The long wait for New T-Mobile is finally coming to an end with clearance from the Department of Justice to complete a merger between Sprint and T-Mobile. One thing you may not have seen coming in this was Dish Network purchasing Sprint Prepaid, Boost Mobile, and Virgin Mobile along with Sprint’s 800Mhz spectrum. So what does this mean for current prepaid customers?

Combining its new Sprint spectrum with its existing portfolio of low-band spectrum, Dish will build a nationwide 5G network to serve its new customers. But what happens in the meantime? Let’s try to answer some of the most pressing questions.

What happens to existing customers?

If you are a current Sprint Prepaid, Boost Mobile, or Virgin Mobile customer, you will be transitioned to the New T-Mobile network in phases. Customers will continue to use the New T-Mobile network while Dish Network begins work on its new 5G network. As this new nationwide 5G network is completed, customers with 5G capable phones will be able to transition onto the new network where available with the New T-Mobile network as a backup.

Luckily this situation allows customers to roam on the New T-Mobile network until the buildout is complete. Current customers will stay on the legacy Sprint network until they can be transitioned to the New T-Mobile network.

What happens to new customers?

New customers will be registered on the New T-Mobile network immediately. As the new network grows and devices become compatible, more and more devices will begin connecting to the new network. If you are able to move to the New T-Mobile network smoothly, then you should effortlessly gain access to Dish’s new network as it opens up in new areas.

How long will it take?

A seven-year transition period will allow prepaid customers to use Sprint’s legacy network or access the New T-Mobile network. This change does mean that customers will eventually transition to primarily using only Dish’s own 5G network along with new Dish wireless customers. Given Dish’s aggressive approach to wireless as well as its wide-reaching collection of low-band spectrum for 5G, coverage could be built out very quickly. Dish is promising 70% of Americans will be covered with its 5G network by 2023.

Dish’s Co-Founder and Chairman Chalie Ergen is confident in the new network, saying in a press release, “Our substantial investments, constant innovation, aggressive pricing and commitment to the customer led us to become the third largest pay-TV provider. As we enter the wireless business, we will again serve customers by disrupting incumbents and their legacy networks, this time with the nation’s first standalone 5G broadband network.”

What if there isn’t coverage on the new network where it was before?

Until this new network is completely built, customers will access New T-Mobile’s network as an MVNO and will be able to roam on it when the new network isn’t available. It’s impossible to know exactly how coverage will compare to the current network since it will deploy using different technology and spectrum, but with Dish using its own low-band spectrum along with the 800Mhz spectrum it’s getting from Sprint, coverage could be very good, though we don’t know just yet how speed will compare on this new 5G network.

Will employees make the switch?

Dish is immediately acquiring the more than 400 employees for the companies as well as the nationwide independent retail network for the more than 7,500 retail outlets currently operating. The haven’t announced any intention to reduce this, however it’s not entirely possible how to know what the future holds for any of the people working for any of the involved networks with deals as big as this.

So what now?

Don’t worry — if you’re a current Sprint prepaid, Boost, or Virgin pre-paid customer, your service isn’t going anywhere, nor is it going up in price anytime soon. But it may be worth looking around to see whether, in the long run, you can find something cheaper.

5G on New T-Mobile

Samsung Galaxy S10 5G

$ 1,300 at Samsung

Fast, smooth, and cutting edge

One of the most complete feeling flagship phones only gets better with 5G support and a massive battery. With a great display and cameras, this phone is the perfect tool for anyone that gets things done on the go.

Visible’s plan feels much more like a plan designed for the smartphone generation, which are people that don’t want to find Wi-Fi every time they need to download something or upload a file to the cloud. With unlimited everything, Visible customers can forget all about data usage. While most people could easily find a plan on Verizon Prepaid that works for them, unless they need international service, Visible still wins on plans over 6GB on cost.

Technically no one needs unlimited

If 6GB of data is quite alright for you, then there is room to save some money with Verizon Prepaid and you’ll even have slightly better coverage. It might be worth it for you to determine how much data you need in order to make the best decision. If that sounds like too much work or you know for a fact that you need more data than that, Visible once again becomes the better value.

Is the coverage really the same?

Coverage is going to be the same for most people. Visible, however, doesn’t have access to Verizon’s 3G network or roaming partners, so in areas that Verizon relies on these other services, Visible is left with nothing. Be sure to check out Visible’s coverage map to make sure you’re covered.

Verizon Prepaid gets the entire massive network and that can be a great perk to someone that drives a lot or spends a lot of time in rural areas. You should still take a look at Verizon’s coverage map. Verizon Prepaid also has access to international service with Verizon’s TravelPass costing $ 5 or $ 10 per day depending on the destinations where you need service.

Calling to other countries is also available for $ 5 or $ 15 per month depending on which destinations you intend to call.

Visible’s plan

Visible’s plan is all about simplicity. $ 40 per month for each line grants you unlimited LTE data alongside unlimited calling and texting on Verizon’s LTE network. In Visible’s only plan you also get an unlimited hotspot at 5Mbps. It is worth noting that there are no options for expansion, meaning what you see is what you get. However, what you get should be enough.

Verizon Prepaid plans

Verizon Prepaid offers plans at all sizes. Best of all, they can be mixed to create a flexible family plan. These plans are 500MB, 3GB, 8GB, and unlimited with a double data promotion bringing them to the totals listed below. It’s hard to take the phrase “for a limited time only” seriously when it comes to marketing, so just make sure the promotion is still in effect before signing on the dotted line.

A multiline discount on Verizon Prepaid levels the playing field a bit, but it doesn’t do enough to beat out Visible for unlimited data. Still, if the other features of Verizon Prepaid are worth it to you, taking advantage of these discounts is a great way to improve your plan’s value. With the unlimited plan you save $ 20 per line with a smaller discount for the smaller data plans and none for the base 1GB plan.

It’s also important to know that Verizon expects you to sign up for autopay for the advertised prices. If you are unwilling to use autopay add $ 5 to each line.

What phones work?

