Are you struggling to pay your monthly bills? Easy Wireless is a decent provider you can get free cell phone service from the government. It offers unlimited everything service, including talk minutes, texting, and data. But then we ask, is the service worth it? Will the program work in my area? And most importantly, what phones are compatible with Easy Wireless that I can bring when joining?
First things first, Easy Wireless offers free phone service through what is known as the Lifeline program. The government established the program back in the 80s to make sure every U.S. citizen could keep in touch with loved ones and employers.
However, lifeline phones are only accessible to low-income consumers, which you must prove with an official document. And if you decide to get the service through Easy Wireless, your SIM kit will also come with a free 5-inch smartphone.
When You May Need to Get Another Phone for Easy Wireless
When you apply and qualify, Easy Wireless may send your SIM card kit with a free one-time smartphone. Sadly, though, the phones most of these lifeline providers send out are entry-level models without the latest bells and whistles.
For instance, the kind of phone Easy Wireless gives you is a Sky Devices Elite F55 or BLU C6L. And in terms of performance, both phones have a 1.4GHz processor and 1GB RAM, which is very lacking when we’re talking about Android. Neither of the phones also has features like NFC, eSIM, wireless charging, or a 4K video camera.
So, the first reason you may need to get a phone for Easy Wireless is when looking for a more decent model with the latest features. Other four reasons include when:
- The previous phone is damaged, lost, or stolen
- You want to take advantage of the super-fast 5G speeds
- Joining the carrier through BYOP (bring your own phone)
- You want to activate eSIM (when the carrier launches the feature)
Crucial Things to Consider When Looking for Phones Compatible with Easy Wireless
Which of the reasons above is why you’re looking for phones that work with Easy Wireless? If your reason is to join the service with Easy Wireless BYOP, you should Know:
- Easy Wireless is an MVNO (or mobile virtual network operator), a cell phone carrier without its own cellular towers. The operator used to run off Sprint and T-Mobile.
- Easy Wireless now uses only T-Mobile towers after it merged with Sprint but later decommissioned the CDMA spectrum. So, when you look for phones compatible with Easy Wireless, check for LTE bands 2, 4*, 5, 12*, 66, & 71*. (* marks the primary bands. They offer extended-range coverage, which means your phone should have at least one to get coverage even inside the house).
- Easy Wireless 5G coverage. Unfortunately, the lifeline phone carrier is still unclear about access to super-fast speeds. But as an MVNO of T-Mobile, you’ll get service (when available) on bands n41, n71, n258, n260, & n261.
- Easy Wireless has No roaming capability at the moment. You’ll have to use another option to connect when outside the native coverage.
- Easy Wireless also currently doesn’t allow WiFi calling. And this means you’ll have to use another option when outside the native coverage.
- Easy Wireless is one of the lifeline companies that give free government tablets. They haven’t listed on the website the kind of tablets you get. But after extensive research, I’ve learned you’ll get a Sky Devices Elite T8 Tablet if eligible.
- Easy Wireless has a retail department where you can get discounted pricing on phones and tablets. However, you’ll have to shop at the dedicated local stores since the lifeline provider doesn’t have an online catalog.
- Easy Wireless has over thirty (30) physical stores you can go to purchase a device or sign up for the service. However, the stores are mostly in the Central states, such as Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
- Easy Wireless supports mobile hotspot if you want to share your free monthly data with your laptop or tablet.
- Easy Wireless throttles data on all plans. Even with the “Unlimited data” plan, you get 7.5GB of high-speed data, then 2G speeds.
- Easy Wireless phones suffer a drop in data speeds during network congestion. But this is more of an issue with the deal the MVNO has made with T-Mobile to get deprioritized data.
Important Note:
Although there are still other things to cover, the eleven points here should help you choose the right phone for Easy Wireless.
For instance, a phone with bands 4, 5, 12, 66, and 71 will offer the best experience on LTE. The high-capacity LTE bands 66 or 5 will also come in handy when T-Mobile deprioritizes data for its MVNOs (happens to not just Easy Wireless).
Also, Easy Wireless doesn’t have a roaming or WiFi calling function for now. However, I still recommend a phone with a WiFi calling feature so that when they introduce it you’ll have the means to make calls outside native coverage.
What Phones are Compatible with Easy Wireless
Unlike many cellular carriers, Easy Wireless usually offers fully unlocked phones. And this means the types of phones compatible with the service are:
- Factory-unlocked phones: devices that come directly from the manufacturer when fully unlocked.
- Carrier-unlocked phones: phones that were previously locked to another carrier but are now fully unlocked.
