Switching between wireless service providers is one of the convenient ways to get the best deals and perfect services. However, when you switch to a new carrier, you can access unique perks such as free phones and services. In this guideline, you will get information on how and who offers free phone when you switch. Besides, before moving from your old carrier, understand the terms and conditions of your preferred new carrier.
Generally, several mobile companies provide free phones with cheap monthly plans when you switch on a qualifying plan. The mobile carriers include AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and other MVNOs. On the other hand, other providers offer you free phones when you sign up for a long-term phone contract, usually a 24 months contract. In this case, you may incur early termination fees or other hidden costs; therefore, you can consider cell phone plans with free phones.
Most importantly, do not terminate your service with your current carrier before contacting your new provider. If you opt to port in your number when switching carriers, you won’t be able to transfer your phone number if it has already been deactivated. Therefore, ensure you collect your current cell phone account details, including your account number. Your new carrier will require it to process the number transfer request from your old carrier.
Factors to Consider When Looking for Free Phones You Switch
i) Early Termination Fees (ETF)
Most free phones require a contract for device payoff. Although such fees are becoming a thing of the past, you could still get subjected to an ETF of up to a hundred dollars if you cancel service before the due date.
If you are under contract, you can look for contract buyout offers. Notably, if a company offers a contract buyout, it will give a bill credit to cover early termination fees, typically up to $500.
ii) Device Payoff
If you purchased your cell phone outright, you’ll likely you paid the device’s total cost in full. However, if your cell phone is under a contract, you must pay any outstanding balance before switching carriers. Liaise with your wireless provider to know about your remaining device balance.
iii) Switching Fees
They are some standard fees that accompany a phone carrier when switching. Most wireless service providers impose an activation fee that ranges from $10 to $40 to create a new account and set up a device for their network. Besides, it’s common for carriers to charge a one-time fee from $1 to $25 for giving and programming a SIM card. Otherwise, your cell phone won’t function on the new network without the card.
Mobile Phone Deals That Providers Offer for New Customer Switching
i. Buy One Get One (BOGO) Deals
BOGO deals entail purchasing more than one mobile device to get a discount on the second phone for free. You must usually buy one phone upfront and the second one in monthly payments. However, you’ll need to sign up for an unlimited plan to get the deal. Then, you’ll receive some cash as a monthly bill credit that ends up significantly lowering the cost of the second phone.
Interestingly, most of the best BOGO deals discount the second phone for free. BOGO offers excellent for families who want the most discount on a cell phone. You can often get BOGOs offers in both T-Mobile and Verizon cell phone deals and get a free cell phone when you switch carriers.
ii. Trade-in Deals
Are you hunting for a new phone but don’t know what to do with your current one? In this case, you can dispose of your old phone to get credit for buying your new device. Most companies offer trade-in deals for new customers switching to their network. However, trade-ins are a convenient way to obtain credit for your old device and put it toward purchasing the latest new smartphone.
Notably, you can almost always receive a primary trade-in credit without a special deal. But carriers will often include extra savings with your trade if you subscribe for a specific plan, usually unlimited, and activate a new line of service. AT&T cell phone deals typically pack the most trade-in offers.
Process to Switch Carriers
Generally, the process of switching mobile carriers is similar in most cases. However, there may be some slight mismatch in the process based on the policies of your new service provider when making a switch. The following is the general switching guideline for most carriers.
a) Determine The Provider Gives You the Best Deal
Several mobile phone companies provide the possibility of giving a free cell phone when switching providers. However, you will have to examine your needs and see which of the available companies can fulfill them to the greatest possible extent.
b) Request The Change Of Service
After identifying which Company is best for you, the next step is to initiate the process of the service change. In most cases, you must perform the switching procedure from the Company’s website.
Also, note that you won’t be able to terminate the service with your old provider until you have completed the switching with your new provider. Besides, you can request the transfer of your existing number to the new provider if you wish.
c) Submit The Required Details
You should get all the necessary information when switching your service and transferring your old number since the porting process is relatively quick. The new provider may request extra personal information at any time.
After the process is complete, your line will get activated, and you can use your new service plan. However, before the whole process completes, your new mobile service company will provide the following available options:
- Keep your existing phone
- Exchange it for a new one
- Get a brand-new phone
If you select the first option, your new provider will offer you a SIM card toolkit to activate the line on your old phone. However, if you go by the second option, you’ll require to inform your new provider and bring the mobile phone, so they can examine it and see if you can make the change. In case you need a new phone, understand the payment conditions.
Remember that in some cases, you can get a free phone when you switch, but you will get monthly bill credits, while in other cases, you will need to pay some upfront cost.
Best Phone Companies That Give You Free Phones When You Switch
1) Verizon Wireless
Verizon is the leading wireless carrier in the United States. The Company is giving out several free cell phones through a 36-month commitment by signing up for an unlimited plan on a new phone line. Their cell phones include:
- Samsung Galaxy AO2s
- Samsung Galaxy AO3s
- Motorola moto g pure
- Motorola edge 5G UW
- Apple iPhone 11
- Apple iPhone 12
- Apple iPhone 12 mini
- Obric Myra 5G UW
- Samsung Galaxy A42 5G
- Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G UW
- Google Pixel 6
- TCL 30 V 5G
Additionally, if you’re searching for a newer smartphone model, there are still ways to get a free one from Verizon. You can land on current deals for the Apple iPhone 13 phones and new Samsung Galaxy S22 phones and:
- Save up to $800 with a qualifying trade-in with select unlimited plans.
