Related
Hello-
I am trying to figure out what is the cheapest GSM prepaid plan in the United States. So far, the cheapest I have found is either AT&T's $25 unlimited talk and text plus $5 for 50 MB data or T-mobile's $30 Monthly4g unimited talk text, adn 5gb data. What plan are you guys using to get the most amount of data for the least amount of money? I don't mind going with an MVNO because they have pretty good coverage in my area. (Albuquerque, NM)
Thanks,
wws12
Anyone?
Theoretically speaking, if your main concern is data then you should probably choose an unlimited data plan to get the most out of your money. (Assuming you use that much data).
I can give some good suggestions if you could tell me your average calling, texting, and data usage. Also if you must have GSM, most prepaid just happen to be CDMA *shrugs*
Sent from my DROID2 using xda premium
gagdude said:
Theoretically speaking, if your main concern is data then you should probably choose an unlimited data plan to get the most out of your money. (Assuming you use that much data).
I can give some good suggestions if you could tell me your average calling, texting, and data usage. Also if you must have GSM, most prepaid just happen to be CDMA *shrugs*
Sent from my DROID2 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't have to be GSM, but in my investigations those plans were the cheapest. I mainly want to use it for VoIP with GrooveIP for calls and GVoice for texting. Thnaks for your help!
Let's see... Virgin Mobile has unlimited data and texting, 100 minutes calling for $35 a month. The T mobile plan you found is cheaper but 5GB of data. This depends on if you are going to use more than 5GB or not...
Sent from my DROID2 using xda premium
I want to use a phone such as the Motorola Defy as prepaid. I was going to get the Droid X but found that it couldn't be flashed to other carriers than Verizon.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Are you sure you want the Motorola Defy... ? Republic Wireless has the Defy XT as their only available phone, but they have a different business model.
$20 a month unlimited everything, but depends on WiFi. However nothing is stopping you from sticking to their 3G (Sprint) full time. Big problem is that they are in beta and if you sign up now it could be months until you get the phone. (I'm sure once you are up and running it rocks, but the limited phone choice and waiting time is way too long).
Do you want a rugged phone or a Motorola phone or what? Why do you choose the Defy?
Sent from my DROID2 using xda premium
I chose the Defy because it had a stable ICS ROM and for the fact that it was GSM which I had thought was the best deal at the time. Thanks for the information about Republic Wireless
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
So you have decided to go with Republic?
I was mainly wondering about why you wanted the Defy because it has pretty old hardware. If you still want to consider Virgin and want ICS they have the HTC EVO V, HTC One V, and soon to be released Samsung Galaxy Reverb.
(That t mobile plan you found is actually very good, 5GB is plenty of data. Virgin just has a better plan if you use more than that, which is quite rare in fact)
Sent from my DROID2 using xda premium
I want GSM because that will allow me to easily switch carriers at a later date if I need to. Are there any better phones than the Defy that are $150 or less on Amazon? Thanks for all your help, BTW!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
No problem glad to help
I understand that, in that case that t mobile prepaid plan definitely seems to be a good deal.
As for a phone, I don't go on Amazon since prices are usually higher, but I do know on eBay you can get a galaxy s (for 4g you need the Samsung galaxy s 4g but it has less dev support than the Samsung vibrant which only has 3g) for $150 or less. Any galaxy s variant blows the defy out of the water for sure
Sent from my DROID2 using xda premium
I usually don't shop eBay because of the possibility of scammers. I'll look at the galaxy s variants though. Which would you say has the best dev support? I need at least a stable ICS, if not JB. Thanks!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
All galaxy s were very popular and all have great dev support. Since you were looking at the defy I'm going to assume 4g isn't big on your requirements list and in that case the Samsung vibrant is the phone for you!
Most popular galaxy s from my general knowledge is the cappy aka Samsung Captivate. Unfortunately since it is at&t 3g it will only work on t-mobile 2g (ugh!)
Sent from my DROID2 using xda premium
How much is the Vibrant online?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
On amazon it appears to be $200+
On eBay they go as low as $120 and the Captivate gets even cheaper like $110.
What I like to think of eBay is the whole virus thing on Android. More scams/viruses happen on ebay/Android, but that is because there are more sellers/is more open. You just have to be smart and look at feedback/permissions. Does that seller/app have low feedback score/want to manage your sms and calls? Then don't trust him,her/it
Sent from my DROID2 using xda premium
OK thanks. Quick question that maybe you can answer. On at&t, their prepaid go phone plans include a 100 minute/unlimited text plan for $25/mo. For smartphones you need a data plan which they have in various denominations, but the one I'm interested in is the $5 for 50MB one. If I don't renew the $25 plan, will I lose the data also? Or will it still continue? Thanks!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
They require you to be using the $25 or $50 plan in addition to data every month.
