Are you looking for a new phone when you switch your service provider? Even though there is nothing like a totally free phone, there are several benefits you can get, including free data, calls and texts by changing your cell phone services provider.
Some companies offering free phones to switching customers participate in the government lifeline program, while others have great deals for new clients. However, you have to sign up for the services of the new network carrier.
So, what phone companies give free phones when you switch? This article discusses these companies in-depth to help you understand the available budget options and the range of the latest phones you can have. Could you keep reading to learn more about it?
Are Free Cell Phone is Really Free
Wouldn’t it be nice to get a free phone by switching from one network carrier to another? The thing with free phones is that they come with strict terms and conditions, which may tie you down to the new network carrier.
Once you get the free phone, you might be forced to sign up for a long-term contract with the network carrier. Typical contracts involving free phones last for at least 24 months and come with hidden costs, including a termination fee.
Besides, you might not be able to get the kind of phone you want due to the limited variety offered by the network carrier. However, buying a phone gives you the freedom to switch to another network carrier without getting bogged down.
So, if you want a free phone, you must be willing to make some compromises, which may also result in less expensive service plans. You only need to check and hook up with the telephone carriers offering the services.
The 7 Best Phone Companies That Offer Free Phones When You Switch
What phone companies give free phones when you switch? You might want to know what companies offer free phones to customers switching from other network carriers.
You don’t have to look further than three of the largest network carriers in the U.S. – T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T for a free phone when you switch. Some mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), attached to the primary network carriers, also offer free phones. Examples include Straight Talk, Cricket Wireless, Boost Mobile, etc.
Here are the U.S. network carriers that give free phones when you switch:
1. T-Mobile
T-Mobile gives free smartphones when you switch to their networks on a 24-month contract. It is an excellent option for users looking to stay connected with friends and family who have no money to purchase a brand-new phone.
In this arrangement, the credit on the monthly phone bill offsets the cost of the phone for up to two years. You can have a free cell phone if you stick to the contract as long as the deal lasts. If you cancel the service before 24 months have lapsed, T-Mobile may charge you the balance on the phone.
With T-Mobile, you can purchase a new phone, keep your phone, or trade it in upon switching to their service. If you intend to keep your phone, check its compatibility with the T-Mobile network. Essentially, your device should have LTE network capability to connect to T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network.
T-Mobile pays up to $650 per line or $350 for an existing phone and service plan contract with your old provider. For this arrangement, T-Mobile terms and conditions apply. If you choose to trade in your old phone, T-Mobile pays off $650.
It offers various smartphones from several brands, including Samsung, LG, and Motorola. Here are some of the free phones you can get in 2022 for switching to the T mobile network:
- Samsung Galaxy A11
- Samsung Galaxy A12
- LG Aristo 5
- LG Stylo 6
- T-Mobile REVVL 4
- T-Mobile REVVL 4+
- T-Mobile REVV 5G
- Motorola Moto G Play
- OnePlus Nord N200 5G
You can get a free phone from T-Mobile by activating a new line on an eligible phone plan for the new device. Alternatively, you may have to buy a new T-Mobile phone for the 24-month payment plan. Before getting your cellphone, T-Mobile may ask you to make a down payment and sales tax or the pre-credit price.
Several postpaid voice rate plans give you eligibility for a free mobile phone by switching to T-Mobile. They include the following:
- Essentials
- Magenta
- Magenta MAX
- First Responder
- Military & Veteran.
- Unlimited Age 55+
2. AT&T
One of the phone companies giving free phones when you switch to their networks is AT&T. The company has several deals through which it offers free phones to its new customers from other networks. Here are three of them:
- Bring Your Phone: Did you know that you can keep your phone and get a SIM card, wearable device, or tablet and $250 in bill credit. New customers can avoid signing contracts or paying activation fees on the new plan.
- Purchase a New Phone: You can purchase a new phone from AT&T either in-store or online and get a SIM card.
- Keep Your Number: Whether you choose to buy a new phone, you can keep your number and use it on the AT&T network. Thus, you don’t have to call your contacts to provide information on a new phone number.
Several smartphones for customers switching to the AT&T network from major brands like Samsung and Apple. The following are some of the available free phones for 2022:
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
- Moto G Stylus 5G
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
- iPhone 11
- Pixel a4 5G
- Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G
You get to sample the available phones by visiting the AT&T website. Apart from free phones, T-Mobile also has phone offers starting at as little as $10 per month. Besides, all customers can get the iPhone 12 Pro Max for a discount of up to $700. Also, you can get highly discounted prices on unlimited plans starting at $35 per month per line for four lines.
3. Verizon
Verizon is one of the significant companies offering new phones for free for customers switching from other networks. Besides, you can keep your current number upon switching to the Verizon network. The Verizon website has a clear compatibility criterion, which users can view before making the switch.
