Cell Phones, Editor's Picks, Mobile Phones
Which Prepaid Phone Plan Is for You?
The madness of holiday shopping is upon us, and even though tech prices are dropping to all-time lows, it's still important in this economy to pinch pennies whenever possible. One proven method of saving, particularly for families or frequent talkers and texters, is to cut out those expensive monthly mobile bills and explore some prepaid phone options.
Demonstrating the ease of prepaid shopping, we purchased the cheapest available phone in-store ($10.89 with tax for the Virgin Mobile Kyocera Marbl at Walgreens), quickly activated the little guy online, and within 15 minutes were eating away at our 20 free minutes (with adequate-to-good reception and no dropped calls).
Since prepaid phones don't require contracts or credit checks, and let you cap usage, they provide a perfect option for parents, travelers, thrifty students, bosses with chatty employees, and those who just have a less-than-stellar credit history.
Oh yeah, and did we mention that you can get started for less than $15? If that sounds inviting, here are some phones, prices, and plans from a variety of carriers. But, because we just can't cover every phone or plan, make sure to always look for rollover options, expiration dates, and additional fees (particularly for text messaging and account activation).
Plans: Using the 'Pay By the Day' plan, you only have to pay for the days that you actually use your phone. The rates include a $1 charge for each day used, and an additional $.10 per minute for calls. For 'Pay As You Go' (PAYG), the costs range from $10 for 30 minutes to $100 for 1000 minutes. Other prices include $.10 to send and $.05 to receive text messages, and $.25 to send and receive picture messages (MMS).
Phones:
- Low End: $19.99 Nokia 1661 (text messaging, speaker phone, and FM radio).
- In Between: $59.99 Samsung t239 (IM, picture caller ID, MMS)
- High End: $99.99 Samsung t349 (1.3 megapixel (MP) camera, e-mail, and MMS).
Cons: Only a few, plain-Jane phones offered.
Bottom line: Despite its international cachet and capabilities, T-Mobile doesn't provide phones with top-of-the-line features as some of the other carriers do.
Verizon Wireless
Plans: The Verizon plan is pay-by-day with Basic, Core, Plus, and Unlimited options. Under the Basic plan, calls cost $.25 per minute, text messages cost $.20, and there is no daily fee. The Unlimited Plan costs $3.99 for each day that you use the phone, with the only other charges being $.01 for incoming and outgoing text messages.
Phones:
- Low End: $49.99 Samsung Smooth (VGA camera, Bluetooth, VZ Navigator, balance display, speakerphone)
- In Between: $99.99 Verizon Blitz (Bluetooth, Web, QWERTY keyboard, V CAST Music with Rhapsody, Navigator)
- High End: $119.99 Samsung Intensity (1.3 MP camera, Navigator, V CAST, Bluetooth, removable memory)
Cons: Not many models to choose from; high prices compared to other prepaid carriers.
Bottom line: The plans and phones may cost more than some of the other carriers, but Verizon provides a wealth of phone and carrier features, plus excellent nationwide coverage and highly rated customer service.
US Cellular
Plans: US Cellular offers a variety of options. At the bottom, the $6 monthly plan does not include incoming calls from outside your area, or night or weekend minutes, and additional minutes cost $.15. At the top, the $65 unlimited monthly plan basically gets you everything with no activation fee.
Phones:
- Low End: $9.95 Samsung Spex R210 (Bluetooth, speakerphone, text messaging)
- In Between: $39.95 Kyocera Neo E1100 (Speakerphone, picture messaging, 1.3 MP camera)
- High End: $229.95 ($179.95 after rebate) LG Rhythm UX585 (Touch screen, 1.3 MP camera with camcorder, 3-D sound with equalizer)
Cons: Not good for those who travel a lot, as every call made outside your home service area costs $.69 per minute; $30 or $50 activation fees for every plan except the $65 unlimited.
Bottom line: While US Cellular offers an abundance of phones and plans, make sure it offers its services in your area -- and be aware of the activation fees.
AT&T GoPhone
Plans: AT&T offers two types of plans: PAYG and "pick your plan." The basic PAYG plan costs $.25 per minute with no daily access charges. The unlimited PAYG plan will get you everything for $3.00 per day. The four "pick your plan" deals range from $29.99 per month to $69.99 per month, with minutes and charges varying.
Phones:
- Low End: $29.99 Nokia 2610 (e-mail, IM, audio messaging, Media Net, speakerphone)
- In Between: $49.99 Samsung SGH a167 (VGA camera, IM, browser, speakerphone)
- High End: $99.99 LG Neon (refurbished) (2 MP camera with video, IM, touchscreen, Bluetooth, Web)
Cons: High prices (cheapest phone is $30) for plans; AT&T service can be spotty in places, with dropped calls a frequent occurrence.
