For those of you who are on a budget but want a certain freedom when choosing a carrier, we prepared a list of best unlocked smartphones under $200.
Let’s first cover the terms “locked” and “unlocked” smartphone since I’ve noticed that there can be some confusion over this. Locked smartphones have software code that enables them to work on only one network provided from a particular carrier. Unlocked smartphones don’t have this code, and can work on multiple networks and in various countries. But, things get complicated from here on. There are two systems that are used by the Big Four carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon) in the United States. AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM system which is used also in the rest of the world and requires a SIM card. Unlocked GSM smartphone enables you to use not only AT&T and T-Mobile SIM cards, but any other. If a GSM smartphone is locked, you only need to enter an unlocking code and you are ready to go. Sprint and Verizon on the other hand, use CDMA that doesn’t require SIM cards. So if you want to unlock the smartphone from CDMA carrier, you have to reprogram it. Even then, you can only switch to another CDMA carrier. Trust me, always choose GSM.
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Being tied to one carrier sounds good at the beginning. You can get a high-end smartphone without having to pay big bucks up front. You just pay small portions (usually over two years), until you have paid off the phone. But, in the end, you will surely pay more when all the fees sum up. Also, if you have a bad reception, there is nothing you can do. Maybe your current plan doesn’t suit you anymore? Sorry, you have to stick with it. That’s why buying an unlocked smartphone is really a good idea. It gives you an opportunity to choose the best option for yourself, without having to worry about contracts, device payments and similar. On the other hand, if you just want your smartphone to get through all the games and Facebook browsing, check out these 7 Best Smartphones with Longest Battery Life.
We initially thought about taking recommendations for our list of best unlocked smartphone under $200, but it turns out no one recommends budget phones anymore. This is why we head out to Amazon, browsed through top 100 best sellers in the category of unlocked smartphones and singled out those that were below $200 price point. Then we compared their specifications and featured the best ones on our list of best unlocked smartphones under $200. Check it out.
7. ASUS ZenFone 3 MAX
Released almost a year ago, ZenFone 3 MAX still has some magic left. The 5.2 inches screen smartphone comes with Quad-core 1.25 GHz processor, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. This is a reasonable offering for the price especially since you will get 13MP rear and 5MP front cameras. There is also a version with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, but that one costs more than $200.
6. BLU Studio XL 2
I will immediately reveal you that you will see BLU often on this list of best unlocked smartphones under $200. The company is the king when it comes to selling cheap unlocked phones. If you want a big smartphone, 6.0 inches Studio XL 2 should do. It comes with Dual SIM capability, Quad-core 1.3 GHz processor, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage alongside 13MP rear and 5MP front cameras.
5. Motorola Moto G4 Plus
If you have Amazon Prime, you can get the Moto G5 Plus for under $200, but if not, then Moto G4 Plus is perfectly fine. If you like taking photos, you’ll be happy to hear that its 16MP rear camera is quite good and comes paired with 5MP front one. Other specifications of this 5.5 inches screen smartphone include Octa-core processor, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage.
4. Huawei Honor 5x
Although a bit older than the competition, since it was released in 2015, 5.5 inches screen Honor X5 still obtained a good position on our list of best unlocked smartphones under $200. It has 16GB of storage, 2GB of RAM, Octa-core processor, and 13MP rear camera. The 5MP front camera isn’t anything special, but it should do the trick.
3. BLU Vivo XL2
Although it only has a Quad-core processor, Vivo XL2 is stacked in other departments. It has 5.5 inches screen, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage and Dual SIM capability. You will also get 13MP rear and 8MP front cameras combo.
2. Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016)
AOriginal J7 from 2015 isn’t good enough for our list of best unlocked smartphones under $200 and J7 from 2017 is too expensive. With 2016 edition of Samsung’s J7 model, you’ll get 5.5 inches screen smartphone with good specifications for a reasonable price. The specs include Octa-core processor, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. The reason for such a high position is the fact that this is Samsung we are talking about, so you know you will get a good phone. Also, its 13MP rear and 5MP front cameras are the best you can find in budget phones.
1. BLU Life One X2
Thanks to its pretty remarkable specifications, Life One X2 tops our list of best unlocked smartphones under $200. Check out this. You’ll get Octa-core processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage alongside 16MP rear and 8MP front cameras for just $180. If 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage are too much for you, you can get 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage version for $50 less. So there you have it. A variety of prices, sizes, and specifications to choose from. Make your pick and you’ll be free.