- T-Mobile-locked phones: Not all phones apply. But the rule here is that an MVNO can use a phone from its carrier network even before unlocking.
The 16 Best Phones Compatible with Easy Wireless Service
Below is a list of some cell phones that you can comfortably use with Easy Wireless service. You’ll notice I’ve highlighted the three different types of phones above.
| Network Connectivity | ROM vs RAM | |
| Factory Unlocked Samsung Galaxy A13 5G/ LTE 64GB Memory | 5G & 4G LTE | 64GB, 4GB |
| Fully-Unlocked Apple iPhone SE (2nd Edition) LTE iOS | 4G LTE | 64GB, 3GB |
| Fully-Unlocked Google Pixel 3a FHD+ Android | 4G LTE | 64GB, 4GB |
| Fully-Unlocked Google Pixel 4A with 5G/ LTE Android | 5G & 4G LTE | 128GB, 6GB |
| Fully-Unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ 256/ 12GB Stylus | 4G LTE | 256GB, 12GB |
| Unlocked Easyfone T200 Classic Mobile Phone for Seniors | 4G LTE | N/A |
| T-Mobile Branded Alcatel Go Flip 4G LTE Flip Cell Phone | 4G LTE | 4GB, 0.5GB |
| Cricket Unlocked Alcatel QUICKFLIP (4044C) Flip | 4G LTE | 4GB, 0.5GB |
| Fully-Unlocked Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021) LTE 128/ 4GB Android | 4G LTE | 128GB, 4GB |
| Fully-Unlocked Apple iPhone 12 Mini 64/ 4GB Bionic iOS | 5G & LTE | 64GB, 4GB |
| Fully-Unlocked Apple iPhone XR 4G LTE 64/ 3GB iOS | 4G LTE | 64GB, 3GB |
| Fully-Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S9+ 4G LTE Snapdragon | 4G LTE | 64GB, 4GB |
| Unlocked LG Stylo 5 6” FHD+ 4G LTE 32/ 3GB Android | 4G LTE | 32GB, 3GB |
| Fully-Unlocked Apple iPhone 11 4G LTE A13 Bionic Ultra-HD | 4G LTE | 64GB, 4GB |
| Fully-Unlocked Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G/ 4G LTE Android | 5G & 4G LTE | 256GB, 6GB |
| Fully-Unlocked Apple iPhone 8 64/ 2GB A11 Bionic LTE Phone | 4G LTE | 64GB, 2GB |
Factory Unlocked Samsung Galaxy A13 5G/ LTE 64GB Memory
Key Features:
- It has a wide 6.5-inch, 90Hz HD+ display
- Has a decent MediaTek Dimensity 700 chip
- Compatible with up to 5G mmWave on C-band
- Supports WiFi 5 (802.11ac) WLAN connectivity
- Has a built-in MicroSD slot to expand your storage
- It includes a fingerprint scanner for quick unlocking
Fully-Unlocked Apple iPhone SE (2nd Edition) LTE iOS
Key Features:
- It has a sturdy, IP67 weatherproof build
- Utilizes a fast A13 Bionic processor
- Supports WiFi 6 (892.11ax) WLAN protocol
- Includes an NFC chip for contactless payment
- Compatible with 7.5W Qi wireless charger
- It can capture videos in 4K & Slo-Mo mode
Fully-Unlocked Google Pixel 3a FHD+ Android
Key Features:
- It has a 5.6-inch Full HD+ display
- Utilizes a decent Snapdragon 670 chip
- Supports WiFi 5 (802.11ax) connectivity
- Has a built-in NFC for contactless payments
- Supports extended-range & high-capacity LTE
- You can record videos in 4K & Slow-Motion mode
Fully-Unlocked Google Pixel 4A with 5G/ LTE Android
Key Features:
- It has a wide 6.2-inch Full HD+ display
- Runs on a fast Snapdragon 765G processor
- Supports WiFi 5 (802.11ac) WLAN protocol
- Has a built-in NFC for contactless payments
- Compatible with up to 5G mmWave on C-band
- You can record videos in 4K & Slow-Motion mode
Fully-Unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ 256/ 12GB Stylus
Key Features:
- It has an extra-wide 6.8-inch, QHD+ display
- Has a sturdy, IP68-rated aluminum build
- Utilizes a super-fast Snapdragon 855 chip
- Supports extended-range & high-capacity LTE
- Includes built-in Stylus to sketch & control apps
- You can capture videos in 4K & super-slow-motion mode
Fully-Unlocked Motorola Moto G Stylus (2021) LTE 128/ 4GB
Key Features:
- It has an extra-wide 6.8-inch, Full HD+ display
- Utilizes a decent Snapdragon 678 processor
- Supports WiFi 5 (802.11ac) connectivity
- Includes a MicroSD slot to expand storage
- Has a built-in Stylus to sketch & jot down notes
- You can record crisp videos in up to 4K Ultra-HD
Fully-Unlocked Apple iPhone 12 Mini 64/ 4GB Bionic iOS
Key Features:
- It has a wide 6.1-inch, 2K HD display
- Has a ragged, IP68 weatherproof build