Visible supports most iPhones starting with the 6 and going up as well as Android phones from makers like Samsung, Google, Motorola, and ZTE with more being added all the time. It’s best to check the current list before making a decision. You can also simply insert your phone’s IMEI into a compatibility tool to know for sure. You could also buy your phone directly from Visible for simplicity’s sake or if you want an upgrade.

Verizon Prepaid knocks it out of the park here with a wider variety of phones for sale as well as a stronger list of supported devices that can be brought in. You can check your IMEI here to know for sure. The device will need to be compatible with Verizon’s network. The easiest way to find out is with the BYOD tool.

Hotspot concerns

Every Verizon Prepaid plans comes with hotspot capability except the unlimited plan. In the lower tier plans you simply share your mobile data when you create a hotspot. With data carryover from previous months, this can work out well enough but it falls short of Visible’s unlimited hotspot. Though limited to 5Mbps, Visible’s hotspot still offers more flexibility than sharing your data.

Which should you get?

There’s no doubt that a light user can save money by going with Verizon Prepaid. There’s also the fact that international services are available on Verizon Prepaid while Visible has none. If, however, you’re a heavy data user that wants to forget about gigabytes and intends to keep international communication to online apps, Visible is the best option.

Unlimited for less

Visible

Simple and unlimited

$ 40/mo. at Visible

Visible gives you unlimited talk, text, and data at LTE speeds for one price. Bring your own device or buy one from Visible and set it up in the app.

Plenty of options

Verizon Prepaid

More plans and more phones

From $ 30/mo. at Verizon

Find the plan that fits your needs from 1GB up to unlimited with Verizon Prepaid. Choose from a large selection of Verizon phones for great service.

The Virgin Mobile brand in other countries will remain unaffected.

What you need to know

• Sprint has confirmed that it is shutting down the Virgin Mobile brand in the U.S.
• Virgin Mobile customers will be migrated over to Boost Mobile.
• The transition is expected to be fairly smooth, since both Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile use the same network.

Sprint has announced that it will be pulling the plug on Virgin Mobile USA next month. The brand was launched in the country as a virtual operator 18 years back.

As reported by Fierce Wireless, Sprint will begin migrating Virgin Mobile customers to its Boost Mobile brand starting early next month. The move is certainly not surprising, as Sprint had cut ties with Walmart as a Virgin Mobile distribution partner.

In a statement sent to Fierce Wireless, a Sprint Spokesperson said:

We regularly examine our plans to ensure that we’re offering the best services in line with our customer needs. Beginning on the week of Feb. 2, we will be moving Virgin Mobile customer accounts to our sister brand Boost Mobile – consolidating the brands under one cohesive, efficient and effective prepaid team. In most circumstances, customers can keep their current phone and will receive a comparable or better Boost Mobile service plan with no extra cost.

Both Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile utilize the same network, so the transition will likely be seamless. However, it should be noted that Boost Mobile will not support PayPal accounts or 45/90 day plans. If you use these payment methods, you will have to choose a different one after getting migrated to Boost Mobile next month.

T-Mobile / Sprint merger FAQ: Here’s how it changes the wireless market and how it affects you

Sick of committing to annual contracts? Enjoy the flexibility of a prepaid wireless plan.

The days of being locked into a lengthy wireless contract are over, as there is a plethora of prepaid options that allow you to pay for your phone service on a month-to-month basis. We’ve taken the liberty of breaking down the top prepaid wireless options for you in this handy guide.

Check your coverage

One of the first things you should consider when deciding on a prepaid carrier is the coverage provided in your area. Prepaid carriers often have a smaller coverage map than postpaid carriers because of their limited roaming agreements, so it’s good to re-check your area, even if you’ve used the carrier before. Here are the coverage maps for the carriers we will be looking at:

• MetroPCS — Map
• AT&T Prepaid — Map (make sure to check the Prepaid map)
• Boost Mobile — Map
• T-Mobile Prepaid — Map
• Mint Mobile — Map
• Straight Talk — Map (requires Zip Code, and preferred phone/carrier)
• Cricket Wireless — Map
• Virgin Mobile — Map
• Simple Mobile — Map
• GoSmart Mobile — Map
• Project Fi — Map

MetroPCS

MetroPCS uses T-Mobile’s HSPA+ and LTE network, as it is owned entirely by the larger carrier. You have the option to purchase a phone through MetroPCS, or bring your own device that’s compatible with the T-Mobile network.

Price

Plan pricing is based on how much high-speed data (LTE) you think you’ll use on a monthly basis. There are no annual contracts, and taxes and fees are included in the price.

• 2GB of high-speed data — $ 30/month
• 5GB of high-speed data — $ 40/month
• Unlimited LTE data — $ 50/month
• Unlimited LTE + 10GB hotspot — $ 60/month

All plans come with unlimited talk, text, data, Wi-Fi calling, caller ID, call waiting, 3-way calling, and Data Maximizer, a feature that helps optimize your high-speed data usage when streaming videos.

Music Unlimited is included on $ 40 and higher-rate plans, which allows you to stream from over 40 streaming music services including Apple Music, Pandora, Spotify, and more, without dipping into your monthly high-speed data allotment.

Note that once you’ve burned through your allotted LTE data, you’ll notice your data speeds fall to 2G.

How to reload

Log into the MetroPCS website to make a payment or set up Auto Pay. You also have the option to pay in person at a MetroPCS store.

AT&T Prepaid

AT&T’s prepaid option lets you choose from a selection of phones specifically for their prepaid plans, or you can purchase a prepaid SIM card kit if you’d prefer to bring your own device.

Price

AT&T prepaid plans include unlimited talk and text in the U.S., as well as unlimited messaging to Mexico, Canada, and over 100 countries. For data, AT&T offers several types of prepaid plans:

• Pay-as-you-go ($ 5 per 250MB) LTE data — $ 30/month
• 1GB of LTE, with rollover data — $ 35/month
• 8GB of LTE, with rollover data — $ 50/month
• Unlimited LTE data — $ 65/month
• Unlimited LTE + 10GB hotspot — $ 85/month

The 8GB and unlimited LTE plans also include unlimited talk and text within and between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, and allow you to use your high-speed data allotment from your plan when in Mexico or Canada. You can also save $ 5 per month on any plan by signing up for Auto Refill.