They actually used to have a rule of having $25 in your account every 90 days with whatever data plan you feel like tacking on, but since April 2012 they require to have a monthly text / call plan.
Sent from my DROID2 using xda premium
Moved to Networking section.
Tmobiles $30 plan.
Sent from my XT862 using xda app-developers app
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/Samsung-Exhibit-4G-Prepaid
anyone know of any good stickies on flashing a Samsung s3, note, or any other new Samsung, or iphone. im curious which prepaid carrier is the best to flash to. and should I try to get a phone with a sim card? just looking for some ideas. thanks
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
Are you implying that you currently have a phone on a postpaid plan, and you want to use it on a prepaid plan? What are you thinking of flashing?
well ill put it this way. my friend wants a nice phone on prepaid. doesn't care about cost. he has 2 phones now. one is on straight talk other is on T-Mobile..he wants a nice phone I was curious if anyone has done it and if anyone had any suggestions on what phone to use with what prepaid. like Sprint Verizon or AT&T iphone 4/5 on tmobile or straight talk. or a Sprint galaxy s3...he'll use just about any new-ish phone.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
I guess the 1st decision is what service he wants to go with. Phones are either CDMA or GSM, and not both, with few exceptions (like the new iPhones). So, if he gets a Verizon phone, he can't use it on T-Mobile or AT&T prepaid, and vice versa.
Since cost of the device is no issue, he just has to buy one that's factory unlocked (a.k.a., SIM unlocked).
apologies, I personally have an s3 through Sprint which Ive rooted along with numerous other phones just never did anything of this nature. so I should have him buy a phone that takes a SIM card we'll say and use either straight talk SIM card or tmobile? as an example.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
where would be the best place to buy factory unlocked phones? ebay? and obviously the easiest would be to go the SIM card route
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
If the phone he has/gets is unlocked, he should have no problem swapping the SIM cards, and using the phone on either provider. If you want help mulling over specifics of what particular phone to buy, post it here. You'll get shut down if you start a thread asking what phone to buy.
pharmacist101 said:
where would be the best place to buy factory unlocked phones? ebay? and obviously the easiest would be to go the SIM card route
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Best" is subjective. Some would say to buy it from the manufacturer, as then you would have warranty, return policy, & everything.
well I talked to him and he says he'd prefer to go the galaxy s2 or 3 route. would it be cheaper to buy a unlocked GSM s2? im just confused about the SIM ordeal and what carrier to go with, with what phone. I've tried changing MEID before on a epic to use it on straight talk, which it was CDMA but I couldn't get the MEID to write properly so that was a fail.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
Yeah, you don't have to deal with that stuff with GSM phones. That whole "flashing to another provider" thing is a CDMA issue. Basically, any unlocked GSM phone will work, with any GSM provider.
Another thing to consider, though, is 4G data speeds. AT&T (and their MVNOs) and T-Mobile (and their MVNOs) use different frequencies for the highest speed cellular data connections. For example, if you buy an AT&T phone and then unlock it, you won't get 4G data speed on Simple Mobile, since Simple Mobile is a T-Mobile reseller. Therefore, even when you've finally decided which phone to buy, you still need to decide which bands you want it to have, based primarily on which service provider you plaln to go with. One exception to this is the Galaxy Nexus HSPA+, which is pentaband, and can be used just about anywhere, at full speed.
nice. any suggestions for iphone? My apologies. just seems those appear to be the cheapest route via ebay for a gsm unlocked one.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
pharmacist101 said:
nice. any suggestions for iphone? My apologies. just seems those appear to be the cheapest route via ebay for a gsm unlocked one.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume you live in Richmond VA. You probably have a choice between T-Mobile or AT&T 3G/4G. T-Mobile is far better than AT&T and the Monthly Prepaid stuff from T-Mobile isn't bad. I like the $30 plan personally.
MrObvious said:
I assume you live in Richmond VA. You probably have a choice between T-Mobile or AT&T 3G/4G. T-Mobile is far better than AT&T and the Monthly Prepaid stuff from T-Mobile isn't bad. I like the $30 plan personally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's two 30$ plans (the one with 100min, unl texts and 5GB data and a 1500 min/texts and a small amount of data (30MB?? I forget))
You should be specific. The 5GB data one is only available online or at Wal-Mart.
The other one is available in T-Mobile stores.
Sent from somewhere....if I could only remember where....
Richmond Indiana, my apologies. I appreciate all of the suggestions. I can root phones and such no problem, very new to this prepaid & gsm(sim card) stuff, as I have had Sprint for 6 years lol
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
so I can order a iphone 3g gsm unlocked for like $120 on eBay (or is there a better place to order them?) and it will work with a straight talk sim card? it's for a friend, im not a fan of either xD
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
Yes it will.
Sent from my XT862 using xda app-developers app
-----Update 27 Nov-----
This coupon code no longer works. If I find another one I will update this thread.
