Apple
5 Reasons to Switch Carriers for the iPhone 11 or iPhone 11 Pro & 4 Reasons Not To
Are you upgrading to the iPhone 11 or iPhone 11 Pro? It might be the perfect time to switch carriers. If you haven’t looked at a new carrier in years, coverage, plans, pricing and options all have changed dramatically.
You can buy the iPhone 11 on your current carrier easily, but if you switch carriers you may get better coverage, you will very likely get a better deal on your new iPhone and you might find that the bonuses a new carrier offers better fit your needs.
In addition to looking at the major carriers like Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile and AT&T, you should also check out new MVNO options like Spectrum Mobile, XFinity Mobile, Visible and other carriers which might offer you a better plan and the ability to bring the new iPhone with you.
The most common reason to switch carriers is for coverage, according to a CIRP report, but anecdotally we see many people switching carriers to save money or because they can save with bundles or bonuses that fit their needs.
If you’re ready to jump, click here to learn about the newest options and deals on Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile and AT&T, Spectrum Mobile, XFinity Mobile or Visible.
Keep reading to learn more about the reasons you should switch carriers for the iPhone 11.
Switch for a New Customer iPhone 11 Deal
Switch to get better iPhone 11 deals.
When you switch to a new carrier you can expect better iPhone 11 deals. We may see some of these deals right away, and at other carriers, you may need to wait a few weeks or months.
The deal we see most often is Buy One Get One Free or Buy One Get One-Half Off. These typically work with a series of bill credits that you get monthly on your bill after a month or two. These essentially ock you into the carrier until the credits are over and the iPhones are paid off.
To get these deals, you need to add a new line, and it’s easier to add a new line as a new customer than it is to add a new line when your family is already all online. Survey the deals at each carrier and then decide if it is time to switch.
Switch for a Cheaper Plan
After years with the same carrier and switches from one plan to the next, there is a good chance that you are paying a decent amount for your cell phone bill. Even with one line, plans are pricey depending on the carrier you are with.
This is a good time to look at the plans at carriers to see what they offer, and how much you can save when you switch. Here’s the cheapest worthwhile plan on each of the carriers you should check out, and a link to compare their plans.
Make sure you factor in any taxes and double-check that the price you see is the actual price you get.
Switch for Better Coverage
Switch for better coverage.
Are you satisfied with your current coverage? If coverage, speeds and call quality aren’t exactly what you’d like it’s time to consider switching carriers. In the last two years, the coverage and quality of coverage have changed dramatically.
Soend time talking to your friends and coworkers to find out what carriers they have and how good the coverage is. If you’re out with friends and they always have coverage while you’re struggling to stream or upload to Instagram, they might have the right carrier.
You may be able to test out a carrier, but this will vary from carrier to carrier and it can be a hassle, so it is easier to do your research before you switch.
Switch for Carrier Bonuses
Carriers aren’t bundling services as much as they used to, but they are offering a range of bonus items that might make it worth switching from your current carrier to a new one. You can get free streaming services, free music services, rewards and other bonus items. Most of these are at traditional carriers, and you do need the right plan to get the bonus.
- Verizon – 6 Months Apple Music or Free Apple Music with Select Plans, Up Rewards.
- Sprint – Free Hulu, Free Tidal on Select Plans, Free Amazon Prime on Unlimited Premium.
- T-Mobile – T-Mobiel Tuesday Freebies, Free Netflix on Select plans.
- AT&T – Free Spotify Premium, Pandora Premium, HBO, Starz, Cinemax, Showtime or VRV with Unlimited plans.
Just make sure you figure out how much you’ll save by switching since sometimes the bonus items are good, but with a higher plan your savings might not be that great.
Switch for a Better Discount
Companies switch carriers and discount plans change. If you’ve lost your discount with a carrier or it’s not as much as you wish it was, it is a good time to shop around.
You can check the discounts for employers and for military or first responders online or by stopping into a store. This is an easy way to significantly lower your bill.
Don’t Switch for 5G
You might be tempted to switch to a carrier for 5G right now because it sounds awesome and you saw a few speed tests online. If you have a 5G phone, and live in the right city, this is a good time to consider a switch, but the iPhone 11 doesn’t support 5G, so it’s not worth switching carriers for 5G if you are rocking an iPhone right now. The only exception is if you plan to buy a 5G hotspot and want to consolidate your bills.
Wait until there is a 2020 iPhone that likely includes 5G and then consider coverage, speeds and technology before you switch carriers.
Don’t Switch Without Research or a Backup
Make sure you do your research before you port your number and switch carriers. Yes, you can go back or switch things around again, but it is a hassle and if you buy a new phone, returning it is a pain as well.
Another thing to consider is that once you switch, even if you go back to your carrier, there is a very good chance you will not be able to get your old plan and pricing back. Do your best to plan ahead and get a final monthly cost from the new carrier before you start porting your number.
Don’t Switch Without Checking the Catches
Everything sounds amazing when you are looking at a new carrier and you watch ads or listen to a salesperson. But there are always catches and fine print. Most unlimited plans aren’t actually unlimited and video streaming may be limited to 480P or 720P.
Read the fine print on the plan you are looking into switching to and ask a lot of questions. Then, once you are ready, pick a new carrier or just get a new plan on your carrier.