You can also pay $ 2 per day for unlimited nationwide talk and text or pay $ 0.25 per minute and $ 0.20 per text message. Data is available at $ 2 per MB (based on their stated $ 0.01 per 5KB rate), or you can add on a data package that gives you 100MB for an extra $ 1 a day.

How to reload

Pay online via myAT&T using a credit/debit card or eCheck, buy a Refill card (available online, at AT&T wireless stores, and at more than 200,000 retail locations), or call 611 anytime from your phone (or 1-800-901-9878) and follow the prompts for Refill.

Boost Mobile

Boost Mobile uses Sprint’s nationwide LTE network. You have the option of buying a phone through Boost or bringing your own Sprint-compatible device.

Price

Boost Mobile offers four types of monthly prepaid phone plans featuring LTE high-speed data. Once your plan’s data allotment has been reached, speeds are reduced to 2G for the remainder of the plan cycle.

• 3GB of LTE + hotspot — $ 35/month
• Unlimited LTE + 8GB hotspot — $ 50/month
• Unlimited LTE + 20GB hotspot — $ 60/month
• Unlimited LTE + 40GB hotspot — $ 80/month

Boost’s unlimited plans come in different tiers; the $ 50 plan reduces media streaming quality with unlimited LTE everywhere else, whereas the $ 60 and $ 80 plans offer up to 1080p streaming. The Ultimate Unlimited plan included for $ 80 also includes bonuses like TIDAL Premium and international calling and texting.

All plans come with unlimited domestic talk and text (available even if you haven’t paid for up to 60 days), unlimited music streaming with select music partners, call waiting, voicemail, 3-way calling, as well as the ability to turn your phone into a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot.

How to reload

Pay online via My Account on the Boost Mobile site or sign up for Auto Re-Boost. Pay by phone by dialing #-A-D-D (#-2-3-3) and following the prompts to pay with your credit, debit, or Re-Boost card, text ADD and the pin on the back of your Re-Boost card to 7225 (ex. ADD 12345678912345), or text “PAY,” the dollar amount, and the last four digits of the credit or debit card associated with the account to 7225 (ex. PAY 50 1234).

Alternatively, you can pay in-store at any Boost Mobile location.

T-Mobile Prepaid

T-Mobile’s prepaid service gives you access to T-Mobile’s nationwide network without signing up for an annual contract. You have the option to buy a prepaid T-Mobile phone, or bring your own device for only the cost of the SIM card.

Price

T-Mobile offers prepaid plans for individuals and families, as well as a pay-as-you-go option.

Individual plans include:

• 4GB of LTE + hotspot — $ 45/month
• 10GB of LTE + hotspot — $ 50/month
• Unlimited LTE + unlimited 3G hotspot — $ 60/month
• Unlimited LTE + unlimited 3G hotspot + 5GB data in Mexico and Canada — $ 70/month

All plans include unlimited talk, text, and data on T-Mobile’s nationwide LTE network, with data speeds slowing to 2G upon reaching your monthly data allotment.

The only difference between T-Mobile’s $ 60 and $ 70 unlimited plans is your data speeds when internationally roaming. The former offers unlimited talk, text, and data in Mexico and Canada, but only at 2G speeds, whereas the latter offers 5GB of LTE.

If you’d rather pay as you go, T-Mobile offers a plan that starts at $ 3/month for any combination of 30 minutes of talk or 30 texts, with options to add a high-speed data pass with daily ($ 5/day for up to 500MB of LTE data) and weekly ($ 10/week for up to 1GB of LTE data).

How to reload

To reload your account online, go to T-Mobile’s website, either through one-time payments or by setting up recurring payments. You can also call -A-D-D (-2-3-3) from your T-Mobile phone to reload your account via credit, checking account or T-Mobile Refill card. Refill cards are available to be purchased online or in-store at a T-Mobile location.

Mint Mobile

Mint Mobile is a T-Mobile subsidiary owned by Ultra that sells its plans in multi-month bundles. You can buy a phone from Mint or bring your own T-Mobile-compatible or unlocked GSM phone.

Price

All of Mint’s plans include a 7-day money back guarantee, along with unlimited talk, text, and 2G data, international calls to Mexico and Canada, and mobile hotspot.

• 2GB of LTE per month — $ 45/3 months
• 5GB of LTE per month — $ 60/3 months
• 10GB of LTE per month — $ 75/3 months
• 2GB of LTE per month — $ 108/6 months
• 5GB of LTE per month — $ 144/6 months
• 10GB of LTE per month — $ 180/6 months
• 2GB of LTE per month — $ 180/12 months
• 5GB of LTE per month — $ 240/12 months
• 10GB of LTE per month — $ 300/12 months

If you try out one of the 3 month plans and decide to stick with Mint, you can retain the introductory pricing by buying a whole year at a time — otherwise, there’s a slight price increase.

How to reload

Sign into your Mint Mobile account online or download the Mint app on Android or iOS to renew your plan manually or set up automatic re-ups.

Straight Talk

Straight Talk is a prepaid carrier that doesn’t rely on just one wireless network to provide services to it’s customers. It purchases the right to use other the towers of the four major carriers — AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint.

Straight Talk offers prepaid phones for purchase, and also lets you bring your own device. But just because it offers service from four carriers, that doesn’t mean you get access to all four at the same time — you get to choose between T-Mobile or AT&T if you bring your own phone, or Straight Talk may choose the right carrier based on your location when you buy a phone from it.

Price

Straight Talk has five tiers of wireless plans available for your smartphone starting as low as a dollar a day, as well as extended plans up to a one-year unlimited plan for $ 495.

