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expiredFrugalForever posted Apr 07, 2025 03:30 AM
expiredFrugalForever posted Apr 07, 2025 03:30 AM

Total Wireless Samsung Galaxy A35 Smartphone + 30-Day Total 5G Prepaid Plan

New Customers w/ Port-In & ID Verification

$55

$280

80% off
Total Wireless
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Deal Details
Total Wireless offers New Customers: 128GB Samsung Galaxy A35 5G Smartphone (locked) for Free when purchased with 30-Days of Prepaid Service on their Total 5G Unlimited Plan for $55. Port-in of an existing phone number and ID verification is required. Device will unlock automatically 60 days after plan activation w/ two months of active, paid service required in order to unlock as of April 1, 2025 (see unlock policy). Shipping is free.
  • Note: You must select $55 ($50 w/ AutoPay) Total 5G Unlimited Plan or $65 ($60 w/ AutoPay) Total 5G+ Unlimited Plan to get the phone for free (see plan info).
Thanks to community member FrugalForever for sharing this deal.

Device Specs:
  • 6.6" 2340x1080 resolution Super AMOLED 120Hz touchscreen display
  • Samsung Exynos 1380 Octa-Core Processor
  • 128GB Internal Storage
  • 6GB RAM
  • microSD card slot
  • Main Cameras: 50 MP (wide) / 8 MP (ultrawide) / 5MP (macro)
  • Selfie Camera: 13 MP (wide)
  • WiFi 6 / Bluetooth 5.3 / NFC / GPS
  • Stereo speakers
  • IP67 dust/water resistant
  • USB 2.0 Type-C port
  • Fingerprint sensor (under display, optical)
  • 25W wired charging
  • No wireless charging
  • Android 14
  • 5000 mAh battery
  • No 3.5mm headphone jack

Editor's Notes

Written by RevOne | Staff
  • Offer Terms:
    • Total Wireless is a no-contract, prepaid wireless phone service provider that is owned by / operates on the Verizon network.
    • Qualify for the discounted price by verifying your identity through Veriff.
    • Activate your new device by transferring your current phone number to Total Wireless.
    • This offer is limited to two devices per account.
    • To transfer your phone number, service must be currently active with a provider outside the Tracfone family of brands. Taxes and fees may apply.
  • Please see the original post for additional details & give the WIKI and additional forum comments a read for helpful discussion.

Original Post

Written by FrugalForever
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Total Wireless offers New Customers: 128GB Samsung Galaxy A35 5G Smartphone (locked) for Free when purchased with 30-Days of Prepaid Service on their Total 5G Unlimited Plan for $55. Port-in of an existing phone number and ID verification is required. Device will unlock automatically 60 days after plan activation w/ two months of active, paid service required in order to unlock as of April 1, 2025 (see unlock policy). Shipping is free.
  • Note: You must select $55 ($50 w/ AutoPay) Total 5G Unlimited Plan or $65 ($60 w/ AutoPay) Total 5G+ Unlimited Plan to get the phone for free (see plan info).
Thanks to community member FrugalForever for sharing this deal.

Device Specs:
  • 6.6" 2340x1080 resolution Super AMOLED 120Hz touchscreen display
  • Samsung Exynos 1380 Octa-Core Processor
  • 128GB Internal Storage
  • 6GB RAM
  • microSD card slot
  • Main Cameras: 50 MP (wide) / 8 MP (ultrawide) / 5MP (macro)
  • Selfie Camera: 13 MP (wide)
  • WiFi 6 / Bluetooth 5.3 / NFC / GPS
  • Stereo speakers
  • IP67 dust/water resistant
  • USB 2.0 Type-C port
  • Fingerprint sensor (under display, optical)
  • 25W wired charging
  • No wireless charging
  • Android 14
  • 5000 mAh battery
  • No 3.5mm headphone jack

Editor's Notes

Written by RevOne | Staff
  • Offer Terms:
    • Total Wireless is a no-contract, prepaid wireless phone service provider that is owned by / operates on the Verizon network.
    • Qualify for the discounted price by verifying your identity through Veriff.
    • Activate your new device by transferring your current phone number to Total Wireless.
    • This offer is limited to two devices per account.
    • To transfer your phone number, service must be currently active with a provider outside the Tracfone family of brands. Taxes and fees may apply.
  • Please see the original post for additional details & give the WIKI and additional forum comments a read for helpful discussion.

Original Post

Written by FrugalForever

Community Voting

Deal Score
+35
Good Deal
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Top Comments

ashindeed
124 Posts
552 Reputation
PSA: Looks like total wireless changed the policy from 60 days after activation to 60 days of active service. This went in to effect April 1st 2025.
WolfTheCat
2370 Posts
1469 Reputation
Good phone and good deal.

