Every single phone we sell or lease at BuyCell Cleveland is fully unlocked. That means you can use it on any carrier you want — T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, Cricket, Metro by T-Mobile, Boost Mobile, Straight Talk, Visible, Mint Mobile, or any other provider in the US.
What does "unlocked" actually mean?
When a phone is "locked," it's tied to one specific carrier. For example, if you buy a phone from T-Mobile on a payment plan, that phone is locked to T-Mobile's network until you pay it off and request an unlock. You can't just pop in an AT&T SIM card and expect it to work.
An unlocked phone has no carrier restrictions. It works with any carrier's SIM card right out of the box. You choose who you want your service with, and you can switch anytime without needing to buy a new phone.
Which carriers work with BuyCell phones?
All of them. Here are the most popular ones our customers use:
- T-Mobile — postpaid and prepaid plans
- AT&T — postpaid and prepaid plans
- Verizon — postpaid and prepaid plans
- Cricket Wireless — runs on AT&T's network, great budget option
- Metro by T-Mobile — runs on T-Mobile's network, affordable unlimited plans
- Boost Mobile — runs on T-Mobile's network
- Straight Talk — available at Walmart, uses multiple networks
- Mint Mobile — budget-friendly, runs on T-Mobile
- Visible — runs on Verizon's network, $25/month unlimited
If you're not sure which carrier has the best coverage in your area, we can help you figure that out when you come in or call us.
What if I don't have a carrier plan yet?
No problem. You don't need an active plan to lease or buy a phone from us. Get the phone first, then activate it whenever you're ready.
The easiest way to get started is to grab a prepaid SIM card from any carrier. You can buy them at Walmart, Target, Dollar General, or directly from the carrier's website. Most prepaid plans don't require a credit check and start at $25-$30 a month.
If you want the absolute cheapest route, check out carriers like Mint Mobile or Visible. You can get unlimited plans for $15-$25 a month.
How do I set up my phone on a new carrier?
It's really simple:
- Get a SIM card from your chosen carrier (or use eSIM if your phone supports it)
- Insert the SIM card into the phone's SIM tray
- Turn the phone on and follow the activation steps
- Done — you should have service within a few minutes
Most newer phones also support eSIM, which means you can activate your carrier plan digitally without a physical SIM card at all. Just scan a QR code from your carrier and you're set.
Can I keep my current phone number?
Yes. When you switch to a new phone, you can transfer (or "port") your existing phone number to the new device. Your carrier can walk you through this, and it usually takes less than an hour. You won't lose your number.
Stop by our store at 6571 Pearl Rd in Parma Heights or call us at (440) 306-3486. We'll help you pick the right phone and can even help you get set up with a carrier plan before you leave the store.