Tech Desk 
Sep 06, 2025
Are you looking to buy the top unlocked phones in 2025? If you want to avoid carrier contracts or need the flexibility to jump from network to network, unlocked phones give it to you. Unlocked smartphones are the best way to take control of your phone experience.
From Apple's mean iPhone 16 and Google's budget-friendly Pixel 9a to Samsung's full-featured Galaxy S25, this year's selection of smartphones brings it all for whatever budget you have to spend!
Gadinsider is taking a closer look at the best unlocked phones in 2025, including specs and pricing, to help you make the right choice.
Google Pixel 10
Google's Pixel 10 priced around $799, is one of the best unlocked phones in 2025. It's a solid phone, with a 6.4" OLED display at 120 Hz, powered by the Google Tensor G5 chip with up to 12 GB of RAM.
In terms of photography, this phone is on point, as it has great cameras, including a 50MP main camera and a 12MP ultrawide shooting with Google AI. The fact that Google includes seven years of software updates makes this a great value purchase too.
iPhone 16
Apple's new iPhone 16 starts at $799 and offers so much value with its 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, the blazing fast A18 chip, and dual rear cameras with a 48MP sensor for amazing colourful photos.
Apple even added Apple Intelligence to the device, making it smarter for accomplishing work-related and creative tasks. The iPhone 16 has iOS 18 and years of software updates.
OnePlus 13
The OnePlus 13 is a flagship killer in 2025, costing between $899 and $999. It features a large 6.8-inch QHD+ OLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite processor with up to 16 GB of RAM, and 80 W wired & 50 W wireless charging, along with an IP69 rating. It also has triple cameras with a 50MP main camera for versatile photography.
iPhone 16e
Priced at $599, the iPhone 16e is Apple's less expensive entry-level model for 2025. It features the A18 chip also and a 6.1-inch OLED display, though it has a more basic look. It has a single 48MP rear camera with decent performance for the price. Apple Intelligence support makes the device smarter than the previous entry-level model.
Google Pixel 9a
The Google Pixel 9a, priced under $500, is the best value phone in 2025. It offers a 6.3-inch OLED display, the Tensor G4 chip, and a reliable 48MP main camera. Despite being a budget option, it supports wireless charging and offers seven years of updates.
Samsung Galaxy S25
Samsung’s Galaxy S25, priced from $799, brings a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip.
It features a triple-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor and Samsung’s latest Galaxy AI tools for editing, productivity, and live translation. The phone also promises seven years of software updates, making it future-proof.
