iPhone 4 and 5 Coming to Straight Talk...

[JB2K]

...according to this article from PrepaidPhoneNews.com (which is a reputable website for all things prepaid).

Initial reports suggest these iPhones will be CDMA models, meaning they will operate on either Verizon or Sprint's network (that information is not yet known).

Pricing will be $45 a month (or $60 a month if you make international calls) and you can expect to pay full price for the handsets (since they are not subsidized like contract phones).

Walmart has confirmed the news, too...

 

[plummer925]

You can use iphone with Straighttalk now - but you have to buy an unlocked AT&T phone and get a SIM from Straightalk. I would LOVE to have them available to buy directly through straightalk!!

 

[Lewisc]

Just make sure you read the fine print regarding data caps. Unlimited data is nothing more then a marketing term with ST. From the terms an conditions:

may ONLY be used with a Straight Talk handset for the following purposes: (i) Person to Person Voice Calls (ii) Text and Picture Messaging (iii) Internet browsing through the Straight Talk Mobile Web Service and (iv) Authorized Content Downloads from the Straight Talk Mobile Web Store. The Straight Talk Unlimited Plans MAY NOT be used for any other purpose.

Anything which is likely to use a lot of data isn't permitted. Downloading or streaming audio or video isn't permitted for example.

Not an issue for most people but ST isn't a way around VZs data pricing.

 

[havaneselover]

I am actually in the process of activating an IPhone 4 with Straight Talk. My sister gave me her barely used AT&T Iphone 4 and my micro Sim card is supposed to be delivered today. Then I will buy the 90 day unlimited card from Walmart for $126. I have read to be careful about data usage but I'm not worried as I primarily use my phone to text and read email. For $42 / month + a $15 sim card purchase, I'm pretty excited to finally have an Iphone.

 

[JB2K]

Just make sure you read the fine print regarding data caps. Unlimited data is nothing more then a marketing term with ST. From the terms an conditions:


Anything which is likely to use a lot of data isn't permitted. Downloading or streaming audio or video isn't permitted for example.

Not an issue for most people but ST isn't a way around VZs data pricing.

True -- for routine use (and Wi-Fi use at home), the "hidden data caps" should largely be a non-issue for the majority of users.

 

[JB2K]

I went to WM, this morning (mainly to look at the packaging details, as I learn a lot about a prepaid phone, that way) -- the phones were locked away from the salesfloor, and it was early, so no associates were available.

Checked the WM website, this morning -- it specifically asks for a zip code, so I entered a St. Louis zip code with no problem. Then, test #2 - I entered "42101", which is for Bowling Green, KY (a large town near my hometown), and a KNOWN non-Verizon service area (4G/LTE CDMA roaming services are provided by rural carrier "Bluegrass Cellular" to VZW contract customers). I got a warning from WM stating the ST iPhone would NOT work, there -- a dead giveaway that Verizon is porviding the network services for Straight Talk, which is a good thing for about 95% of the U.S. population (except for those in Central KY, and parts of WI, OK, and WV, as well as other locations which may figure-into VZW's "LTE in Rural America" program).

My wife's VZW iPhone contract is up in a few weeks -- we're going to immediately make the jump to a ST iPhone (as she comes nowehere near reaching the "secret data caps").

 

[Lewisc]

ST is a Tracfone service exclusively marketed by Walmart. They have contracts with Sprint, VZ, At&T as well as T-Mobile. The phone you can buy is based on what carrier has service in your area. No reason why ST couldn't offer some customers Sprint service and other VZ.

ST service doesn't roam. If the carrier you're on doesn't have service you'll simply get no service.

I've read the hidden cap may be under 1Gig.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

ST is a Tracfone service exclusively marketed by Walmart. They have contracts with Sprint, VZ, At&T as well as T-Mobile. The phone you can buy is based on what carrier has service in your area. No reason why ST couldn't offer some customers Sprint service and other VZ.

ST service doesn't roam. If the carrier you're on doesn't have service you'll simply get no service.

