The good and bad with prepaid plans and last generation iPhone?

[mom2rose&john]

Can anyone tell me the pros and cons of getting an iPhone 5c or 4s with a prepaid plan? I cannot justify spending so much on the latest generation iPhone and a monthly phone bill of more than $200 for a family of 4.

I am perfectly happy with my basic phone on the ATT prepaid plan for $25 every three months and so is my husband. My son really doesn’t need a smartphone at his age. So I am thinking that we would continue with our prepaid plan, get my son a basic talk and text phone for emergencies and get my DD a prepaid talk text and 1 gig of data. I purchase the last generation iPhone and tell her any overages are her responsibility. Does anyone have 1 gig of data? Is that enough for the month if I insist light use? She will most likely use Wi-Fi since it is basically everywhere except on the bus. What are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

 

[havaneselover]

I have an IPhone 4 on straight talk (it was a bring your own phone given to me by my sister). It works out to $41/month when I pay annually. I have 3 gb of data monthly, but I check my useage and have not gone over 1 gb yet (I check email, facebook, disboards, and use safari when I am out).

I'd love to get a 5s (Straight talk sells refurbished ones for $350) so I could have LTE, but honestly I can't justify it. My 4 works fine for now, I don't care about IOS 8, and the original battery is still going strong.

 

[robinb]

The problem with overages is that they can be really expensive. My DD has an iPhone 6 on BoostMobile. I think they offer cheaper iPhones too. Her plan is only $35 and she has unlimited talk and text plus 1 GB data at 4g that gets throttled down to unlimited 2g. BoostMobil runs on the Sprint network.

 

[StephMK]

We are dealing with that now too. DH & I have lower end smartphones on pay as you go plans. I pay $27/mo for unlimited talk/text and 500MB. There is so much free wifi that it's plenty for my uses. This was the first month I used it up before the month was over and only because I was on it a good part of our road trip out of state.

I researched them a little bit so someone can correct me if I'm wrong. We bought DD an iphone 4s and I read that it's the oldest iphone that has IOS 8. I was a little worried about an older phone only because at some point, the apps won't be able to be updated if the IOS isn't used anymore. Virgin Mobile has good prices on iphones and their plans aren't bad either. Adding that if you buy an iphone through Virgin Mobile, go through ebates. I got $17.50 back from the purchase.

 

[zoemurr]

We are dealing with that now too. DH & I have lower end smartphones on pay as you go plans. I pay $27/mo for unlimited talk/text and 500MB. There is so much free wifi that it's plenty for my uses. This was the first month I used it up before the month was over and only because I was on it a good part of our road trip out of state.

I researched them a little bit so someone can correct me if I'm wrong. We bought DD an iphone 4s and I read that it's the oldest iphone that has IOS 8. I was a little worried about an older phone only because at some point, the apps won't be able to be updated if the IOS isn't used anymore. Virgin Mobile has good prices on iphones and their plans aren't bad either.

What plan are you on that is $27? Thanks.

 

[crazelion]

What plan are you on that is $27? Thanks.

ATT pre-paid smart phone plan for 250 minutes and unlimited text a month cost 25 dollars a month.

 

[crazelion]

Can anyone tell me the pros and cons of getting an iPhone 5c or 4s with a prepaid plan? I cannot justify spending so much on the latest generation iPhone and a monthly phone bill of more than $200 for a family of 4.

I am perfectly happy with my basic phone on the ATT prepaid plan for $25 every three months and so is my husband. My son really doesn’t need a smartphone at his age. So I am thinking that we would continue with our prepaid plan, get my son a basic talk and text phone for emergencies and get my DD a prepaid talk text and 1 gig of data. I purchase the last generation iPhone and tell her any overages are her responsibility. Does anyone have 1 gig of data? Is that enough for the month if I insist light use? She will most likely use Wi-Fi since it is basically everywhere except on the bus. What are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

I just put myself on 45 dollar plan unlimited minutes and text and 1GB data. I have not touch my data at all because I try use wi-fi when possible. I lovin it the plan.

I might use more data in the summer but that unlikely because i use free wi-fi every where I go.

If would recommend Trafone that what my kids have it. Through Verizon because they have smartphones. It really cheap. Just 19.99 card every three months and good go. If get smartphone triples minutes for life.

I don't ever worry about my kids going over there minutes.

 

[StephMK]

What plan are you on that is $27? Thanks.

It's called H2O Wireless and it runs on the AT&T network. I just ported my number and use my go-phone. It was a pain to port but have just had a few minor issues since then. I think they are phone, not network issues but not sure. Anyway, it's cheap so I put up with the small annoyances. My plan is $30/mo but if you sign up for autopay, there is a 10% discount.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Can anyone tell me the pros and cons of getting an iPhone 5c or 4s with a prepaid plan? I cannot justify spending so much on the latest generation iPhone and a monthly phone bill of more than $200 for a family of 4.

I am perfectly happy with my basic phone on the ATT prepaid plan for $25 every three months and so is my husband. My son really doesn’t need a smartphone at his age. So I am thinking that we would continue with our prepaid plan, get my son a basic talk and text phone for emergencies and get my DD a prepaid talk text and 1 gig of data. I purchase the last generation iPhone and tell her any overages are her responsibility. Does anyone have 1 gig of data? Is that enough for the month if I insist light use? She will most likely use Wi-Fi since it is basically everywhere except on the bus. What are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

I don't know a lot about the pre-paid plans, as we have a monthly plan with four of us sharing 10GB of data. But it's not hard to go over for some kids. DS17 is pretty savvy yet sometimes we get notifications he's using a lot of data, generally from streaming music when he's outside. For instance, this month we've already gotten the notification and the billing cycle doesn't end until the end of the month, so it comes in handy to know. (Not sure how this works with prepaid plans, ie do they notify you? I'd think they would; maybe others can answer, although all plans are probably differernt.) Before we went to a shared data plan, if one person was regularly going over, you could add more data if you wanted to, I think it was something like $10/month for another 1GB/month IIR. Anyway, something to think about, but I think she'll be fine once she gets the hang of it.

