Looking for a Cell Phone but Don't Want a Plan?
In many instances you can get a free cell phone when you sign up for a plan. But sometimes, a two year committment isn't what you want. You'll generally pay quite a bit more for the phone itself, but it's possible to use a cell phone without making such a committment.
Learn about your options for getting a cell phone without a plan, and find the phones you want here.
How to Get Cell Phones with No Contract: The Options
There are two primary ways of getting a cell phone without a plan.Learn a bit more about these options below.
Buying An Unlocked Cell Phone Online
If you're shopping for a cell phone without a plan, one of the options is to buy an unlocked cell phone online. After purchasing such a phone the buyer can then get a SIM card from the company of their choice (must be on a compatible GSM network such as AT&T or T-Mobile) to activate service.Amazon and e-Bay are sites that carry a number of unlocked phones. You will find a number of these phones lower on this page.
Prepaid Phones
Prepaid phones are another option for getting a cell phone without a plan. Prepaid phones allow you to buy the phone and a set number of minutes to use. When the minutes run out you can decide to purchase more minutes. There is no credit check and no committment to a plan.Prepaid phones are available in local retail stores from companies such as Tracfone and Virgin Mobile as well as from more traditional cellular providers. T-Mobile for instance offers To Go, AT&T has the GoPhone, and Verizon Wireless has INpulse. For more information on these prepaid options, visit our Emergency Only Cell Phones page which discusses them in greater detail.
You will find a number of prepaid phones lower on this page.
Shop for Unlocked Cell Phones
Blackberry: Unlocked Cell Phone
Blackberry Pearl 8100 Unlocked Phone -- International Version with No Warranty (Black with Silver)
Amazon Price: $151.95 (as of 07/10/2009) 
BlackBerry Storm 9500 Unlocked Cell Phone, 3.2 MP Camera, GPS, MicroSD Slot, RIM -- International Version - Without Warranty (Black)
Amazon Price: $525.08 (as of 07/10/2009)
Blackberry - Pearl 8100 - Red Unlocked GSM Phone
Amazon Price: $178.72 (as of 07/10/2009)
Blackberry Pearl 8100 unlocked GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Amazon Price: $189.99 (as of 07/10/2009)
LG: Unlocked Cell Phone
LG KP500 Cookie Unlocked Cell Phone with 3.2 MP Camera, Digital Media Player, MicroSD Slot--International Version with No U.S. Warranty (Black)
Amazon Price: $182.94 (as of 07/10/2009)
LG KF600 Unlocked Cell Phone with 3 MP Camera, MP3/Video Player, MicroSD Slot--International Version with No Warranty (Black)
Amazon Price: $186.07 (as of 07/10/2009)
LG KE970 Shine Unlocked Cell Phone with 2 MP Camera, MP3/Video Player, MicroSD Slot--International Version with No Warranty (Titanium Black)
Amazon Price: $122.94 (as of 07/10/2009)
LG HB620 Tri-band GSM Flip Phone (Unlocked) Black
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
LG Electronics KG800 Chocolate GSM Tri-band Unlocked Camera Cell Phone - Black
Amazon Price: $109.99 (as of 07/10/2009)
Motorola: Unlocked Cell Phone
Motorola RAZR V3 Unlocked Cell Phone with Camera, Video Player--International Version with No Warranty (Black)
Amazon Price: $70.78 (as of 07/10/2009)
Samsung SGH-E250 Unlocked Cell Phone with Camera, Media Player, Bluetooth Music, MicroSD Slot--International Version with No Warranty (Ebony Black)
Amazon Price: $100.86 (as of 07/10/2009)
Motorola RAZR V3 Unlocked Cell Phone with Camera, Video Player--International Version with No Warranty (Cosmic Blue)
Amazon Price: $75.98 (as of 07/10/2009)
Samsung i900 Omnia Unlocked Cell Phone with 8 GB Memory, 5 MP Camera, GPS, Wi-Fi, Windows Mobile 6.1, MicroSD Slot--International Version with No Warranty (Black)
Amazon Price: $429.99 (as of 07/10/2009)
Samsung SGH-U600 Unlocked Cell Phone with 3.2 MP Camera, Media Player, MicroSD Slot--International Version with No Warranty (Black)
Amazon Price: $177.99 (as of 07/10/2009)
Nokia: Unlocked Cell Phone
Nokia 7500 Prism Tri-Band GSM Phone Unlocked
Amazon Price: $169.95 (as of 07/10/2009)
