All cell phone carriers are not created equal. And for that reason, many people choose their favorite among unlocked cell phones, then a carrier and a plan. That way, they can get the carrier with the best service for their area, or the plan that makes the most sense for their family.

There are other great benefits to unlocked cell phones too, such as not having undesirable preloaded, undeletable apps. If you don’t know how to unlock a phone yourself, the used cell phones market is a great place to go. Here are some of the most desirable unlocked cell phones:

The iPhone 3g. AT&T has done a notoriously bad job of caring for iPhone service–if you live in a major city, don’t expect to use your phone during peak hours. With the popularity of Apple, due to its reliable, user friendly OS and it’s wealth of different apps, it’s a shame that it’s so far been limited to only one carrier. Hence the beauty of unlocked cell phones! For $269.95, (compared to the general sales price of $500 new and other used shops, not unlocked, selling it for $350) it’s such a deal that it sells out quickly.

Blackberry Anything. While the Blackberry Bold ($347.90) deserves a long glance for it’s improved memory, trackpad, and display, there are many Blackberries in the unlocked cell phones category. The unlocked Blackberry Curve ($145.90), is also a worthy phone at a more affordable price.

HTC Wing. Perfect for those who love the best of both worlds (touchscreen and a full qwerty keyboard), the HTC Wing is reasonably priced at $203.90. With Wi Fi, experience not just the any-network-benefit of unlocked cell phones, but the added benefit of improved internet speed wherever there’s a Wi Fi connection.