How to Find the Best No Contract Smartphone Plans in 2015 – Part 2

Posted:

Last updated 8/14/2015

  

This is the second part of our How to Find the Best No Contract Smartphone Plan 2015 article.

NET10 Wireless

Net10-Logo

Tracfone owns NET10 Wireless. NET10 Wireless has more plans but not the latest Smartphones like its sister company, Straight Talk. NET10 has family plans available.

Coverage – Uses all four networks (CDMA + GSM) depending on the phone and your area.

Best Plans –Unlimited monthly plans. $35/mo Unlimited Talk, Text, and Web (up to 500MB high-speed); $50 gets you 5GB of high-speed data. $5 off discount each month when you sign up for auto-pay - No Contract Smartphone Plans.

Smartphone Selection – A small variety of phones including the Samsung Galaxy S6, but no iPhones.

Bring Your Own – Allows certain GSM and CDMA Smartphones to be brought over.

NET10 is best when:

  • On a budget
  • Want unlimited with a good mix of smartphone selections

Smartphone Deals

  • PopSockets Phone Grip Compatible with MagSafe Sale Amazon logo
    Posted by: Posted by The Chief

    PopSockets Phone Grip Compatible with MagSafe Sale $14.99 + Free Shipping ($30.00)

    Amazon has a PopSockets Phone Grip Compatible with MagSafe Sale, $14.99 after instant discount, Free Shipping $35 or with Prime. Expires: 10/1/2023 - Highly Rated at 4.6 out of 5 stars.

    • Our phone grip compatible with MagSafe we call a "PopGrip" securely attaches to your MagSafe-compatible case for maximum grip and kickstand capabilities
    • Wirelessly charge your phone by simply sliding off the magnetic PopSocket and setting on a wireless charging pad
    • Offers a secure grip so you can text with one hand, avoid phone drops, and use as a phone stand on-the-go
    Sales tax in: All Except AK, DE, MT, NH, OR
    Posted: September 28, 2023 10:21 PM PDT


  • Up to $1000 off iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15Pro Max 5G - AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile General Vendor logo
    Posted by: Posted by The Chief

    Expiring Today: Up to $1000 off iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15Pro Max 5G - AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile

    Time to switch to a better carrier with a new iPhone 15. Up to $1000 off iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15Pro Max 5G - AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile when you activate service and trade in select phones.  Deals are way better than expected, time to upgrade and switch carriers. If you have anything older than an iPhone X, to time to upgrade. Shipping soon.

    • iPhone 15 has 5G, better battery, better camera, satellite emergency, crash detection and more!

    Trade-in Old iPhone or Android Phone

    The best deals are when trading in an old phone. If you do not have one, you can buy one on eBay and save a ton.  Buy a Samsung S20FE 5G in very good condition for $160 and get $830 trade in value on AT&T! Keep your old iPhone as a spare. Buying a used iPhone is more worrisome with many having replaced screen using 3rd parties.

    Wireless companies are giving phones away in exchange for locking you in for bill credits each month.

    Unlock your credit report if you locked it to pass credit checks.

    Special iPhone 15 Promotions when you Switch

    • AT&T - Get up to $1000 off iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max - up to $830 off iPhone 15/ iPhone 15 Plus with eligible trade-in when you purchase on an installment plan, with an eligible AT&T unlimited plan (speed restrictions apply)
    • Verizon: Get up to $800 off this device when you trade in. New line required. Plus $200 when you switch.
    • Xfinity: Save on iPhone 15 when you switch to Xfinity.
    • T-Mobile: Get an iPhone 15 Pro ON US via 24 mo. bill credits when you trade in an eligible device on Magenta® MAX. Plus, Apple TV+ is included with Magenta MAX.

    Some Older phones are available with less trade in.  Trading in is a lot easier than selling your phone on eBay or Craigslist.

    New iPhones 15:

    • iPhone 15: Starts at $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1099 (512GB)
    • iPhone 15 Plus: Starts at $899 (128GB), $999 (256GB), $1099 (512GB)
    • iPhone 15 Pro: Starts at $999 (128GB), $1,099 (256GB), $1,299 (512GB), $1499 (1TB)
    • iPhone 15 Pro Max: Starts at $1,199 (256GB), $1,399 (512GB), $1599 (1TB)

    The biggest changes: USB-C port (no more proprietary Lightning cables!), all models have top of the screen Dynamic Island, better low light cameras, and the iPhone 15 Pro/ Pro Max models now have the new and faster A17 pro chip that speed up all tasks.

    AT&T Unlimited Starter Plan

    • 1 Line $65/mon for Unlimited Talk, Text, Web, standard definition Streaming, Max 3Mbps data speed, 3GB Hotspot
    • 5G Access
    • Standard Mobile Security
    • 5 lines for $150
    • Plus tax & fees
    • To qualify for $1000 credit, minimum Trade-In value must be $230 or higher after device condition questions have been answered
      • Eligible devices:
        • Apple iPhone: 12 Pro Max, 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
        • Samsung Galaxy: Z Flip4, Z Fold4, S22 Ultra 5G, S23, S23+, S23 Ultra
        • Google: 7 Pro
    • To qualify for $830 credit, minimum Trade-In value must be $130-$229 after device condition questions have been answered
      • Eligible devices:
        • Apple iPhone: 11, 11 Pro, iPhone 12mini, 11 Pro Max, 12, 12 Pro, 13 mini
        • Samsung Galaxy: S20, S20 5G, S20 FE, S20 FE 5G, S20+, S20+ 5G, S20 Ultra 5G, Note20, Note20 5G, Note20 Ultra, Note20 Ultra 5G, S21 5G, S21+ 5G, S21 FE 5G, Fold, Fold 5G, Z Flip3 5G, S21 Ultra 5G, S22 5G, S22+ 5G, ZFold2 5G, Z Fold3 5G
        • Google: Pixel 6 Pro, 7
        • OTHER: OnePlus 10 Pro

