In the early days of smartphones, the easiest way to get one in the United States was simple: visit your carrier outlet of choice and buy whichever device the salesperson convinced you was best.

Jessica is a passionate content strategist and team leader across the CNET family of brands. She leads a number of teams, including commerce, performance optimization and the copy desk. Her CNET ...

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Amazon wants to lure you in to their trove of Android devices – and at first it would seem that they've got the right bait. They've got ...

There was a time when getting a new cellphone felt like signing a mortgage -- except with worse terms. You’d walk into a carrier store, pick out a shiny new phone, and they’d practically hand it over ...

Buying a new phone? Here are the advantages of buying an unlocked phone and the best ones to buy, including iPhone, Samsung, Google and more. Whitson Gordon When it’s time to buy a new phone, many ...

For light data users who don't mind a significant upfront cash outlay, buying an unlocked phone can end up being cheaper than ordering one from a carrier. I’m the deputy managing editor of the ...

There was a time when getting a new cellphone felt like signing a mortgage — except with worse terms. You’d walk into a carrier store, pick out a shiny new phone, and they’d practically hand it over ...

If you go to a major wireless carrier and ask to buy a high-end, contract-free phone, they’ll usually make you pay upwards of $600 for the privilege. Thankfully, some alternatives are emerging for the ...

Buying a phone from your carrier is a good way to get great deals or an easy payment option, but it also often means being stuck with a device locked to one carrier. A glitch over at T-Mobile, though, ...

The new SIM-free phones can be activated at the carrier of your choice, starting at $649 for the 16GB iPhone 6. Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer and a former IT professional.