Sprint Compatible Phones( With Replacement,Unlock,Byop Guide)

What Do We Mean By Sprint Compatible Phones

Sprint may not be the largest wireless provider in the US, however, it is very popular and many people decide to switch over to their network. To operate (t.i.: to make calls, to send text, browse the web, …) on their network, you must have a phone that is compatible with the Sprint network.

So, by ‘Sprint compatible phones’ we refer to all mobile phones that can operate on the Sprint network. For phones produced after 2015, that means that they can accept a Sprint SIM card and connect with it to the Sprint network.

Compatible phones can be arranged in various ways, however, we prefer to stick to the basics, which leaves us with two kinds of phones; phones provided by Sprint themselves and phones bought elsewhere and then used on the Sprint network. The latter is possible thanks to the Sprint Bring Your Own Phone (BYOP) program, which is very self-explanatory.

What Phones Are Compatible With Sprint

Since Sprint operates on CDMA technology and not on GSM, that caused problems in the past. You see, old phones (produced before 2015) operable on CDMA didn’t use SIM cards and were as such able to only operate on other CDMA-based networks. Moreover, in the past, the CDMA network didn’t support GSM phones, which means that you weren’t able to bring a GSM phone and use it with Sprint.

All that changed with the birth of the 4G LTE network, which requested CDMA phones to use SIM cards and this made the interchangeability between the CDMA and GSM systems possible.

In general, all unlocked CDMA-based phones and all unlocked 4G LTE GSM-based phones are compatible with Sprint. In reality, compatibility can be slightly trickier, as such, Sprint offers you a compatibility-check option on their official website.

NOTE: Detailed instructions regarding the BYOP process are presented in the ‘Sprint Bring Your Own Phone process’ section below.

Below we are presenting you with phone models that are available at Sprint online store and as such without question compatible with the Sprint network. We have decided to divide them into three categories: Android Smartphones, iPhones, and flip phones. Also read Assurance Wireless Compatible Phones and  Qlink Wireless Compatible Phones

Sprint Compatible Android Smartphones

Android phones are more and more popular, and these days they are more than capable to compete with iPhones’ capabilities and even surpass them quite often.

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G

The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G is probably the most cutting edge smartphone currently available on the market. It operates on a new, ultra-fast 5G network. This super machine has a 6.9-inch Super AMOLED Display, is powered on a very powerful 2.84GHz Octa-Core processor, and an all-day battery. Moreover, it is super durable and tough, as it is built to resist water and dust. The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G comes with the most amazing camera ever. Its main camera has 108MP that can deliver 100x Space Zoom. It shots incredible low-light condition photos (without flash). Its powerful battery is also equipped with super-fast charging and wireless power share. This piece of impressive machinery is capable of doing the most demanding tasks and lets you enjoy all that multimedia has to offer.

Slightly smaller and a bit less capable models, Galaxy S20 (6.2” display) and Galaxy S20+ (6.7” display) are also available at Sprint and are also definitely worth considering.

Samsung Galaxy Note10+

The Galaxy Note10+ is a second Android that will leave you speechless with its capabilities. As the model’s name suggests, it is equipped with a Next-generation S pen that transforms this smartphone into notepad and helps you get things done even faster and smoother. It comes with a 6.8-inch infinity screen, an all-day battery, superfast charging, and super powerful 16MP camera. It is capable of taking amazing photos and videos in super high resolutions. The Galaxy Note10+ is essentially like a pro-grade studio in your pocket. The S pen also helps you with editing. Moreover, it enables seamless handwriting-to-text conversion.

Google Pixel 4

The Google Pixel 4 is the current Google’s flagship smartphone phone. It is highly practical and designed to be the most compatible with Android functionality and features. Moreover, all those Google apps shine on this phone. It is equipped with a 5.7-inch OLED display, an all-day battery, superfast charging, Google assistant, and a powerful 16MP camera. Its camera can deliver amazing photos even in very low-light conditions. The Google Pixel 4 also comes with full FREE storage with Google Photos. It also offers Quick Gesture controls that let you get things done without even touch the phone.