The a35 is good, and is likely the last of the "good" Samsung a-series phones with an SD slot. The a36 and a56 don't have them.

I got the previous (nearly identical) a54 deal and was very happy with it. The two phones are architecturally almost identical (same processors and ram). It's not a speed demon, but is fast enough to do all "normal" stuff, like social media, email, phone, etc... without any real performance problems. Maybe a gamer would be disappointed with it, and it will be getting OneUI 7 very, very soon.
LavenderPickle7682
3909 Posts
623 Reputation
Wow.

Porting in a number is a hassle -- if you don't already have a phone number.

The whole ID verification is just...how do the kids say it nowadays...."totes wack".

No idea how they're storing your image and credentials -- or who has access to them -- or what the process is for them to expunge that data -- or who is ensuring they're following best practices.

Oh who am I kidding, your DL and image are being sold to the highest bidder. We all know that.

356 Comments

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Apr 16, 2025 02:53 AM
6,636 Posts
Joined Jul 2005
keratooApr 16, 2025 02:53 AM
6,636 Posts
Quote from Tonline :
UPDATE:
  • Phone activated: 02/07/2025
  • Original unlock date (per old policy): 04/08/2025
  • FCC complaint filed: 04/09/2025
  • Phone call from Total Wireless (TW): 04/14/2025 – A representative informed me that my complaint had been escalated to upper management and that they were working to resolve the issue. I was told I should receive an update within a week.
  • Second phone call from TW: 04/15/2025 – The same representative called me back with a response from upper management. She explained that even though my phone was activated before April 1, I still need to complete 60 days of active service for the phone to be unlocked under the new policy. Frown

She offered a workaround: to keep my account active for another 30 days by purchasing a $10 plan (plus tax, total $11.73) that includes unlimited calls and texts but no data. I agreed and paid for the plan over the phone. She assured me that my phone would be automatically unlocked on May 15. On my account, under "Line Details," it now shows: "TW 1 Line Stay Connected."

Fingers crossed.
I'm sure you could try push back with the FCC since you activated yours long before the police was changed and your purchase was done based on the policy at the time. Policy was updated after the 5th of April, with an effective date of April 1st, retroactive to activations all the way to 2021.
1
Apr 16, 2025 06:01 AM
2,269 Posts
Joined Apr 2021
AmusedPanther530Apr 16, 2025 06:01 AM
2,269 Posts
Quote from tenkawa10 :
Hello, hope someone can answer this for me. I have a phone number part of a tmobile family plan. I want to keep the plan but I'm worried porting my number to TW for two months will cause an issue. So am I able to buy the phone, pay for two months worth of service and after it unlocks just put my sim from my old phone into the new one and pretend like nothing ever happened?
That should work perfectly fine, provided you're activating the phone with the TW plan when you receive it. After 2 months of paid service has past, the phone should unlock and immediately be able to be used on your T-Mobile account.

Before lots of these phones were IMEI locked to the network even when 'unlocked' so these TW phones would only be usable on Verizon network operators. However based on what other comments have stated the IMEI has been shown to work on ATT & thus should work for T-Mobile as well.
Last edited by AmusedPanther530 April 16, 2025 at 12:33 AM.
Apr 17, 2025 04:51 AM
40 Posts
Joined Dec 2018
Slickdeal_addictApr 17, 2025 04:51 AM
40 Posts
Quote from PurpleOne9873 :
Here's the link to FCC...
https://consumercomplaints.fcc.go...int-Issues

FCC forwards your complaint to TW, and the TW- Govt Affairs dept called me back the next day. My case is not resolved yet, as it's escalated to another dept.

Note: I feel I have a valid claim since I bought and activated my 2 Samsung A35 phones in Feb, and so the new unlocking policy effective 1 April should NOT apply to me.
Hi, has your case got resolved yet?

I activated my total wireless moto edge 2024 on Mar 1 and it's due for unlocking by Apr 30 or so.. anxiously waiting to see what happens

After the TW one month service expiry, I inserted my tracfone sim which I am maintaining for over 6 years in to the total wireless device and the TracFone service is working fine!

