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expireddirks7649 posted Mar 06, 2026 04:57 PM
expireddirks7649 posted Mar 06, 2026 04:57 PM

Cricket: 128GB Apple iPhone 16e + 2-Months Supreme Unlimited Plan

w/ Port-In + Free Shipping

$120

$599

79% off
Cricket Wireless
2,175 Comments 283,830 Views
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Deal Details
Cricket Wireless is offering for New / Existing Customers: a 128GB Apple iPhone 16e Smartphone on sale for $120 (Free phone + $120 2-Month Phone Plan) when you Port-in your Number and Open a New Line and pay for 2-Months of the $60 Supreme Unlimited Plan for a total of $120. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member dirks7649 for sharing this deal.

Available Colors:Phone Specs:
  • 6.1" 1170x2532 Super Retina XDR OLED Display
  • Apple A18
  • 128GB Storage, 8GB RAM
  • 4005 mAh Battery
  • iOS 18.3.1, upgradable to iOS 26.3

Editor's Notes

Written by SaltyOne | Staff
  • Offer Terms (additional terms apply, see the page for details):
    • New Customers:
      • Must open new account and bring your number on a new line with min. $60/mo. voice plan. First 2 mo. svc charge & tax due at sale. Original Price $599.99. Intermittent price reductions taken.
    • Existing Customers:
      • Must bring your number on a new line with the Supreme Unlimited plan. First mo. svc charge & tax due at sale. See terms & restrictions. Original Price $599.99. Intermittent price reductions taken.
  • Offer valid for a limited time only / while supplies last.
Please see the original post for additional details & refer to the comments below for discussion.

Original Post

Written by dirks7649
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Cricket Wireless is offering for New / Existing Customers: a 128GB Apple iPhone 16e Smartphone on sale for $120 (Free phone + $120 2-Month Phone Plan) when you Port-in your Number and Open a New Line and pay for 2-Months of the $60 Supreme Unlimited Plan for a total of $120. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member dirks7649 for sharing this deal.

Available Colors:Phone Specs:
  • 6.1" 1170x2532 Super Retina XDR OLED Display
  • Apple A18
  • 128GB Storage, 8GB RAM
  • 4005 mAh Battery
  • iOS 18.3.1, upgradable to iOS 26.3

Editor's Notes

Written by SaltyOne | Staff
  • Offer Terms (additional terms apply, see the page for details):
    • New Customers:
      • Must open new account and bring your number on a new line with min. $60/mo. voice plan. First 2 mo. svc charge & tax due at sale. Original Price $599.99. Intermittent price reductions taken.
    • Existing Customers:
      • Must bring your number on a new line with the Supreme Unlimited plan. First mo. svc charge & tax due at sale. See terms & restrictions. Original Price $599.99. Intermittent price reductions taken.
  • Offer valid for a limited time only / while supplies last.
Please see the original post for additional details & refer to the comments below for discussion.

Original Post

Written by dirks7649

Community Voting

Deal Score
+169
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Top Comments

Jaggsta
10359 Posts
5632 Reputation
Moto G Stylus 2025 Free w/new number and $60 plan $25 off new customer code works on it for $35.

After Activate Stylus the 16e Free w/port number plan only requires 1 month for $30 w/multi line discount. 3rd line Free 16e w/port number even less $20 w/multi line discount.

Total cost $85 dollars.
Jaggsta
10359 Posts
5632 Reputation
T-Mobile 30 day eSIM Trial on T-Life App you can port it out for free. I got 4 phones to use on trials from Straight Talk/Total Wireless deals unlocked in last 3 years.

After get Free Trial Number create a T-Mobile ID: Use the T-Mobile website to link your trial number to a email/profile.

Locate Account Info: Your account number in the "Account Summary" section of the online portal. Generate a Port PIN: Under Settings in Profile
xseanx
1008 Posts
1865 Reputation
For Chrome, open incognito page, chose I need a new number, chose $55 plan, enter your zip, hit get new number, hoover your mouse to the top right area near the X then message for coupon will pop up, works for me every time. These $25 off coupon works for only new customer, won't work for existing customer option. I can give you a code if you can't generate one.

2,176 Comments

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Mar 21, 2026 04:43 AM
183 Posts
Joined Oct 2024
SlickShoe966Mar 21, 2026 04:43 AM
183 Posts
Quote from Jaggsta :

i sent it sealed in the box. Clearly cricket is selling repaired phones as new.
This is not just Cricket. It's all over the place, Cricket, MetroPCS, Boost Mobile, and from Apple directly. I had the same error with MetroPCS and Boost mobile. Both phones brand new, sealed. Both are very different models. I firmly believe that this is Apple's issue. They either made a product that their own software consider inferior based on specified parameters. Or they created a software is just too stupid to recognize that it is Apple's genuine hardware.

