Would I be able to switch carriers without having to switch phones?

I'm with Consumer Cellular and I have an iPhone SE, but I'm thinking of switching carriers so that I can get unlimited data. I don't want to get a new phone because I've had my current one about six months, I really like it, and it works great. I'm not locked into a contract with Consumer Cellular. Would I be able to switch to another carrier without having to purchase a new phone?

Depends

Consumer locks their iPhones to their service for 6 months. You can request an unlock after that time if the account is in good standing and the device is fully paid off.

It generally depends on the carrier & their unlock policy.

For contact / post-paid carriers, you will need to complete the contract on your phone (if you paid the subsidized price, which would be around $150 - $200) OR pay off your phone completely if it's on a payment plan. Carriers will typically allow you to buy out of your contract (by paying the current ETF for your contract) OR paying the remaining balance on your phone in one mass payment.

For prepaid carriers, you generally need to have service for 6-12 months on the phone before you may submit your request (as they typically subsidize the cost of the phone).

Once the necessary criteria is met for your carrier, it is recommended to wait 24 hours before submitting your request to allow the carrier's automated systems to receive the updated information.

AFTER you can confirm that your phone is unlocked from your previous carrier, all you will need is to get a new SIM card from your new carrier & pay for the desired service plan. Before you ask, iPhones DO utilize SIM cards… They just hide them well. You can locate the SIM card tray on the center right-hand side of the iPhone. You'll see a small pinhole that you will need to insert the SIM tool (or a thin, straightened out paperclip) in order to eject the tray.

Hope this helps!