Apple will release an unlocked version of the iPhone 5S and 5C, but buyers should think twice if the $849 is worth it compared with Galaxy S3, Note 2 and Nexus 4 which can be as low as $249, unlocked and contract free.

iPhone 5S and 5C Unlocked and Contract-Free

Apple is now pre-selling an unlocked and contract-free version of both iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C with wireless service plan on T-Mobile. AT&T, Sprint and Verizon variants of the iPhone 5S costs from $199 up to $399, depending on the storage capacity.

iPhone 5S features:

- Touch ID fingerprint identity sensor

- All-new A7 and M7 chipsets

- New iSight camera

- Ultrafast LTE wireless connectivity

- iOS 7 version

- 90 days free telephone technical support

- One year limited warranty

iPhone 5C features:

- Colourful designs

- A6 chip

- 8MP iSight camera

- Retina display

- Ultrafast LTE

- iOS 7

- 90 days technical support and 1 year warranty

The iPhone 5C with contract costs from $99 up to $199, depending on storage capacity and its unlocked, contract-free version is priced up to $649 per unit.

Practical and Economic Smartphones

The iPhone 5S and 5C, which are unlocked and contract-free, costs more than smartphones available in the market. The Samsung Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2 and LG Nexus are all former flagships devices and features top-of-the-line applications which costs cheaper even sold as unlocked.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 Unlocked Variant costs $398.80 in Amazon and features the following:

- Android 4.0 with Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean update and expected Android 4.3 software upgrade.

- 4.8 inches of screen with full HD display and Corning Gorilla Glass 2

- 1.4GHz Exynos quad-core processor

- 16GB storage and 1GB of RAM

- microSD card slot

- Exclusive Samsung apps from the Galaxy S line

Samsung released an unlocked LTE version of the Galaxy S3 which is priced at $399.18 per unit.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2

The 2012 flagship phablet of Samsung, which features exclusive apps from the Galaxy Note line and the unlocked version, costs $522.99 in Amazon.

- Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS

- 5.5 inches of screen with full HD resolution

- LTE wireless connectivity

- 8MP rear camera with HD recording

- 1.6GHz quad-core processor

- 2GB of RAM

- 16GB internal storage

- microSD card slot

- Draw and write functionality via finger or the S Pen

- Exclusive S Pen features

LG Nexus 4

Google's own 2012 flagship smartphone made by LG, the Nexus 4, is the one of the cheapest alternative against the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C. According to Google's Web site, the Nexus 4 costs as low as $199 with 8GB internal storage and the 16GB costs $249 only.

- Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean with Android 4.3 upgrade

- 4.7 inches of screen display and full HD resolution

- Corning Gorilla Glass 2

- 8MP rear camera and 1.3MP front camera

- 1.5GHz quad-core processor

- 2GB of RAM

- 8 and 16GB internal storage