Nokia 5800 XpressMusic Unlocked Cell Phone with U.S. 3G, 3.2 MP Camera, GPS, Wi-Fi, 8 GB MicroSD Card--U.S. Version with Full Warranty (Black)
Amazon Price: $369.95 (as of 07/10/2009)
New Nokia 6340i GSM Unlocked Gait Phone in Grey with Accessories (U.S.) (No Contract) (30-day Warranty)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Nokia N97 Unlocked Cellular Phone with 5MP Camera, Touchscreen, 32GB Storage, 3G, GPS, WiFi - International Version with No Warranty (Black)
Amazon Price: $729.95 (as of 07/10/2009)
Nokia N72 Pink Unlocked GSM Cellphone
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Samsung: Unlocked Cell Phone
Samsung SGH-E250 Unlocked Cell Phone with Camera, Media Player, Bluetooth Music, MicroSD Slot--International Version with No Warranty (Ebony Black)
Amazon Price: $100.86 (as of 07/10/2009)
Samsung i900 Omnia Unlocked Cell Phone with 8 GB Memory, 5 MP Camera, GPS, Wi-Fi, Windows Mobile 6.1, MicroSD Slot--International Version with No Warranty (Black)
Amazon Price: $429.99 (as of 07/10/2009)
Samsung Blackjack PDA Phone - Unlocked
Amazon Price: $171.00 (as of 07/10/2009)
Samsung F480 Unlocked Cell Phone with Touchscreen, 5 MP Camera, MP3/Video Player, MicroSD Slot--International Version with No Warranty (Coral Pink)
Amazon Price: $302.94 (as of 07/10/2009)
Samsung F480 Tocco Touch Screen 5MP FM Radio Unlocked Tri Band Phone (Ice Silver)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Sony Ericsson: Unlocked Cell Phone
Sony Ericsson W980 Walkman 8GB Violin Red (unlocked)
Amazon Price: $239.95 (as of 07/10/2009)
Sony Ericsson W350i Walkman Tri Band Phone (Black)
Amazon Price: $114.95 (as of 07/10/2009)
Sony Ericsson T700I Unlocked GSM Cell Phone - Quad-Band, 3.2 Megapixel Camera, Bluetooth, USB, WAP 2.0, Silver
Amazon Price: $209.95 (as of 07/10/2009)
Sony Ericsson W350i Ice Blue UNLOCKED
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Sony Ericsson K610
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Shop for Prepaid Cell Phones
Another option for an inexpensive cell phone without a plan.
AT&T GoPhone
Motorola C168i Prepaid GoPhone (AT&T) with $35 Airtime Included
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Motorola RAZR V3 Blue Prepaid GoPhone (AT&T) with $35 Airtime Included
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Samsung a117 Prepaid GoPhone (AT&T) with $35 Airtime Included
Amazon Price: $72.90 (as of 07/10/2009)
T-Mobile To Go Prepaid Phone
Tracfone: Prepaid Cell Phone
TracFone Samsung T301 Prepaid Cell Phone - Black
Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 07/10/2009)
Tracfone Motorola W175G Prepaid Cell Phone
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
TRACFONE 60 UNITS for 90 DAYS - TRACFONE nationwide prepaid wireless refill
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Motorola C139 Prepaid Phone (Tracfone)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Blackberry 8300 Curve Clear Crystal Lucite Hard Shell case from Prima Cases
Amazon Price: $0.02 (as of 07/10/2009)
Verizon INpulse
Inpulse Verizon Audiovox Cdm8615 Cell Phone
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Virgin Mobile: Prepaid Cell Phone
Virgin Mobile Arc (Prepaid) Red
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Virgin Mobile Cyclops Cell Phone
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Virgin Mobile Oyster Color Flip Phone - Pearlized White
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Crystal Lucite Hard Shell Case for iPhone 2G from Prima Cases
Amazon Price: $2.24 (as of 07/10/2009)
Audiovox 8915 Snapper Prepaid Phone (Virgin Mobile)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Cell Phones Without a Plan: Did you find what you wanted? Let us know!
If you decide cell phone plans with a free phone are more your style, be sure to visit our cellular and home electronics store.
bbug wrote...
It is nice that there are options for those who do not want a long conract. Thanks for the information.
Posted August 30, 2008
Spook wrote...
The technology today is truly amazing, never knew so many great phones existed. Thanks
Posted August 30, 2008
You can review this site at The Isle of Squid
Photo Credit
Introduction: AMagill.