• 100MB of data, 1500 minutes of nationwide talk, unlimited texting — $ 30/month
• 2GB of LTE, unlimited talk and text — $ 35/month
• 10GB of LTE, unlimited talk and text — $ 45/month
• Unlimited LTE data — $ 55/month
• 10GB of LTE + international talk and text — $ 60/month
• 3-Month Extended Plan: Unlimited talk, text, and data (10GB of high-speed data) for 90 days — $ 130
• 6-Month Extended Plan: Unlimited talk, text, and data (10GB of high-speed data) for 180 days — $ 255
• 12-Month Extended Plan: Unlimited talk, text, and data (10GB of high-speed data) for 365 days — $ 495

How to reload

Go to the Straight Talk site to reload your account via service card, setting up recurring automatic payments, or downloading the Straight Talk My Account app for Android or iOS.

Cricket Wireless

After being acquired by AT&T, Cricket Wireless has supported devices that use AT&T’s HSPA+ and LTE network. You can purchase a phone from Cricket, or BYOD.

Price

Cricket Wireless offers five plan levels, from talk and text to unlimited data.

• Talk & Text: Unlimited nationwide talk and text — $ 25/month
• 2GB of LTE, unlimited talk and text — $ 30/month
• 5GB of LTE, unlimited talk and text — $ 40/month
• Unlimited data at up to 3Mbps — $ 55/month
• Unlimited LTE data — $ 60/month

Any plans starting at $ 40 are eligible for a Group Save Discount when you add additional lines to your account. Save $ 10 when adding a second line, $ 20 off your third line, $ 30 off your fourth line, and $ 40 off your fifth line for a total eligible savings of $ 100.

Receive a $ 5 credit on your monthly bill by signing up for Auto Pay (not available with the Group Save Discount).

Cricket’s unlimited data plans include unlimited texts to 37 countries, as well as unlimited calls, texts, and data to and from Canada and Mexico — though Canada usage can’t exceed 50% of your overall usage for the month.

There’s also a bunch of add-on features available for each plan.

How to reload

Log in to My Account on the Cricket Wireless site to pay your bill or sign up for Auto Pay, or download the My Cricket app for Android, iOS and Windows Phone.

Virgin Mobile

Virgin Mobile uses Sprint’s CDMA and LTE networks. You have the option of buying a phone through Virgin or bringing your own Sprint-compatible device.

Price

All of Virgin Mobile’s plans are no-contract and offer unlimited talk, text, and 2G data, along with the LTE data you pay for. You also get access to Virgin’s Member Benefits, including discounts on food and merchandise.

• 5GB of LTE — $ 35/month
• 10GB of LTE — $ 45/month
• Unlimited LTE data — $ 60/month

Virgin’s plans don’t include mobile hotspot by default, but you can add it for $ 3 a day (500MB), $ 5 a month (1GB), or $ 10 a month (2GB). You can also add international calling to your plan for $ 5 a month — unlimited calls to Canada and Mexico, and unlimited worldwide texting.

How to reload

You can top up your Virgin Mobile account by buying a Virgin Mobile Top-Up card and entering it along with your Virgin Mobile number online, or simply pay online with your credit/debit Card or PayPal.

Verizon

Verizon’s prepaid option gives you full-access to Verizon’s nationwide network without locking you into a lengthy contract. You have the option of buying a prepaid phone from Verizon or BYOD.

Price

Verizon offers monthly smartphone plans, featuring no annual contract, no activation fee, and no credit checks.

• 500MB with data rollover — $ 30/month
• 3GB with data rollover $ 40/month
• 7GB with data rollover — $ 50month
• 10GB with data rollover — $ 60/month
• Unlimited LTE data — $ 75/month

Verizon’s prepaid plans all include unlimited talk and text, but it’s important to note that they don’t fall back to 2G when you run out of LTE data. On the bright side, every plan includes mobile hotspot and unlimited international texting to 200 countries, and the 10GB and unlimited data plans include unlimited calling to Mexico and Canada.

How to reload

Reload your Verizon account online, buy refill cards, or pay in-store at a Verizon Wireless location.

Simple Mobile

Simple Mobile uses T-Mobile’s HSPA+ and LTE network and offers options to purchase a new phone or bring your own T-Mobile- or AT&T-compatible GSM phone.

Price

Simple Mobile offers five prepaid plans, which all feature no contract or credit check, unlimited talk and text, unlimited international texting, international calling to 68 countries, and roaming to 16 Latin American countries.

• 1GB of up to LTE speeds + hotspot — $ 25/month
• 2GB of up to LTE speeds + hotspot — $ 30/month
• 6GB of up to LTE speeds + hotspot — $ 40/month
• Unlimited LTE data — $ 50/month
• Unlimited LTE + 10GB hotspot — $ 60/month

How to reload

ReUp through the Simple Mobile website via credit card or pin. You also have the option to pay in advance with Stash, allowing you to add money to your plan when you have it, so you don’t have to worry about re-upping when your service runs out.

Project Fi

Google’s first foray as a wireless carrier only charges you for the data you actually use. Sounds great, huh? The only unfortunate bit is that the service is currently limited to to a handful of Google-approved devices. You can bring your own phone if you already have one of the approved devices, or you can buy one from Project Fi with some attractive pricing incentives and financing options.

Price

Project Fi’s pricing is fairly flexible and straightforward. For $ 20 per month, you get unlimited domestic talk and text, unlimited international texts, mobile hotspot, and coverage in 170+ countries.

You pay for data as you use it. Featuring LTE speeds, you set your own custom data budget at $ 10 for every GB of data you use — but you’re refunded if you don’t reach that limit, measured down to the MB. Once you’ve hit past 6GB, you’re no longer charged for the extra data, but you may get slowed down for the month after exceeding 15GB.

In addition, you can add up to 5 people to your plan for $ 15 each, though the threshold to reach unlimited data increases with each user, and you all pull from the same collective data bucket.

How to reload

Everything is controlled through the Project Fi app and website.

Updated September 2018: This guide has been completely revamped for 2018. Enjoy your bargain-hunting!

Great low-cost cell service.

