Reading time 2 minutes Smartphone shopping means comparing the usual spec-sheet headlines like processor, memory, camera set, ...

Tired of the restrictive carrier payment plans that often come with new cell phones? The top unlocked phones we've tested aren't tied to a carrier, giving you more freedom to roam and carrying less ...

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.

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. When dealing with an unlocked or locked phone, the question is whether or not the device can work on a specific wireless network ...

If you're buying a new phone, consider the advantages of an unlocked phone against those of one on a contract. As Managing Editor, I lead CNET's mobile team, covering news and reviews on smartphones, ...

In this edition of Ask Maggie, CNET's Marguerite Reardon breaks down what you need to know about the carrier practice of locking phones. Marguerite Reardon started as a CNET News reporter in 2004, ...

In the early days of smartphones, pretty much the only way to get one was by purchasing it through a wireless carrier or in conjunction with a wireless plan from a specific carrier. Generally, your ...