Unlocked, Pre-Owned & Refurbished Phones | ReadySet Mobile

ReadySet phone guide

Choose the phone first. Keep the plan flexible.

An unlocked phone gives you more freedom to compare service. Start with the small ReadySet Direct pre-owned shelf, compare three practical Android picks, or shop broader refurbished inventory when you want a familiar flagship for less.

Shop ReadySet Direct See Unlocked Picks

Unlocked phones first Special-use options next Carrier deals only when the math works

The ReadySet phone rule

Buy the phone. Choose service separately.

That makes the real phone cost easier to see and gives you more freedom to change plans later.

1 Pick the device Start with budget and features.

2 Confirm compatibility Check model, bands, and unlocked status.

3 Match the plan Choose service after the phone makes sense.

ReadySet Direct · Pre-Owned

A tiny shelf of phones we actually have in hand.

ReadySet Direct is different from our broader shopping links: these are individual pre-owned phones sold by ReadySet Mobile through Mercari. Each listing is one specific device, so inventory disappears when it sells.

1 available

Official Apple iPhone Air product image from Apple Support

Like new ReadySet Direct

Apple iPhone Air 256GB

Cloud White, fully unlocked, fully functional, and listed in near-mint condition with minimal signs of use.

256GBCloud WhiteUnlockedFree shipping

$700 Current Mercari listing price

Mercari condition: Like new
Battery condition listed as normal
Charging cable included
No original box or additional accessories

Condition note: Near-perfect cosmetically, but this is still a pre-owned device. Review the actual listing photos before purchase.

View on Mercari

Sold by ReadySet Mobile through Mercari. Checkout, payment, shipping, and Mercari Buyer Protection are handled on Mercari. One device available.

1 available

Official Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max product image from Apple Support

Good condition ReadySet Direct

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB

Natural Titanium, fully unlocked, with excellent body, back-glass, and frame condition. The screen has normal light cosmetic blemishes from use.

256GBNatural TitaniumUnlockedFree shipping

$600 Current Mercari listing price

Mercari condition: Good
85% battery health
No cracks; tempered-glass screen protector installed
Camera lens protectors installed

Included: iPhone only. No box or charger. Review the listing photos for the exact screen blemishes before purchase.

View on Mercari

Sold by ReadySet Mobile through Mercari. Checkout, payment, shipping, and Mercari Buyer Protection are handled on Mercari. One device available.

ReadySet Direct is one-off inventory. These are not affiliate listings. ReadySet Mobile is the seller, while Mercari provides the marketplace checkout and transaction flow. The actual Mercari listing controls final price, availability, condition details, photos, shipping, and platform protections.

Unlocked Android picks

Three unlocked Android phones at three practical price points.

Choose the TCL 70 Pro for the strongest overall package, the NUU B40 for more storage and a dual display at a middle price, or the TCL 60 XE for the lowest upfront cost.

TCL NUU

Best overall

TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro, 128GB

A large unlocked Android phone for reading, browsing, video, and everyday use.

$279.99current TCL price

6.9 inch paper like display with a 120Hz refresh rate
128GB of storage with microSD expansion
5200mAh battery with 33W charging
Android 16 and IP68 water resistance

Know the tradeoff: the large screen is easier to read, but it also makes this a big phone to carry.

Check TCL Price

Sponsored link. Price and availability can change. Confirm compatibility with your carrier before buying.

Better value

NUU B40 5G, 256GB

An unlocked 5G phone with generous storage, an AMOLED display, and a small rear screen for quick information.

$249.99current NUU price

6.7 inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate
1.6 inch rear Vista Display for notifications and camera previews
8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and a 5000mAh battery
Android 15, 5G, and a 64MP main camera

Know the tradeoff: NUU is a smaller phone brand, so confirm the exact model with your carrier before buying.

Check NUU Price

Sponsored link. Price and availability can change. Confirm compatibility with your carrier before buying.

Good lower-price pick

TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER 5G, 128GB

A practical unlocked 5G phone for someone who wants the display feature at a lower cost.

$179.99current TCL 128GB price

6.78 inch paper like display with a 120Hz refresh rate
128GB of storage with microSD expansion
5010mAh battery for everyday use
50MP main camera and 32MP front camera

Know the tradeoff: it has the lowest price of these three, but the processor and overall feature set are more modest.

Check TCL Price

Sponsored link. This ReadySet pick uses the 128GB configuration at the current $179.99 price. Price and availability can change. Confirm the selected storage and carrier compatibility before buying.

Kids setup picks

Buying a first phone for a child?

See how the TCL 60 XE works with a light use annual plan, then compare it with a watch for a younger child.

Explore the Kids Setup Phone, plan, and watch choices explained in one place.

Refurbished options

A familiar flagship can cost less the second time around.

Refurbished stock changes quickly. These links open the current Plug collections so you can compare models that are actually available today.

