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thegoatgamer 71.4K Views
Aug 21, 2026 11:17 AM

Cricket Wireless: 128GB Apple iPhone 16e (Locked) + 3-Mo. Supreme Unlimited Plan

$190

$780

75% off
w/ Port-In + Free S&Hat Cricket Wireless
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Deal Details
Cricket Wireless has 128GB Apple iPhone 16e (Locked, Black) + 3-Months Prepaid Supreme Unlimited Plan on sale for $189.99 when you port in a number. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member thegoatgamer for sharing this deal.

Note: Ensure the offer on the product page is checked. New customers may see an additional $25 off coupon when you add the item to your cart and wait a few minutes; a popup offer may appear with a coupon code. See device unlock policy.

Specs:
  • 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED (2532 x 1170 pixels at 460 ppi)
  • Apple A18 chip (3nm) with 8-core Neural Engine
  • 8 GB LPDDR5X
  • 128 GB NVMe (non-expandable)
  • Single 48 MP Fusion camera (f/1.6 aperture, OIS, 2x optical-quality telephoto via crop)
  • 12 MP TrueDepth camera
  • iOS 18 (upgradable)
  • 4,005 mAh (approx. up to 22 hours video playback)
  • USB-C port, Qi wireless charging support
  • Face ID and Action Button (lacks Camera Control)
  • IP68 water and dust resistance (up to 6 meters for 30 minutes)
  • 5G, Wi-Fi, and Apple C1 custom cellular modem
  • 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm; 167 grams

Editor's Notes

Written by Nate650 | Staff
  • Please see the original post for additional details & give the wiki and additional forum comments a read for helpful discussion.

Original Post

Written by thegoatgamer
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Cricket Wireless has 128GB Apple iPhone 16e (Locked, Black) + 3-Months Prepaid Supreme Unlimited Plan on sale for $189.99 when you port in a number. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member thegoatgamer for sharing this deal.

Note: Ensure the offer on the product page is checked. New customers may see an additional $25 off coupon when you add the item to your cart and wait a few minutes; a popup offer may appear with a coupon code. See device unlock policy.

Specs:
  • 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED (2532 x 1170 pixels at 460 ppi)
  • Apple A18 chip (3nm) with 8-core Neural Engine
  • 8 GB LPDDR5X
  • 128 GB NVMe (non-expandable)
  • Single 48 MP Fusion camera (f/1.6 aperture, OIS, 2x optical-quality telephoto via crop)
  • 12 MP TrueDepth camera
  • iOS 18 (upgradable)
  • 4,005 mAh (approx. up to 22 hours video playback)
  • USB-C port, Qi wireless charging support
  • Face ID and Action Button (lacks Camera Control)
  • IP68 water and dust resistance (up to 6 meters for 30 minutes)
  • 5G, Wi-Fi, and Apple C1 custom cellular modem
  • 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm; 167 grams

Editor's Notes

Written by Nate650 | Staff
  • Please see the original post for additional details & give the wiki and additional forum comments a read for helpful discussion.

Original Post

Written by thegoatgamer

Community Voting

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Why are you downvoting this deal?

Top Comments

Community Reviews

This Cricket iPhone 16e bundle is mainly attractive as a low upfront way to get an iPhone with a fresh battery, especially if you plan to trade it into Apple. The phone has repeatedly been accepted by Apple Store trade in for a $310 gift card, and the included three months of service are prepaid. The big catch is Cricket's unlock rule, which requires 365 days of paid service, so the line stays locked for a year. Porting and checkout can also be finicky, and the real total rises once service and add ons are included.

Common Questions (6)

  • Yes, Apple Store trade-in has accepted the locked 16e and paid $310 in multiple reports, including in-person trades and gift-card redemptions. One later report says the Apple trade-in value dropped by $40, so the amount can change over time.

  • The advertised $9.99 device price is only part of it: the first 3 months of service are prepaid, and the remaining 9 months needed to reach Cricket's unlock requirement can add about $270 at roughly $30/month. Depending on port-in, plan choice, and coupons, commenters estimated totals from about $220 to about $445 before tax.