I've read the hidden cap may be under 1Gig.

I've noticed in this thread and others you seem somewhat anti ST. I've been with ST for a few months now and am very happy. Started out with a iPhone 3G and last month upgraded to a 4S - I do not have any internet at home and rarely connect to WiFi. I use my phone a lot to check FaceBook, my gmail, the DIS boards *but right now I'm on my work computer. The cap has never been a problem for me.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

I already have an iPhone that I use a StraightTalk SIM with. I got a used AT&T phone on eBay (with a good return policy in case it was a dud) and bought the AT&T SIM card from Straight Talk. Watched a video on YouTube to show me how to set it up and it works great.

My husband bought a Galaxy phone from google and he uses StraightTalk too. Our monthly bill for both phones is $90...it used to be over $120.

I highly recommend StraightTalk if you want a SmartPhone. (My employer requires me to have one and pays me a stipend to help with the bill.)

 

[Lewisc]

I've noticed in this thread and others you seem somewhat anti ST. I've been with ST for a few months now and am very happy. Started out with a iPhone 3G and last month upgraded to a 4S - I do not have any internet at home and rarely connect to WiFi. I use my phone a lot to check FaceBook, my gmail, the DIS boards *but right now I'm on my work computer. The cap has never been a problem for me.

I'm not. Not sure if I need to word my posts better or you need to read them twice.

Many people (probably most) don't read the fine print. The terms and conditions. ST isn't really unlimited data. It's unlimited as long as you're not doing stuff, such as streaming video, which uses a lot of data. I said this limit won't affect most people.

Some people use a lot of data. Pandora. Netflix. Sports. Create a hot spot for a laptop or tablet. Spending $$$ for an iPhone isn't going to help a person who had an unlimited data contract with VZ, wants to upgrade to the new iPhone and keep his unlimited data plan.

ST, Virgin Mobil, Tracfone...are attractive alternatives to cell phone contracts for many people.

People who understand the limitations of a plan can make an informed decision.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I'm not. Not sure if I need to word my posts better or you need to read them twice.

Many people (probably most) don't read the fine print. The terms and conditions. ST isn't really unlimited data. It's unlimited as long as you're not doing stuff, such as streaming video, which uses a lot of data. I said this limit won't affect most people.

Some people use a lot of data. Pandora. Netflix. Sports. Create a hot spot for a laptop or tablet. Spending $$$ for an iPhone isn't going to help a person who had an unlimited data contract with VZ, wants to upgrade to the new iPhone and keep his unlimited data plan.

ST, Virgin Mobil, Tracfone...are attractive alternatives to cell phone contracts for many people.

People who understand the limitations of a plan can make an informed decision.

Oh ya, DS uses the Pandora app on my phone occasionally and I watch youtube videos every once in a while, no we don't stream constantly but what we have works for us.

 

[havaneselover]

I already have an iPhone that I use a StraightTalk SIM with. I got a used AT&T phone on eBay (with a good return policy in case it was a dud) and bought the AT&T SIM card from Straight Talk. Watched a video on YouTube to show me how to set it up and it works great.

My husband bought a Galaxy phone from google and he uses StraightTalk too. Our monthly bill for both phones is $90...it used to be over $120.

I highly recommend StraightTalk if you want a SmartPhone. (My employer requires me to have one and pays me a stipend to help with the bill.)

I've had ST up and running for 2 days on an IPhone 4 and so far it is great. Value is outstanding if you aren't a heavy data user. When my 30 days is up, I am going to buy the 365 day refill which works out to $41.25/month.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

You can use iphone with Straighttalk now - but you have to buy an unlocked AT&T phone and get a SIM from Straightalk. I would LOVE to have them available to buy directly through straightalk!!

I have an iphone 3GS from ATT. Can i just buy an ATT sim card from straight talk and then it will work? Do I need to unlock it first and if so how do I do that?

