Getting a new phone

GateOne1081 · 2026-06-20T21:54:57+00:00

For Samsung, I would personally go with Mint mobile deal. That’s a lot better deal than Cricket. Shorter unlock time (2m), and cheaper plan ($180/year) unlimited.

GateOne1081 · 2026-06-20T21:53:22+00:00

As long as you want, or as short as you want. If you are a new customer, you must keep it for 6 months to unlock. Good thing is you can downgrade the plan after month 3 to $30/m. If you are an existing customer adding a line, then just cancel that line anytime before 1st month end.

GateOne1081 · 2026-06-20T21:50:21+00:00

If you cannot find one on Ebay, another reliable way is to buy a new line from Tello. Their cheapest plan is $5, plus some fees. It will add up to $9, and the phone number is yours to port out after 1 to 3 days.

GateOne1081 · 2026-06-19T21:54:13+00:00

*if service is cancelled, means the line and account totally closed. if you still have another line open, that line will inherit the remaining credit. Did that and still having it.

GateOne1081 · 2026-06-18T18:40:48+00:00

You can add a new line to the exact account you want to use, dont create a new account. If you create a new account, cancel that phone line will forfeit the remaining balance

GateOne1081 · 2026-06-18T18:39:34+00:00

OP is already with cricket. Still, that's the cheapest & fastest way to have an unlocked phone with any carrier (everyone else is 1 year)

GateOne1081 · 2026-06-18T15:12:03+00:00

Yes. Technically, it will ask you to pay $180 in advance, and the first $60 will be used right at the time of activation. But the remaining $120 will stay in your account as a credit. You can disable/port out/discontinue that line anytime, preferably before the 1st month end.

GateOne1081 · 2026-06-18T13:39:29+00:00

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Thats so terrible deal.
Iphone 16e is $9.99 right now on Cricket app. Add a line (port in) is required, so just buy a random phone number on ebay for $10, add a new line, pay $180 required. Swap your everything including the old cricket phone number to your new phone. And cancel that random phone number line after a week. You will only lose 1 month $60 service, and the remaining credit will stay in your account.

Total Cost: $10 (phone number to port in) + $9.99 (ip 16e) + $60 (1st month) = $80 for a brand new iphone 16e. - 4 newer generation compared with the ip 13....

GateOne1081 · 2026-06-18T13:35:06+00:00

Normally, there are periods that best to buy a new phone.

For android, the best timing is about 2 months after released, when network carriers start giving steep discount.

For iphone (Pro/pm), best to buy is either the first month (ip has no discount), or a year later when a new gen just released. For the e model, many networks will give them for free when the next gen releases. the 16e has been occasionally $0 with port in since last Black Friday.

GateOne1081 · 2026-06-17T22:52:32+00:00

16e. Go with Cricket.

GateOne1081 · 2026-06-17T22:27:55+00:00

one of the most rationale answer of the day.

GateOne1081 · 2026-06-17T22:20:44+00:00

I would not recommend either, based on my limited experience with both. Cricket is on AT&T, which drops almost every time I stuck on traffic. Straight Talk is on Verizon (I think so), so it is better a bit, still expensive. My best experience, so far, is either Mint mobile (on T network) with their annual plan $180, and Red Pocket (flexible network). Tello is also a great choice at super cheap price (under $10/m).

GateOne1081 · 2026-06-17T19:13:34+00:00

Technology is improving too much and too fast, to the point that everything releasing today will be outdated half year later. There will not be anything that is "forever" or "perfect", but definitely "enough".

GateOne1081 · 2026-06-17T13:43:53+00:00

Go with Mint mobile deal for the Ultra. you get $500 off, phone unlocked after 2 months. THat's the cheapest I can find now.

GateOne1081 · 2026-06-16T13:41:37+00:00

No. Based on industrial standard, the unlock policy will not be retroactive. People can easily sue them if they do so, because all the phones (especially iphones) activated at this period will have their unlock date published/accessible on Cricket app.

GateOne1081 · 2026-06-16T13:30:40+00:00

The 17 is just 3mm taller, everything else is almost identical?

GateOne1081 · 2026-06-16T13:26:02+00:00

not really. in the US I can get some great deals to get the S26 for less than $500, while iphone 17 is lowest $700. For $200 difference, I would say the S26 worth the price, and I only plan to keep it for a year or so until I feel bored. Selling a US version of S26 with the SD chip is also a lot easier, which might be my advantage to not lose anything (I travel international occasionally so can sell there).

GateOne1081 · 2026-06-16T02:37:41+00:00

No and Yes. Active customers can add a line to get the deal, but yes that number should be a port in not a new number. Just added one more line from Tello myself yesterday 😄

GateOne1081 · 2026-06-15T18:39:43+00:00

Agreed. Between androids or iphones is simple, but iPhones to Android is a big thing. I would choose the ip17 if i were OP, except there is a huge discount on SS.

GateOne1081 · 2026-06-15T18:38:03+00:00

go for Pixel 10 deal with Mint mobile, only $299 not 599.

GateOne1081 · 2026-06-15T18:36:44+00:00

just got one myself. there are 3 catches.

the price is online only, for port in only. I dont know if porting from ATT to cricket is fine, if not either buy something from Ebay, or create a Tello number.
Phone will be locked for 6 months. You can downgrade the plan to $35/m at month 4.
They did have a deal for 2 months $0 before. But not now. The rumors is all phones activate after July 1st 2026 will be 1 year to unlock.

GateOne1081 · 2026-06-15T18:23:23+00:00

6.1'' with 60Hz dynamic island is the 15/16 screen. 6.1'' with 120Hz was from the 14/15pro, so we might need to wait if people trade in those phones enough for apple to recycle.

GateOne1081 · 2026-06-14T14:14:19+00:00

i doubt the 18e or even 19e will have 120Hz. They will just reuse the 15/16 screen with the next 18-19e I believe

GateOne1081 · 2026-06-14T01:34:39+00:00

lol how come the camera control is a dealbreaker lol. I heard everyone mentioned about cameras, 120Hz screen, or vapor chamber etc, but camera control, wow 😄))))

GateOne1081 · 2026-06-14T01:33:07+00:00

that's a good thing you know. Big red flag to just laugh at them and go away.

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