Smartphone - low cost phone with $50/month plan. Possible?

[trinchick]

I know there have been lots of questions on smart phones, but I'd appreciate any help someone can offer.

My employer has offered me a $50/month reimbursement for a smartphone. I'd like to take advantage of this, but I don't know where to start. I currently use a pay-as-you-go flip phone. My usual monthly expenditure is only about $10 and I don't want to take on a large additional payment.

So, I'd like the monthly bill to be about 50-75, including all taxes. It seems like prepaying is the way to go. But I don't want to spend $400 on the phone, either, and the lower-priced phones seem to require a plan.

Any suggestions/solutions for this situation? Thanks in advance!

 

[JB2K]

Yes, it is very much possible (and these days, prepaid services is truly one of the "hidden gems" that doesn't get the attention it deserves) -- two budget options that immediately come to mind are:

• Straight Talk (sold at Walmart stores as well as through their own website) -- if you look carefully on this page, you may even see a banner ad for ST
  
• Boost Mobile

With either service, you can have a full-featured Android smartphone (with no contracts!) as low as $45 a month.

Both ST and Boost utilize the Sprint Nationwide Network to carry their calls/texts/data -- so, if Sprint works well in your local area, these will too.

 

[Beezle2]

We like Virgin Mobile, they are a no contract company. We currently use their $25 a month 300 minute plan but my DH wants to update himself to a smart phone and more minutes. The phone he wants is $129 on the Virgin site and $99 on Amazon.

His plan would then be $40 a month for unlimited everything. My DD has this plan already and likes it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

And I think Boost is the one that drops your monthly bill by $5 for every six months you pay on time (yes, even though it's a pay as you go plan).

 

[JB2K]

And I think Boost is the one that drops your monthly bill by $5 for every six months you pay on time (yes, even though it's a pay as you go plan).

You are absolutely right -- it's called "Shrinkage" in Boost parlance.

More on the incredible shrinking bill, here...

 

[Cruise]

I also have Virgin Mobile and have been really happy with them.

You can get a smartphone for under $100 and Virgin currently offers a $55/month unlimited talk/text/web no-contract package. I use the basic tier they offer at 300 talk minutes with unlimited text and web and that's plenty for me. I end up using my phone for email and web surfing more than talking. That's only $35/month currently - though I pay $25 because I was a customer before the rates went up.

 

[dallastxcpa]

I use the T-mobile pre-paid plan. Mine is $66 per month with taxes and fees. I have a 2GB plan. The 1 GB plan is cheaper.

I love the service. I hardly ever have any problems with reception. Only when I am out in the middle of no where Texas.

I also love my Samsung Galaxy S. It is an amazing phone.

 

[TnTWalter]

virgin mobile rates have gone up fyi...

$35 for the 300 talk minutes unlimited text; unlimited data but they slow you down if you use too much

$45 for 1200 talk minutes

virginmobileusa.com

i have the $25/ 300 minutes plan. i use pandora radio everyday to work out so really use that data!



trish

 

[trinchick]

Many thanks for all of the replies. I've looked at the options and it seems like Virgin Mobile will work best for me.

Thanks again.

 

[quikah]

While I have Virgin and am generally happy with the service I want to give you a word of caution.

The data service on Virgin can be unreliable. If you do not NEED the data (it is just something nice to have) you should be fine, but if your work relies on having data then you might want to look elsewhere.

 

[Green Tea]

Many thanks for all of the replies. I've looked at the options and it seems like Virgin Mobile will work best for me.

Thanks again.

It is a great service at a great price. They use Sprint towers for transmission.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I have heard Page Plus is pretty cool, they use Verizon phones and the Verizon network. I think it's 55 a month for like unlimited talk and text and 500mb data.

I do not use their service but Ive heard good things.

 

[crazelion]

I have cricket smartphone but do not use the cricket cell phone service. I use the grooveip lite app to make phones using wi-fi using your google vocie number for free. The catch is have be in wi-fi range. But this is not my mine phone. I have ATT voice on the family plan for under 100.00 month.

 

[robinb]

I have heard Page Plus is pretty cool, they use Verizon phones and the Verizon network. I think it's 55 a month for like unlimited talk and text and 500mb data.

I do not use their service but Ive heard good things.

We use Page Plus for my DD's dumb phone and we really like it. I think that they offer a good talk/text/data plan. I bought my DD's phone on eBay. Cricket is also big around here.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

I have heard Page Plus is pretty cool, they use Verizon phones and the Verizon network. I think it's 55 a month for like unlimited talk and text and 500mb data.

I do not use their service but Ive heard good things.

The 55 plan is now 1 GB (1000 MB) of data. Page Plus also uses the same coverage area as Verizon's prepaid phones, so the coverage is often pretty good.

 

[SandrA9810]

I know AT&T does an unlimited prepaid plan as well, but if you're using a smart phone, you still have to pay additional for data.

They do have a $25 a month, 200 min, unlimited texting, unlimited data (for non smart phones), but to add a smart phone there's a $5 and $15 data package. Might be a little cheaper than an all in one unlimited plan.

 

[aubriee]

Yes, it is very much possible (and these days, prepaid services is truly one of the "hidden gems" that doesn't get the attention it deserves) -- two budget options that immediately come to mind are:

• Straight Talk (sold at Walmart stores as well as through their own website) -- if you look carefully on this page, you may even see a banner ad for ST

With either service, you can have a full-featured Android smartphone (with no contracts!) as low as $45 a month.

Both ST and Boost utilize the Sprint Nationwide Network to carry their calls/texts/data -- so, if Sprint works well in your local area, these will too.

I have this one from Wal Mart and like it. It's $45.00 plus tax for unlimited texting, unlimited internet, and unlimited minutes:
http://www.shopstraighttalk.com/bpd...ction=view&productVariantExtensionId=12383440

 

[jessica52877]

I also have the virgin mobile 300 minute, unlimited text and data for $35 a month. I signed up right after the price went up. No issues ever!