Cheapest prepaid cellphone options

[smidgen21]

Hello, I'm looking for the cheapest prepaid cellphone options for DS. He is mostly looking for data (maybe 2gb) and texting with some calling time. We have a Samsung Galaxy that we could BYOD if that is an option. Thank you!

 

[teller80]

I don't know if it's the cheapest, but we're happy with Total Wireless as far as reception and such, and the few times I've had to use their customer service I've been satisfied.

 

[DisHmsklMom]

Check out Republic Wireless. https://republicwireless.com/ We've had them for a number of years and have been really happy with the savings and the variety of plans available. I also like that I can add data and get a refund for what I don't end up using. I also saved a lot of money by buying a refurbished phone from them.

 

[Dizzytime]

For the price, I'm sold on Cricket: https://www.cricketwireless.com/free-cell-phones.html
They use ATT towers so have the same calling coverage.

 

[mrodgers]

Data requirement tosses my phone in the bin. I pay $10/month. AT&T GoPhone. I buy 1000 texts every 5-6 months for $10 and 200 texts for the months in between for $5. The account builds up a bit which pays for my 3-4 phone calls per year at $0.10/minute. No data, WIFI only on my $50 Samsung smartphone.

 

[lorac4disney]

We use the $45 per month AT&T plan. We get unlimited calls and texts, but we also get 3gb of high speed data (unlimited lower speed data). We also have the ability to roll over our unused high speed data from the previous month (1 month rollover only & it expires after one month). It only works when you renew the phone plan before it expires. We rarely do this since the phone plan only covers 30 days and there are many months that have 31 days in them. We can get a discount for multiple lines and a discount for setting it up for automatic payments. We are waiting to change it over to the multiple line discount after our vacation so that we don't lose our rollover data because I figure we will need it while on the drive down there.

 

[dgthree]

I have an iPhone on Virgin Mobile. Pretty sure I'm grandfathered into my current plan which is unlimited text, calls & data for $35/month, which drops to $30/month as I have my bill autopaid via credit card monthly.

 

[mrodgers]

We use the $45 per month AT&T plan. We get unlimited calls and texts, but we also get 3gb of high speed data (unlimited lower speed data). We also have the ability to roll over our unused high speed data from the previous month (1 month rollover only & it expires after one month). It only works when you renew the phone plan before it expires. We rarely do this since the phone plan only covers 30 days and there are many months that have 31 days in them. We can get a discount for multiple lines and a discount for setting it up for automatic payments. We are waiting to change it over to the multiple line discount after our vacation so that we don't lose our rollover data because I figure we will need it while on the drive down there.

AT&T prepaid is a 28 day cycle. You don't wait 30 or 31 days depending on the month. It is a 4 week cycle. If you update your account on say the 30th, you shouldn't have an active phone on day 29 or 30.

You might not see it due to having a set plan. Since I don't pay for the calling plan or data, I have money accumulated on the account. If I don't update on day 28, I lose any texts that would roll over and also any money on my account since most months I upload the minimum amount of $10 and only use $5 for purchasing the 200 text package.

 

[smidgen21]

I don't know if it's the cheapest, but we're happy with Total Wireless as far as reception and such, and the few times I've had to use their customer service I've been satisfied.

Thank you!!! We decided on total wireless - two lines for $60 a month, unlimited talk text and 8GB of data. Thank you!!!

 

[smidgen21]

I have an iPhone on Virgin Mobile. Pretty sure I'm grandfathered into my current plan which is unlimited text, calls & data for $35/month, which drops to $30/month as I have my bill autopaid via credit card monthly.

wow, that is a heck of a deal!

 

[smidgen21]

For the price, I'm sold on Cricket: https://www.cricketwireless.com/free-cell-phones.html
They use ATT towers so have the same calling coverage.

we don't get good AT&T coverage in my area :-(

 

[smidgen21]

I don't know if it's the cheapest, but we're happy with Total Wireless as far as reception and such, and the few times I've had to use their customer service I've been satisfied.

talk you for the recommendation - they don't offer service in my area :-(

 

[teller80]

talk you for the recommendation - they don't offer service in my area :-(

Awww... I'm sorry. Make yourself a note to check every six months or so, they might expand coverage.

 

[MillauFr]

wow, that is a heck of a deal!

I also just signed up for Virgin Mobile. They were selling I*Phone SEs for $179. The service is $30 per month for unlimited texting, data, and calls. The data speed is throttled back after you use 5GB in one month.

 

[Anthony1971]

you can download Textnow from the Playstore it is free phone calls, data, text via Wifi only and they give you a phone number free. If you like the service they have paid as well that is very cheap... again the free service is free period no credit card etc needed with a phone number but will only work via WIFI connection... the paid service is like Republic wireless It works mostly off WIFI unless none is available... My 10 YO has Text Now wifi only and it works great, home, malls, restaurants and many other places including all of Disney... did not try the paid service by may at some point for him...

 

[robinb]

Check Whistleout for options:
https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones

ETA: If you want to BYOP with the Galaxy you'll probably need to know if what network it was originally on to be able to select the correct plan.