Assurance Wireless is a wireless and telephone service provider subsidized by the Federal Lifeline Assistance program – a government assistance program designed to help make communications services more affordable for low-income people and supported by the federal Universal Service Fund. Assurance offers its Lifeline discounts to eligible residents of many U.S. states, including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
However, as the FREE phones provided by Assurance are rather basic and often not able to completely satisfy the client’s needs, many decide to upgrade their phones.
Herein, we will do our very best to provide you with as much information as possible regarding the Assurance Wireless upgrade phones, which will help you with your upgrade or just to decide whether you want to give Assurance Wireless a try in the first place.
What is the Assurance Wireless Phone Upgrade Policy in 2024
Assurance Wireless doesn’t have any specific upgrade policy set in place, therefore, you can upgrade your current Assurance phone at any time. However, compared to some other wireless providers offering Lifeline plans, Assurance Wireless doesn’t allow you to bring your phone, which means that you can’t upgrade your device by purchasing it elsewhere and then using it with your Assurance Wireless services. ONLY PHONES PURCHASED AT THE ASSURANCE WIRELESS ONLINE STORE WILL WORK WITH ASSURANCE WIRELESS PLANS!
Generally, you can upgrade your phone (either a FREE government phone or an already upgraded phone) at any time. There are no restrictions as to how often you are allowed to upgrade your device.
California-specific Terms
When it comes to Assurance Wireless Lifeline plans, California may be a kind of an exception, as it offers the best plans with the most benefits. However, when it comes to upgrade phone policies, California doesn’t have any specific rules or terms. When it comes to Assurance Wireless upgrade phones, the same rules apply to all other states.
How To Upgrade Assurance Wireless Phone in 2024
If you are an Assurance Wireless customer and wish to upgrade your phone, you will be glad to learn that the Assurance Wireless phone upgrade process is very quick and simple. All you have to do to receive an Assurance Wireless upgrade phone is to follow these easy steps:
- First, visit the Assurance Wireless online shop, which is available at https://shopq1.assurancewireless.com/shop/.
Note: If the website is currently not working, don’t worry, as the store is probably temporarily closed for scheduled maintenance and it will be back online soon.
- Select a phone. Make sure it meets your needs and your budget. The selection of available phones changes over time as the stocks are changing and newer models are coming to the market.
- After choosing the phone, simply click on it to view extra details or directly add it to the cart by clicking the “ADD TO CART” button. Then complete the purchase and wait for your phone to be delivered to you.
After receiving your Assurance Wireless upgrade phone, you will need to complete one final step, which is transferring your Assurance Wireless service from your old phone to the new one. This process is explained in detail in one of the following sections.
12 Best Assurance Wireless Upgrade Phones in 2024
The Assurance Wireless philosophy follows the rule, that those using the Lifeline support normally aren’t able to afford the latest smartphone, thus they offer only specific older types of models.
Below is a full list of phones that are currently available for upgrade, including their prices. We have arranged them from the most affordable to the most expensive ones.
All phones and models purchased elsewhere on carriers such as Sprint, Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile are not compatible with the Assurance Wireless system. Only devices purchased from the Assurance Wireless Web Store are compatible with your account.
NOTE: Phones availability is constantly changing and to obtain the most up-to-date information you should visit the Assurance Wireless online shop (https://shop.assurancewireless.com/phones.html).
Schok Volt SV55 ($69)
The Schok Volt SV55, powered by Android 11, features a 5.5″ HD+ display and a 1.1 GHz quad-core CPU. With 2GB RAM and 16GB memory, expandable via microSD, it supports 4G LTE speeds. It comes equipped with a 3000 mAh battery, Bluetooth, and Mobile Hotspot capabilities, but lacks NFC and wireless charging. It uses a Micro USB port, supports Nano-SIM, and weighs 5.54 oz.
Samsung Galaxy A13 ($99)
The Samsung Galaxy A13 runs on Android with an Exynos 850 chipset and an octa-core CPU, supported by 3GB RAM and 32GB of storage, expandable via USB-C. It showcases a 6.6″ Infinity-V LCD display and offers 4G LTE connectivity, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and dual-band Wi-Fi capabilities. It features a Li-Ion 5000 mAh battery with 15W fast charging but lacks wireless charging. The device supports Nano-SIM, weighs 6.88 oz, and includes Mobile Hotspot functionality.
