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TracFone Wireless is one of the best options when looking for cheap cell phone service. It has phone plans from as low as $6/ month when purchased in bulk order. But can I activate these cheap plans with eSIM? If yes, what phones are compatible with TracFone with 5G on the new carrier network with eSIM?
TracFone is an MVNO, which means it resells the network of its partner Major Carrier. For years, the carrier network of TracFone has been Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. But there have been changes on these underlying networks, which have left even some existing customers with their devices not working.
Continue reading to learn more about the types of phones compatible with TracFone on the new underlying network. The post also covers crucial tips to consider when looking for a TracFone phone to make the most of your service.
Verdict: Top 5 Best Phones Compatible with TracFone 5G
- Best of All: Fully Unlocked Apple iPhone 13
Features a very fast A15 Bionic processor, rugged IP68-rated design, 5G support on mmWave, built-in eSIM + physical SIM, NFC for digital payments, compatible with wireless charging, and has the latest WiFi6 connectivity
- Best of Budget: Fully Unlocked Motorola Moto G 5G
Features a fast Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 processor, 5G connectivity on mid-band/ c-band cells, expandable memory with MicroSD, compatibility with WiFi 5, and NFC for tap-and-pay option
- Best of Upgrade: Fully Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Features a super-fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, 6.8-inch QHD+ display, 5G connectivity on mmWave, compatibility with WiFi 6e (tri-band), plenty of internal storage, built-in NFC for payments, and compatibility with wireless chargers
- Best of Deal: TracFone Apple iPhone SE (3rd Edition) with 5G
Features a high-performance A15 Bionic processor, sturdy IP67-rated build, 5G support on C-band, built-in eSIM + physical SIM, NFC for digital payments, compatible with WiFi6 (dual-band), and supports wireless charging
- Best of Under $100: TracFone Samsung Galaxy A13
Features a decent Mediatek (7nm) processor, wide 6.5-inch (90Hz) display, supports 5G on C-band, built-in NFC for payments, compatible with WiFi 5, and has expandable memory with MicroSD
Crucial Things to Consider When Looking for Phones Compatible with TracFone Service
First, TracFone is one of the oldest cell phone services in the country, with its initial debut dating back to 1996. At that time, the company went by the name Topp Telecom but changed to TracFone Wireless Inc. in 1999-2000.
In other words, TracFone has a pretty long and interesting story, including the control of several small carriers.
Speaking of small carriers, TracFone itself is a small carrier or mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). It used to be an MVNO of the three Major Carriers- T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T. But in 2021, Verizon completed the acquisition of TracFone Wireless, Inc. and its brands, which resulted in some restructuring.
In one of the restructuring stages, TracFone is dropping the network deal with AT&T and T-Mobile. So, it will now have Verizon as the only carrier network.
· Get a Phone with Verizon Technology
In simple words, the phone you have should have the necessary Verizon network frequencies to work on TracFone. The necessary Verizon frequencies are:
| Network | Primary Frequencies | Secondary Frequencies | Low-Band 5G Frequencies | High-Band 5G Frequencies |
| Verizon & TracFone | 13* | 2, 4, 5, & 66 | N2, N5, & N66 | N77 (C-Band), N260, & N261 |
| AT&T and its MVNOs | 12* & 17* | 2, 4, 5, 29, 30, & 66 | N2, N5, & N66 | N77 (C-Band), |
| T-Mobile & its MVNOs | 4*, 12*, & 71* | 2, 5, & 66 | N71 | N41, N258, N260, & N261 |
Verizon and its MVNOs, like TracFone, usually require a phone with primary band 13 to pass the online compatibility check. The primary frequency offers extended-range coverage, where the signal travels far and penetrates through walls well.
However, to make the most of your TracFone service, you’ll need a phone with secondary frequency bands as well. The secondary frequencies offer high-capacity coverage, bringing you the fastest LTE data speeds, albeit on short range.
Note: As you can see on the chart, Verizon has a different primary frequency from T-Mobile and AT&T. So, some of the devices that you used with the GSM carrier T-Mobile or AT&T may not work on TracFone.
