Assurance Wireless does not hand out a free phone in most states anymore. According to its phone options page, eligible customers in California can receive a free basic smartphone; everywhere else you can buy a low-cost phone after you are approved, starting at $31.99, or bring a phone you already own. This page lists the phones and prices Assurance publishes as of September 2026.
The service itself is still free. Assurance’s Lifeline plan is $0 a month with unlimited talk and text and 10 GB of high-speed data (12 GB in California and on Tribal lands). You only pay for the phone, and only if you need one.
For the plan that goes with these phones, see our Assurance Wireless review. For the program behind every free government phone, see how to apply for Lifeline.
Assurance Wireless phone options at a glance
| Your situation | Your phone option | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| New customer in California | Free basic smartphone after approval | $0 |
| New customer in another state | Low-cost phone from the phone options page | $31.99 to $129.99, plus tax and shipping |
| You already own a compatible, unlocked phone | Bring your own phone with a SIM or eSIM | $0 |
| Existing customer who wants a new phone | Buy from Quality One Wireless or Wireless Creations | From $39.99 at the stores, as listed in September 2026 |
| Lost, stolen or broken phone | Buy a replacement from an authorized retailer | Store prices |
Low-cost phones for approved Lifeline customers
These are listed on Assurance’s phone options page for customers approved for Lifeline. Prices exclude tax and shipping, and devices may vary by state.
| Phone | Price |
|---|---|
| Artia SP555 | $31.99 |
| FOXXD A55 4G LTE | $39.99 |
| REVVL 6x Pro 5G | $90.00 |
| Samsung Galaxy A15 5G | $99.00 |
| iPhone SE | $129.99 |
Phones you buy arrive within about 2 business days, according to Assurance. You can only buy from this list once you have been approved for Lifeline, and Assurance says devices may vary by state.
More phones in Assurance’s authorized stores
Assurance sends existing customers to two authorized retailers, Quality One Wireless and Wireless Creations. Both list phones that work with Assurance service.
Quality One’s Assurance store (shopq1.assurancewireless.com) listed these prices on September 20, 2026:
| Phone | Store price |
|---|---|
| PCD P65L | $99 (on sale from $129) |
| Samsung Galaxy A15 5G | $169 |
| Moto G 5G (2024) | $169 |
| Moto G Play (2024) | $179 |
| iPhone SE (3rd gen) | $209 |
| iPhone 11 | $229 |
| iPhone 12 | $249 |
| Samsung Galaxy S23 | $599 |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 5G | $599 |
| Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | $749 |
Quality One also offers payment plans through Affirm. Store stock changes often, and some phones are pre-owned, so read each listing.
Wireless Creations’ Assurance store listed these, plus tax and shipping:
| Phone | Store price |
|---|---|
| FOXXD A55 | $39.99 |
| FOXXD S67 5G | $79.99 |
| Samsung Galaxy A03s 32 GB (renewed) | $94.99 |
| Moto G Play 64 GB | $104.99 |
| iPhone SE 2021 64 GB | $134.99 |
The same model can cost less on the phone options page than in a store, as with the Galaxy A15 5G ($99 vs $169). Check the phone options offer first if you are a newly approved customer.
Free phone in California
In California, Assurance says eligible customers may receive a free phone after approval, supplied by its phone vendors (American Network Solutions or Enidus USA). California customers also get 12 GB of high-speed data. Since February 2026, Californians apply separately for California LifeLine and federal Lifeline; see how to apply for Assurance Wireless.
The free phone is a basic smartphone. Assurance’s California application has a “choose your phone” step, where you pick the free phone or bring your own. If you want a particular model, you can bring it or buy it from a store.
Does Assurance Wireless have iPhones?
Yes, but none are free. Your options:
- iPhone SE at $129.99 on the phone options page, for newly approved customers. This is the lowest-cost iPhone Assurance lists.
- iPhone SE 2021 at $134.99 at Wireless Creations.
- iPhone SE (3rd gen) at $209, iPhone 11 at $229 and iPhone 12 at $249 at Quality One.
- Your own iPhone, if it is unlocked and compatible.
Our guide to the free iPhone SE government phone explains what is realistic across all Lifeline companies.
Which phone to pick
- Cheapest working smartphone: Artia SP555 or FOXXD A55.
- Best value for 5G and a good screen: REVVL 6x Pro 5G or Galaxy A15 5G from the phone options page.
