Pre paid phones

[nikkislaght]

hey there local peeps,
My sister is coming from Oz in late Sept, and she asked me about buying a SIM card to use while in the states. I told her to just buy a pre paid phone.
So I'm asking you local peeps, what's the better way to go?
Pre paid phone or SIMS and where to buy either ?

Thanks for your help.
NIkki

 

[AussieCaribou]

Prepaid are not smart phones (unless you want to put out a lot of money). Looks like smartphones are going to be needed.

We always get our sims before we go.

 

[Jerryp49]

Tracfone sells cheap smartphones but a sim may be cheaper way to go

 

[Tigerlily75]

I get a SIM (for my iPhone), as my main reason for having it is data, for Google maps etc. T-Mobile has stores all over and has a SIM card plan specifically for international tourists for US$30 : https://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-international-tourist-plan

Another option is to buy a SIM before you go from https://www.simcorner.com either from Sydney or Melbourne Airport, or have it posted to you.

 

[GaryDis]

Tracfone sells cheap smartphones but a sim may be cheaper way to go

TracFone even sells sims, at least for iPhones. It's what I use.

I've seen Android smartphones from Trac for as little as $20, presumably older models, underpowered by today's standards, but they serve a niche. One catch is that their phones are pretty much locked to Trac, so never plan on using them outside the US or on other cell services.

But in this case, I'd say look at the T-mobile options. Their big advantage over Trac is having storefronts to get problems resolved in a hurry. I used to use T-mobile, and was happy with their prices, but dropped them because I was often finding myself in places with poor T-mobile signals (like Provincetown). Presumably they have better coverage in the populous valleys of California.

 

[nikkislaght]

Thanks for the feedback everyone !!