Best unlocked smartphones (roundup)

Whether you're a globe-trotter or just don't like to be tied down, unlocked smartphones offer a sense of freedom we can all appreciate.Because they aren't limited to working on any one specific carrier, you can simply buy a SIM card, stick it in your device, and be good to go. No need to wait for an activation, no need to get permission from your network provider.

For those of you who jet-set for business or for personal reasons, using an unlocked quad-band world phone is especially fluid and convenient because switching carriers from country to country will be a breeze.

Here in the U.S., you can buy phones from carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile and ask to have them unlocked, but we've picked some of our favorite handsets (in no particular order) that you can purchase and use wherever you go.


LG Optimus 3D Max
Though staring at 3D images for a long time can get nauseating, we dig the fact that on the 3D Max we can view 3D photos and video without the need for those goofy glasses. This Korean handset also boasts a dual-core processor and is NFC-enabled. Read the full review of the LG Optimus 3D Max.


Huawei Ascend P1
Running on the ever-elusive Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the Ascend P1 also has a snappy 1.5GHz dual-core processor. Though the camera isn't all it's cracked up to be, we were impressed by its sleek design and full HD video support.



Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S
Though it still sports the "Ericsson" moniker, the Arc S' attractive design and handful of color options are all modern-looking to us. Available first in Europe, it's great for all you photographers out there who'll surely dig the 8.1-megapixel camera



Huawei U8860 Honor
Equipped with a mega 1,900mAh battery, the Honor has a reported talk time of 10 hours. Despite its disappointing camera, we still like its attractive design and its easy-to-understand interface that overlays the Android OS



Meizu MX
The Meizu MX may not be for everyone. Sold in China, it runs with a unique Android skin that resembles iOS. But despite a few quirks, we thought the nifty handset was fun and easy to use.

Read more: http://www.cnet.com/8301-17918_1-57451879-85/best-unlocked-smartphones-roundup/#ixzz1xh6TO1P6