- Supports WiFi 6 (802.11ax) connectivity
- Runs on a fast A14 Bionic (5nm) processor
- Compatible with up to 5G High-capacity speeds
- You can charge with Qi or MagSafe wireless charger
Fully-Unlocked Apple iPhone XR 4G LTE 64/ 3GB iOS
Key Features:
- It has a sturdy, IP67-rated aluminum build
- Has a high-performance A12 Bionic chip
- Supports extended-range & high-capacity LTE
- Compatible with WiFi 5 (802.11ac) connectivity
- Includes an NFC sensor for contactless payments
- You can record videos in up to 4K & Slo-Mo mode
Fully-Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S9+ 4G LTE Snapdragon
Key Features:
- It utilizes a fast Snapdragon 845 processor
- Has a rugged build, with IP68 dust/ water protection
- Compatible with WiFi 5 (802.11ac) WLAN protocol
- Supports extended-range & high-capacity LTE bands
- Has an Iris & fingerprint scanner for quick unlocking
- You can record videos in 4K & Super-Slow-Motion mode
Unlocked LG Stylo 5 6” FHD+ 4G LTE 32/ 3GB Android
Key Features:
- It has a decent Snapdragon 450 processor
- Supports WiFi 5 (802.11ac) WLAN protocol
- Has a MicroSD slot to expand your storage
- Has a fingerprint reader for quick unlocking
- It supports high-capacity & extended range LTE
Fully-Unlocked Apple iPhone 11 4G LTE A13 Bionic Ultra-HD
Key Features:
- It has a rugged, IP68-rated build
- Runs on a fast A13 Bionic processor
- Utilizes WiFi 6;(802.11ax) WLAN protocol
- Supports extended-range & high-capacity LTE
- Has a built-in NFC chip for contactless payments
- You can record videos in 4K & Slo-Mo quality
Fully-Unlocked Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G/ 4G LTE Android
Key Features:
- It has a decent Snapdragon 480 processor
- Compatible with WiFi 5 (802.11ac) protocol
- Has a built-in Stylus to sketch & jot down notes
- Compatible with up to 5G high-capacity on C-band
- Has a built-in fingerprint reader for quick unlocking
- You can expand local storage with a MicroSD card
Fully-Unlocked Apple iPhone 8 64/ 2GB A11 Bionic LTE Phone
Key Features:
- It runs on a decent A11 Bionic processor
- Supports extended-range & high-capacity LTE
- Has a sturdy build, with IP67 dust/ water protection
- Compatible with WiFi 5 (802.11ac) protocol
- Includes an NFC chip for contactless payments
- You can record videos in 4K & Slo-Mo mode
Frequently Asked Questions
What network is Easy Wireless on?
As you may know, MVNOs usually resell networks from Main Carriers. The network Easy Wireless is on at the moment is T-Mobile. It also used to run off Sprint. But after the merger with T-Mobile, the new owners decommissioned Sprint frequencies.
Can I bring my own phone to easy Wireless?
Yes, you can bring your own phone to Easy Wireless, whether it’s joining, replacing, or upgrading. You’ll just want to make sure the phone is unlocked and has the right network technology. And since the carrier network of Easy Wireless is T-Mobile, the network technology should be bands 2, 4*, 5, 12*, 66, & 71*.
Does Easy Wireless have 5G service?
At the time of writing, Easy Wireless has not officially announced its support for 5G service. However, you can access up to high-capacity LTE, which usually has fast browsing data speeds.
Make Sure You Get a Whitelisted Phone
In conclusion, that’s everything that matters you should know about the phones compatible with Easy Wireless. The two most crucial points to focus on are a fully unlocked device and the necessary network bands.
As an MVNO of T-Mobile, Easy Wireless isn’t too strict on compatibility rules. It hasn’t yet blacklisted international phones, as the MVNOs of AT&T or Verizon. But I’ll still recommend you get the devices designed for the U.S. market.
When you try to activate international phones on T-Mobile or its MVNOs, everything may work fully or partly. For instance, when I tried to check the compatibility of my backup Android international phone, it would work on data. However, the results showed the phone won’t have access to voice services, which is very crucial for most of us.