How to Get a Free Phone When You Switch

Choosing the right cell phone service can be quite a headache these days with the unlimited number of options available however if you get a free phone while switching your service provider it might not be such a bad idea to go through the process. If you are looking to change your cell phone but do not possess the cash to get your hands on the latest cell phones in the market these free phone when you switch an offer is a good option.

Changing your service providers requires you to gather all the appropriate information and allows you to make the switch online as well as in-person by visiting the service centers. If you are a person who doesn’t like sticking to the same plan and provider for a long time, this offer of the free phone when you switch is beneficial for you. Switching your carriers does not come with a direct cost, there are no monthly repayments or down payment that needs to be paid.

In the world today where everyone wants to stay updated with the latest technology, this scheme of free cell phones by service providers succeeds in attracting customers. If you are the kind of person who can manage to stick to one carrier for a long time and do not have to travel internationally often, this deal might be viable for you. The important thing that you need to keep in mind while opting for these plans which promise a free phone is that nothing is ever completely free of cost.

There is always a hidden cost that consumers do end up paying under the name of sales and tax or offers where you are required to pay an amount to activate the line. The contract you sign up for when choosing to get a free phone to switch requires you to stay with the particular provider for two years or so, if you decide to switch before that time, you will be charged for the remaining balance.

One of the main con is that most of the time, the carriers do not have the latest models of the cell phones, and it’s mainly older versions they are trying to get rid of.

Can I Switch My Carrier Online

Yes, there is an option available to make the switch online but the majority of the people prefer visiting the respective centers and switching their network service providers. Going through the process in person is more reliable and tension free rather than doing it online.

Which Provider offers the Latest Model of Free Phones

The three big service providers in the market include Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile out of which AT&T is providing the latest model of iPhone in the free phone when you switch deal. AT&T is currently offering iPhone 11 Pro which came out in September of 2019.

Best AT&T Free Phone Deals

The new iPhone 11 Pro is the phone that AT&T gives away for free when you switch to this operator. If you manage to save up to $1000, you will be able to buy two iPhones but the plans associated with this offer are expensive.

iPhone 11 Pro

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Features of iPhone 11 Pro:

A13 Bionic chip
2 inches liquid retina screen
Dust and water-resistant
Ultra-wide and wide camera system with night and portrait modes
Digital and Optical zoom up to 5x and 2x
256GB internal memory

Pros:
Cons:

Unlimited talk and text
The second biggest carrier in the USA is AT&T
Numerous stores available
International coverage in Canada, Mexico, and many other countries

AT&T plans are expensive
Slow data deprioritization

Best T-Mobile Free Phone Deals

You can either get a free phone when you switch or add a line and get another free phone at a full refund. To switch your provider and avail of this offer, you first need to check if the line you are currently activated at is eligible and pay $20 to activate your line at Metro.

T-Mobile is offering free cell phones on acquiring their Unlimited Plan. Metro by T-Mobile is offering brand new free Samsung A11 when you switch to their network

1. Samsung A11

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Features of Samsung A11:

4 inches screen
4000 mAh battery
13MP+ 5MP+ 2MP triple camera system
Memory up to 512GB3
SDM450 Octa-Core (8*1.8GHz) processor speed

2. LG K51

T-Mobile also offers a free phone LG K51 in the same offer with the same requirements.

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Features of LG K51:

4 inches screen
The triple camera system of 13MP
4000 mAh battery
3GB RAM

Pros:
Cons:

Prices are relatively low
High speed
There is no termination fee
Unlimited data

Low coverage especially in rural areas
Data plans are costly

Best Verizon Free Phone Deals

Verizon offers a number of free phone when you switch such as iPhone 7, Samsung Galaxy A01, LG k51, Alcatel AVALON V, LG V20, Motorola Moto G power, Nokia 3V, and Motorola moto g7 play. You can either add a new line to your current one or switch your line to Verizon. This service provider does not require you to trade your phone.

1. iPhone 7

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Features of iPhone 7:

Water-resistant
A10 Fusion chip
12MP camera
64 in width x 5.44 in height
Battery time is 14 hours

2. Samsung A01

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Features of Samsung A01:

13MP camera
79 in. Width x 5.8 in. height
7 HD screen
16 GB inbuilt memory

3. Alcatel

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Features of Alcatel AVALON V:

73 in width x 5.83 in height
5MP camera
Usage time of 24 hours
A 1.4 GHz Quad processor
2460 mAh battery
34 inches screen

4. LG V20

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Features of LG V20:

7 inches screen
16 MP camera
3200 mAh battery

5. Motorola Moto G power

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Features of Motorola Moto G power:

16 MP camera
9 in width x 6.29 in height
4 inches HD screen
Snapdragon™ 665 octa-core processor
4 GB RAM

6. Nokia 3V

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Features of Nokia 3V:

13MP camera
26 inches HD screen
4000 mAh battery
Snapdragon 429 processor

7. Motorola Moto G7 Play

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Features of Motorola Moto G7 Play:

13 MP camera
8 in width x 5.85 in. height
Usage time of 40 hours
7 inches ultra-wide screen
3000 mAh battery

Pros:
Cons:

The excellent reputation of being the number 1 provider in the USA
Variety of phones to choose from
Remote area coverage
Data plan is unlimited
4G LTE and 5G LTE

Has expensive plans
The early termination fee is not paid in case of switching from another provider

Best Sprint Free Phone Deals

Sprint offers a number of phones on the free phone when you switch deals as well but what’s unique about this provider is the “Sprint Flex” Lease program which supposedly allows you to get a phone without paying for it. One of the phones being offered in this plan is the Samsung Galaxy S10 in 18 months.