Bottom line: GoPhone plan prices may be a little higher, but at least the phones are full-featured.
Tracfone
Plans: Tracfone offers three individual monthly plans: 50 minutes for $9.99, 100 minutes for $19.99, and 150 minutes for $29.99. The family plan consists of the 50-minute option for the primary phone, and 30 minutes of airtime at $5.99 per month for each additional phone.
Phones:
- Low End: $9.99 Motorola C139 (airtime balance display, text messaging)
- In Between: $29.99 Motorola W376g (VGA camera, Bluetooth, FM radio, MMS)
- High End: $59.99 Motorola V176 (balance display, download ringtones and more using airtime minutes)
Cons: Limited phone selection; ho-hum designs.
Bottom line: If you're not looking to spend a bunch of money, and you don't need all the fancy extras, Tracfone is one of your best options.
Virgin Mobile
Plans: Virgin offers three types of plans: monthly, PAYG, and "texter's delight." The monthly plans range from $29.99 to $49.99, with the $49.99 plan providing everything. PAYG starts out at $20 for 200 minutes, while $50 will get you 1,000 minutes. (Under PAYG, texts cost $.10 individually, $5 for 200, or $20 for unlimited.) With "texter's delight," $14.99 gets you 1,000 texts, while $19.99 allows for unlimited texting.
Phones:
- Low End: $9.99 Kyocera Marbl (real music ringtones, Web, speakerphone)
- In Between: $59.99 Samsung Mantra (VGA camera, speakerphone, Bluetooth, MP3)
- High End: $129.99 LG Rumor 2 (QWERTY keyboard, Web, IM, MMS, 1.3 MP camera)
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Cons: Spotty coverage outside of trendy, hipster-filled cities west of the Mississippi.
Bottom line: If style is as important to you as cool features are -- and you live in an urban area or go to college near one -- then Virgin Mobile is for you. Mobile warriors who want to surf the Web from anywhere should also apply.
Net10
Plans: The Net10 unlimited plan costs $79.98 per month, while the monthly plans start with $15 for 150 minutes. PAYG starts with $20 for 200 minutes.
Phones:
- Low End: $29.99 LG 300 (color display, hands-free speakerphone)
- In Between: $39.99 Samsung T201G (hands-free speakerphone, ability to download Web content with airtime minutes)
- High End: $59.99 Motorola EM326g (Bluetooth, 1.3 MP camera, MMS, ability to download Web content with airtime minutes)
Cons: Lack of ultra-budget phones; pricey unlimited plan.
Bottom line: Net10 doesn't offer as many phones or bonus features as its bigger and better-known rivals, but its competitive prices on non-unlimited plans make it an affordable option (especially if you talk a lot, since you'll be getting all those free minutes when you activate).
Boost Mobile
Plans: Boost offers a $50 unlimited plan (with $.10 international texts), as well as both monthly and daily options. The daily plan charges $1 for each day used, $.10 per minute for calls, and $.25 per MMS (with free standard texts). PAYG charges $.10 per minute for calls, $.10 for each sent and received text message, and $.25 for each MMS.
Phones:
- Low End: $49.99 Motorola i290 (walkie-talkie, MMS, Web, GPS-enabled, hands-free speakerphone)
- In Between: $99.99 Motorola i776 (digital camera, walkie-talkie, browser, GPS-enabled)
- High End: $299.99 Motorola i9 (digital camera, walkie-talkie, Web, MMS, MP3)
Cons: Phones are pricey (The least expensive is $49.99.) and bulky when compared to those of other carriers.
Bottom line: If you're looking for high-end phones with a wealth of features and without the hassle of annual contracts, Boost Mobile is a solid choice. It's also recommended for folks who use walkie-talkie features a lot -- parents and kids, construction workers, party planners, and the like.
Cricket
Plans: Cricket offers a wide variety of monthly plans, starting with a $30 option with unlimited calls. The top-of-the-line unlimited plan runs $60 per month. Cricket also offers family plans, and is currently offering a $5 online discount for a limited time.
Phones:
- Low End: $29.99 refurbished Samsung U340 (Web, camera, MMS, games and apps)
- In Between: $79.99 Cricket CAPTR (Web, camera with zoom, Bluetooth)
- High End: $279 Motorola Evoke QA4 (2 MP camera, touchscreen, music player, stereo Bluetooth, recurring $15 monthly charge for 3G Web browsing)
Cons: PAYG options only available in certain areas; regional availability (so you'll pay roaming fees outside of your home area); activation and migration fees.
