Latching onto this comment, if saving up the extra money is the issue, amazon actually allow you to pay in installments (at no extra cost) for certain devices.
The Moto E4 suggested, for example, is $100, or you can pay in 5 monthly installments of $20.
Here's the link for ease. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071YC3G5V/
Well, if you weren't on T-Mobile, I'd say switch to MetroPCS.
I used a Sprint line to get me and my partner (who's line was on T-Mobile) two free phones and on the 2 for $80 unlimited plan.
MetroPCS also has a $4/100 that extends to 5/$125 for their unlimited promo.
I don't know of any other service that offers free devices.
So, the other method would be buying a Moto E4 from Amazon for $99 IF you have Amazon Prime.
A handful of phones offered by Amazon for a discount with that as the caveat.
Here is the Moto E4 I was referring to. It's not an Android thing, it's not even a Motorola thing, it's strictly an Amazon thing. You get like $30 off the phone, and Amazon puts their apps on it, and a lock screen that cannot be changed. Also the bootloader is locked (standard E4's is not). You can pay the $30 or whatever it is to get the ads removed, basically paying up to the full price of the phone. No word on whether this gets you bootloader unlock as well. I only suggest it because it's a cheap way to Android on a phone that might be somewhat decent.
The Moto E4? (Select the standard version without Amazon ads)
They don't auto shift between carriers, but if you have solid T-Mobile signal near you, they work well with the Fi SIM cards.
Good holdovers till Pixel 2 or the new Fi compatible Moto.
Also - The Amazon versions work fine with Fi as well.
$99.99 if you're an Amazon Prime member:
For cheapskates out there like myself, MintSIM is an MVNO that runs off the T-Mobile Network. The cheapest plan offers 2GB unthrottled data and unlimited talk and text for $15/month. After you hit the plan limit, it severely reduces the speed, but it will still work. The biggest issue with their service is it is a prepay model. Right now there is a 3 month prepay offer that is available for $15/month, otherwise you will have to prepay for 12 months to get that rate. Also, watch their facebook page for other offers, such as 2 for ones. Buy a cheap MOTO G4 off of Amazon for $99 and get their sim. best bang for the buck.
Do you have Amazon Prime? If so, get a Moto E4 for $100 and get it by Monday:
https://www.amazon.com/Moto-4th-Generation-Exclusive-Lockscreen/dp/B071YC3G5V
$130 without Prime:
https://www.amazon.com/Moto-4th-Generation-Exclusive-Lockscreen/dp/B06ZZVZKTR?th=1
Moto E (4th Generation) Unlocked (AT&T/Sprint/T-Mobile/Verizon) - Black - Prime Exclusive. 5.0" 720, MediaTek 6737 1.3 GHz quad, 16 GB/2GB,8MP, 2800 mAh. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071YC3G5V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_uT2BAbHT8X514 $99
ZTE 5.5" Blade V8 Pro. 5.5" 1080, Snapdragon 625 2.0 GHz Octa, 32 GB/3 GB, Dual 13 MP, 3140 mAh. $141 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N7IW7JX/
Moto G5 4G LTE International Version (Lunar Grey) 5.0" 1080, Snapdragon 430 1.4 GHz Octa, 32 GB/3 GB, 13 MP, 2800 mAh. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XH4396B/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_0ibCAb2EYKKNW $170
Honor 7X. 5.93" 1080, Kirin 659 2.36 GHz Quad & 1.7 GHz Quad, 32GB/3 GB, Dual 16MP, 3340 mAh. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078NCL7GK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_KX2BAbD7F8C3V $199.99
Moto G5 Plus. 5.2" 1080, Snapdragon 625 2.0 GHz Octa, 32 GB/ 2 GB, 12 MP, 3000 mAh. https://www.bestbuy.com/site/motorola-moto-g-plus-5th-gen-4g-lte-with-32gb-memory-cell-phone-unlocked-lunar-gray/5762700.p $229
Moto X (4th Generation) - with hands-free Amazon Alexa - Prime Exclusive. IP68 water resistant, 5.2" 1080, Snapdragon 630 2.2 GHz Octa, 32 GB/ 3 GB, Dual 12 MP, 3000 mAh. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074VDZN5S/ $279.99
looks like amazon will have these available soon!! june 30th. it can be pre-ordered now.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071YC3G5V
unlocked in both the regular version, and the amazon exclusive "ad" version.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Sprint/comments/6lm9iz/sprint_1_year_free_question/djvo7nw/?context=3
This person said he ordered Amazon Ad enabled Moto E4, it cost him only 100$ after taking out 30$ amazon Gift card
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071YC3G5V/
It is even eligible for Sprint Free year promo - Sprint.com/1yearfree
(The 60$ Sprint Unlimited Text,Talk and Data Plan free till 7/31/2018)
They have some ads on lockscreen but gift you 30$ Amazon Gift Card for that
If you have Amazon Prime, there is one Moto E4 for 99$, normally 129$, 30$ discount for lockscreen ADs from Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Moto-4th-Generation-Exclusive-Lockscreen/dp/B071YC3G5V
You need to get ISIM specifically, or read this for more https://www.reddit.com/r/Sprint/comments/6nwlqt/moto_e4_sim/dkcs0do/
Check /u/AidenXY 's past comments or PM him , he bought MOTO E4 @ 99$ and got Free Service for a year from Sprint
Best thing is it is fully unlocked on all 4 carriers and quite value for money if using it for 1~2 years (androids have short life? my friends say like Samsung Flagship phones don't hold value,specs with time compared to iPhones? I don't know much about that)
You can buy used old Verizon iPhone 5C from eBay. I bought one and paid like 60$, to port in you need 5C's IMEI and AT&T (Account number + PIN + Mobile number, etc.)