The catch behind this offer is a $37.50 per month credit bill and a new line of service after which you will be able to acquire the Samsung Galaxy S10.

Pros:
Cons:

Unlimited data and text plan
Low rates
Incentives
4G LTE and 5G LTE

Slow network
HD streaming is poor
Coverage issues

The Best Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO)

Mobile Virtual Network Operators sign partnerships with the big providers in the market as they do not have their own cell towers to provide signals. Big service providers indulge in a partnership with MVNO to expand their markets and coverage. Following MVNO are providing the best deals of the free phone when you switch to their network.

1. Cricket Wireless

The phones available for free when you switch provided by cricket wireless include LG Harmony 2, LG Fortune 2, LG Stylo 5, Motorola Moto g 7 Supra, Nokia 3.1 Plus, Nokia 3.1 C, Motorola Moto e5 cruise, Alcatel Tetra, and Samsung Galaxy J2 Pure. Customers are required to activate the new line at a minimum of $55 for data and voice plans monthly. These phones however have not received much appreciation in the markets regarding their specs and features.

2. Boost Mobile

Switching to Boost mobiles as a new customer makes you eligible for their offer of four new LG Stylo 5 phones. The amount required is $50 or above. Consumers looking for family deals to get phones in a bulk are more likely to consider switching to Boost Mobile.

3. Straight Talk

Straight Talk is ideal for people who do not want a commitment of 18-30 months as it offers short commitments which can last up to a month however the phones they give out free are not brand new and are reused. One more downside might be the non-availability of the latest models of phones.

How to Get Buy One Get One Free Offers

At times, we come across these, buy one get one free offers from various service providers. Unlike the name suggests, It is not as easy as buying one set of cell phones and walking away with the other all free of charge. An example of these deals is the buy one and get one free iPhone 8 offer by AT&T.

In order to qualify for the second free handset of free phone, you will be required to make an addition of a second line to your plan moreover you will have to stay with AT&T for 30 months. Your cell plan will have to increase by a minimum of $45 in order to pay for the new line activated on your device. An upgrade or activation fee is required to pay by the customer by all providers.

Conclusion

It is a confusing and overwhelming process to switch your cell phone service provider and the free phone deal might appear as a hoax to many of us in today’s era where a fear of being scammed has been instilled in people. These deals have their advantages and disadvantages and it is essential that you have researched enough and have done your homework properly before jumping at the name of free stuff. Before making any such decisions, it is advisable to go to the website of the provider you plan on switching to and checking out whether your phone is compatible with the new carrier and make sure to read all the requirements thoroughly.

If you happen to switch networks, make sure to call your previous provider to make sure they cancel your subscriptions and you do not have to pay for their plans anymore. The best time to switch from one carrier to another is when new phones are released as during that time the 4 big service providers give out different offers to win over customers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are these Phones Completely Free of Cost?

No, these phones seemingly are free of cost as you are not required to pay for the device when you switch however companies cover these costs in the contracts they sign with you which bounds you to stay with them for the number of years mentioned in the deal, usually about 2 years. Moreover, you are asked to pay a small amount ranging between $15 to $20 to activate your line. Purchasing their monthly data and voice plan aids in increasing the customer base of the providers which is the main aim of this free phone scheme. This phone is not actually free, rather you are paying it off in monthly instalments over a minimum of 24 months.

Do I Need to Trade in My Old Device for a New One While Switching Providers?

Some providers require you to trade your old devices in exchange for a new one while switching your service network however not all of them do. Verizon does not require you to trade your phone while switching to their network but trading in your phone might get you to store credit.

If I Switch to a New Carrier, Will I Have to Change My Phone Number?

This question is the most asked question when people decide on changing their networks as changing your phone number creates hesitation in people but carriers offer switching services without you having to change your phone number. It is by law that the carriers let you keep your old phone number even If you are switching. If you are moving to a different state or somewhere across the country, you might be required to pay for porting numbers so make sure you ask all the questions in your mind regarding this issue before switching.

If I Switch to An MVNO, Will My Device Get Proper Updates As the Devices on Providers to Do?

This might be a problem when it comes to availing the free phone offer from Mobile Virtual Network Operators. If you purchase a carrier- agnostic phone such as Google Pixels from MVNO’s, you will still be able to receive all the updates properly from the manufactures but if you own a Samsung Galaxy from an MVNO, you will not be able to get all the updates that devices taken from service providers will have.