I am not sure if that's good or bad..
Apr 17, 2025 05:34 AM
11,765 Posts
Joined Aug 2013
oregon14Apr 17, 2025 05:34 AM
11,765 Posts
Quote from Slickdeal_addict :
Hi, has your case got resolved yet?I activated my total wireless moto edge 2024 on Mar 1 and it's due for unlocking by Apr 30 or so.. anxiously waiting to see what happensAfter the TW one month service expiry, I inserted my tracfone sim which I am maintaining for over 6 years in to the total wireless device and the TracFone service is working fine!I am not sure if that's good or bad..
It works because it's the same overall company but if the TF sim re-registered the phone imei from TW to TF it could affect the unlock - & you won't know why.
Apr 17, 2025 05:50 AM
40 Posts
Joined Dec 2018
Slickdeal_addictApr 17, 2025 05:50 AM
40 Posts
Quote from oregon14 :
It works because it's the same overall company but if the TF sim re-registered the phone imei from TW to TF it could affect the unlock - & you won't know why.
Ty for that input, my TW account is not showing my line and the device at all after I placed the TracFone sim in it. So I moved the TW sim back in to the device and so far my TW account is not reflecting the line. Hoping it may happen overnight.

If that do not happen, I can put my tracfone sim back in the TW device and will unlocking happen through the active TracFone service? I have validity till next year.
Apr 17, 2025 06:43 AM
11,765 Posts
Joined Aug 2013
oregon14Apr 17, 2025 06:43 AM
11,765 Posts
Quote from Slickdeal_addict :
Ty for that input, my TW account is not showing my line and the device at all after I placed the TracFone sim in it. So I moved the TW sim back in to the device and so far my TW account is not reflecting the line. Hoping it may happen overnight.If that do not happen, I can put my tracfone sim back in the TW device and will unlocking happen through the active TracFone service? I have validity till next year.
Sims are supposed to stay in original phone & not be swapped, especially between the different brands (usually people rebrand the original sim). Don't see how putting an active TF sim in a locked TW device would qualify for unlock as the sim was previously registered to a different phone for unlock.
With the new 60 day service policy if it doesn't unlock there's no way to know - could be another 30 days service required or a messed up registration.
1
Apr 17, 2025 07:00 AM
5,895 Posts
Joined Nov 2013
ROB.E.REINApr 17, 2025 07:00 AM
5,895 Posts
this is a headache of a deal yikes

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Apr 17, 2025 11:46 PM
3,593 Posts
Joined Jan 2008
leiffApr 17, 2025 11:46 PM
3,593 Posts
So to fully unlock this phone after the 60 days of paid service ends I have to insert another sim card active or not? So this means I will have to have an extra Sim on hand as I won't be able to order a new line of service because this device will still appear locked until after I swap sim?
Apr 18, 2025 12:15 AM
886 Posts
Joined Aug 2005
operApr 18, 2025 12:15 AM
886 Posts
Quote from Tonline :
UPDATE:
  • Phone activated: 02/07/2025
  • Original unlock date (per old policy): 04/08/2025
  • FCC complaint filed: 04/09/2025
  • Phone call from Total Wireless (TW): 04/14/2025 – A representative informed me that my complaint had been escalated to upper management and that they were working to resolve the issue. I was told I should receive an update within a week.
  • Second phone call from TW: 04/15/2025 – The same representative called me back with a response from upper management. She explained that even though my phone was activated before April 1, I still need to complete 60 days of active service for the phone to be unlocked under the new policy. Frown
She offered a workaround: to keep my account active for another 30 days by purchasing a $10 plan (plus tax, total $11.73) that includes unlimited calls and texts but no data. I agreed and paid for the plan over the phone. She assured me that my phone would be automatically unlocked on May 15. On my account, under "Line Details," it now shows: "TW 1 Line Stay Connected."Fingers crossed.
Don't matters what TW says. New unlocking policy was officially posted on their website on April 5th. Anyone who purchased their device prior April5th must be unlocked under old policy. They seem like never learn even after billions $ lawsuit fines paid year after year. TW CEO should go flip burgers in his/her local McDonald's
Pro
Apr 18, 2025 02:49 AM
3,969 Posts
Joined Aug 2007
kqian111
Pro
Apr 18, 2025 02:49 AM
3,969 Posts
Quote from oper :
Don't matters what TW says. New unlocking policy was officially posted on their website on April 5th. Anyone who purchased their device prior April5th must be unlocked under old policy. They seem like never learn even after billions $ lawsuit fines paid year after year. TW CEO should go flip burgers in his/her local McDonald's
They are probably banking on the new FCC turning a blind eye on consumer protection in the new regime.
1
Apr 18, 2025 03:56 AM
1,013 Posts
Joined Oct 2008
cool2590Apr 18, 2025 03:56 AM
1,013 Posts
can we recharge after a gap of 30 days and still get unlocked ? I paid for a month and now 15 days into suspended mode. instead of getting surprised at 60 day mark, I will rather pay for another month with autopay on TF for $10 and get it unlocked.