Popular choice

Refurbished iPhones

Compare current iPhone models, storage sizes, colors, and condition grades in one place.

Confirm the exact storage and condition grade
Read the battery and return policies
Choose unlocked when you want carrier flexibility

Shop Current iPhones

Clean Android

Refurbished Google Pixel

A good place to look when camera quality and a simple Android experience matter most.

Check the model year and remaining update support
Compare storage before comparing price
Confirm unlocked status for your carrier

Shop Current Pixels

More model choices

Refurbished Galaxy

Compare Samsung Galaxy models when you want more screen sizes and feature combinations.

Confirm the exact Galaxy model and storage
Check condition, warranty, and returns
Verify carrier bands before checkout

Shop Current Galaxy Phones

Before you buy: refurbished condition labels are not universal. Read the seller's definition, return window, warranty, battery policy, and unlocked status for the exact phone in your cart.

Two Verizon promos worth comparing

The “free” phone and the cheaper total bill are not the same deal.

If Verizon is already on your shortlist, these offers solve different problems. Compare the required service and the full monthly cost—not just the phone payment.

Best total-cost fit Verizon

Pixel 11 Pro + service for $45/mo

No trade-in required

$15 Pixel 11 Pro + $30 Simplicity line for 48 months.

For qualifying new customers who activate a new smartphone line, switch a number from another carrier, and use Auto Pay with paper-free billing. Verizon says $380 in promotional credits lowers the Pixel 11 Pro 256GB device payment to $15 per month. Taxes, fees, and additional terms apply.

What to confirm

The 48-month device-payment and promotional-credit terms
The new-line, number-switch, Auto Pay, and paper-free requirements
What happens to remaining device payments or credits if service changes early

See the Pixel 11 Pro Offer

Sponsored link. Verizon controls eligibility, promotional credits, plan discounts, device availability, taxes, fees, and final terms.

Best for iPhone shoppers Verizon

iPhone 17 on us

No trade-in required

Add a new line on select Unlimited plans.

Verizon's current consumer promotion advertises the iPhone 17 on us when you add a new line on select Unlimited plans. The device discount is tied to Verizon's promotional and device-payment terms, so compare the required service cost before treating the $0 phone payment as the cheaper setup.

What to confirm

Which select Unlimited plans qualify for the offer
The exact device-payment and promotional-credit term at checkout
What happens to remaining credits if you change or cancel service early

See the iPhone 17 Offer

Sponsored link. Verizon controls qualifying plans, eligibility, device-payment credits, inventory, taxes, fees, and offer availability.

ReadySet take: start with the Pixel if your priority is the lowest clear total monthly cost. Start with the iPhone if you specifically want iOS and the required Verizon plan already fits your budget. A $0 phone is not automatically the cheaper setup.

Before checkout

Check four things before you pay.

A good price is only useful when the phone works on your network and arrives in the condition you expect.

Unlocked status

Look for an explicit unlocked statement. Do not assume a phone is unlocked because it is sold without a plan.

Compatibility

Use the carrier's IMEI checker when possible. The exact model number matters more than the phone name alone.

Condition and returns

Read the grading rules, battery policy, warranty, and return window for the exact listing.

Total cost

Compare the phone price, service cost, taxes, fees, accessories, and any required financing period together.

One more decision

Would replacing this phone strain your budget?

If the answer is no, skipping protection can be reasonable. If the answer is yes, compare the premium, deductible, exclusions, and replacement terms before deciding.

Read the Protection Guide Check AKKO Pricing

Phone buying FAQ

Questions worth answering before checkout.

Should I buy an unlocked phone?

An unlocked phone can make it easier to compare carriers later. Confirm the exact model and bands with the carrier before buying because unlocked does not guarantee compatibility with every network.

Is a refurbished phone a good value?

It can be. Check the condition grade, storage, battery policy, return window, warranty, and unlocked status before paying. A lower price is not useful if the phone does not match the listing you expected.

Are free carrier phones really free?

Many offers apply monthly credits over time and require a qualifying plan, a new line, or a number transfer. Compare the full service cost and read what happens if you leave early.

How do I check phone compatibility?

Use the carrier's compatibility checker with the phone's IMEI whenever possible. Also confirm the exact model number and supported network bands.

How much storage should I buy?

128GB is a sensible starting point for many people. Choose more if you keep lots of photos, video, games, or downloads. A microSD slot can add flexibility on phones that support it.

Finish the setup

Need a lot of data without annual prepay?

Lyca's current Unlimited Plus affiliate offer is $12.50 per 30 days for 9 promotional plan periods, with 50GB of high-speed data before reduced speeds and 15GB hotspot.

New Lyca lines purchased at Lycamobile.com only. Auto-renew required for the promotional renewals; then the current regular price is $49/30 days. A 5% regulatory recovery fee applies to website purchases. Coverage, compatibility, taxes/fees, availability and terms apply.

See the $12.50 Lyca Offer Compare All Plans