Here are some sources.

Bought from Apple directly
https://www.reddit.com/r/iphone/c..._by_apple/

Bought from Cricket
https://www.reddit.com/r/CricketW...ket_would/

Apple Care+ Denial
https://www.reddit.com/r/applehel...ification/
The guy escalated to corporate management to finally get it replaced. Lots of work.

Other Reddit Discussions
https://www.reddit.com/r/iPhone17...e_tradein/
https://www.reddit.com/r/iphone/c...0_by_mail/

Apple Discussion
https://discussions.apple.com/thr...ortBy=rank

Some Important Resource Documents to consider
Apple's Repair Terms and Conditions
https://www.apple.com/legal/sales...cetermsen/

Apple's Limited Warranty
https://www.apple.com/legal/warra...glish.html
1
Pro
Mar 21, 2026 04:46 AM
2,244 Posts
Joined Sep 2009
tl215
Pro
Mar 21, 2026 04:46 AM
2,244 Posts
Quote from CalmStraw1766 :
Anyone who had this 16e for a week or longer manage to trade it in without that $0 value error?
I got $310 apple gift card today. Phone was delivered on 3/11
Mar 21, 2026 06:56 AM
64 Posts
Joined Oct 2018
random2sdMar 21, 2026 06:56 AM
64 Posts
Quote from FairPlant8497 :
Just adding add a Data Point.
I got two 16es and two 13s. On the same day of activation I went to an Apple Store and one of each got approved. I tried to use the third as trade in for AirPods and that one triggered. Not sure if that's related or coincidence. The rep said it was good on her diagnostic but the one that the tech did showed unauthorized parts. In fact, they said all 4 had issues, and the first two GCs were mistakes, but let me keep them as an exception because I already signed the receipt and had it with me.
I tried explaining they are brand new, but they blamed Cricket.
I tried another Apple Store today, and it worked flawlessly, the same two that were rejected yesterday.
I would recommend not trying to trade in for a product, and waiting a day after activation. Maybe it's unrelated, but who knows.

If it fails, try another store, it worked for me. Maybe the tech on the first one never put it in the system?
I don't think it's related to trade-in for a product. I did trade-in 16e to purchase 17 pro, one applied as trade-in, other for gift card, to the same product purchase without any issue so I suspect it may be something wrong with their equipment they used to scan on your 1st visted store but not sure.
Mar 21, 2026 07:27 AM
714 Posts
Joined Dec 2011
elGatorMar 21, 2026 07:27 AM
714 Posts
is the store limit of 2 phones for 2x16e or just two promo iphones? I.e. if one gets 2x16e, can we add a 13 in store?
Mar 21, 2026 09:05 AM
1,113 Posts
Joined Mar 2007
LILLYS_CLOSETMar 21, 2026 09:05 AM
1,113 Posts
Quote from elGator :
is the store limit of 2 phones for 2x16e or just two promo iphones? I.e. if one gets 2x16e, can we add a 13 in store?
There is no official limit but save yourself some grief and time go as soon as the store opens or you will be waiting forever
Mar 21, 2026 09:44 AM
1,113 Posts
Joined Mar 2007
LILLYS_CLOSETMar 21, 2026 09:44 AM
1,113 Posts
Repost delete
Last edited by LILLYS_CLOSET March 21, 2026 at 03:12 AM.
Mar 21, 2026 12:10 PM
1,145 Posts
Joined Aug 2018
Kraken09Mar 21, 2026 12:10 PM
1,145 Posts
Anyone know the process of eliminating a second line and keeping the primary line the same. Is it as simple as cancelling the line? I know I can't let it just expire if I am still paying on the first line and this is prepaid.