I have now used this service with google voice for over 2 weeks with great service. I have had the same speeds and coverage as I did with my att phone. I have not used enough data to get notified or limited in speed, if and when this happens I will update my thread.
There is one issue with straight talk and any MVNO it seems. I used two google voice numbers (personal, work) and I turn off the voicemail forwarding on my phone so that the voicemail for each works correctly (Otherwise both GV numbers would forward to the same voicemail account). Straight talk does not have the ability to change the voicemail forwarding phones. My workaround for now is to extend the number of rings out to where GV will forward to voicemail (I am in process of testing this now).
To use two GV numbers on one phone you set both as home numbers and just use the app for texts from one. There are more detailed ways to forwards texts from the second phone but if you want this info PM and ask or search for it as it is available elsewhere.
-------------------------------
I know there have been posts that talk about Straight Talk Sims including the $5 + Free Ship (which expired). I researched and just purchased a Micro Sim and $45 Unlimited ATT plan today.
I did this today: 8 Nov 2012
Free ATT Sim
- http://www.straighttalk.com/ShopSims
- Choose Sim (Micro or Regular)
- Add Sim + Plan to Cart (will show $54.99)
- Use Promo "SIMSAVE" for $10 discount
- Choose 3-day Fedex Shipping (shows free later)
Free T-Mobile Sim
- Buy any free phone from the site with plan
Mirror Photo: http://imgur.com/BJBI2
Original Promo Code thanks to Chils41 at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1915621
I see these posts regularly and had some questions. I have at&t service now. Is it as easy as placing the sim card into my phone and go? Will everything work like it did on at&t? What's the data transfer like? I'm really liming the idea of two phones unlimited everything for $90 as opposed to $165 for 700 mins unlimited text and calls to any mobile but only 2 GB of data. Do I need to flash anything to make everything work properly?
Sent from my SGH-I897 using xda app-developers app
phoenixfriend said:
I see these posts regularly and had some questions. I have at&t service now. Is it as easy as placing the sim card into my phone and go? Will everything work like it did on at&t? What's the data transfer like? I'm really liming the idea of two phones unlimited everything for $90 as opposed to $165 for 700 mins unlimited text and calls to any mobile but only 2 GB of data. Do I need to flash anything to make everything work properly?
Sent from my SGH-I897 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you don't have to flash anything. just gotta change the apn settings to st and you're good to go. the SIM packet has the apn settings that you change in network settings.
Straight Talk data connection is the same as ATT would be in your area, except, NO LTE. You will not grey LTE with straight talk. And don't count on using much more than 2gb of data either, I near they send warning texts but don't actually have a what to cut off your data.
I've been on Straight Talk ATT for 3 months and love it. Just know it's limitations. I've never gone over 600mb data in my life though. I work when I'm at work, not much time to stream videos, the rest of the time I'm at home on wifi. Also ATT sucks in my area.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
phoenixfriend said:
I see these posts regularly and had some questions. I have at&t service now. Is it as easy as placing the sim card into my phone and go? Will everything work like it did on at&t? What's the data transfer like? I'm really liming the idea of two phones unlimited everything for $90 as opposed to $165 for 700 mins unlimited text and calls to any mobile but only 2 GB of data. Do I need to flash anything to make everything work properly?
Sent from my SGH-I897 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You also need an unlocked or att locked phone. The Sim is recognized as an att sim.
I will add my experience here once I've used it. I tried T-Mobile 100 min 5gb plan and got rid of it because of bad indoor reception (I was Always on edge inside).
Sf bay area
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Thanks. So is that the only benefit of unlocking the phone? I'm rooted and running a wicked sweet custom ROM already. Only thing left is unlocking.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using xda app-developers app
phoenixfriend said:
Thanks. So is that the only benefit of unlocking the phone? I'm rooted and running a wicked sweet custom ROM already. Only thing left is unlocking.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It looks like you have an AT&T Captivate. You don't need to unlock your phone if it's AT&T branded.
It is. I gathered that from my searches. Just wondered if that was the only benefit of unlocking my phone, being able to carry it to any gsm carrier.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using xda app-developers app
phoenixfriend said:
It is. I gathered that from my searches. Just wondered if that was the only benefit of unlocking my phone, being able to carry it to any gsm carrier.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only benefit of unlocking is to be able to use other carriers. But to repeat you DO NOT need to unlock to use straight talk on your att phone.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Thanks I'm trying to buy a gs3 or note2 today and need a microsim for them, also need to reup anyways..
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
I repeat I got that already. I understand.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using xda app-developers app
What about using a t-mobile phone on straight talk att what is needed to be done to it? Unlocking required or what?
Heavy Metal said:
What about using a t-mobile phone on straight talk att what is needed to be done to it? Unlocking required or what?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, just unlock it and you're good to go.
