and in-display fingerprint reader while the rear houses four cameras.

Inside is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor with no less than 8GB RAM and storage comes in with at least 128GB. Top it all off with a 4,500mAh battery with an incredibly fast Warp Charge 65.

Purchase the OnePlus 8

TCL 10 Pro

Chock full of beefy hardware with a stock Android software experience, this phone punches well above its price point. You’ll have a difficult time getting more out of a phone at this price, let alone needing more.

The 6.47-inch FHD+ curved AMOLED display has a 93% screen-to-body ratio and looks gorgeous; it does know a thing or two about screens.

On the camera front we have four on the back, including a 64-megapixel main shooter and a super-wide (123-degree) unit. Other notable specifications include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 processor, 6GB RAM, and up to 128GB internal storage.

Purchase the TCL 10 Pro

Best unlocked mid-range phones between $250-$400

AndroidGuys
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0

When it comes to purchasing a mobile device, buying an unlocked phone might be one of the smartest routes to take. There are plenty of reasons to consider an unlocked phone, including freedom to select and change carriers.

While it’s tempting to lump your phone’s cost into a monthly cell phone bill, doing this for multiple people can get expensive. A family of four could be looking at hundreds of dollars each month in phone costs alone.

Given that technology outpaces consumer demands, most of us don’t really need a brand new flagship phone. In fact, even the devices that are 1-2 years old are more than sufficient for the typical user. That’s largely where we are here in this list of best unlocked budget phones.

If you’re shopping around for a new phone, and want to work with a modest budget, we’ve got good news. There is a lot to choose from as it pertains to unlocked handsets that don’t cost all that much.

We’ve gathered up a handful of attractive options that fall in the price range of $250 to $400. Here, we showcase a variety of phone makers and models with some of the standout features.

How we Decided

We set a few basic guidelines in place to help consolidate the list of candidates. The models that follow all had to adhere to a couple of pre-requisites. Each phone has to run Android 10 or newer and have at least 4GB RAM. Additionally, we trimmed our list to devices with batteries of 4,000mAh or higher capacity.

This means current versions of software, a decent amount of memory for everyday tasks, and battery that lasts through a day or more.

LG Stylo 6

Big, practical, and the only one with a stylus, the LG Stylo 6 provides users with a large screen and an extra bit of functionality. The 6.8-inch display offers up plenty of high-definition space for scribbling notes, marking up documents, and more.

Running Android 10, the phone is powered by an octa-core processor with 3GB RAM. Storage comes in at 64GB but a microSD expansion card slot opens the door for up to 2TB external media.

Wrapping things up, the LG handset has a triple camera configuration on the rear, front-facing 13-megapixel selfie camera, and a 4,000mAh battery.

Purchase the LG Stylo 6

Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021)

Priced about one-third of Samsung’s counterpart, this phone is no less capable for many users. It’s powered by Android 10, comes with a 6.4-inch screen, and features its own digital stylus.

Motorola leaves Android largely untouched, a feature we’ve come to really appreciate. Pair that with a solid mid-range bundle of hardware, and it’s a great value proposition. The 48-megapixel triple-camera captures ultra-wide and macro images.

Purchase the Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021)

OnePlus Nord N10 5G

An all-around excellent phone with a mid-range price point, you’ll have to work hard to beat the value proposition here.

A stock version of Android runs the show, powered a Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 processor with 6GB RAM. Storage is a more than respectable 128GB with a microSD expansion card slot for another 512GB.

Toss in a triple camera setup and fingerprint reader on the rear and support it with a fast charging 4,300mAh battery and you’ve a recipe for one of our favorite phones.

Purchase the OnePlus Nord N10 5G

Samsung Galaxy A32 5G

The Galaxy A series in itself is very interesting to watch, however this is one of the models we like most. Present are a generous 6.5-inch display and a 48-megapixel multi-camera system, and a battery that beats most phones in this price. You know, the stuff we adore.

Under the hood are an octa-core processor with 4GB RAM, 64GB internal storage, and a microSD expansion card slot for up to 1TB space. Rounding things out are a fingerprint reader, USB Type C charging, wireless charging, and 5G support.

Purchase the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G

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