Is there an activation fee? Will you have access to unlimited calling and texting? Read on to see what would be the best prepaid phone for you, and check out our tips on how to buy a new phone. We'll keep this list of the best prepaid phones updated periodically as we review new products. Its cameras get an excellent new Night Mode and an ultrawide-angle camera adds extra detail in photos.
Video is fantastic, too. For more info, read: iPhone 11, Pro, Max: These are the cheapest carriers for Apple's pricey new phones. Read our Apple iPhone 11 review. The refined, feature-packed Note 10 Plus closes the gap with rival phones. This top-of-the-line smartphone was made for people who want the best Android. It has a killer 6. Read our Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus review. Despite not having wireless charging or a headphone dongle in the box, the competitively priced OnePlus 7T is one of the first cell phones to come with Android It also has three rear cameras that capture excellent photos, a lightning-quick processor and it has a smooth 90Hz display.
OnePlus' 7 Pro is also available unlocked from OnePlus. If it becomes law, the proposal will require prepaid phone buyers to show a state ID and sellers to track the sales. Buyers would be limited to three cell phones at a time. Cell phone manufacturers and carriers would need to retain phone records for use in criminal investigations [source: Business Week ]. When you start looking at prepaid cell phone plans, you'll find a lot of variations. You can, for example, buy a phone with basic service and then just add minutes as you need them.
You can select a more high-tech phone with added features and services, and you can buy larger bundles of minutes to get them more cheaply. You also can choose a prepaid phone contract that's almost a hybrid of a prepaid plan and a traditional monthly plan. Let's take a closer look at examples of each. Calls cost 10 cents per minute to or from other Virgin Mobile phone numbers and 20 cents per minute to everyone else. You have to sign up for the plan with a credit card or checking account number, but you can cancel at any time.
The cheapest plan provides anytime minutes at 15 cents each, while the most expensive plan offers minutes at 11 cents each with unlimited mobile-to-mobile and night and weekend calling. As with TracFone, payment is automatically deducted from a credit card or checking account. Start with the plan, not the phone, experts advise.
Then look at the service quality you can expect to receive from the plan in your area. Finally, whether you choose true pay-as-you-go or a monthly plan, look closely at charges as well as minute rates. These may include:. Once you've picked your plan type, the next decision is which provider to use. Let's look at that next. Prepaid cell phone providers can be classified as mobile virtual network operators MVNOs or traditional wireless carriers.
The MVNOs focus on the prepaid phone business, leasing space on traditional carriers' networks rather than having their own. Here are some strengths for each of these prepaid cell phone providers, based on reviews and surveys by consumer experts:. Virgin Mobile -- Feature-rich plans with competitive pricing. Ranked highest in J. Powers' survey of wireless prepaid customer satisfaction, scoring particularly well in service cost, account management, initial activation and service plan options.
Readers Choice award from PC Magazine for highest ratings among prepaid carriers based on impressive plans. Boost Mobile -- Targeted at youthful users; strong on in-demand features like push-to-talk PTT walkie-talkie capabilities and a camera phone with MP3 player and video recorders. Reduced-rate evening and weekend calling. It was ranked second highest in J.
Powers' survey of wireless prepaid customer satisfaction. TracFone -- Simple pricing and easy to use; inexpensive phones, carry-over minutes, screen view of number of remaining minutes. Recommended by WirelessGuide. Some plans offer unlimited text messaging and unlimited nights and weekends.
Traditional cell phone providers have done business mainly through long-term monthly contracts with customers. However, they also are stepping up and sweetening prepaid offerings to get a piece of this growing market. Here are some strengths for each, again based on surveys and reviews. Ranked above industry average in J. T-Mobile To Go -- Sidekick with camera and keyboard and Motorola Razr phones, plus a wide array of phone features, including free incoming text and picture messaging and competitive pricing.
Highest rating from PrepaidReviews. Verizon INpulse -- Same good quality and customer service as the traditional plans; large selection of phones including keyboard-equipped LG and Motorola Razr; unlimited calling at night and to other Verizon phones.
Readers Choice award from PC Magazine for highest ratings among prepaid carriers based on superior call quality. Rated best for frequent talkers, based on low minute rate, by WirelessGuide. Try these on for size:.
Give our guide to the best plans a look before you switch to Simple Mobile. We also have an in-depth look at the best prepaid phones you can grab for the MVNO. Check out our review: Samsung Galaxy Note Google Fi is a great prepaid option, thanks to its multi-network structure.
You can switch between T-Mobile and US Cellular connections, and you can bring almost any current phone to the network. Here are our picks:. Check out our plans guide to learn a bit more, and check out the 10 best phones you can bring to the network too.
Also, check out our list of the best prepaid phones for the carrier. Here are three of our top picks to dig into:. Check out our helpful guide to the best T-Mobile prepaid plans while you finish making your decisions. When shopping for a prepaid phone plan, price is paramount. That said, some carriers — such as Metro By T-Mobile and Boost — do work in a few perks, so be aware of those when picking your plans.
You'll also want to pay attention to discounts and special offers. Metro by T-Mobile has been known to increase the size of the discount for when you add multiple lines of data. Besides price, one of the most important things to consider is what carrier offers the best coverage around your home and workplace.
Some MVNOs turn to multiple carriers. Jump to: The best prepaid phone plans for your smartphone. The best prepaid phone plans can help you fight the high cost of getting a new phone.
View Deal. Philip Michaels. Topics Smartphones. Wireless Carriers. See all comments 3. I have a Moto G7 phone--their phones are very affordable and they have frequent flash sales on various phones on their website.
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