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Changing between various phone carriers is one of the best ways to find the perfect service to use. It also gives you access to amazing perks, including free phones and or services. If that impresses you, this review is all about what phone companies give free phones when you switch.
So, read on if you’d like to save up to $700+ and at the same upgrade to a decent, latest smartphone, including 5G-capable brands. I’ve put together at least seven providers where you can get this kind of deal, as well as how to qualify.
What’s the Best Free Phone Deal When You Switch in 2023?
Typically, there are over a hundred phone providers here in the U.S., including the major carriers and their MVNOs. For that, the best deals on free cell phones depend on which company you’re switching to at the time.
Regardless, here are some of the ongoing deals you might want to check out if you want to welcome the new year in a style.
Are the Free Phones Deals When You Switch Worth it?
In truth, nothing comes for free in this world. Even in those shooting games in amusement parks, you still need to buy the bullet or darts before you can win the free big teddy bear. And the same strategy is what mobile operators use to lure you into their service.
In other words, the deal for the free phone when you switch to the particular carrier’s network is really real. But in return, you’ll also have to give them something as depicted in their terms of the agreement.
If we used Verizon as an example, right now they have some free-phone-switcher deals, including Samsung Galaxy S20 FE. However, to grab the 5G device at no cost, the tech giant provides that you need to switch to any of their unlimited plans. Then, you’ll receive a full rebate in the form of bill credits.
Usually, these bill credits don’t have monitory value. You can only apply them towards the “service” on your account, whereby they’ll reduce the amount you owe for your total monthly charges.
If it’s our reference Samsung Galaxy S20 FE on Verizon free deal, they will distribute the full rebate of $599.99 over 30 months. So, your total service bill between this period will be less $19.99.
FYI: Most MVNOs (or mobile virtual network operators) usually don’t give free phones when you switch. Instead, they use a different tactic to lure new customers, with the likes of Ultra Mobile and Mint Mobile offering free service.
In any case, the free-phone-switcher deals are definitely something to smile about when the carrier approves your account. It can be a great way to upgrade without having to spend big. But again, that will also depend on the network operator you’re switching to, as shown below.
Recommended: Free Cell Phones No Credit Check No Credit Card Needed
How Do You Get the Free Phones When You Switch
As I said before, each phone operator has varying free phone deals when you switch, and so is the approach to qualify. In this section, we’re going to look at these companies so you can decide on which to try next as per your situation.
They include:
| Wireless Phone Network | Type of Cellular Service | Best Free-Phone-Switcher Deal | Qualify Requirements |
| T-Mobile | Prepaid & Postpaid | Apple iPhone 13 | Eligible Trade-In or BOGO |
| AT&T | Prepaid & Postpaid | Apple IPhone 13 Mini | Eligible Trade-In |
| Verizon | Prepaid & Postpaid | Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | Register New Line |
| Metro by T-Mobile | Prepaid Only | Apple iPhone SE (2020 Edition) | Eligible Port-in & Activation |
| Google Fi | Prepaid (Mostly) | Motorola Moto G Play (2021) | Eligible Port-in & Activation |
| Cricket Wireless | Prepaid Only | Motorola One 5G | Eligible Port-in & Activation |
| Boost Mobile | Prepaid Only | Samsung Galaxy A32 5G | Eligible Port-in & Activation |
| Safelink | Lifeline & Prepaid | LG Phoenix 4 LTE Android | Proof of Low Income |
| TruConnect | Lifeline & Prepaid | LG Aristo 4G LTE phone | Proof of Low Income |
Ps T-Mobile BOGO is a new promotional offer that the GSM operator has recently introduced for those who need a free phone deal without a trade-in. BOGO simply mean buy one get one free kind of deal.
1. T-Mobile
T-Mobile is one of the three major phone carriers and an amazing one for new customers. It not only offers “truly” unlimited plans and data speed prioritization but also has over a dozen free latest smartphones.
To get the T-Mobile free phones deals, you must first be a well-qualified customer without any outstanding balance. Next, you’ll need to decide if you would want a lower-end or a high-end device. If it’s the former, you necessarily don’t need a trade-in.
Instead, just activate a new line on any rate plan, then check out your desired device on a monthly agreement. After that, you’ll start receiving your full rebate as bill credits over 24 months.
Meanwhile, you can also get a free iPhone 13 or Samsung Galaxy S21 and other high-end smartphones when you switch to T-Mobile. However, in this category, you’ll need to have an eligible trade-in, plus the unlimited Magenta MAX rate plan.
