Best unlocked 5G smartphones with 128GB storage under $160

Top pick: Samsung Galaxy A17 5G (128GB, unlocked). It's the newest of the budget Samsungs here, with a 6.7" OLED screen, 50MP camera, 5,000mAh-class battery, dual SIM and a 4.5/5 rating from a huge pool of buyers. Samsung's long software support is the real reason to choose it — a cheap phone you can keep for years.

Who the others suit:

• Galaxy A16 5G — the value buy if you want Samsung reliability for as little as possible; AMOLED, 50MP, 128GB, and reviewers praise its update policy.
• Galaxy A15 5G — similar recipe, slightly older; fine if the A16 isn't available in the colour you want.
• Moto G 5G (2025) — pick it for the 120Hz screen and clean Android; note the cheapest listing is refurbished.
• Blackview Shark 6 — only if you want a huge 6.88" display and lots of RAM; weaker camera and brand support.

Avoid no-name listings with vague specs.