Best Unlocked Smartphones for Tracfone Prepaid - Updated for 2023!
The best unlocked phone list by TracfoneReviewer
Tracfone offers a good selection of smartphones to use with their prepaid cell service, including Apple devices, Samsung, and many other smartphones (including several options under $100). However, consumers can also choose to purchase their own unlocked phone to bring to Tracfone's BYOP program, and sometimes that means more options, and more freedom.
Bringing your own phone allows for many more smartphone options, and also allows for flexibility to switch to other carriers while keeping the phone.
So what's the best phone to bring to Tracfone's BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) program? Are there any phones besides the smartphones from Tracfone that I can use with Tracfone prepaid service? Which phones will be compatible with Tracfone? Well we've got a list of our top picks to choose from with a range of prices.
For specific details on the requirements for activating a phone with Tracfone, see our Guide to Transferring/Activating a Smartphone with Tracfone or visit our Tracfone BYOP page (which also has a large list of phone options).
We are choosing these phones based on a variety of factors including popularity, value and cost. These are some of our best suggestions of phones we believe will fit most user's needs. In the end, each person needs to understand what they want out of a phone, and choose a phone according to that.
Most Tracfone users decide to use BYOP because they want a phone with a little more power and performance compared to most Tracfone smartphones, plus a wider selection of devices. In our list, we only include phones priced between $100-$450 as the majority of our readers are looking for a phone in that price range.
Now let's take a look at the list!
Best Unlocked Smartphones to use with Tracfone
Organized by price
Pixel 6a 5G - $450
The Pixel line of smartphones from Google have been an extremely popular lineup due to their excellent specs and relatively affordable price compared to high-end smartphones. The Google Pixel 6a 5G features all the specs of a great phone, including a full HD 6.1" screen, Google's Tensor processor, 6 GB RAM, and 128 GB internal storage. It also has a some impressive features on the dual 12MP rear camera, the latest Android OS (12, with future upgrades), and 5G capability. It is compatible on all the major networks, including Tracfone (Verizon). At a list price of $450, it is more than many Tracfone customers might want to spend, but compared to $1000 high-end devices it sacrifices very little and is half the price. It is one of our top picks for those willing to spend the money.
Get the Google Pixel 6a 5G on Amazon $450 now $339
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
Newly available in mid-2022, the Galaxy A53 5G is a very competitive mid-level smartphone. It features the impressive Samsung Super AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate, 128 GB internal storage, and solid rear camera setup. The Exynos 1280 processor and 6 GB RAM provide great performance. Tracfone also offers this device, but it is locked to their network.
Get the unlocked Samsung Galaxy A53 5G on Amazon $399
Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) - $250
Motorola seems to be constantly releasing new phones, and while some recent devices have been a little lackluster, the 2022 Moto G Stylus 5G offers some strong performance at a fair price. It comes with a 6.8" full HD screen, Android 12, and 50 MP rear camera. For performance, it features the Snapdragon 695 5G processor and either 6 or 8 GB RAM, and 128 or 256 GB internal storage. For those that like Motorola's no-nonsense approach to bloatware and excess pre-installed apps, this is a solid mid-level 5G capable device and fully compatible with all the major networks.
Get the Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) on Amazon $250
Moto G Stylus (2022) - $179
A big screen and long battery life are standard for the Moto G line of phones, and the Stylus (2022) offers that plus lots of updated features. It has a 6.8" full HD screen, 128 GB internal storage, 6 GB RAM and triple rear camera setup. The MediaTek Octa-core processor it comes with is good, but a downgrade from the Snapdragon processor in the 2021 model (See the 2021 Stylus below at sub $200 price or the Snapdragon in the 2022 Stylus 5G above.) For those that like the huge screen (with improved refresh rate), latest Android OS updates, and other new features, the Stylus 2022 is a good option. With a recently reduced price of under $200, it is that much more attractive.
Get the Moto G Stylus (2022) on Amazon $179
Get the Moto G stylus (2022) on Motorola $179
Google Pixel 5 5G - $299
The Pixel 5 was released towards he end of 2020, but offers some excellent features at a discounted price. It has a OLED 6" full HD touchscreen, Snapdragon 765 processor, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB internal storage and dual rear camera. While it is a slightly older device, it packs a lot of top tier features for the price, including 5G network compatibility.
Find the Google Pixel 5 on Amazon $299
Moto G Stylus (2021) - $199
While it is last year's model along with the Power below, it does still pack quite the performance with a Snapdragon 678 that outperforms the 2022 model. It also has 128 GB internal storage, 4 GB RAM, quad rear camera setup and 6.8" screen. There's a lot to like about this device and it is also now available at a sale price of just under $200. For just $20 more than the Power, it might be a great option for those that also like the larger screen and extra internal storage.
Get the Moto G Stylus (2021) on Amazon $199
Moto G Power (2021) - $129
Simple, but powerful, featuring a 6.6" HD touchscreen, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB internal storage and Snapdragon 662 processor, the Moto G Power 2021 is one of the best smartphone under $200 for 2021. Yes, it is odd that this almost 2 year old device would still be so capable, especially with the Moto G Power 2022 recently released, but the 2021 version actually features a more powerful processor, and is less expensive, making it more desirable for the majority of budget shoppers.
Get the Moto G Power (2021) on Amazon $129
That concludes our list of the the best budget friendly smartphones to use with Tracfone. We hope this list serves to provide some ideas of different phones available to use with Tracfone BYOP.We want to hear from you! Share your current/favorite phone you use with Tracfone in the comments below!
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Don't miss out on our monthly list of Tracfone Deals, Discounts and Sales which also include unlocked phones and Tracfone smartphones.
Also take a look at our list of the Latest Tracfone Smartphones to see what is new from Tracfone.
And if you need some info on activating or switching your phone to Tracfone, read our full Guide to Activating or Transferring to a Tracfone Smartphone.
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