OnePlus Nord 100 ($99)
The OnePlus Nord N100 features a 6.52″ HD display and runs on Android 10, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 chipset. It includes an octa-core CPU and Adreno 610 GPU, supported by 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. This device offers a 5000 mAh battery with 18W fast charging via USB-C and supports 4G LTE connectivity. While it lacks NFC, it does provide Mobile Hotspot functionality, making it a versatile choice for users looking for efficiency and reliability in their mobile devices.
Samsung Galaxy A03s ($109)
The Samsung Galaxy A03s features a 6.5” HD IPS display and runs on Android with a Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 chipset. It has an octa-core CPU, 2GB RAM, and 32GB storage expandable via USB-C. This model offers 4G LTE network speeds, Bluetooth 4.2, and Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n connectivity. It’s equipped with a Li-Ion 5000 mAh battery supporting 15W fast charging. The A03s supports Nano-SIM, weighs 6.91 oz, and has Mobile Hotspot capability but lacks NFC and wireless charging.
Motorola G Play 2023 ($129)
The Motorola G Play (2023) features a 6.5″ HD+ display, runs on Android 12, and is powered by the Mediatek Helio G37 chipset with an octa-core CPU. It includes 3GB RAM and 32GB storage, supports NFC, and operates on 4G LTE networks. The device comes with a 5000 mAh battery and utilizes USB-C for charging, but does not support fast charging or Mobile Hotspot functionality.
Nokia X100 5G ($139)
The Nokia X100 5G is equipped with a 6.67″ IPS LCD display and runs on Android, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G chipset. It features 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, supports fast 5G connectivity, and offers Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX Adaptive for enhanced audio. The device includes a 4470 mAh battery with 18W fast charging via USB-C. While it lacks NFC, it compensates with a Mobile Hotspot feature, making it a solid choice for users looking for robust performance and connectivity.
Motorola Moto G 5G 2023 ($199)
The Motorola Moto G 5G (2023) features a 6.5″ IPS LCD display, powered by Android on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G chipset with an octa-core Kryo 460 CPU. It comes with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage, supports 5G networks, and offers Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity. This device includes a 5000 mAh battery with fast charging via USB-C but lacks NFC functionality. Available in Blue and Gray, it’s designed for the modern user seeking fast, reliable connectivity.
Samsung Galaxy S10+ ($299)
The Galaxy S10+ boasts a 6.4″ Dynamic AMOLED display and runs on Android, powered by the Snapdragon 855 chipset with an octa-core CPU for high performance. It features 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, supports 4G LTE, and includes Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX for enhanced connectivity. This model offers a 4100 mAh battery with 15W fast charging, is IP68 dust/water-resistant, and supports NFC and Mobile Hotspot functionalities.
Apple iPhone SE 3rd Gen ($399)
The iPhone SE (3rd Gen) features a 4.7″ Retina HD display, runs iOS 15 on the Apple A15 Bionic chipset, and includes a hexa-core CPU for robust performance. It comes with 4GB RAM and offers storage options of 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB. This model supports 4G LTE and 5G networks, offers fast charging up to 20W, and is IP67 dust/water-resistant. Additional features include Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, Mobile Hotspot capability, and dual SIM support (Nano-SIM, eSIM).
Apple iPhone 12 Mini ($679)
The iPhone 12 mini, with a 5.4″ Super Retina XDR OLED display, is powered by iOS 14 and the A14 Bionic Chip. It features a hexa-core CPU and a 4-core Apple GPU, supported by 4GB RAM and available in 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB memory options. This device offers fast charging up to 20W, is IP68 dust/water-resistant, and supports 3G and 4G LTE networks. Additional features include NFC, Mobile Hotspot capability, and dual SIM support (Nano-SIM, eSIM). With a 2227 mAh battery, it promises up to 50 hours of standby time, encapsulated in a design that balances compactness and performance.
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE ($599)
The Galaxy S23 FE features a 6.4″ Dynamic AMOLED display and runs on Android with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset. It has an octa-core CPU, Adreno 730 GPU, and supports 5G networks. This device includes a 4500 mAh battery with 25W fast charging and wireless charging capabilities. It’s IP68 dust/water-resistant and supports Nano-SIM. Connectivity options include Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and dual-band Wi-Fi. Weighing 7.37 oz, the S23 FE balances performance and durability.
