Something strange is happening in the US, where wireless carriers once sold dramatically different phones, and buying an unlocked handset through a store that wasn't your carrier was a risky proposition best left for the gadget-savvy. Now, two-year contracts are practically a thing of the past, most-wanted phones appear on all major networks, and phone-makers are beginning to succeed in. Unlocked phones are on the rise. Simply buy a SIM card, stick it in your device, and you're good to go. There's no need to wait for activation, and best yet, you can keep your phone around for as long or as short a time as you'd like without paying any surprise fees. Here are some of our favorite handsets that you can purchase and use wherever you go -- even all around the globe -- carrier-free. (You can use them on any compatible network; in the US, that's mostly AT&T and T-Mobile, though Motorola phones will also work with Verizon and Sprint's network technologies.).

Editors' note: This piece was originally published June 12, 2012 and updates regularly. The Motorola Moto G is a great-value budget phone. In fact, it's one of the best, contract or no. How To Unlock Lg G3 Sprint Phone more. Sarah Tew/CNET (late 2015 edition) Motorola continues to crank out Goldilocks phones whose look and feel manage to lure us in, even when the specs are ho-hum.

For $220, you get a comfortable, 5-inch display with a decent camera and 16GB of storage, plus, you can swap backplates to add your own flair. Why Should I Unlock My Iphone. There's an even cheaper model with half the storage and RAM for $180, but in our opinion, this is the one worth getting.