· TracFone Supports eSIM
TrscFone supports eSIM activation, which is instant and great for dual-SIM functionality on phones with only a single physical SIM slot. Some phones like iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 (US versions) don’t even support physical SIM.
Nonetheless, TracFone still has no eSIM activation on Android phones. It only supports eSIM activation on Apple iPhones, including iPhone 12s and later.
· Fast Browsing Data Speeds
TracFone 4G LTE data speeds often peak under 100Mbps, 50+Mbps for most people. Nonetheless, the data speeds on TracFone 5G can peak at up to 400+Mbps (100Mbps to 200Mbps for most people).
· TracFone offers Deprioritized Data
Indeed, TracFone offers all its cell phone plans with deprioritized mobile data. Thus, the browsing data speeds will always drop (sometimes significantly) when the cell towers are too busy.
Also, this means you’ll get the best of your TracFone data service on a phone with 5G access. If connecting on 5G, your phone will still be usable when deprioritization happens.
· TracFone Has Limited Roaming
When comparing Simple Mobile vs TracFone, we concluded you can only get domestic roaming with the two sister brands. TracFone has no international roaming, in which case you’ll have to use other methods to connect with loved ones.
· TracFone has Free WiFi Calling
TracFone has a WiFi calling function free of charge. The feature can be very useful when outside the native coverage areas, as you still can call and text.
That said, you’ll need a phone that supports WiFi calling to use the feature.
What Phones are Compatible with TracFone 5G Network
As briefly mentioned above, phones are compatible with TracFone as long they have the necessary frequency bands of Verizon. In particular, a phone MUST have the primary band 13 to pass the online TracFone compatibility checker.
In addition, a phone must be software-compatible to work on TracFone service. Software compatibility means the phone should be either:
- TracFone branded phones: phones locked on TracFone are naturally compatible with the service. You just have to make sure they haven’t been blacklisted
- Factory-unlocked phones: as the name, this is a phone that comes directly from the factory (manufacturer) without any network restriction. So, you can use the device on TracFone with no problem
- Carrier-unlocked phones: these are the previously locked phones from carriers compatible with TracFone that are now unlocked. The phone must be unlocked on all features to work with the MVNO efficiently.
- Verizon branded phones: Various Verizon-locked phones can work on TracFone before unlocking. For the branded phones that don’t work (especially from the prepaid category), you MUST unlock them.
Important Note:
Many TracFone branded phones can work on their cellular brands before unlocking. A perfect example is using a Tracfone-locked phone on Straight Talk or Total Wireless (currently known as Total by Verizon).
Nonetheless, phones locked to these brands of TracFone can’t work on TracFone. You will have to unlock the devices first- at least for all I’ve gone through.
The Best iPhones & Android Phones Compatible with TracFone
| Cellular Connectivity | ESIM Support | ROM vs RAM | |
| Fully Unlocked Apple iPhone 13 | 5G & 4G LTE | YES | 128GB, 4GB |
| TracFone Locked Samsung Galaxy A23 5G | 5G & 4G LTE | NO | 64GB, 4GB |
| TracFone (Locked) Apple iPhone SE (3rd Edition) w/ 5G | 5G & 4G LTE | YES | 64B, 4GB |
| Fully Unlocked Motorola Moto G 5G | 5G & 4G LTE | NO | 128GB, 4GB |
| Fully Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | 5G & 4G LTE | YES | 256GB, 12GB |
| TracFone Samsung Galaxy A13 | 5G & 4G LTE | NO | 64GB, 4GB |
| TracFone Motorola Moto G Pure | 4G LTE only | NO | 32GB, 3GB |
| Factory Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S24+ | 5G & 4G LTE | YES | 256GB, 12GB |
| Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | 5G & 4G LTE | YES | 128GB, 6GB |
| Factory Unlocked Sony Xperia 5 (IV) 5G Smartphone | 5G & 4G LTE | YES | 128GB, 8GB |
| TracFone (locked) Alcatel Myflip Flip Phone | 4G LTE only | NO | 4GB, 0.5GB |