Cell phone plans are a necessary evil in the modern world, so it seems like everyone is trying to get to a cheaper plan to save some money. There are a few great prepaid plans out there, but the best that I’ve found is Mint Mobile.

Mint Mobile — formerly Mint SIM — has been around for a few years now. It runs off T-Mobile’s network, and T-Mobile has been expanding its coverage annually to reach more Americans. But is Mint Mobile worth your money? Let’s take a closer look.

The Good

• Works with almost any GSM phone
• Inexpensive
• Cheap trial plans
• Tethering included
• Good download speeds

The Bad

• T-Mobile coverage is getting better, but there are still gaps
• Being on an MVNO means getting kicked off the network if it gets congested

See at Mint Mobile

Getting started

I — Tom Westrick — have been using Mint Mobile’s service since mid-June, 2018. I personally purchased the small starter pack which includes 2GB of high-speed data per month for three months, and I also purchased a year’s worth of 10GB-per-month service in September. I’ve primarily used it in and around Indianapolis, Indiana, with occasional visits to Fort Wayne, Lafayette and other areas in Indiana. I’ve been using it with a Google Pixel 2 XL and Samsung Galaxy S8.

Mint Mobile runs on T-Mobile’s network, so if you bought your phone directly from the magenta carrier (or Metro), you’re good to go. Any network unlocked phone can be used as well, just make sure it’s advertised to work with T-Mobile. If you want to be absolutely sure, you can buy a $ 5 compatibility kit that includes 100 minutes, 100 SMS messages and 100MB of LTE data.

Mint Mobile What I like

Your experience with Mint Mobile will heavily depend on how well T-Mobile works in your area. It’s one of the better networks where I live, so I’m a happy user. If you’re unsure how well T-Mobile works around you, Mint Mobile is also a great way to try that out: the three-month plans are about as expensive as a one-month plan from other carriers.

Calls sounded crisp and clear, and no one on the other end reported issues hearing my voice. I had no problems sending SMS messages, but that’s something I do less and less. When I’m at home — or visiting my parents for a few days — Mint Mobile allows for WiFi calling and messaging. This immensely helps me fill the gap of not having great T-Mobile coverage in my hometown.

Data use — what most smartphone users are going to care about — was strong. In good coverage areas, I had no problems downloading podcasts, streaming music, navigating with turn-by-turn directions, or anything else I wanted to do on my phone. I also didn’t have any issues trying to use my phones in a congested area of the city, even during crowded concerts and art festivals. The raw data speeds won’t set any records, but it’ll be fast enough for most users to use their phones without issue.

My phone just worked, and I’ll be saving a lot of money on my monthly phone bill.

Tethering worked perfectly for me, and there isn’t a separate allotment for mobile hotspot data. If you want to use all 10GB for your laptop’s connection, no one’s going to stop you. You also get free calls to Canada and Mexico, so you can find out what’s new in the world of maple syrup (or whatever it is Canadians talk about).

Finally, I like how Mint Mobile does billing. You buy service plans in three-, six-, and twelve-month allotments. Your data allowance gets refreshed every month, but you only get billed after those months are over. Everyone does their budget differently, but budgeting for a single, annual bill is a easier for me than budgeting for something every month. The 10GB plan works out to $ 25 per month if you pay annually, which is much lower than comparable plans from other carriers.

Mint Mobile What I dislike

The only hangup that comes with Mint Mobile is T-Mobile coverage in your area. As I mentioned, the coverage is great where I spend most of my days. But when traveling on some highways, or around my home, I didn’t have coverage. The gaps didn’t last long, but they were there.

One thing I didn’t experience — but to be aware of — is that Mint Mobile devices will have lower priority on T-Mobile’s network than T-Mobile’s own customers will. That’s not something you’ll need to worry about in most environments, but if you go to a concert, Pokemon Go raid or other busy event, you may stop being able to use data. Keep that in mind if you go to a lot of big events, and consider trying one of the three-month plans to know if that will really be an issue.

But that’s going to be different for everyone. If you’re cautious, the three month plans are inexpensive enough to find out if you can use Mint Mobile long term.

Mint Mobile Should you use it?

Yes. Mint Mobile will work without issue on any phone that supports T-Mobile’s network, which is most unlocked phones out there. Most folks will be okay with the 2GB or 5GB plans, but power users can get 10GB per month and still have a great deal. If T-Mobile’s coverage works for you, using Mint Mobile is an easy way to save money on your cell phone bill.

See at Mint Mobile

Pick your favorite phone.

Buy a new phone at Verizon and you can get a $ 200 prepaid MasterCard. The available phones include all the latest and greatest from Android: the Samsung Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10s, Galaxy S10+, Galaxy Note9, LG V40 ThinQ, LG G8 ThinQ, Google Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Red Hydrogen One, or the Moto Z3. Pick any one of those phones and sign up for a new line of service on Verizon Unlimited. After you make your purchase, go to Verizon’s Promotion Center website and enter the code APRILSWITCH. You’ll have some other info you need to fill out, but in about eight weeks you’ll get your MasterCard.

Want to save $ 450 more? Trade in a select device, like your old phone, within 30 days of your above purchase. Verizon will give you a $ 450 promo credit if you’re adding a new line. Older phones (like the Galaxy S7 and earlier) max out at $ 300. The credit will be applied to your account over the course of 24 months. You can also save this way if you’re upgrading from an existing line. Verizon will give $ 200 for trade-ins for upgrades or $ 100 for older phones. By the way, the list of select devices is pretty extensive and includes dozens of iPhone and Android models.

When we reviewed the Pixel 3, we gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars, and called it The Best. So much about this phone is outstanding, including the extremely accurate OLED touchscreen displays, the design that includes a back made of Gorilla Glass 5 so it’s durable but still supports wireless charging, and the 12.2MP camera with improved HDR+ processing.

The reviewer called the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL easy recommendations for the best Android phone: “I can recommend them without qualms or caveats, because they’re just so good at doing the things everyone wants from a modern smartphone — whether they’re a novice or an expert — without show-stopping issues, problems, or tricks to learn. That’s the beauty of buying a Google Pixel.”