- iPhone: iPhone SE at $129.99 on the phone options page.
- Already have a phone? Bringing it is usually cheapest; see Assurance Wireless bring your own phone.
All phones must support Wi-Fi, and Assurance’s plan allows hotspot use within your data allowance. If you want to use your phone as a hotspot for a tablet or laptop, check that the model supports it in Settings under “Hotspot” or “Tethering.”
A worked example: a new customer outside California who buys the Galaxy A15 5G pays $99 plus tax and shipping once. After that, the service is $0 a month. Adding Data Peace of Mind for $10 a year raises the plan to 15 GB. Over the first year, that is $109 plus tax and shipping in total.
What to check before you buy
- Tax and shipping. Every price on the phone options page and at Wireless Creations is plus tax and shipping, so the total will be a little higher.
- New or pre-owned. Store listings include renewed and pre-owned phones. Read the condition on each listing.
- 5G. The plan runs on T-Mobile’s 4G LTE and 5G network. A 5G phone such as the REVVL 6x Pro 5G or Galaxy A15 5G can use 5G where it is available; a 4G LTE phone still works on LTE.
- Hotspot. If you want to share data with a tablet or laptop, pick a phone with a hotspot setting.
- Your data plan. A faster phone does not add data. You still get 10 GB (12 GB in California and on Tribal lands), or 15 GB with the $1 add-on.
Bring your own phone instead
If you have a phone, you may not need to buy anything. It must be unlocked and compatible with Assurance’s network, which runs on T-Mobile. Check it first with Assurance’s IMEI compatibility checker. The IMEI is listed in your phone’s settings, usually under About phone.
New customers who bring a phone receive either a SIM card or an eSIM. Our Assurance Wireless BYOD guide has the details.
How to buy an Assurance phone
- Apply and get approved for Lifeline with Assurance.
- During sign-up, choose a phone from the phone options list, or choose to bring your own.
- Pay for the phone plus tax and shipping.
- Wait about 2 business days for delivery.
- Activate it with the Assurance Wireless activation guide, or call 1-888-321-5880 for help.
Upgrading later
Existing customers can buy a new phone in My Account under Purchase New Phone. Phones Assurance supplies can be unlocked after 12 months of activity; see can you unlock a free government phone.
Assurance’s unlock rules: the phone must be one Assurance provided, active for at least 12 months, and not reported lost or stolen. Eligible phones are unlocked remotely within two business days. For phones that need an unlock code, call 1-888-321-5880.
If your phone is lost or broken, see Assurance Wireless replacement phone, and once it arrives follow the Assurance Wireless activation guide. Call 1-888-321-5880 right away to suspend a lost or stolen phone. Assurance gives you 45 days to replace it and reactivate before your account, number and balance are closed for good.
Free phones from other Lifeline companies
If you need a free phone and live outside California, Assurance may not be your best fit. Some other Lifeline companies include a phone for eligible new customers. Compare phone offers across companies in our Lifeline providers guide. Remember that qualifying for Lifeline through SNAP or income gives you a service discount, not a phone.
Be careful with ads for free iPhones or new flagship phones for anyone on government aid. Our guide to free government phone scams lists the warning signs.
Frequently asked questions
Does Assurance Wireless give free phones? Only in California, where eligible customers can get a free basic smartphone. Elsewhere, phones start at $31.99 after approval.
What is the cheapest Assurance Wireless phone? The Artia SP555 at $31.99 plus tax and shipping.
Can I get a Samsung phone from Assurance? Yes. The Galaxy A15 5G is $99 on the phone options page. The stores list other Galaxy models, from $169 up to $749 for the S24 Ultra.
Is shopq1.assurancewireless.com legit? Yes. It is Quality One Wireless, one of the two authorized retailers named on Assurance’s own help pages. It sells phones; it is not a free phone offer.
How fast does an Assurance phone arrive? About 2 business days after approval, according to Assurance.
Can I unlock my Assurance phone? Yes, if Assurance provided it, it has been active for 12 months, and it is not reported lost or stolen.
Sources: Assurance Wireless: Phone options, Assurance Wireless: What are my phone options, Quality One Wireless: Assurance phone store, Assurance Wireless: Lost, stolen or broken phone, Assurance Wireless: Unlock, Wireless Creations: Assurance phone store, Assurance Wireless: Plans, Assurance Wireless: Mobile hotspot.