- Save $439.99 with an unlimited plan. New line required, plus get $200 when you switch.
2) T-Mobile
Mobile is offering the following free cell phone options for new customers making a switch that come with a 24-month commitment on a new line:
- Samsung Galaxy A12
- Samsung Galaxy A13 5G
- Nokia X100 5G
- OnePlus Nord N200 5G(trade-in required)
- REVVL V+ 5G
- Motorola moto g pure
- Motorola moto g stylus 5G
- Motorola one 5G ace
- Samsung Galaxy A32 5G
- TCL 30 XE 5G
Notably, the cost of these phones gets cleared by a credit on your monthly bill for 24 months. If you do not maintain your service for two years, T-Mobile bills you for the remaining balance on the cell phone. Thus, it’s free only if you remain with T-Mobile for the duration of the deal.
3) AT&T
AT&T is among the three giant carriers in the US and offers the most exciting free cell phone offer for customers switching through trade-in deals. AT&T provides a way to secure the new Samsung Galaxy S22 at no charge.
However, it requires the trade-in of an eligible smartphone in a perfect working condition bearing a value of at least $35. According to AT&T’s website, credits reflect within three bills after the trade-in is completed.
Moreover, You’ll Need To:
- Buy a smartphone on a qualifying installment contract, including taxes on the total retail price (upfront) and a $30 activation or upgrade fee.
- Activate or keep a postpaid qualifying unlimited wireless service for a minimum of $75 for new unlimited customers before discounts.
- Trade-in an eligible cell phone within 30 days of activation.
- Up to $800 in bill credits with eligible smartphone trade-in
Besides the free Samsung Galaxy S22 deal, you can get an Apple iPhone 13 for $100 ($700 off) with a qualifying device trade-in. To have this deal, follow the similar steps above for the Samsung S22. For the iPhone, the eligible device you trade in worth should be at least $95 to qualify for the total discount.
4) Metro by T-Mobile
Metro by T-Mobile, previously known as MetroPcs offers, operates as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) using T-Mobile networks. The Company is giving a free cell phone without a 24-month commitment. Metro by T-Mobile is currently giving you a choice of one of five free 5G phones when you switch. However, the current selection of free mobile devices at Metro by T-Mobile includes:
- OnePlus Nord N200 5G
- Nokia X100
- TCL 30 XE 5G
- OnePlus N10 5G
- Samsung Galaxy A13 5G
- Motorola moto g stylus 5G
Most importantly, you’ll have to buy the cell phone and activate it on the $60 unlimited monthly plan to get this deal. However, this offer is for a limited time and is available in-store only. The selection and availability may vary by location, and a $20 per line activation fee may apply.
5) Cricket Wireless
Cricket Wireless operates as a mobile virtual network operator that works under the AT&T network. Currently, this MVNO is giving a selection of free phone when you switch to the service and bring your own phone number. If you enroll for a plan that costs a minimum of $55 per month, you can receive a free:
- Cricket Debut
- Cricket Icon 3
- Motorola moto g power
However, if you choose a plan that costs a minimum of $60 per month, you can get the Samsung Galaxy A02s or Cricket Dream 5G for free. With this deal, you’ll require to pay for the first month of service upfront during the sale, plus the device taxes.
6) Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile is another renowned MVNO offering free cell phones to new customers switching. Although the carrier doesn’t have an extensive list of devices, a few include the latest devices. The available device includes 5g-capable selections, which is a big plus when you want to use the ultra-fast network optimally.
Most importantly, most Boost Mobile free phone offers are only available in its physical stores. Besides, you’ll have to port an eligible cell phone number and activate your new line on eligible plans. The following are some of the free and discounted cell phones that Boost Mobile gives when you join their network:
- Samsung Galaxy A32 5G
- Motorola Moto G
- Samsung Galaxy A13 5G
- Samsung S21 FE 5G
- Apple iPhone SE (2020 Edition)
7) Visible Wireless
Visible is a mobile virtual network operator owned by Verizon. When you switch to Visible, you can receive a new phone for free by trading in your old device. Currently, Visible provides two different devices that you can get for free through an eligible trade-in:
- Motorola moto g pure
- Visible Midnight
To obtain one of the above phones for free, you must sign up for a Visible account and transfer your number to begin the process. Then, choose which device you’d prefer to swap to, and Visible will mail it to you with your SIM card and a pre-paid return label. You can then use the label to send your old device back to Visible.
Final Verdict
Generally, 99.9% of the free cell phones when you switch deals are available specifically to new customers. Most carriers use such deals to attract customers to join their networks.
Nowadays, numerous mobile carriers have exciting deals on free cell phones, as discussed in this guideline. Usually, you can get these deals by trading in an older cell phone, enrolling for a specified data plan, or switching from your current service to get the free phones when you switch.