LG G8X ThinQ

The LG G8X ThinQ is the best that LG currently has to offer. It may be slightly behind Samsung and Apple, though there are many LG fans out there, who will be impressed with this phone. It packs a 6.4-inch OLED display, and an all-day battery, and an impressive 32MP camera. It is power by a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor that lets you multitask smoothly. The LG G8X ThinQ also gives you an option of a dual-screen with its special case. This LG’s model truly is impressive and enables you to get done a lot on the go. Moreover, it lets you enjoy all that 2020 multimedia has to offer.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip is the last of the 5 Android phones on our list. We could have placed this amazing smartphone among the flip phones, however, it is just too powerful of a beast to place it alongside the simple flip phone. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip combines the best of both worlds; the capabilities and large display of a smartphone, and compactness and practical size of a flip phone. To simply fold your smartphone in half and put it in your pocket was unimaginable just a while ago. Samsung’s Compact-Fold made that possible. It packs a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Display, an all-day battery, and a powerful double camera, all power by a 2.8GHz Octa-Core processor. Multitasking has never been easier than on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip.

Sprint Compatible iPhones

The above Android army is an extremely powerful one, yet Apple somehow manages to compete and even bit many of them with their always evolving iPhones. Below is a list of 4 best iPhones that should be on your list, if you are an Apple fan or just a person looking for a reliable and powerful smartphone.

iPhone 11 Pro Max

The iPhone 11 Pro Max is what Apple is all about – bring their A-game to the table. It is the first iPhone to get the ‘Pro’ title, which tells you a lot. This extremely advanced smartphone is arguably the best smartphone on the market. It runs smoothly with the most demanding multitasking, gaming, and other multimedia tasks. It shines through a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display that will leave you speechless. The iPhone 11 Pro Max further packs an all-day battery, A13 bionic chip, and the latest triple camera. Moreover, it is also water and dust resistant, which is highly practical and takes off some worrying away. This iPhone is for everyone who wants to enjoy the best of what Apple has to offer on a large display.

iPhone 11

The iPhone 11 is Apple’s flagship smartphone. It is not as high-performing as the above cutting-edge version, however, it is still the latest iPhone and as such able to satisfy any client’s needs. It packs a 6.1-inch display, an all-day battery, an advanced dual camera, and A13 Bionic Chip. It is also water and dust resistant, which helps take a lot of worrying off your shoulders. Its powerful camera can take amazing high-quality photos and 4K videos at 60 fps. It also comes with a fast-charge capability and Qi-certified wireless charging.

iPhone Xs Max

iPhone Xs Max is a previous Apple’s flagship model. Thanks to iPhone 11, its price has been noticeably reduced and is now more accessible to those who don’t want to spend a fortune on the latest iPhone. iPhone Xs Max is also extremely powerful and well capable of performing all high-demanding tasks. It comes with a 6.5.-inch screen, face ID, A12 Bionic chip, and 12MP camera. It also is water and dust resistant. Its dual main camera and its 7MP front camera are both capable of taking high-quality images and video that will stay with you for years. It also comes with a wireless charging capability for cable-free battery refill.

iPhone 8

If you are looking for an iPhone that can be managed single-handedly and yet offers amazing capabilities, then the iPhone 8 is the iPhone for you. There have been two later models with a couple of variations (Max, s, Pro, etc.), which obviously drove the iPhone 8’s price down. The new version is still out of the reach for many, but luckily there are many pre-owned iPhone 8 models available that are relatively affordable. The iPhone 8 features an all-glass design and an aerospace-grade aluminum band, both making it water and dust resistant. It packs a 4.7-inch Retina HD display, that makes it very pocket-practical. Its 12MP camera can produce amazing photos and 4K videos. The iPhone 8 also comes with a Qi wireless charging.

Sprint Compatible Flip Phones (Basic Phones)

Flip phones are still available. Moreover, they are what most seniors and other individuals fond of simplicity turn to. In this section, we will present 3 flip phones that are available at Sprint and thus compatible with their network.

Coolpad Snap

The Coolpad Snap is the most popular flip phone that Sprint offers. It is all about simplicity. It also has a slim, universal design and comes in a black color that suits most clients. It as a small outer display that shows time, battery life and notification. Once opened, you can see it large (for flip phone) 2.8” display. It packs a solid battery that is capable of sustaining 6 hours of talk and has 4GB of internal storage, which can be practical for those who plan to snap some photos. It measures 4.29 x 2.17 x 0.74 inches and weighs 4.16 ounces.