| Unlocked Google Pixel 4a 5G Android Phone | 5G & 4G LTE | YES | 128GB, 6GB |
| Fully-Unlcoked Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G | 5G & 4G LTE | NO | 128GB, 6GB |
| Factory Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | 5G & 4G LTE | NO | 128GB, 6GB |
| Fully Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S10+ Android | 4G LTE Only | NO | 128GB, 6GB |
| TracFone (locked) Samsung Galaxy A03s | 4G LTE Only | NO | 32GB, 3GB |
| Fully Unlocked Google Pixel 8 Pro | 5G & 4G LTE | YES | 256GB, 12GB |
| Fully Unlocked LG Reflect 4G LTE Android Phone | 4G LTE Only | NO | 32GB, 3GB |
| Straight Talk (Unlocked) Motorola One 5G Ace | 5G & 4G LTE | NO | 64GB, 4GB |
| Unlocked Motorola Moto G Power (2024 Edition) | 5G & 4G LTE | YES | 128GB, 8GB |
| Factory Unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ Android | 4G LTE Only | NO | 256GB, 12GB |
| Verizon Unlocked Kyocera DuraForce Pro 2 | 4G LTE Only | NO | 64GB, 4GB |
| Factory Unlocked Samsung Galaxy A54 5G | 5G & 4G LTE | YES | 128GB, 8GB |
| Unlocked Google Pixel 3a LTE Phone with eSIM | 4G LTE Only | YES | 64GB, 4GB |
| Unlocked LG Stylo 5+ Android Smartphone | 4G LTE Only | NO | 32GB, 3GB |
All the cell phones here are compatible with TracFone on at least the 4G LTE network. However, we said a device with 5G capability brings you the best experience, including usable data during deprioritization.
Besides the five brands I mentioned in the beginning, other great phones you can use with the TracFone 5G network are:
Factory Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S24+
Get the Samsung Galaxy S24+ if looking for an upgrade smartphone that has:
- The fastest (Gen 3) Android processor
- Built-in eSIM and a physical SIM slot
- 5G support on mmWave or Ultra-Wideband
- Plenty of internal storage for your files and apps
- A rugged build with IP68 dust/ water protection
- An integrated NFC for digital payments & data sharing
- A powerful camera with videos up to 8K and slow-motion mode
Fully Unlocked Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
Get iPhone 12 Pro Max if looking for a TracFone-compatible phone that has:
- A fast (A14 Bionic) processor
- Sturdy build, with IP68 dust/ water protection
- Built-in eSIM and functional physical SIM slot
- 5G access on mmWave/ Ultra-wideband spectrum
- Built-in NFC for digital payments & data sharing
- Compatible with both Wired and Wireless chargers
- Enough internal storage for your apps, games, and files
Factory Unlocked Sony Xperia 5 (IV) 5G Smartphone
Get Sony Xperia 5 (IV) if looking for an Android touchscreen phone you can enjoy:
- A brilliant display with a 120Hz refresh rate
- High-performance Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) chip
- Enough built-in storage & a slot for microSD card
- Latest WiFi technology, including WiFi6e & tri-band
- Integrated NFC sensor for easy digital payments
- With a powerful camera, you can capture vivid 4K videos
- An elegant, tough construction with IP68 protection
Unlocked Google Pixel 4a 5G Android Phone
Get a Google Pixel 4a 5G Android phone if you’d love:
- A fast Snapdragon (7nm) processor
- Built-in eSIM and Physical SIM slot
- Both 4G LTE and 5G cellular connectivity
- Decent WiFi 5 (802.11ac), dual-band connectivity
- 128GB internal storage with no MicroSD support
- Integrated NFC chip for sharing data and payments
- A decent camera you capture crisp pics and videos in 4K
Fully-Unlocked Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G
Get Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G if looking for a budget-friendly smartphone you can enjoy features like:
- An extra-wide 6.8-inch, 120Hz display
- Decent Snapdragon 695 (6nm) processor
- 5G access on the mid-band (c-band) cells
- Built-in Stylus to scribble notes & sketch
- Integrated NFC chip for tap-and-pay feature
- Enough internal storage & MicroSD support
- Decent WiFi 5 (802.11ac), dual-band connectivity
Factory Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
Get the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G-enabled phone to take advantage of its:
- Fast Snapdragon (7 nm+) processor
- An extra-wide 6.5-inch, 120Hz HDR10+ display
- 5G access on the Sub6 or Mid-band/ C-band cells
- Rugged IP68-rated build for underwater snapshots
- Plenty of built-in storage & slot for a MicroSD card
- Built-in NFC for sharing digital data and payments
- Compatibility with Qi/ PMA and reverse wireless chargers
Unlocked Motorola Moto G Power (2024 Edition)
As the name, Motorola Moto G Power (2024 Edition) is a newly released cell phone on the mid-range price-point. If a big fan of Motorola, the new G Power brings you the latest features like:
- an integrated eSIM and physical SIM slot
- A fast MediaTek Dimensity (6 nm) processor
- 5G cellular connectivity on mid-band/ C-band
- WiFi 5 (802.11ac), dual-band connectivity
- An extra-wide 6.7-inch, 120Hz Full HD+ display
- Built-in NFC for easy sharing of data and payments
- Compatible with both wired and Wireless chargers
Factory Unlocked Samsung Galaxy A54 5G Android Phones
Last but not least, you can check out the Samsung Galaxy A54 if looking for a TracFone-compatible phone with:
- A high-performance (5 nm) processor
- Built-in eSIM & physical SIM slot
- An extra-wide 6.4-inch, 120Hz display
- 5G connectivity (on mid-band/ c-band)
- Built-in NFC for digital (tap-and-pay) feature
- Enough internal storage & MicroSD option
- Rugged build, with IP67 dust/ water protection
Common Related Questions
Can I use my T-Mobile phone with a TracFone SIM card?
Yes, you can use some T-Mobile phones with a TracFone SIM card. However, the T-Mobile phone must be fully unlocked and with the necessary Verizon/ TracFone frequency bands. The Verizon/ TracFone network bands are 4G LTE bands 13*, 2, 4, 5, & 66. Then, band N2, N5, N66, N77 (C-Band), N260, & N261 for 5G.
What’s the carrier network of TracFone Wireless?
The carrier network of TracFone is Verizon only as of 2024. Before 2024, TracFone would use Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile towers. But after Verizon acquired TracFone, they plan on dropping the deal with other Carrier Networks.
Does TracFone give away a free phone when you join?
Yes, TracFone gives away a free phone when you join. However, the TracFone free phone deals are usually not consistent- they are available from time to time. Like last year they had free phones from Samsung, Motorola, BLU, Orbic, et cetera.
Can I activate the Samsung S23 on TracFone with eSIM?
TracFone only supports eSIM activation on iPhones, including iPhone 12s and later. So, unfortunately, NO, you cannot activate Samsung Galaxy S23 on TracFone with eSIM. But, fortunately, the smartphone has a slot to insert a physical SIM card
Will my Google Pixel 8 phone work with a TracFone SIM card?
An unlocked Google Pixel 8 can work with a TracFone SIM card as it already has all the necessary network bands. However, some people have been having issues with the Google Pixel phone passing the online compatibility checker during activation.
If one of these people, I recommend you first activate your Tracfone service on another phone that’s compatible. Then, swap your SIM card to the Google Pixel phone.
Remember to Get a Phone for the US Market
As I conclude, it’s safe to say we can’t fill all the brands of phones compatible with TracFone on one page. But the two dozen I’ve listed above are some of the best from various categories, depending on the budget, design, features, and capabilities.
If your desired phone isn’t on this list, you can always check the specs section to make sure it has the necessary network bands. In particular, make sure the device has the primary band 13 since the others are usually consistent with the other carriers.
Regardless, make sure the phone you want to use on TracFone doesn’t have a blacklisted IMEI. (A phone can have a blacklisted IMEI if reported stolen/ lost, involved in fraud, or nonpayment with the previous carrier).
More on that, the phone you plan to use on TracFone must be from a brand made for the US market. International versions of phones won’t pass the whitelist specific to Verizon and its brands/ MVNOs.