  • Yes. Apple Store trade-in has accepted the Cricket-locked 16e the same day it was bought, and the phone can be traded in immediately even though it remains carrier-locked for Cricket use until the unlock period is met.

  • Cricket's unlock requirement is 365 days of paid service on that device. Wi‑Fi use or leaving the phone unused does not count; the phone needs a full year of continuous active, paid service before Cricket will unlock it.

  • Yes. The deal was reported as not available for upgrades; it requires a new Cricket customer bringing a number over or signing up with a new number.

  • No. Google Voice porting was reported to fail with a "landlines cannot be ported over" error, so a different number source such as a Tello eSIM was used instead.

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137 Comments

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Aug 22, 2026 10:06 AM
3.9K Comments
Joined Aug 2006
niceperson77Aug 22, 2026 10:06 AM
3.9K Comments
Quote from ChaosBait View quoted comment :
Was port-in required at the store?

yes... with no port in it was like $240 out the door
1
Original Poster
Pro
Aug 22, 2026 12:05 PM
120 Comments
Joined Mar 2018
thegoatgamerAug 22, 2026 12:05 PM
Original Poster
Pro
120 Comments
Quote from DayaO View quoted comment :
So if you pay for the first month, and use wifi only for the rest 11 months, will it unlock after 12 mo? One year of "paid service" confusing
pretty sure they mean pay for 12 months of service from cricket not your home wifi. I would just get the cheapest plan possible or get on someone's family plan.
Aug 22, 2026 12:46 PM
1.7K Comments
Joined Oct 2004
washerebeforeAug 22, 2026 12:46 PM
1.7K Comments
Cricket Wireless 🤮🤬
Aug 22, 2026 2:19 PM
1.6K Comments
Joined Apr 2014
DayaOAug 22, 2026 2:19 PM
1.6K Comments
Quote from thegoatgamer View quoted comment :
pretty sure they mean pay for 12 months of service from cricket not your home wifi. I would just get the cheapest plan possible or get on someone's family plan.
Rather than being sarcastic I was looking for genuine suggestion. If you can't be helpful, why bother replying at all? Ppl have so much free time.
4
Aug 22, 2026 5:23 PM
552 Comments
Joined Jul 2018
FantasticMoon621Aug 22, 2026 5:23 PM
552 Comments
Quote from SD_new View quoted comment :
Let's do the math; the device and 365 days of service will cost:

Device cost if porting a phone number: $9.99

3 months of service after factoring the $25 "new customer" pop-up coupon OP mentioned: $165

9 months of service @ $30: $270

9.99 + 165 + 270 = $444.99 + tax on device cost
Doesnt Cricket advertise a annual service line for $180 or so
Aug 22, 2026 5:46 PM
351 Comments
Joined Oct 2017
SD_newAug 22, 2026 5:46 PM
351 Comments
Quote from FantasticMoon621 View quoted comment :
Doesnt Cricket advertise a annual service line for $180 or so
I'm not aware of that. Maybe check their website and share back?
Pro
Aug 22, 2026 6:16 PM
12.5K Comments
Joined Jul 2008
c2nah777
Pro
Aug 22, 2026 6:16 PM
12.5K Comments
Quote from SD_new View quoted comment :
Let's do the math; the device and 365 days of service will cost:

Device cost if porting a phone number: $9.99

3 months of service after factoring the $25 "new customer" pop-up coupon OP mentioned: $165

9 months of service @ $30: $270

9.99 + 165 + 270 = $444.99 + tax on device cost
Let's redo your math with SD math.
$190 for device. Trade in for Apple GC for $310 = PROFIT toward a better phone, or something, from Apple.
If you decide you want the service for the included 3-months, trade value is subject to drop by then.