Alternatively, you can opt for the BOGO (buy one, get one FREE) promotional offers on the qualified phones. Then, you’ll receive your monthly bill credits over 24 months, just like the rest of the deals.
Speaking of deals, here are the six best free phones you can get when you switch to T-Mobile service:
- Motorola One 5G Ace
- OnePlus Nord N200 5G
- Samsung Galaxy A32 5G
- Apple iPhone 13 series
- Apple iPhone 12 Series
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Series
2. Verizon
Verizon Wireless is no doubt the largest carrier, and for a good reason. It currently has the fastest 5G speeds, best mobile entertainment perks, and the widest coverage, including in the remote parts of the Western region.
Furthermore, you can also get Verizon free phone offers when you join their network. The carrier has deals for everyone, all latest and easy to qualify as you necessarily don’t need to trade-in.
Indeed, Verizon currently has up to eight latest smartphones that you can grab by only activating a new line on an unlimited plan. Some of the devices include Apple iPhone 12 Mini, Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G, and iPhone 11 Pro Max.
In addition to that, the CDMA carrier has goodly deals on the recently-released iPhone and Samsung Galaxy devices. But in this case, you’ll need to have an eligible trade-in, as well as port-in and activate your line on any of the qualified postpaid unlimited plans.
Note, either of the promotional offers will give you a rebate in the form of bill credits over 24 or 30 months. Also, Verizon says you can expect the first rebate amount within 8 weeks (2 months).
The seven best free phone deals when you switch to Verizon include:
- Apple iPhone 12 Mini Phone
- Samsung Galaxy S20FE 5G
- Motorola Edge 5G Smartphone
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G 128GB
- Apple iPhone 13 Pro 128GB Series
- Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Certified
- Google Pixel 6 128GB Tensor Phone
3. AT&T
AT&T is also a phone provider with its own cellular towers. So, it’s a good service to switch to if you would want to make the most of your phone without worrying about deprioritization.
Even better, AT&T is another company that gives free phones when you switch. Of course, it doesn’t have as many offers as T-Mobile or Verizon, but the few available are all the latest brands.
To get the AT&T free phones deals, you must also have an eligible trade-in smartphone in good working condition. You’ll also need to activate your new line with the provider on either of the unlimited rate plans.
After that, you’ll get a full rebate on the qualified phones in bill credits over 36 months. However, AT&T starts releasing the bill credits from up to three bill cycles, but, of course, you’ll receive a catch-up amount.
Note, all the free-phone-switcher deals from AT&T, for now, require an eligible trade-in. If not, you can opt for their discounted offers, whereby you pay as low as $2/ month but won’t need a trade-in.
In any case, here are the four best FREE phone options when you switch to AT&T with an eligible trade-in:
- Google Pixel 6 128GB Smartphone
- Apple iPhone 13 Mini 256GB Series
- Apple iPhone 13 128GB 5G Smartphone
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G 128GB Android
4. Metro by T-Mobile (formerly MetroPCS)
Metro is one of the top MVNOs you can consider for affordable cell phone service. It’s also one of the companies that will give you a free phone when you switch prepaid carriers since the three above are postpaid.
In fact, Metro by T-Mobile has far more free-phone-switcher deals than AT&T, which, to be honest, is disappointing. It also doesn’t ask for a trade-in, yet you can redeem a “virtual Prepaid MasterCard” of up to $400 on an iPhone.
But for you to get the Metro free phone offers, you’ll first need to purchase any of the eligible devices. The deal also requires an eligible port-in, as well as a line activation on the $60 unlimited plan.
After that, you’ll now receive an instant rebate off the full retail of the selected smartphone. You can use your virtual prepaid MasterCard rebate to pay your Metro service bill, as well as shop online or in-store where they accept mobile payments. So, it beats all the other providers where you can only use the credits to reduce your monthly service bill.
It’s also worth noting Metro by T-Mobile does have a Trade-in program, but you’ll have to take your device to the nearest local dealer. The Metro agent will then provide you with a quote for your old device and instant credit to use on your next new phone.
Here are some of the free phones you can get when you switch to Metro by T-Mobile with no trade-in:
- OnePlus Nord N200 5G 64GB
- Samsung Galaxy A32 5G 64GB
- Apple iPhone SE (2020 Edition)
- Motorola Moto G Stylus 128GB
- Alcatel Go Flip 4 Basic Phone
- Samsung Galaxy A13 5G 64GB
- Motorola Moto G Power 64GB
5. Google Fi
While it doesn’t seem like one, Google Fi is also a mobile virtual network operator. It doesn’t have its own network infrastructure, rather brings you the service through T-Mobile and US Cellular. The available unlimited plans are a bit pricey, but you can also opt for the by-the-gig plan, which is more like a postpaid and relatively cheaper.
