Discounted/free phone for CDMA upgrades?

[gunterm]

I know that I'm really late to the party here, but my CDMA phone on PP still works and I like it so haven't switched yet. Does anyone know if they are offering a free replacement or a list of discount phones you can get? Or should I just head to ebay and find something used that I like.

[rpz1]

I know that I'm really late to the party here, but my CDMA phone on PP still works and I like it so haven't switched yet. Does anyone know if they are offering a free replacement or a list of discount phones you can get? Or should I just head to ebay and find something used that I like.

I think you missed the boat. The "full" cdma shut down is now slated for the end of this year after originally being the end of 2018. Some areas have already been shut down over the years. You're lucky and have been on borrowed time.
It's unlikely that any deals to get a discounted VoLTE phone will pop up. Keep in mind you can pick up any Vzw compatible TF company phone at a big box store and activate it on PP with the sim that comes in it. There have always been better prices with other TF company phones then what PP ever offered.

[whacker]

I would recommend checking out the new phones from Straight Talk or Total Wireless to use on PPC (but you can use one from TracFone as well). They go through sales pushes or clearances from time to time. You just have to keep checking their websites periodically. It's a little bit less of a potential hassle than finding a used phone somewhere and running it through the IMEI checker. Heck, now I suppose we could include phones from Simple Mobile too, since they're converting to VZW like the other TF brands.

[mframe]

Also, with the new unlocking policy, you could get the phone unlocked after 61 days.

[loboheeler]

Keep in mind you can pick up any Vzw compatible TF company phone at a big box store and activate it on PP with the sim that comes in it. There have always been better prices with other TF company phones then what PP ever offered.

There is a chance that some brands of Tracfone Companies phones found in retail stores are not set up for Verizon service. Straight Talk and Net10 sometimes used AT&T. Simple Mobile and Walmart Family Mobile were always on T-Mobile. Safe would be Tracfone and Total Wireless. Tracfone retail packaging shows the carrier, but not sure if the other brands do. Keep in mind this is a transition period. Verizon has been pushing those on other carriers to switch over if possible, which some can't.

[rpz1]

There is a chance that some brands of Tracfone Companies phones found in retail stores are not set up for Verizon service. Straight Talk and Net10 sometimes used AT&T. Simple Mobile and Walmart Family Mobile were always on T-Mobile. Safe would be Tracfone and Total Wireless. Tracfone retail packaging shows the carrier, but not sure if the other brands do. Keep in mind this is a transition period. Verizon has been pushing those on other carriers to switch over if possible, which some can't.

Yes. I was going to specify the brands but just said "Vzw compatible TF company phone" since SimpleMobile has changed to VZW, or at least started to. I'd think that even shipping any new ST, N10, etc. phones to stores in none Verizon service areas (zip codes) is likely stopped or soon will be, just like no more ATT/TM byop sims. I'm sure they don't want anymore new users on ATT or TM even if they're not in a Vzw service area. But still something to look out for since there's still unsold stock out there and on ebay etc. Thanks.

[loboheeler]

But still something to look out for since there's still unsold stock out there and on ebay etc.

Yes, old stock could take some time to deplete. From past experience, eBay sellers don't have a clue and will sell obsolete phones without warning. You used to be able to tell what carrier network from markings on the retail packaging, but not sure about that now other than Tracfone branded. Only safe way for a Page Plus user is to use only Tracfone or Total Wireless branded phones. Factory unlocked phones may or may not pass the whitelist check.

[gunterm]

There is a chance that some brands of Tracfone Companies phones found in retail stores are not set up for Verizon service. Straight Talk and Net10 sometimes used AT&T. Simple Mobile and Walmart Family Mobile were always on T-Mobile. Safe would be Tracfone and Total Wireless. Tracfone retail packaging shows the carrier, but not sure if the other brands do. Keep in mind this is a transition period. Verizon has been pushing those on other carriers to switch over if possible, which some can't.

There used to be some writing in small print on the corner of the box that would hint at Verizon or AT&T or whoever

[whacker]

Wasn't the map color on the box a significant clue? Red for VZW, blue for AT&T? Don't know if there was a magenta one for T-Mobile.