Sonim XP3

The Sonim XP3 is another Sprint compatible flip phone. It is extra tough flip phone that is built to survive tough conditions, which makes it highly suitable for seniors that don’t want to be pressured by not-dropping their phone. The Sonim XP3 has been industrially and military tested, which tells you a lot. It packs a solid 1500 mAh battery, a rather solid 5MP camera and a dual speaker that incorporates noise cancellation, which is super laud and hearing aid compatible. The Sonim XP3 packs a 1GB of RAM, which is rather advanced for a flip phone and offers 8GB of internal storage, which is more than enough for most clients. It measures 4.4 x 2.3 x 1.1 inches and weighs 6.9 ounces.

Sonim XP3 – non-camera version

The Sonim XP3 – non-camera version is the same as Sonim XP3 minus the camera. So if you are absolutely sure you don’t want your phone to have a built-in camera, you can go with this model. It really is a great flip phone for carefree activities. You can store it in your back pocket and nothing will happen to it if you sit on it. It sure is great to have a phone that doesn’t stress you out if you accidentally drop it.

Are Sprint Phones Compatible With Other Carriers?

Originally almost all Sprint phones are locked to their network. However, Sprint does have its Unlocking Policy set in place that enables you to request for your phone to be unlocked. This will enable you to bring it over to other networks.

NOTE: Even after unlocking your Sprint device, you must still check with the carrier that you want to use a Sprint phone with for compatibility.

To be eligible for the Sprint unlock you must meet the following conditions:

1. Sprint Postpaid Devices:

• The device is SIM Unlock capable
• The device must be or have been active on the Sprint network for a minimum of 50 days
• Any associated Service Agreement (or any Minimum Service Term, where applicable), Installment Billing Agreement, or Lease Agreement has been fulfilled including, but not limited to, payment in full of any applicable: 1) early termination fees, 2) accelerated installment or lease payments, and/or 3) end-of-lease purchase options. Because leased devices are not owned by the user, the end of the lease-purchase option must be exercised and paid in full before the SIM unlock is completed.
• The associated account is in good standing
• The device has not been reported as lost or stolen, associated with fraudulent activity, or otherwise flagged as ineligible to be unlocked

NOTE: For SIM unlock-capable devices (generally most devices launched after February 2015), Sprint will automatically unlock postpaid devices when they become eligible.

2. Sprint Forward Devices (Prepaid)

• The device has not been reported as lost or stolen or otherwise flagged as ineligible to be unlocked.
• The device has been active on the associated account for at least 12 months with the account active at that time.

3. Inactive Devices

For inactive devices, customers must contact Sprint Customer Care to request that their SIM unlock-capable device be unlocked and may have to take steps to perform an over-the-air update to ensure the unlock programming has been relayed to the device. Additional validation may be required to ensure eligibility.

4. For military personnel

• The device is capable of international SIM unlock
• The subscriber is an active member of a branch of the United States military as well as family members who are on the same account as deployed personnel.
• The subscriber has been issued overseas deployment papers
• The person requesting the unlock is a current Sprint customer that can authenticate as the Account Holder or an Authorized Contact
• The account is in good standing
• Each phone number on the account is allowed up to two unlocked devices within 12 months.

Why And How To Switch From A Different Carrier To Sprint?

There are many reasons why people switch between carriers but to be completely honest, it is mostly done to get better deals. You see carriers tend to offer great deals to new customers and Sprint is no exception. Catching a good deal can get you a noticeable discount. Another reason to switch over to Sprint is if you want to join lines with another family member. This can save you a lot.

Another important reason that you may want to consider switching over to Sprint is their great selection of phones and also their Bring Your Own Phone option. Moreover, they have launched ‘No Credit Check’ offers.

If you decide to switch over to Sprint, you have two options. You can either visit a local Sprint representative. The easiest way to do so is by using Sprint’s store locator that can be accessed at the bottom of their home page. Once at the store, tell them that you want to switch over and they will take care of everything. But if you plan on purchasing a new device, they may not have it at the local store.

As such, you have another option, which is to do everything online. For those used to online shopping, this is a far more attractive choice. Simply visit the Sprint official website and either go to their Bring Your Own Phone site, to check compatibility and them purchase a plan that suits you or go to their online shop and purchase a phone that you want, select the plan and the first step is done.

After receiving the package, you must install the Sprint SIM card in the new phone or your existing phone (if you went with the BYOP option), turn the phone on and complete the activation process. It is very simple, just follow the instructions that come with the package.

Sprint Bring Your Own Phone Process

Throughout the article, we have mentioned the Sprint Bring Your Phone quite a few times. Herein, we will list the steps that you must follow to complete that process.

