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Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge arrive June 30 and work on any network

These universally unlocked phones that work on all major carriers will sell at Amazon, BestBuy, Target and beyond.

Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Expertise Content strategy, team leadership, audience engagement, iPhone, Samsung, Android, iOS, tips and FAQs.
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Jessica Dolcourt
2 min read

Well, well, well. Samsung is taking matters into its own hands by selling completely unlocked versions of its flagship Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge phones in the US. Starting today (Thursday), you can pick up the unlocked S7 for $670 and the Galaxy S7 Edge for $770 from Samsung.com, Amazon, BestBuy, Target and more.

Unlocked phones -- which aren't tied to a single carrier -- used to be elusive in our corner of the smartphone world. They're typically hard to find and only work with some wireless networks. But Samsung has made this duo compatible with GSM networks (AT&T, T-Mobile, Cricket, MetroPCS) as well as CDMA networks (Verizon, Sprint, Virgin Mobile, Boost Mobile). That means you can use a SIM card from your preferred carrier to get cell signal and data.

(Samsung isn't alone. Motorola just did the same thing earlier this week with its Moto G4 and G4 Plus.)

Watch this: The Samsung Galaxy S7 is how a phone should be

While the phones' introductory prices match the S7 and S7 Edge's contract-free sales price when the phones first appeared in stores this past March, deal-sniffers who don't strictly desire an unlocked phone will still want to shop around -- carriers frequently bundle S7 phones in two-for one offers.

Just one more note and then I'll let you go. If you're interested in the newest, most powerful Samsung phone, wait around a few weeks to see if the rumored Note 7 strikes any chords.

This article also appears in Spanish. Read: Samsung Galaxy S7 y S7 Edge llegan desbloqueados a EE.UU. el 30 de junio

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