You could do same, if you have Amazon Prime, get one phone for 99$ Moto E4, it has Lockscreen Ads to reduct cost from 130$
https://www.amazon.com/Moto-4th-Generation-Exclusive-Lockscreen/dp/B071YC3G5V
There is an nice person https://www.reddit.com/user/AidenXY, he bought this Moto E4 and Freedompop number to port into Sprint. You could try with Google Voice too, it worked for some people.
First check if Sprint.com/1yearfree shows IMEI and google voice mobile number is compatible or not, then unlock it for 3$ at https://www.google.com/voice/unlock
Hi,
Can you tell me more about Modem difference ?
https://www.amazon.com/Moto-4th-Generation-Exclusive-Lockscreen/dp/B071YC3G5V
Amazon model has 1.4 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 quad-core processor
Sprint Model has 1.4GHz Quad-Core MSM 8920 ... Which is known as 427 (compared to Amazon 425)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Qualcomm_Snapdragon_systems-on-chip#Snapdragon_425_and_427
Only major I can see is modem, can you read and simplify maybe or me? Like ELI5 what is difference between them?
I bought the Moto E4 from Amazon. Lock screen ads and all haha
Sure thing, another interesting option is Sprint's offer of a free year of unlimited plan when you port from another carrier. You can have all three lines on the same plan. It would just be like $10 a month total for taxes and fees. Unlimited talk, text, data. Free roaming in Mexico and Canada (high speed data, talk, text), and free roaming very similar to T-mobile in 165 countries (free slow speed data, free texting, calls 20 cents a minute).
You hopefully have native Sprint coverage in your area. I believe Sprint caps domestic roaming minutes at 800 minutes, and not sure about data roaming cap. Sprint has wifi calling though, so that would cover you at home and anywhere else with wifi. Wifi calling on Sprint works on the 3 phones mentioned below.
You need a phone compatible with the offer. Moto E 4th generation is a very good option (or Moto E Plus 4th generation for a larger screen) very reasonably priced for a phone with latest Android version, and no bloatware. It is also compatible with all 4 major US carriers, so gives you maximum flexibility to switch to another service when free year of Sprint is over. iPhone 6s unlocked is another good option for iPhone. And also compatible with all four major US carriers.
It is currently scheduled to end 9/30 I believe. Sprint is weird in that you have to have SIM cards specific to your phone model. Best Buy has Boost mobile (owned by Sprint) SIM card kits that has 3 different SIMs. One is compatible with Moto E / E Plus, and I believe one of the others is good for iPhones.
Details on promo: https://slickdeals.net/f/10235008-one-year-of-free-unlimited-data-at-sprint-then-60-mo-for-line-1-40-mo-for-line-2-30-mo-line-for-lines-3-5?v=1
Moto E (4th Generation) new only $99 with Amazon ads on lockscreen if you have Amazon Prime https://www.amazon.com/Moto-4th-Generation-Exclusive-Lockscreen/dp/B071YC3G5V/
In theory, yes. In practice, probably not. I ran the serial number through my Sprint database access (disclosure: I work for /r/ting) and it came up as compatible, but ineligible because it's not in the database.
In theory, once this device is unlocked, if you could find an employee willing to file an ESN Not Loaded ticket in ClickIT, they might add it. I wouldn't hold your breath, though.
Also prohibitive is the software. The phone doesn't report an IMEI and complains about any non-VZW SIM, as well as restricts features like hotspot. If someone could get the above ClickIT ticket approved AND we could get an unlocked bootloader so we could flash a non-VZWpp ROM, it could work. It seems like a lot of work when the unlocked $99 one from Amazon works just fine on Sprint without all the aforementioned hassle.