Sprint also has a deal on the Galaxy S10e, S10, and S10+. Get the S10e for $ 15 a month, the S10 for $ 20 a month, or the S10+ for $ 25 a month on Sprint’s Flex Lease 18-month plan. After that time is up, you can return the phone and upgrade to a new model or buy the rest of the price of the phone. The S10e is normally $ 31.25 a month, so you’re saving $ 16.25 a month. The deal is applied within two bills. It requires a new line of service and approved credit. You’ll have to pay the remaining balance if you cancel early.

Read more about the Galaxy S10 series, if that’s the phone you’re interested in. Much like the Pixel 3, we also gave the S10 4.5 stars and a The Best recommendation. It has one of the best smartphone displays we’ve ever seen, powerful technology, and three cameras that include one 16MP ultra wide-angle camera you’ll just want to mess around with. The review said, “the Galaxy S10 gets as close as possible to fulfilling the promise of being the best phone for the widest range of people out there” and reviewer Andrew Martonik added, “I can recommend a Galaxy S10 or S10+ to anyone and not worry that it’ll be missing something they want or rely on in a modern high-end smartphone.”

Get your prepaid MasterCard at Verizon
See the Galaxy S10 deals at Sprint

They’re launching on June 10 and June 14, respectively.

What you need to know

• The Nokia 3.1 A and 3.1 C are coming to AT&T Prepaid and Cricket, respectively.
• Notable specs include the Snapdragon 429 and a 5.45-inch 18:9 display.
• Pricing details will be made available when they launch on June 10 and June 14.

Earlier this year, HMD Global-owned Nokia made its U.S. carrier debut with the Nokia 3.1 Plus for Cricket Wireless. Now, the company’s expanding with its first device for AT&T Prepaid and another Nokia option for Cricket customers.

The Nokia 3.1 A and Nokia 3.1 C are launching on AT&T Prepaid and Cricket and feature the same specs across the board — the only difference being that the A is for AT&T and the C will be offered at Cricket.

On the Nokia 3.1 A and C, you’ll find a 5.45-inch IPS screen with a narrow 18:9 aspect ratio. Powering the phones is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 429 processor, along with 32GB of storage that can be used for saving your apps, games, etc.

Other spec highlights include Android 9 Pie out of the box, an 8MP autofocus rear camera, 5MP selfie camera, and a durable design we’ve come to expect from Nokia handsets.

If you’re interested, the Nokia 3.1 A is launching on AT&T Prepaid on June 10 and will be available at “select” Walmart stores. As for the Nokia 3.1 C, it’ll be offered at Cricket stores and on the company’s website beginning June 14. Pricing information is still unknown, with Nokia saying it’ll be made available when the phones are released.

Nokia 3.1 Plus review: A rock solid entry in Cricket’s budget lineup

The idea of a prepaid phone has become increasingly vague in recent years. Technically, almost any phone can be a prepaid phone these days — that is, just about any phone can be financed or bought outright and used on a prepaid network. Still, most prepaid shoppers are looking for a value offering, so we’ve compiled some of the best phones offered by major prepaid carriers under $ 300.

Best on Verizon — Moto G7 Power

The Moto G7 Power packs an insane 5,000mAh battery, making it one of the longest-lasting phones available on Verizon’s prepaid network. Even better, you get it at a huge bargain. Its 6.2-inch display is surprisingly easy to use in one hand, thanks to the 19.5:9 aspect ratio, and you get a clean build of Android 9 Pie backed by a respectable Snapdragon 632 processor and 32GB of expandable storage.

The 720p resolution on the G7 Power’s display means it doesn’t look as sharp as it does with other phones, but that also contributes to the phone’s outstanding battery life. The G7 Power is able to last as long as three days on a single charge, depending on your usage, making it a perfect phone for weekend camping trips or travel days when you won’t often be near a charger. You can even use it to charge a friend’s phone with a USB-C cable!

Pros:

• Massive battery
• Clean Android 9 Pie software
• Large display with tight bezels
• 15W fast charging over USB-C

Cons:

• Unlikely to receive platform updates
• 720p display isn’t as sharp as others
• No NFC or water resistance

Best on Verizon

Moto G7 Power

• $ 240 at Verizon

A massive battery and modern Android software.

The Moto G7 Power has modest specs, but its namesake 5000mAh battery makes it one of the longest-lasting phones you can buy.

Best on AT&T: LG Stylo 4+

The Stylo 4+ is extremely well put together, with a metal frame and a rounded glass back that makes the phone fit comfortably in your hand. It has modern appointments like a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor and a USB-C port for charging, and as the name implies, it even includes a stylus for Galaxy Note-inspired notetaking, sketching, and easy navigation.

There’s plenty of room for that stylus, thanks to the huge 6.2-inch, Full HD+ display with an elongated 18:9 aspect ratio. The Stylo 4+ may still be on Android 8.1 Oreo, but it’s still fairly snappy, with reasonable specs including 32GB of expandable storage, a Snapdragon 450, and a decent 13MP camera. The 3,300mAh battery keeps it up and running all day long.

Pros:

• Large, high-resolution display
• Handy stylus for sketching and jotting notes
• USB-C charging port
• Water and dust resistance
• High-quality build materials

Cons:

• Outdated Android 8.1 Oreo software
• Unlikely to receive software updates
• No NFC

Best on AT&T

LG Stylo 4+

• $ 300 at AT&T

A stylus that won’t cost you a grand.

The LG Stylo 4 is an excellent mid-range device with a large, sharp display and a handy stylus to use it with.

Best on T-Mobile: LG Q7+

The Q7+ packs a lot of value into a phone that looks and feels far more expensive than it actually is. It’s built out of 2.5D curved glass, with the same IP68 water and dust resistance you’d find on flagship phones. The 5.5-inch display up front uses the modern 18:9 aspect ratio with extremely slim bezels, and the rear-mounted fingerprint sensor makes the phone easy to unlock and start using.

