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You may not need to open a SIM tray at all: some phones arrive with the SIM installed, and newer iPhones may use eSIM. If your phone has a physical SIM, open the tray only as directed for that model, insert the SIM in the marked orientation, then follow the phone’s setup prompts and Consumer Cellular’s activation steps.
Before you switch phones
Save important voicemail information and back up your text messages and contacts before moving to a new device. Some information may not transfer, and what carries over depends on the phones, accounts, and backup settings involved. If you are transferring your number, have your current phone bill available as Consumer Cellular’s getting-started guide advises.
Check whether your phone needs a SIM tray opened
Look at the phone and its setup instructions first. A physical SIM may already be installed; a phone that uses eSIM has no physical SIM tray to open. Consumer Cellular’s activation guide specifically notes that newer iPhones use eSIM and that a SIM may already be in the phone. In either case, skip the tray steps and follow the device’s on-screen instructions and Consumer Cellular’s activation process.
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Open a physical SIM tray and insert the SIM
Tray location and design depend on the phone model. Consumer Cellular’s instructions describe an iPhone with a physical SIM tray, located on the right side; other phones may differ. If that description does not match your device, consult its model-specific manual rather than probing another opening.
#1 Best Overall
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with Verizon, Spectrum, AT&T, Total Wireless, other CDMA carriers, it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- 4G LTE Bands: B1/B3/B5/B7/B8/B20/B28/B38/B40/B41
- Display: Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
- Find the SIM tray and its small eject hole. Use the SIM removal tool supplied with the phone, or a small paperclip, to press into the hole and release the tray.
- Place the correct SIM in the tray, matching the cut corner and orientation markings. Do not force it; if it does not sit flat, check the phone’s instructions.
- Slide the tray back into the phone, then power it on. Allow a few minutes for the phone to start.
These physical-tray directions are not universal: do not assume every new phone has a removable SIM or that a SIM can be freely moved between devices.
Activate the phone with Consumer Cellular
For the iPhone setup flow described by Consumer Cellular, connect to Wi-Fi. The phone will attempt activation and then continue to its setup assistant. Follow the prompts shown on your particular device.
Rank #2
- Blazing-fast Qualcomm performance. Get the speed you need for great entertainment with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB**** of RAM.
- Fluid display + immersive stereo sound. Bring your entertainment to life with an ultrawide 6.5" 90Hz* HD+ display plus stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, and Hi-Res Audio**.
- 50MP*** Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.
- 64GB**** built-in storage. Get plenty of room for photos, movies, songs, and apps—and add up to 1TB more with a microSD card*****.
- Unbelievable battery life. Work and play nonstop with a long-lasting 5000mAh battery.*****
Consumer Cellular’s Activate Your Device page directs customers to enter the activation code printed on the back of the phone box. If there is no code, sign in to the account and use the “Activate Your Equipment” alert. The page also explains how to find the IMEI in iOS or Android settings, which may be needed during activation.
Bringing a phone from another carrier?
Check both carrier-lock status and Consumer Cellular compatibility before relying on a phone from another network. An unlocked phone is not automatically compatible.
Rank #3
- Unlocked: Compatible with all major U.S. carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and other major carriers.
- Super-bright 6.7" display + Bass Boost: Take your entertainment to the next level with a fast-refreshing 120Hz display* and stereo sound with more powerful bass****.
- 50MP** Quad Pixel camera system: Capture sharper photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity—and share beautiful selfies with a 16MP front camera.
- Superfast 5G performance*****: Unleash your entertainment at 5G speed with the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset and up to 12GB of RAM with RAM Boost.******
- Long-lasting battery + TurboPower charging***: Work and play all day with a 5000mAh battery, then get hours of power in just minutes.
Check whether the phone is unlocked
On an iPhone, open Settings > General > About and look for Carrier Lock. The status “No SIM restrictions” indicates that the iPhone is unlocked, according to Consumer Cellular’s carrier-lock guidance. Android menu names and locations vary by manufacturer; contact the original carrier to confirm the status or request an unlock.
Check compatibility separately
Use Consumer Cellular’s activation process to check the device’s IMEI. Its activation page warns that an IMEI check may identify a phone as incompatible with the network. Resolve that separately from any carrier unlock request before expecting service to work.
Rank #4
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup, but is necessary record the IMEI). It will NOT work with Verizon, Spectrum, AT&T, Total Wireless, other CDMA carriers, it is also NOT compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc). Please contact the seller for more information about carrier compatibility.
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- 4G LTE Bands: B1(2100), B2(1900), B3(1800), B4(AWS), B5(850), B7(2600), B8(900), B12(700), B13(700), B17(700), B26(850), B28(700), B66(AWS-3) Display: Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)
- Capture Every Moment in Detail – The 50MP triple-camera system (wide, ultrawide, macro) and 13MP front camera deliver high-quality photos and videos with HDR, panorama, and LED flash.
- All-Day Battery & Fast Charging – A massive 5000mAh battery keeps you powered, and 25W fast charging gets you back to 100% in no time.The included 25W Fast Charger is a generic accessory and is not a Samsung-branded charger.
If activation does not complete
Recheck that you followed the prompts for your specific phone and used the activation code or account flow that applies. If the device remains unactivated, Consumer Cellular lists (888) 345-5509 as a contact number.
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