The thing about the smart phones, though, IMO (and this is not just for the OP but for others reading and contemplating), is you don't realize what you're missing until you get get one. Apps are fun and can make your life a lot easier. Find a restaurant or gas station when you're in an unfamiliar area. Get directions dictated to you verbally as you're driving. Find out the score of your favorite home game verbally. Deposit checks in the bank from home, no more running out to the ATM. Communication simply with others. Pull up a recipe while you're at the supermarket. It's endless. I mean, absolutely look at the numbers. But if they work out to just a little more for smartphones, I would consider it, if you can, because in many ways, it's worth the cost. While it's not absolutely necessary to have a smartphone, I think you do "save" in intangibles like gas, mileage, safety, convenience, time, simplicity, etc. JMO. Good luck.

 

[mom2rose&john]

OP here!! Thanks to all the replies.

Do you notice more dropped calls or not being able to use the data in certain areas. If there is wifi will it automatically use wifi rather than data? It is looking more and more appealing cost wise.

Is anyone in the Western NY area that prefers one prepaid plan over another? Thanks.

 

[havaneselover]

OP here!! Thanks to all the replies.

Do you notice more dropped calls or not being able to use the data in certain areas. If there is wifi will it automatically use wifi rather than data? It is looking more and more appealing cost wise.

Is anyone in the Western NY area that prefers one prepaid plan over another? Thanks.

My service with Straight Talk has been excellent. No issues at all.

As long as wifi is on, mine automatically uses wifi.

 

[robinb]

OP here!! Thanks to all the replies.

Do you notice more dropped calls or not being able to use the data in certain areas. If there is wifi will it automatically use wifi rather than data? It is looking more and more appealing cost wise.

Is anyone in the Western NY area that prefers one prepaid plan over another? Thanks.

The best thing you can do is ask your local friends and co-workers what providers they use. Then you need to figure out what providers the prepaid companies use in your area. For instance Straight Talk uses AT&T in some places and Verizon in others. Look at the coverage maps for the different providers to ensure that they places YOU go are adequately covered.

This link will help you choose a plan:
http://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones

 

[mom2rose&john]

The best thing you can do is ask your local friends and co-workers what providers they use. Then you need to figure out what providers the prepaid companies use in your area. For instance Straight Talk uses AT&T in some places and Verizon in others. Look at the coverage maps for the different providers to ensure that they places YOU go are adequately covered.

This link will help you choose a plan:
http://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones

Thanks for that website. It is very informative.

How do I figure out if it is a GSM or CDMA carrier? Just based on the provider? For example, Boost Mobile uses Sprint; therefore a CDMA carrier phone?

 

[robinb]

Thanks for that website. It is very informative.

How do I figure out if it is a GSM or CDMA carrier? Just based on the provider? For example, Boost Mobile uses Sprint; therefore a CDMA carrier phone?

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2407896,00.asp

The Howard Forums is a great place to find out about the different plans:
http://www.howardforums.com/forum.php

 

[bjscheel]

I see you can put an Iphone 4 on Tracfone. It's not something I've done, but DH has an iPhone 5 and we're thinking of keeping it when he upgrades and when Tracfone can take an iPhone 5, we might try it. Has anyone else done an iPhone on Tracfone?

 

[havaneselover]

I see you can put an Iphone 4 on Tracfone. It's not something I've done, but DH has an iPhone 5 and we're thinking of keeping it when he upgrades and when Tracfone can take an iPhone 5, we might try it. Has anyone else done an iPhone on Tracfone?

Tracfone owns straight talk and net 10. You may want to look at those too.

 

[hsmamato2]

OP, it depends on your area,what has the best coverage. the prepaid cheaper options all run on one of the 'big guys' networks, in a more limited way.
Virgin Mobileat 30 a month, runs on Sprint network, Pageplus (which I have) runs on Verizon network,and works best where I live,hands down. I pay 30 a month, but my data is limited to 500 mb a mo.- I use wifi for big apps anyway so no worries.
The thing people should know about smartphones is that if you pay less than "unlimited data plans' -smartphones have OPTIONS to shut off various apps so that they ONLY run on wifi, not cell coverage. That means if I keep my facebook app set to 'wifi only' it won't connect unless I have wifi nearby. It also means I never even come close to hitting that 500 mb mark in a month, b/c basic stuff like maps,safari,etc use very small amounts of data.Social media apps take a ton of data.
iphone 4s works great,no complaints.
OP you need to be aware of what BRAND of iphone you buy,as certain brands work with certain services.
Pageplus cellular uses Verizon brand phones.
Straight talk uses at&t brand
T mobile prepaid uses at&t also.
Virgin Mobile uses their own brand iphone. etc etc etc
howard forums .com is a wealth of information.

 

[robinb]

My DD was on PagePlus for years until I gave her my old iPhone 4s. It was great! We then moved to Consumer Cellular which is on AT&T's network so she could use the GSM iPhone. It was also great, but not meant for power users. Believe me what I say that teen girls are power users, LOL! Snapchat and Instagram use a LOT of data! Luckily for my DD, her throttled data is fine for those kinds of apps.