Apple iPhone 13 ($629)
The iPhone 13 boasts a 6.1″ Super Retina XDR OLED display, running iOS 15 on the Apple A15 Bionic chipset. It features a hexa-core CPU and Apple GPU for powerful performance. With options of 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage, it supports 5G networks, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and dual-band Wi-Fi. The device includes a 3095 mAh battery with 20W fast and wireless charging capabilities. It’s IP68 dust/water-resistant, offers Mobile Hotspot functionality, and accommodates Nano-SIM and eSIM. Weighing 6.14 oz, it’s designed for durability and cutting-edge connectivity.
Assurance Wireless Upgrade Phones – FAQ
Can I Upgrade Your Assurance Wireless Phone for Free?
While some wireless providers offer free phone upgrades, Assurance Wireless is not one of them. The company does not allow customers to upgrade their phones for free. Nevertheless, the phones offered in the company’s online store are generally considerably discounted. The company offers certain smartphones for under $30 and some iPhone models are available for under $200.
Can I Upgrade the Assurance Wireless Flip Phone(Basic phone) to a Smartphone?
Generally, you get a free smartphone when you apply for the Assurance Wireless Lifeline plan. However, in some cases, you may get a flip phone/basic phone (especially if you ask for it).
If your needs outgrow your phone’s abilities at any time and you wish to upgrade our Assurance Wireless flip phone to a smartphone, you can easily do so by following the same upgrade rules and process described above.
Can I Upgrade the Assurance Wireless Smartphone to a Better Smartphone?
Yes, of course. Currently, you can upgrade to any of the phones presented in the list above.
Can I Get Free Minutes Or Data After The Upgrade?
Currently, there are no special offers available that would get you extra free airtime as you upgrade. However, there might be a special offer running as you decide to upgrade.
Moreover, you can always call Assurance Wireless support and ask if they can offer you a special deal if you upgrade.
What Do We Mean By Assurance Wireless Phone Upgrade?
In order to understand what Assurance Wireless upgrade phones are, it’s important to first understand what the company’s original phones are like.
Assurance Wireless is not a regular wireless provider, one that would offer customers to sign up without any eligibility requirements and simply purchase both a phone and monthly service. Instead, only Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program subscribers can sign up for Assurance’s services. Eligible low-income customers then receive both monthly service and a phone free of charge. As the free services and devices are funded by the government and the funds are limited, Lifeline providers tend to offer mid-range Android smartphones that come with all the basic features, however, are not considered the latest or more advanced devices. Like most Lifeline providers, Assurance also offers free mid-range Android phones, however, the phone brand and model are unknown in advance, as the offer depends on availability. Moreover, the customer is unable to choose the device in advance – instead, the phone is chosen by the company itself.
By ‘Assurance Wireless phone upgrade’ we refer to phones that you can purchase and use with Assurance Wireless’s free Lifeline plan. These phones are better than the ones you get for free when you sign up with Assurance Wireless, thus you upgrade to a better phone, which brings us to the ‘Assurance Wireless phone upgrade’ expression.
A phone upgrade refers to any type of phone change. With Assurance Wireless this will normally be the upgrade of a FREE government phone that you were initially provided with or the upgrade of the upgraded phone, which occurs with users that have been a part of Assurance services for a longer period.
NOTE: Upgrade can also refer to the downgrade; you may want to use a flip phone instead of a smartphone that you’ve been provided with, which is technically a downgrade. However, if you are interested in a flip phone or basic phone, it might be worth mentioning to the Assurance Wireless support, as you might be able to receive one directly (instead of a smartphone).
Why And When You Want To Upgrade Your Assurance Wireless Phone?
There are several reasons why you may want or even need to upgrade your phone or Assurance Wireless upgrade phones. The most common reason is that a client is simply not satisfied with the capabilities of a free phone that came with the FREE Lifeline plan or they have had this free phone for a year or more and it stopped working properly.
Moreover, there are additional reasons, such as damaged, lost, or stolen phones. However, these are far less often than the above two reasons.
Let’s say that you are an Assurance Wireless user (this means that you are enjoying their FREE Lifeline plan) and that your current phone stopped working or your needs exceeded its capabilities. For you to continue enjoying the Assurance Lifeline FREE phone and plan and also have a working device that suits all your needs, you will want to upgrade to a better/working phone.