As a new customer, Google Fi also has free phone deals when you switch to its network. However, the free devices are only a few, compared to the other promotional offers, whereby you can get up to $400 on the latest Samsung high-end devices.
But to qualify for either the Google Fi free phone deals or the discount offers, you must join and activate your line on a full-service plan. Also, you’ll need to port in an active number from your previous carrier, or else the deal is off.
It’s worth noting Google Fi does have a trade-in program, whereby you can get up to $500. Thus, allowing you to upgrade to a brand like the Galaxy S21 for free after combining the promotional offer with your trade-in device.
That said, some of the best free phone deals you can get when you switch to Google Fi are:
- Motorola Moto G Play (2021 Edition)
- Samsung Galaxy A32 5G Smartphone
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G 128GB Phone
- Motorola One 5G Ace 64GB Android 10
- Google Pixel 5a (5G) 128GB Smartphone
6. Cricket Wireless
In the Cricket vs Metro review, we saw the AT&T brand is something you’d love to use. Not only does it have budget-friendly cell phone plans, but also brings you fast browsing speeds of up to 1000+Mbps when on the 5G+ mmWave spectrum. That’s double what you can expect from MetroPCS and its carrier network, T-Mobile.
In addition to that, you can get free smartphones with Cricket Wireless when you switch to its network. And different from its parent company, you don’t need a trade-in to qualify for the offer.
To get the free phones, you just need to switch to Cricket with your current (active) number, excluding AT&T ports. Then, activate your line on the $60 Cricket More unlimited plan.
Note, Cricket Wireless usually offers entry-level devices on the free-phone-switcher deals. However, the list does include both 4G LTE and 5G-capable devices, as shown below:
- Motorola Moto G Power 64GB Phone
- Samsung Galaxy A12 32GB 6.5” Screen
- Motorola One 5G 128GB Android Phone
- Cricket Dream 5G 64GB Smartphone
- Motorola Moto G Play 32GB Android
7. Boost Mobile
Last on my top list is Boost Mobile, which is another great MVNO if you don’t want to pay for an expensive service. In fact, it’s cheaper than most as you can cut your bill to as low as $15 per month, considering you’ll be okay with 2GB of data.
Moreover, you can get a free phone when you switch prepaid carriers to Boost service. Of course, the brand doesn’t have so many of these deals to brag about, but the few included are all the latest devices. That includes 5g-capable selections, which is a big take when you want to make the most of the ultra-fast network.
Sad to say, though, the Boost Mobile free phone offers are only available in its physical stores. But you’ll still need to port an eligible cell phone number and also activate your new line on the qualified plans.
Meanwhile, you can still get good online deals from Boost Mobile, with both the low-end and high-end catalogs.
The five below are some of the free and discounted phones that Boost Mobile gives when you join them.
- Samsung Galaxy A32 5G 64GB Phone
- Motorola Moto G 64GB Memory Android
- Samsung Galaxy A13 5G 64GB Smartphone
- Samsung S21 FE 5G 128GB Android Phone
- Apple iPhone SE (2020 Edition) 64GB Memory
Key Takeaway: Other Companies with Free-Phone-Switcher Deals
In my summary chart above, you’ll notice I’ve included Safelink and TruConnect on the list. As lifeline providers, the two will give you free touch screen government phones when you switch to their network.
However, the providers often offer entry-level phone brands, which you can only use for communication and general browsing. A good example is the LG Phoenix 4 and LG Aristo, which can only work with 4G LTE.
As per the requirements, you can qualify for either Safelink or TruConnect free phones if your income is below the federal poverty level. You can also get into the program if you’re participating in any government-funded program, such as Medicaid, Food Stamps, and Supplemental Security Income,
In Conclusion:
It’s not all of us will afford to purchase our dream phones upfront. So, the free cell phone deals are a great way to upgrade to the latest device at less. It’s also worthwhile as you’ll get to test your new service in both call quality and data speeds in the process.
Even so, picking a free-phone-switcher deal with any of the phone companies does involve signing into a commitment. If by chance you break that agreement, the provider will also not honor their end of the deal.
For instance, with Verizon and T-Mobile, canceling your service earlier will stop the rebate credits. Then, whatever balance that may be remaining on your “free” device will be due.
So, as you go for any deals, ensure what you’re picking fits your phone needs. That includes confirming the service is in your area and also the qualifying rate plans that fit your budget.