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Pro
Aug 22, 2026 6:20 PM
10.6K Comments
Joined Dec 2011
Jaggsta
Pro
Aug 22, 2026 6:20 PM
10.6K Comments
Quote from c2nah777 View quoted comment :
Let's redo your math with SD math.
$190 for device. Trade in for Apple GC for $310 = PROFIT toward a better phone, or something, from Apple.
If you decide you want the service for the included 3-months, trade value is subject to drop by then.
if they don't reject the trade for unauthorized modification. Few people had that problem from previous cricket deals. I personally shipped iphone 13 brand new in the box to apple trade-in and said modified $0 value.
Pro
Aug 22, 2026 6:24 PM
12.5K Comments
Joined Jul 2008
c2nah777
Pro
Aug 22, 2026 6:24 PM
12.5K Comments
Quote from DayaO View quoted comment :
Rather than being sarcastic I was looking for genuine suggestion. If you can't be helpful, why bother replying at all? Ppl have so much free time.
Excuse me, but as an uninterested 3rd party, I have no idea how you read that as sarcastic! It was truthful and helpful for you. It answered your question 100% directly. Using on Wifi, or putting it aside completely will not be enough for unlocking. Only 1 year of continuous active, paid service will allow it to get unlocked. You were the one who phrased it that way first about the wifi. They just said they were pretty sure. They were correct. And I am not being sarcastic either. You did not ask for a suggestion. You asked for an answer to your question because it was confusing to you. So I suggest you edit that post to thank them, and give them reps.
Pro
Aug 22, 2026 6:27 PM
12.5K Comments
Joined Jul 2008
c2nah777
Pro
Aug 22, 2026 6:27 PM
12.5K Comments
Quote from Jaggsta View quoted comment :
if they don't reject the trade for unauthorized modification. Few people had that problem from previous cricket deals. I personally shipped iphone 13 brand new in the box to apple trade-in and said modified $0 value.
There is no modification. I have traded these in at the Apple store for years now and have never been denied. Read some of these threads to get firsthand reports like mine if you are unconvinced. I don't know how mailing in could change their terms, but being locked to a carrier is not a disqualification. I also suggest you contact your Genius Bar if you want to hear it from them directly. Or just pop in. I've traded in multiple phones in the same trip. ALL LOCKED. Many times. Last trip I did 6. Not an eye was batted.

Edit:
One "modification" issue does come to mind for trade-ins. Must have "find my" disabled, logged out of Apple icloud, and reset the phone. Just like any Apple trade in. I also go through the initial setup afterwards so they can get to the sections they need to for processing the trade transaction. Just skip all of the personalization, etc.
That saves them 5 minutes per phone to process it. To get to the settings they need to see and copy down, it can't just be only reset, but needs to have the initial set up done again.
Last edited by c2nah777 August 22, 2026 at 11:40 AM.
1
Aug 22, 2026 8:40 PM
75 Comments
Joined Oct 2020
MOGA337Aug 22, 2026 8:40 PM
75 Comments
Get this and trade in for iPhone 18 next month ? AT&T should get pretty good value for this one
Aug 22, 2026 9:24 PM
215 Comments
Joined Mar 2020
EagerCalculator413Aug 22, 2026 9:24 PM
215 Comments
Does Google Voice port-in work?
Aug 23, 2026 8:01 AM
82 Comments
Joined Nov 2012
WHITEBAug 23, 2026 8:01 AM
82 Comments
Anyone knows how long it takes to port out from Tello? I purchased an esim on Tello and activated so that I could port that out and bring to Cricket. But Tello dashboard is not giving the me port out info yet. It says: We're still setting up your newly purchased line. Please try again later.
Original Poster
Pro
Aug 23, 2026 11:15 AM
120 Comments
Joined Mar 2018
thegoatgamerAug 23, 2026 11:15 AM
Original Poster
Pro
120 Comments
Quote from EagerCalculator413 View quoted comment :
Does Google Voice port-in work?
others have said no, but I have not verified myself. Many recommend a cheap service like Tello to generate a new number to port in.

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Aug 23, 2026 4:17 PM
157 Comments
Joined Aug 2015
rhpksAug 23, 2026 4:17 PM
157 Comments
I keep encountering an error after submitting order.. "Our systems are on struggle bus today.. Try again"
Anybody having similar issues? Tried multiple times, combinations (payment, vpn, ..).. no luck.

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