Cheap Pay as You Go Phones No Contract
If you`re using a working phone or need very little LTE data, US Mobile is a good choice. The operator has a custom plan for $10 per month that includes 500 minutes of conversation, 300 text messages, and 100 MB of data. And while US Mobile doesn`t sell phones directly, you can choose a SIM card that works with Verizon or T-Mobile phones, so there`s a good chance that your current phone or the one you have in mind will work on its network. 5G coverage is now part of what some MVNOs offer. Metro subscribers can access T-Mobile`s 5G with an authorized phone, just like Mint Mobile customers. Visible has added 5G access to the Verizon network to select certain phones, while AT&T prepaid and cricket customers can access 5G with the most expensive prepaid plans on any carrier. Boost Mobile is a major player in MVNOs with competitive prices, but think twice before switching to it. When Dish bought the company in 2020, Boost Mobile originally planned to use T-Mobile`s network for the foreseeable future. Dish now claims that T-Mobile is not competitive and has signed a service lease agreement from AT&T for the next decade. This will likely pose major issues for current Boost customers who are still using T-Mobile`s CDMA network or have purchased carrier-locked devices. Sascha Segan.com senior mobile analyst at PCMag, has sifted through more than 1,100 smartphones, tablets and other gadgets with PCMag in more than 15 years. He is the leader of our fastest mobile network projects in the U.S.
and Canada, leads our Race to 5G tracker, and writes opinions about technology and society. Segan is also an award-winning travel writer. Besides his hometown of New York, his favorite cities are Barcelona and Hong Kong. Although he is a fourth-generation Manhattanite, he now lives in Queens with his wife and daughter. Pros: Lots of data as part of the current promotion, significant coverage and speeds, bigger discounts the longer you stay, 5G coverage, including cons: Not the cheapest prepaid around T-Mobile Metro | | Unlimited $25/mo – Unlimited data with additional benefits Metro by T-Mobile typically charges $50 per month for its cheapest unlimited plan, but a recent in-store offer reduces the price below what Visible and Mint Mobile charge. T-Mobile lowers its monthly price for unlimited data to $25, but the catch is that only cricket and boost mixers can take advantage of the 50% discount. The good news is that Metro says the price won`t change for 24 months, although this is a time-limited offer that could eventually disappear. Ready for the next generation of mobile connectivity? Before you jump headfirst into the 5G basin, read our in-depth introduction to the next generation of cellular technology.
5G is a beast very different from previous connectivity standards and especially in the United States, most 5G smartphones are optimized for certain carriers. That said, if you decide to switch carriers, your phone may have limited or no 5G access. Check out our list of the best 5G phones for the best devices we currently recommend, but be sure to check the 5G connectivity standards for each carrier before deciding on a plan. Boost | mobile | unlimited| Three Lines $90/mo – Boost`s Flexible Family Plans Bring your own phones to Boost Mobile, and you can get three lines of unlimited data for $30 each. That`s the equivalent of $90 per month, which is good value for money for unlimited conversations, texts, and data. Just be aware that Boost customers can see slower speeds when traffic on the parent network is strong – Boost is in the process of transferring its service from T-Mobile to AT&T. Pros: Flexible options for additional lines, affordable prices Cons: May have slower speeds if T-Mobile`s network is congested For other brands that don`t usually have stores, Pay attention to their reputation for customer service and support networks. Some MVNOs give you the option to choose between different activation networks, while others are linked to just one. One company, Google`s Project Fi, uses the T-Mobile and US Cellular networks interchangeably on some phones, but for the rest, you`ll have to choose the network you want when you buy your SIM card. Most unlocked phones are compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile and should work with any carrier using their networks.
If you`re looking for an unlocked phone that works on all three major US systems, consider any factory-unlocked iPhone from the XR or later variants, the Samsung Galaxy S9 or later, the Google Pixel lineup, or the Moto G series. Or take a look at our list of the best unlocked phones. Some of the smaller carriers don`t sell their own phones or limit their selection to low-end phones that can be linked to their network. We recommend that you buy a cheap phone that is compatible with multiple carriers. Even if a phone is listed for all major carriers, you should still check if your carrier supports the phone before you buy it. With the growing popularity of 5G, some MVNOs are pernicious about supported devices. If you have a steady income, something on our list of the best phones for seniors might be a good choice. You can also check with your carrier if your current phone is working on their network if you want to save a little money. | visible| Unlimited $40/mo – The Best Unlimited Prepaid Data with a Budget While with Mint Mobile at $30 per month, you can get an unlimited number for less, Visible has the best unlimited prepaid plan. For $40 a month, you get unlimited data, calls, and text messages, as well as free mobile hotspots. You won`t be limited to using 5G and will be able to use Visible`s new family plan system to get a lower price per line. When you bundle four unlimited Data Visible plans, you only pay $25 per month for each line.
And if you refer a new customer to Visible for a month, you only have to pay $5 for the service. It`s important to note that data speeds visible on Verizon`s network can slow down if there`s a lot of congestion. Pros: Large carrier, good amount of data for price Cons: Requires upfront payment for a full year, no 5G coverage Looking for a basic plan with solid LTE coverage and discounts for automatic payments? H2O Wireless is a great option. .