Thanks
Apr 18, 2025 05:44 AM
388 Posts
Joined May 2022
Adealgrabber85Apr 18, 2025 05:44 AM
388 Posts
Quote from cool2590 :
can we recharge after a gap of 30 days and still get unlocked ? I paid for a month and now 15 days into suspended mode. instead of getting surprised at 60 day mark, I will rather pay for another month with autopay on TF for $10 and get it unlocked.


Thanks
I don't think it will get unlocked under TF. Since your you have originally activated your phone under the old unlock policy, I suggest you wait and see what happens. If it doesn't get unlocked, then file a complaint with FCC. TW will contact you and either unlock it for you or they may offer you a discounted $10 plan for a month and guarantee in writing that it gets unlocked 30 days later from reactivation.
Apr 18, 2025 04:07 PM
19 Posts
Joined Jul 2020
PurpleOne9873Apr 18, 2025 04:07 PM
19 Posts
Quote from Slickdeal_addict :
Hi, has your case got resolved yet? I activated my total wireless moto edge 2024 on Mar 1 and it's due for unlocking by Apr 30 or so.. anxiously waiting to see what happens After the TW one month service expiry, I inserted my tracfone sim which I am maintaining for over 6 years in to the total wireless device and the TracFone service is working fine! I am not sure if that's good or bad..
Unfortunately, No. My FCC complaint that was referred to Upper management, they never did call back after 3 business days that hey were supposed to. πŸ™„

Seeing that I had the Chase offer of 25% (max $15) off, I went ahead and just paid $85 for 2 lines ($55 + $30 for 2nd line). Figured it's still a decent deal to pay extra $70 for 2 Samsung a35s, and get them unlocked asap. Well, the next day (15 April) it turns that only one of the phones is unlocked (checked Network status in Settings) - the one with unlock date approx 14/15 April was unlocked, BUT the phone with unlock date 6/7 April was still LOCKED! πŸ™„ It's never simple. And, the phones are with old folks out of the country, and they don't even want to bother with swapping the sim, so I don't know if sim swap and reboot method works. I am going to try figuring out unlocking over this weekend (with TW and/or sim swap, reboot etc).

So...paying the 2nd month and reactivating lines (but non-consecutive 60 days paid service), sort of works. Both my phones are past 60 days since activation, but only 1 shows unlocked.

As for the FCC complaint - l will follow up with TW and hope they can refund me the 2nd month. Lol

EDIT: I hadn't read about the user up thread who was offered to pay $10 for 2nd month, otherwise I'd have tried that instead of paying $85 for 2nd month.
Apr 18, 2025 07:19 PM
290 Posts
Joined May 2023
south1234Apr 18, 2025 07:19 PM
290 Posts
Quote from PurpleOne9873 :
Unfortunately, No. My FCC complaint that was referred to Upper management, they never did call back after 3 business days that hey were supposed to. πŸ™„

Seeing that I had the Chase offer of 25% (max $15) off, I went ahead and just paid $85 for 2 lines ($55 + $30 for 2nd line). Figured it's still a decent deal to pay extra $70 for 2 Samsung a35s, and get them unlocked asap. Well, the next day (15 April) it turns that only one of the phones is unlocked (checked Network status in Settings) - the one with unlock date approx 14/15 April was unlocked, BUT the phone with unlock date 6/7 April was still LOCKED! πŸ™„ It's never simple. And, the phones are with old folks out of the country, and they don't even want to bother with swapping the sim, so I don't know if sim swap and reboot method works. I am going to try figuring out unlocking over this weekend (with TW and/or sim swap, reboot etc).

So...paying the 2nd month and reactivating lines (but non-consecutive 60 days paid service), sort of works. Both my phones are past 60 days since activation, but only 1 shows unlocked.

As for the FCC complaint - l will follow up with TW and hope they can refund me the 2nd month. Lol

EDIT: I hadn't read about the user up thread who was offered to pay $10 for 2nd month, otherwise I'd have tried that instead of paying $85 for 2nd month.

So, does that mean that the phone that was unlocked on April 15th was automatically unlocked after 60 days?
Last edited by south1234 April 18, 2025 at 01:23 PM.

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Apr 18, 2025 09:58 PM
19 Posts
Joined Jul 2020
PurpleOne9873Apr 18, 2025 09:58 PM
19 Posts
Quote from south1234 :
So, does that mean that the phone that was unlocked on April 15th was automatically unlocked after 60 days?
Yes. I paid the 2nd month payment of $85 for 2 phones on 14th April, and the phone was automatically unlocked on the 15th.
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