NOTE: If you decide to visit a local Sprint store, they will guide you through the process, thus we will focus on the online process.

1. Visit the Sprint’s Bring Your Own Phone page. You can access this page by hovering over the “Devices” tab in the main menu tab on the Sprint official website’s home page. Under the ‘More’ column you will see the ‘Bring your own device’ option. Click on it.
2. Once on the next page, click on the “Let’s Get Started” yellow button.
3. Once on the Compatibility-check page, you will need your phone’s IMEI or MEID (phone’s ID). You can obtain that number by dialing *#06#. Or follow other instructions provided on the page.
4. Enter your phone’s IMEI and click the “Continue” button next to the entry field.
5. If your phone is compatible you will be able to proceed to plan selection and finally purchase.
6. Once you receive a package with Sprint SIM card, you need to physically install it in your phone and activate it and you are good to go.

If your phone is locked to that phone’s carrier, call them and request for it to be unlocked.

Sprint Phone Replacement

• If your device is lost or stolen, contact them immediately at 1-888-211-4727 to suspend your service.
• Be sure to file your claim within 60 days of the loss.
• If your device has been damaged, they will send you shipping materials to return it.
• You are responsible for the non-refundable deductible for each approved claim. The amount of the deductible is determined by the model of your device.
• When your claim is approved, you will receive the same device as your original or a comparable device with similar quality and features. Replacement devices may be refurbished, reconditioned or different from your original device.

Sprint phones come with various warranties and alternative protections, such as Sprint Complete. You may start a claim online.

When you start your claim online, they will explain the next steps, which depend upon the type of device and the nature of the damage. Cracked screens on certain devices are generally eligible for repair, as long as the device still powers on and is operational with no additional damage. For approved claims, a repair or replacement device will be provided at Sprint’s discretion.Also read How To Replace Assurance Wireless Phone and How To Replace SafeLink Phones

How to Unlock Sprint Phones?

General: If you meet the conditions presented in the previous section, you may ask for your phone to be unlocked. Simply contact the Sprint support at 855-639-4644 and request your phone to be unlocked. You may need to provide information like your phone number, phone ID number, name, or other.

Postpaid devices: Sprint states that postpaid devices are automatically unlocked after becoming eligible.

Military: Military personnel deployed overseas can contact Sprint Worldwide Care to unlock the device SIM slot. Sprint Worldwide Care can be reached via chat or email from sprint.com/swwsupport or by calling 888-226-7212.Also read How To Unlock Boost Mobile Phone AND How To Unlock Straight Talk Phones

How To Unlock Sprint Sim If Locked?

If your SIM card gets locked, it normally means that you’ve entered a wrong SIM card PIN 3 times in a row. In order to unlock your SIM card, you will need to enter the PUK number which came with your SIM card.

In case you are not able to find your PUK number, call the Sprint support at 888-211-4727 and ask what your alternative options are.

Can I Bring an Existing Number to Sprint?

YES. Sprint gives all BYOP clients an option to bring their existing number. Moreover, you can bring a new number and replace your existing Sprint phone number as well. You can also bring phone numbers from other pre-paid carriers to Sprint.

Once you receive a new device or SIM kit, you must call the Sprint’s support at 866 437 1818 and as them to set up your phone number.

Where to buy a Sprint SIM card?

The best place to buy Sprint SIM cards is on their website. Another popular option is to visit one of Sprint’s local stores and buy a SIM card there. Besides, there are several alternatives, including Amazon, Best Buy, and eBay. However, since those are also online stores, it makes more sense to go to Sprint’s official online store.

Where to buy a Sprint phone?

Sprint Official Online Store is without a doubt the place to shop for Sprint compatible phones. They offer a wide range of the latest new phones and some pre-owned certified ones as well.

Local Sprint stores: use their store locator available on their website at the bottom of the page.

Best Buy – they tend to offer quite a selection of Sprint phones. As a reputable electronics store, they seem to be a good alternative, especially if they are running some special deals.

Amazon – if you know anything about Amazon, then you know that you can find almost any product there and Sprint phones are no exception. However, anyone can sell on Amazon and as such, it is not the safest place to buy Sprint phones.

Swappa.com – is another solid online store that offers Sprint phones. It is worth checking out. If nothing, you will get to compare the prices and know if the official Sprint store gave you a good deal or not.