This is also one of the only phones in its price range with NFC for Google Pay, and packs LG’s excellent Quad DAC for high-quality wired audio. The 2890mAh internal battery is a bit light compared to the other phones in this list, and the Q7+ is unfortunately still on Android 8.1 Oreo, but you at least get a generous 64GB of storage, along with a 16MP primary sensor for the camera backed by LG’s Q Lens AI software.

Pros:

• High-quality build materials
• Water resistance and MIL-STD 810G durability
• NFC for mobile payments
• 64GB of internal storage

Cons:

• Still stuck on Android 8.1
• Fairly small battery

Best on T-Mobile

LG Q7+

• $ 275 at T-Mobile

An outstanding phone for a low budget.

The Q7+ has a gorgeous curved glass design and even features IP68 water and dust resistance, plus NFC for mobile payments.

Best on Sprint: Samsung Galaxy A6

The Galaxy A6 sports an all-metal design that feels great to hold, with a rounded back and a fingerprint sensor tucked conveniently underneath the 16MP camera. With a 5.6-inch display, it’s a relatively small phone by today’s standards, but it has a decently large 3,000mAh battery, as well as an Exynos 7884 processor and 32GB of storage.

Above the display, the front-facing camera is also 16MP, and has its own LED flash for taking selfies at night. Like the LG Stylo 4+ and Q7+, the Galaxy A6 is unfortunately limited to Android 8.1 Oreo, rather than the newer Android 9 Pie like the Moto G7 Power, but it’s still a great option for Sprint customers on a budget.

Pros:

• Nice-looking Full HD+ AMOLED display
• Great build with a metal chassis
• Facial recognition and fingerprint sensor
• LED flash for front-facing camera
• Respectable 3000mAh battery

Cons:

• No water resistance or wireless charging
• Micro USB charging port
• Android 8.1 Oreo

Best on Sprint

Samsung Galaxy A6

• $ 284 at Best Buy

An average phone with above-average design.

With reserved specs and last year’s software, the Galaxy A6 isn’t anything remarkable, but its metal design is top-notch.

Best on Boost: LG Stylo 4+

The LG Stylo 4+ isn’t an AT&T exclusive — you can get the exact same powerful device at Boost, and get just as much bang for your buck. LG puts a large focus on its affordable phones, bringing a lot of features over from its far more expensive phones, including water resistance and a glass backing.

The huge 6.2-inch display is great for watching videos, drawing with the included stylus, and scrolling through social media, and the 3300mAh battery keeps it running for as long as you need. You’ll have to live with older software, since the Stylo 4+ still ships with Android 8.1 Oreo with no word of an upcoming Pie update — but in exchange, you’re getting a powerful phone with a large screen and modern appointments.

Pros:

• Large, high-resolution display
• Handy stylus for sketching and jotting notes
• USB-C charging port
• Water and dust resistance
• High-quality build materials

Cons:

• Outdated Android 8.1 Oreo software
• Unlikely to receive software updates
• No NFC

Best on Boost

LG Stylo 4+

• $ 220 at Boost

A stylus that won’t cost you a grand.

The LG Stylo 4 is an excellent mid-range device with a large, sharp display and a handy stylus to use it with.

Best on Metro: LG Q7+

Just like with its parent company, T-Mobile, one of the best affordable phones in Metro’s prepaid lineup is the LG Q7+, which touts an excellent curved glass design with water and dust resistance. Metro often offers special deals on its phones for new customers, but the Q7+ is absolutely worth picking up even if you’re an existing customer.

Of course, if you’re switching over from T-Mobile and you already bought the Q7+ there, all you have to do is pop in your Metro SIM card and it’ll work right away. No matter where you buy it, the LG Q7+ punches well above its weight, packed full of high-end features like slim bezels, MIL-STD 810G durability, and LG’s powerful Quad DAC.

Pros:

• High-quality build materials
• Water resistance and MIL-STD 810G durability
• NFC for mobile payments
• 64GB of internal storage
• Even cheaper for new Metro customers

Cons:

• Still stuck on Android 8.1
• Fairly small battery

Best on Metro

LG Q7+

• $ 100 at Metro by T-Mobile

An outstanding phone for a low budget.

The Q7+ has a gorgeous curved glass design and even features IP68 water and dust resistance, plus NFC for mobile payments.

Best on Cricket: Nokia 3.1 Plus

There are other affordable phones in Cricket’s selection with faster performance or better cameras, but the Nokia 3.1 Plus offers the best blend of solid build quality, long battery life, and clean, modern software. The 3.1 Plus is one of the few phones in Cricket’s lineup that ships with Android 9 Pie, with the promise of years of software updates, thanks to the Android One program.

You get a big, bright 5.99-inch 2:1 display, along with a polycarbonate body that features expandable storage and a 3500mAh battery with USB-C charging. There’s also NFC for mobile payments, and a rear fingerprint sensor for quick authentication. The Nokia 3.1 Plus is one of the most balanced phone in Cricket’s lineup of affordable phones, even if it comes with a few compromises.

Pros

• Years of guaranteed software updates
• Great build quality
• Long-lasting battery
• Ships with Android 9 Pie

Cons

• Mediocre cameras
• Occasionally sluggish performance

Best on Cricket

Nokia 3.1 Plus

$ 160 at Cricket

Clean, modern software for the budget shopper.

The Nokia 3.1 Plus is an outstanding value with great build quality, elegant software, years of guaranteed software support.

Bottom line

It’s a better time than ever to buy prepaid. Just a couple of years ago, affordable phones weren’t anything to write home about, but these days you can get an outstanding phone for just a couple hundred bucks.

Your options will vary depending on your carrier, but there’s something great on every network. Of course, if none of the phones listed above speak to you, you can also shop unlocked — most unlocked phones work on virtually any carrier these days, vastly expanding your options.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Hayato Huseman is a recovering trade show addict and video editor for Android Central based out of Indianapolis. He can mostly be found complaining about the cold and enthusing about prog metal on Twitter at @hayatohuseman . Got a tip or inquiry? Drop him a line at hayato@mobilenations.com.