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Mar 21, 2026 02:06 PM
168 Posts
Joined May 2013
FusionNeoMar 21, 2026 02:06 PM
168 Posts
From everything I've read regarding unauthorized modifications, the prevailing theory seems to be if you try to trade in the phone before it's activated or the same day it's activated it's more likely you will have this issue. No idea how accurate this is, It's frustrating to see how widespread this issue is, and it isn't just Cricket iPhones either. Clearly Apple's software to diagnose unauthorized modifications is screwy.
Mar 21, 2026 02:59 PM
4,551 Posts
Joined Feb 2008
NamelessmeMar 21, 2026 02:59 PM
4,551 Posts
Quote from FusionNeo :
From everything I've read regarding unauthorized modifications, the prevailing theory seems to be if you try to trade in the phone before it's activated or the same day it's activated it's more likely you will have this issue. No idea how accurate this is, It's frustrating to see how widespread this issue is, and it isn't just Cricket iPhones either. Clearly Apple's software to diagnose unauthorized modifications is screwy.
Not sure if that makes sense if folks are mailing these in, and still getting rejected? Based on feedback here, it seems a lot get rejected via mail-in too. And simply the wait due to mailing of course makes the trade-in take longer than a day.
Pro
Mar 21, 2026 03:01 PM
10,359 Posts
Joined Dec 2011
Jaggsta
Pro
Mar 21, 2026 03:01 PM
10,359 Posts
Quote from FusionNeo :
From everything I've read regarding unauthorized modifications, the prevailing theory seems to be if you try to trade in the phone before it's activated or the same day it's activated it's more likely you will have this issue. No idea how accurate this is, It's frustrating to see how widespread this issue is, and it isn't just Cricket iPhones either. Clearly Apple's software to diagnose unauthorized modifications is screwy.
iphone 13 i mailed to trade was activated over week ago they still rejected it.
Mar 21, 2026 04:28 PM
1,138 Posts
Joined Aug 2023
PowerfulName4771Mar 21, 2026 04:28 PM
1,138 Posts
Call me unlucky or what? I had 2 16e phones from this deal. Went to the Apple store yesterday. BOTH REJECTED. Unauthorized modification.
The rep was surprised, as the phones looked brand new. He even tried to ask the manager, but they said they have seen these cases before and CANNOT override the system. I even tried for a warranty replacement, but they told me to go to cricket.
Data point. Both phones were active. eSIM transferred to another iphone and another android. Both phones were WIPED clean with a factory reset. Also it was several days that the phones were first activated.
Now I don't know what to do with these phones. It would take 6 months of cricket service to even unlock these. If I had known that I wouldn't have transferred eSIM at all, since 2 months were prepaid.
Anyone know if I should try to mail them to Apple for Trade in? Would that work? Thanks.
Last edited by PowerfulName4771 March 21, 2026 at 09:44 AM.
Pro
Mar 21, 2026 04:40 PM
2,244 Posts
Joined Sep 2009
tl215
Pro
Mar 21, 2026 04:40 PM
2,244 Posts
Quote from PowerfulName4771 :
Call me unlucky or what? I had 2 16e phones from this deal. Went to the Apple store yesterday. BOTH REJECTED. Unauthorized modification.
The rep was surprised, as the phones looked brand new. He even tried to ask the manager, but they said they have seen these cases before and CANNOT override the system. Furthermore, he told me that none of the Apple stores would take these. I even tried for a warranty replacement, but they told me to go to cricket.
Data point. Both phones were active. eSIM transferred to another iphone and another android. Both phones were WIPED clean with a factory reset. Also it was several days that the phones were first activated.
Now I don't know what to do with these phones. It would take 6 months of cricket service to even unlock these. If I had known that I wouldn't have transferred eSIM at all, since 2 months were prepaid.
Anyone know if I should try to mail them to Apple for Trade in? Would that work? Thanks.
Before eSIM transfer, Both phones were active for how long? Did you make calls on 16e?

I got $310 apple gift card yesterday . Phone was delivered on 3/11, eSIM transferred on 3/12
Last edited by tl215 March 21, 2026 at 09:44 AM.
Mar 21, 2026 04:45 PM
1,138 Posts
Joined Aug 2023
PowerfulName4771Mar 21, 2026 04:45 PM
1,138 Posts
Quote from tl215 :
Before eSIM transfer, Both phones were active for how long? Did you make calls on 16e?

I got $310 apple gift card yesterday . Phone was delivered on 3/11, eSIM transferred on 3/12
I actually didn't make any calls. But I would say the phones were active for 4-5 days I think. But I didn't do text or calls. Just transferred eSIM before trading them in. This deal spectaculary backfired for me.
Pro
Mar 21, 2026 04:57 PM
2,244 Posts
Joined Sep 2009
tl215
Pro
Mar 21, 2026 04:57 PM
2,244 Posts
Quote from PowerfulName4771 :
I actually didn't make any calls. But I would say the phones were active for 4-5 days I think. But I didn't do text or calls. Just transferred eSIM before trading them in. This deal spectaculary backfired for me.
Well call cricket to return the phones and file dispute with your credit card company then

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Pro
Mar 21, 2026 05:07 PM
10,359 Posts
Joined Dec 2011
Jaggsta
Pro
Mar 21, 2026 05:07 PM
10,359 Posts
Quote from tl215 :
Well call cricket to return the phones and file dispute with your credit card company then
No need return anything bestbuy paying $200 gift card each for cricket 16e. You can then buy iphone from them or something else like RTX 5070Ti/5080 for half price.

https://www.bestbuy.com/trade-in/...ell-phones

can even drop phone off at bestbuy store without mailing anything.
Last edited by Jaggsta March 21, 2026 at 10:26 AM.
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