Qualifying customers get free phones from the significant flagship smartphone brands, including Apple and Samsung. Here are some of the free phones you can get for switching to the Verizon network:
- Motorola One 5G UW
- Motorola One 5G UW Ace
- Samsung Galaxy A02s
- Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
- Samsung Galaxy A42 5G
- Apple iPhone 11
- Apple iPhone SE 2020
Any of these free phones come with a 24-month service plan. Verizon offers $650 and unlimited plans starting at $35 per month for customers bringing their old phones. Apart from the $35/month create unlimited plan, customers can also pick the $45/month Play More Unlimited, $45/month Do More Unlimited, and $55/month Get More Unlimited plans.
All the Verizon unlimited plans include the following benefits:
- Unlimited calls and texts in the U.S.
- Verizon Up rewards
- Free call, texts, data, and roaming to Canada and Mexico
- Free Google Play Pass, Apple Music, discovery+, Apple Arcade, and Disney+
4. Straight Talk
Straight Talk is one of the U.S. phone providers giving free phones to users switching to its network. Once you make the switch, Straight Talk offers any of the following free phones:
- LG L61AL
- LG L413
- LG Premier Pro
- LG Stylo 3
- Alcatel ZIP A5577VL
Besides the free phones, customers can also have phones from Samsung, Alcatel, LG, Apple, and Motorola at discounted prices. On the straight Talk service plans, customers get $35/month for 3GB data, $45/month for 25GB data, $55/month for unlimited data, and $60/month for 25GB and international calling.
5. Boost Mobile
On the Boost Mobile network, you can get a free phone to switch from your old networks and keep your number. To qualify for the offer, you must buy at least a $50 monthly plan per line. Customers also get four free phones for activating the free phone line.
The Boost Mobile deals are limited and vary from time to time. They have phones from some of the largest brands, including the following:
- LG Tribute
- OneTouch Elevate
- ZTE Speed
- Samsung A10e,
- LG Stylo 5
- Motorola Moto E
If none of these phones appeal to you, you can go for better smartphone models from LG, Motorola, Samsung, Apple, Wiko, and Coolpad. Users get $30, $40, $50, and $60 unlimited plans.
6. Metro by T-Mobile
Metro by T-Mobile, previously MetroPCS, provides free phones when you switch to their network or add a line to an existing account. The freephone offers are available in-store and nowhere else. However, customers should be ready to pay an activation fee and sales tax.
The company offers several phones like iPhone 12 Mini 5G for customers switching to the network with a trade-in for an eligible device and a qualifying plan. Besides, new customers get a rebate after using Metro services for at least three months.
With Metro by T-Mobile, you can get any of the following free phones:
- iPhone 12 Mini with 5G
- Samsung Galaxy A02s
- Samsung Galaxy A12
- OnePlus NordN100
Apart from a free phone, new customers on Metro get an unlimited data plan starting at $40/month for one phone line. Metro by T-Mobile also allows you to keep your number from the old network. However, you need to check if your phone is unlocked or compatible with the Metro by T-Mobile network.
7. Cricket Wireless
Cricket Wireless is famous for providing popular smartphones, affordable plans, and superb customer service. You can opt for the prepaid phone service by not entering into an annual contract. Users can change service at will and have to make an upfront payment for a month’s service.
New customers can also get a free phone for switching to the Cricket Wireless network. Switching to Cricket Wireless happens in the following ways:
- Choosing whether to keep your phone number or acquire a new one
- Freedom to bring your old phone if it’s Cricket network compatible
- Ability to use your current phone service until your cricket service plan gets activated
With some of the phones offered by Cricket Wireless for free, you may pay a $25 activation fee. The following are some of the free phones that new customers get for switching:
- Apprise on a $30/month plan
- C2 Tava on a $55/month plan
- Moto G Play on a $60/month plan
- Samsung A02s on $60/month
- iPhone SE 64GB with a comprehensive data plan
Conclusion
Now that you know the answer to the question: what phone companies give free phones when you switch? This article addressed three major network carriers in the U.S. and four other smaller ones. Customers wishing to switch between networks get to enjoy free phones and get call, text, and data packages. The phones offered range from the basic ones to high-end models. So, you have to check with your network to know what they offer.
People Also Ask
There are several network carriers and government-sponsored programs through which you can get a free phone. They include the Lifeline Program, which the government runs in conjunction with network carriers.
You can get a free phone by participating in the government’s Lifeline program courtesy of the mobile phone carriers. Anyone can qualify for a free phone if they participate in Medicaid, SNAP, SSI and other government-sponsored programs.
Larger mobile phone carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile pay early termination fees for customers switching from other networks. The amount involved depends on the network carrier from which you intent to switch.