If you’re going prepaid, you can certainly try to bring your own device to Verizon. Verizon is pretty strict about which phones it’ll allow, and many unlocked phones aren’t even compatible with the network. Otherwise, Verizon has a selection of prepaid phones that you can purchase directly, which may make for less of a headache in the long run. Here are a few that you should consider first.

Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy S10+

There are few phones more well-rounded and versatile than the Galaxy S10+. From the moment you pick it up, the S10+ screams “premium!” with a metal-and-glass construction that feels as great as it looks. The curved glass makes it comfortable to hold, and it’s protected by IP68 water and dust resistance.

Inside, the S10+ has a massive 4,100mAh battery that lasts all day and well into the next, along with a top-of-the-line Snapdragon 855 chipset. There’s also a futuristic in-display fingerprint sensor for quick authentication. The Galaxy S10+ also has one of the best displays on the market — a 6.4-inch AMOLED panel with outstanding color reproduction that gets extremely bright for outdoor use.

There’s something for everyone in the Galaxy S10+.

One of the S10+’s highlight features is its triple-camera array around back. There’s a wide-angle primary camera that’s backed by OIS, along with a 2x telephoto lens and an ultra-wide-angle for capturing landscapes and shooting comfortably even in tight spaces. These cameras all work together to make the S10+ a powerful photography device with a different lens for just about any situation.

Factor in other features like a 3.5mm headphone jack and reverse wireless charging, which lets you top up accessories like Samsung’s Galaxy Buds (or even other phones, albeit at a very slow rate), and the Galaxy S10+ offers something for just about any kind of user. It isn’t cheap, but the S10+ is well worth its high price.

Pros:

• Amazing display
• Top-of-the-line specs
• Versatile triple camera system
• Terrific battery life
• Great build quality

Cons:

• Too large for some people
• Very expensive

Best Overall

Samsung Galaxy S10+

• $ 1000 at Verizon

The most well-rounded phone you can buy.

The Galaxy S10+ leaves little to be desired, offering everything from all-day battery life to powerful cameras, a great display, and high-end specs.

Best Camera: Google Pixel 3

The Pixel 3 is perfect for Android enthusiasts who always want to be on the latest version of Google’s software since it’s made directly by Google themselves. It’s the first phone to receive any new builds, including beta versions of Android Q, and it’s guaranteed to receive continued software support for years past its release cycle.

It’s also a stunning phone for photography. Though the Pixel 3 only has one lens, Google makes use of computational photography to pull off stunning photos, even in low light thanks to the Pixel 3’s revolutionary Night Sight mode. Those photos can also be backed up to Google Photos at full resolution with unlimited storage, a Pixel-exclusive benefit.

Pros:

• Timely Android updates
• Outstanding camera
• Unlimited full-res Google Photos uploads
• Front-facing speakers
• Available in small and XL

Cons:

• Lackluster battery life
• No ultrawide or telephoto lens

Best Camera

Google Pixel 3

• $ 800 at Verizon

Computational photography and clean software.

The Pixel 3 is the first phone to receive new versions of Android, and it takes amazing low light photos with a single camera.

Best for Video: LG V40 ThinQ

The V40 is a big-screened Android phone with a focus on media consumption. Like the Galaxy S10+, the V40 features three rear cameras, along with standard and wide-angle front cameras, and the viewfinder software is equipped with powerful video controls like manual focus and custom LUTs.

You also get LG’s 32-bit Quad DAC, which is unparalleled in hi-res wired audio quality, and there’s a resonance chamber inside the phone that allows for great external audio as well. If you like to consumer and create a lot of content with your phone, the V40 is a great option.

Pros:

• Quad DAC for wired audio
• Triple-camera system
• Powerful manual video controls
• Boombox speaker
• Finely tuned vibration motor

Cons:

• No OIS in secondary cameras
• Middling battery life

Best for Video

LG V40 ThinQ

• $ 980 at Verizon

Manual video controls and excellent audio.

LG’s Quad DAC offers amazing wired audio, and the V40 features a myriad of manual video controls for its triple-camera array.

Best for Productivity: Samsung Galaxy Note 9

The Galaxy Note 10 is just around the corner, but in the meantime, the Galaxy Note 9 remains the ultimate productivity device, thanks in large part to its unique S Pen stylus, with thousands of levels of pressure sensitivity and wireless functions. Think Galaxy S10+ with some more traditional design traits like a capacitive fingerprint sensor.

The Note 9 doesn’t have the Galaxy S10+’s triple-camera array, but it still has a wide-angle and telephoto lens at its disposal, and you can launch the camera and even take pictures remotely by pressing the button on the S Pen. You can also draw or take notes on the screen, which is a gorgeous 6.4-inch AMOLED display.

Pros:

• S Pen with wireless functionality
• Two great rear cameras
• Long battery life
• Huge, great-looking display
• Gorgeous design with IP68

Cons:

• Successor is due soon
• Last year’s specs

Best for Productivity

Samsung Galaxy Note 9

• $ 1000 at Verizon

Wireless S Pen functionality and a huge screen.

The Galaxy Note 9 has a powerful S Pen that allows you to draw, take notes, or remotely control features like photography and music playback.

Bottom line

You don’t have to sign up for a postpaid plan to get the best phones in Verizon’s lineup. The Galaxy S10+ is a does-it-all flagship with next to no compromises; it combines excellent battery life with a great screen, three excellent cameras, and modern Android software.

Likewise, if you value staying up to date with the most current and clean Android software possible, and don’t mind sacrificing telephoto and ultra-wide cameras to get there, the Pixel 3 is another excellent choice. If, on the other hand, video is more important to you, or you still listen to a lot of wired audio, it’s hard to go wrong with LG’s V40.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Hayato Huseman is a recovering trade show addict and video editor for Android Central based out of Indianapolis. He can mostly be found complaining about the cold and enthusing about prog metal on Twitter at @hayatohuseman.