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I have an iphone 3GS from ATT. Can i just buy an ATT sim card from straight talk and then it will work? Do I need to unlock it first and if so how do I do that?

No it will not have to be unlocked - you'll likely have MMS issues I did with my 3G and still do with my 4S ~ I can iMessage other iPhone users though, couldn't with the 3G, my phone is now unlocked and I need to try this ~ youtube

 

[JB2K]

ST is a Tracfone service exclusively marketed by Walmart. They have contracts with Sprint, VZ, At&T as well as T-Mobile. The phone you can buy is based on what carrier has service in your area. No reason why ST couldn't offer some customers Sprint service and other VZ.

ST service doesn't roam. If the carrier you're on doesn't have service you'll simply get no service.

I've read the hidden cap may be under 1Gig.

The hidden cap is most likely closer to 2GB, as I currently use a Verizon-serviced Net 10 (ST's sister brand) Android. Routine, daily web-surfing has never been a problem (as my monthly usage averages a little over 1GB). But, if someone wants to stream Netflix/Pandora 12-18 hours a day, that might become problematic...

As for the ST iPhone, I am suspecting (like with my particular Android) they are all VZW CDMAs sold only in existing Verizon markets.

 

[Lewisc]

After giving the matter some thought. I don't have any issue with the ST plan but I do with the way the plan is being presented by WalMart. Claiming the plan offers unlimited data is, at best, intentionally deceptive. I wouldn't be surprised if a year from now one or more regulatory agencies will have an issue.

I have more respect with the way Virgin Mobile is marketing data limits. You're throttled for the rest of the month once you go over a specified cap (around 2Gig).

Again the plan is good for many, maybe even most, people.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

No it will not have to be unlocked - you'll likely have MMS issues I did with my 3G and still do with my 4S ~ I can iMessage other iPhone users though, couldn't with the 3G, my phone is now unlocked and I need to try this ~ youtube[

Ok so texting issues if not unlocked. How did you unlock your phone? I need to text non iphone people.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

After giving the matter some thought. I don't have any issue with the ST plan but I do with the way the plan is being presented by WalMart. Claiming the plan offers unlimited data is, at best, intentionally deceptive. I wouldn't be surprised if a year from now one or more regulatory agencies will have an issue.

I have more respect with the way Virgin Mobile is marketing data limits. You're throttled for the rest of the month once you go over a specified cap (around 2Gig).

Again the plan is good for many, maybe even most, people.

I have VM and use it with a HTC 4G phone. I cant get 4G in my area through Sprint and I do have issues from time to time with the Sprint network. But i've been very happy with VM unlimted data plan 300 minutes for $35/month.

 

[JB2K]

I've noticed in this thread and others you seem somewhat anti ST.

In Lewisc's case, I am guessing he/she is just trying to make sure everyone is well-informed of potential limitations, etc. when going with a prepaid carrier such as Straight Talk, as instances of users being cut-off due to excessive data usage seem to be well-documented on the internet (and on ST's own Facebook page). As with anything, there's the good and not-so-good...

I come from the mindset that the only people who comment on a product's website/FB page are those who have gripes.

And there are still others who are thinking 10 years behind the times and believe prepaid phones are the things of "credit criminals" and others. That mindset has finally changed as prepaid in many cases, is a much better deal and it's growing by leaps and bounds.

And there are still others who think, believe it or not, that having a certain carrier's logo stamped on their contract cell phone gives them a certain cachet. In the case of any iPhone, none (including the ST phones) have a carrier's logo stamped on them.

My take on it? If someone doesn't want to save $45-55 a month on their phone bill -- it's their loss.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Ok so texting issues if not unlocked. How did you unlock your phone? I need to text non iphone people.

No texting issues - I could/can text anyone. It's sending and receiving picture messages - those are MMS, I can iMessage pictures to other iPhones and receive pictures from other iPhones - my kids phone I email pictures to it *they receive it as a text I send it like so ~ 1801*******@tmomail.net *they're with tmobile. The *s are the phone number ~ 801 is our area code.