Sent from my Nexus 4
So if straight talk cuts off ur data for usage, call them, ask them to define unlimited, then ask them to define false advertising lawsuit, after I did this on my thrid disconect, I have never received a warning or been cutoff. And I use more than 16gb a month
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
prepaidguy9081 said:
So if straight talk cuts off ur data for usage, call them, ask them to define unlimited, then ask them to define false advertising lawsuit, after I did this on my thrid disconect, I have never received a warning or been cutoff. And I use more than 16gb a month
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where you throttled on that 16 gigs?!?!?
Sent from my SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
No, could be because I modded the prl alot. I always tried to keep the best one out on there so I got the most towers possable and the one next to my house about .2 miles away instead of the default thats about 1.3 miles away
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
jamesd86 said:
Thanks I'm trying to buy a gs3 or note2 today and need a microsim for them, also need to reup anyways..
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have a micro sim lying around you can use it as a template and cut your old sim card down to a micro. I did it with a pair of sharp sewing scissors and it's been working fine for me.
Also, unlocking my smartphones has always benefited me in that it allowed me to sell at a higher price.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using XDA Premium HD app
Code doesn't work =[
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Worked for me
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
prepaidguy9081 said:
Worked for me
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hate you.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Hey guys, I used to be unlimited on vzw but really wanted the x. After going through a round of incompetent agents on the phone I got in contact with several who were able to give me 6gb of data for the same price as unlimited used to be. This was NOT part of the edge program but part of a promotion for old unlimited users. I know some of you guys here use 20 GB a month or more so it doesn't work for you, but I use just under five so I thought it was a decent alternative!
Sent from my XT1060 using xda app-developers app
To clarify I used an upgrade and got a subsidized x using moto maker and received 6gb per month instead of 2 for the same price because I was unlimited
Sent from my XT1060 using xda app-developers app
wwr8bz said:
To clarify I used an upgrade and got a subsidized x using moto maker and received 6gb per month instead of 2 for the same price because I was unlimited
Sent from my XT1060 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this plan has been out for months now and i think it's been covered here before. there are other ways to get a subsidized phone on an unlimited plan.
I didn't realize people were aware you could get it WITHOUT participating in the edge plan. Half the vzw agents didn't seem to think you could anyways. Sorry for the duplicate post.
Sent from my XT1060 using xda app-developers app
I've got unlimited on Vzw with an X. As I've had on my Note 2, S3, Galaxy Nexus, RAZR, etc.
You just got to know how to do it
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk
1ManWolfePack said:
I've got unlimited on Vzw with an X. As I've had on my Note 2, S3, Galaxy Nexus, RAZR, etc.
You just got to know how to do it
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you explain how to do it? So we all can still keep unlimited data?
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 08:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:56 AM ----------
[/COLOR]
TheGman125 said:
Can you explain how to do it? So we all can still keep unlimited data?
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pay full retail cost
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
TheGman125 said:
Can you explain how to do it? So we all can still keep unlimited data?
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the "only" way to purchase a subsidized phone and keep unlimited is to have a line that doesn't have unlimited data and that either has an upgrade (new line) or you transfer your upgrade to that line, activate it on that line, and then transfer it to your unlimited line. this method not only keeps your unlimited but also locks you in a contract for the next 24 mo.
Hi.
Can s4 from above careers work with ATT LTE? I know sprint and Verizon are cdma but looks like Samsung added sim card slots on all variants. Looking to buy a used one and not so many selling form att.
Thanks.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using xda app-developers app
nj777 said:
Hi.
Can s4 from above careers work with ATT LTE? I know sprint and Verizon are cdma but looks like Samsung added sim card slots on all variants. Looking to buy a used one and not so many selling form att.
Thanks.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should work as long as it's not carrier locked and the bands are all the same. (Buy a Google Play Edition or a international variant if possible.)
Smack that thanks button If I helped!
Always make a nandroid backup before trying anything risky.
I do respond to questions (most) via PM.
Sent from my fabulous N7105 powered by Illusion ROM and Plasma Kernel.
Sent from dat small country called Singapore.
P.S. Quote my post for replies ASAP.
Need a more precise answer please. Not about to spend 400$ for a paper wait.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using xda app-developers app
If you don't want to spend the money get a att phone on contract ...
Phones cost money, especially off contract.
Plus a used s4 is going to cost 3 to 4 hundred dollars, more if they are carrier unlocked.
Irwenzhao answered your question please hit thanks button. It may just not be the answer you want.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
erstad said:
If you don't want to spend the money get a att phone on contract ...
Phones cost money, especially off contract.
Plus a used s4 is going to cost 3 to 4 hundred dollars, more if they are carrier unlocked.
Irwenzhao answered your question please hit thanks button. It may just not be the answer you want.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would if I could got another year before i can upgrade