Bottom line: Cricket offers something for everyone, provided they stay in their coverage areas. It's ideal for folks who talk a lot, but don't get out of town much -- in other words, families with kids.
Trumpet
Plans: Trumpet offers PAYG options as well as family/group plans. The various costs include a $.50 daily usage fee, $.10 or $.20 per minute for calls, and $.05 or $.10 per text message, depending on the plan.
Phones:
- Low End: LG 125 (speakerphone, Bluetooth capable, voice-activated dialing)
- In Between: LG 150 (Same as above)
- High End: Samsung SPH A640 (Digital camera with zoom, Bluetooth, advanced voice recognition)
Cons: Limited variety of phones and plans. Phones are currently not available online, so prices vary.
Bottom line: Trumpet launched in 2008, and, so far, the products are limited and only available at certain stores like Walgreens and Radio Shack.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
BrianM said 6:34AM on 10-29-2009
Why would this focus on the phones? you can get whatever phone you want online for any of these. It is the plans that are the big deal here and not having your minutes expire for a year when you purchase $100 on T-Mobile is a huge win in my book. Get whatever GSM phone you want.
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Jamus said 11:01AM on 10-29-2009
The biggest con to pre-paid is the minute/credit expiration dates. Many times you can get $25 worth of minutes, but they expire within 45 - 90 days. Your best bet (with ATT anyway) is to cough up the $100 of minutes because those stay good for 365 days. $100 + cost of phone ($19.95) = a good bargain for me.
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RCAROLL said 9:53AM on 10-29-2009
I was one of the last 'holdouts' and never needed or wanted a cell phone , then my son got a 'better' phone and I ended up with his trac fone. I love it!
the minutes roll over, i get double minutes every month (an added feature I bought on sale one day) and bonus minutes from a little book they sent me. I use it mainly for texting since i can get three messages out for 1 minute of time.
AND the best past, NO MONTHLY BILL.... when i need more minutes I buy them for far less than my landline costs.
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Richard B said 10:32AM on 10-29-2009
We started out talking on cell phones, and then we graduated to texting, what's next? Morris code!!.
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Doctor TracFone said 11:42AM on 10-29-2009
Very interesting article. Kudos on its thoroughness.
TracFone and Net10 have added several new handsets. Net10, in fact, now offers a very nice Samsung QWERTY phone that's well worth checking out.
Also, the new Straight Talk service has rolled out nationally to all Walmart locations. It's also available online at http://straighttalk.com/ShopPhones
Straight Talk also has a very nice Samsung QWERTY phone, btw.
There are 2 Straight Talk prepaid deals: ALL YOU NEED: $30 for 1,000 minutes, 1000 texts and 30MB of Mobile Web Access or $45 for UNLIMITED minutes, texts and Mobile Web access -- nationwide & anytime. Both are for 30 days.
Nationwide coverage is on one of America's best networks.
No contracts, bills, overages or hidden charges, either.
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ryank91 said 12:54PM on 10-29-2009
They need to do better research on Cricket, because I work for Cricket and we offer 3 different PayGo plans starting from $1- $3 a day... The higher the PayGo plan the more unlimited features you get. All Paygo plans include unlimited mins.
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grandma7ny said 4:22PM on 10-29-2009
where do you get 100 minutes for 19.99
can't find that anywhere.
they have 60 minutes for 19.99.
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telli said 5:07PM on 10-29-2009
My wife has a Virgin Mobile phone that costs $15 for three months service. The rates are 25 cents per minute for the first 10 minutes of each call and then drops to 10 cents per minute. It sound expensive but she doesn't use it much except when she is traveling. most of the time she doesn't use up the $15 each quarter but the dollars (minutes) accumulate. She has a $60 ballance now. Our only problem has been spotty service out west. No service in the whole state of Wyoming (except on the Colorado border south of Cheyenne). I use Virgin too but my plan requires a minimum of $20 use per quarter. The is very economical service for our type of useage. Most of my calls are less than three minutes.
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eufhefiu said 10:36PM on 10-29-2009
ahhh and what about metro PCS. They have good phones and unlimmited everything for about $40 a month. You can even use sprint and verizon phones with negative esn's and switch them ove rto Metro and use. So they have the biggest selection of all carriers non-GSM.
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acez55 said 11:25PM on 10-29-2009
I think straight talk has it in the bag, especially now that finally went nationwide with walmart. Unlimited talk and text for 45 or 1000 min and 1000 text, more than enough for most people for only 30, you cant beat it. And add on top of that that it runs on the verizon network leading to great service. Thats why i have a straight talk plan.
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