    Verizon Unlimited Welcome Plan

    • 1 Line $45 for Unlimited Talk, Text, Web, DVD Quality Streaming
    • 5G Nationwide
    • No Hotspot
    • Plus tax & fees

    Verizon Special Trade-in Offer: Monthly price reflects net monthly payment, after Apple instant trade-in credit at checkout, and Verizon monthly bill credits applied over 24 months. Customer must remain in the Verizon Device Payment Program for 24 months to receive the full benefit of the Verizon bill credits. Bill credits may take 1-2 bill cycles to appear. If it takes two cycles for bill credits to appear, you’ll see the credit for the first cycle on your second bill in addition to that month’s credit. Requires purchase and activation of a new iPhone 15 mini, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max with the Verizon Device Payment Program at 0% APR for 24 months, subject to carrier credit qualification, and iPhone availability and limits.

    T-Mobile Essentials Plan

    • 1 line $60/month, Get 3rd line free
    • Unlimited Talk Text and Web
    • Unlimited 3G hotspot
    • DVD quality streaming
    Sales tax in: Most States
    Posted: September 27, 2023 6:00 AM PDT


  • Anker 521 Magnetic Battery 5000 mAh Portable Charger Sale Amazon logo
    Posted by: Posted by The Chief

    Expiring Today: Anker 521 Magnetic Battery 5000 mAh Portable Charger Sale $34.99 + Free Shipping ($49.99)

    Amazon has an Anker 521 Magnetic Battery 5000 mAh Portable Charger Sale, $34.99 - Free Shipping $25 or with Amazon Prime. Expires Soon - Highly rated at 4.5 out of 5 stars.

    • High-speed Charging Technology: PowerIQ detects your device to deliver its fastest possible charge speed up to 1 amp
    • Ultra Compact: Our original lipstick-shaped aluminum design (3.7 × 0.9 × 0.9in, 3oz). Recharges in 3-4 hours with a 1 amp adapter (sold separately) and the included USB-C cable.
    Sales tax in: All Except AK, DE, MT, NH, OR
    Posted: September 24, 2023 11:59 PM PDT


More Like This

Ting

ting

Ting uses the Sprint Network (CDMA) and lets you customize your account with different levels of talk, text, and web plus a $6 monthly fee. Roaming onto Verizon and other networks with no extra cost.

Coverage – Uses Sprint Network. Not the best.

Best Plans –Customizable based on your needs. Reports a $23 average monthly bill per device for its customers.

Smartphone Selection – Decent variety including various Motorola and HTC phones along with different generations of the Samsung Galaxy and iPhone.

Bring Your OwnCurrent list - Works with many Sprint Phones except Blackberry, PTT, +WebOS. Does not work with GSM Phones. Some iPhones are in beta.

Ting is best when:

  • You are on a budget
  • You are consistent with your monthly usage

Freedom Pop

freedom-pop-logo

FreedomPop offers a variety of devices where you pay for the device and get Free monthly allotment of Data. For example: Freedom Pop now offer smartphones like the HTC EVO 4G ($179). The phone comes with a Basic 200 monthly plan for Free every month. The plan includes 200 Voice minutes, 500 Texts, 500MB 4G/3G Data on the Sprint network.

Freedom Pop also offers an Unlimited Talk and Text with 500MB for a low $11/Month.

Coverage - Okay to very good depending on your area. We have experienced dead spots. Check their coverage maps

Best Plan - Free!

Smartphone Selection - 6 different phone options--slightly older versions of phones like the HTC Evo 4G or Samsung Galaxy S2 through 4. They also have hotspots and tablets.

Bring your device - You need to buy a phone or mobile hotspot from them. Other phones will not work.

Freedom Pop is best when:

  • You want to pay once and get Free Monthly Service
  • Willing to pay for Freedom Pop devices
  • Looking to get some extra data without having to pay a lot out of pocket each month
  • Sprint has good coverage in your area

Republic Wireless

republic-wireless-logo

Republic Wireless started in 2013 and is focused on very inexpensive Smartphones and plans. They use Wi-Fi whenever possible to plans start as low as $5/month. Good ground-breaking price of $199 for the high priced Moto X Smartphone.

Coverage – Anywhere Wi-Fi is Available, plus optionally falls back to Sprint.

Best Plans -$5 Unlimited Talk, Text, and Web via Wi-Fi only; $10 Base Plan with Unlimited Cell Talk and Text, $25 with Unlimited Talk, Text, and 1GB Data, and $55 unlimited Wi-Fi, Talk, Text + 3 GB Data.

Smartphone Choices – Three choices: the Moto G, the Moto E, and the Moto X.

Bring Your Own Device – Not available. Must buy their phones.

Republic Wireless is best when:

  • You are on a tight budget
  • You do not care for phone selections

Tracfone

tracfone

Tracfone uses CDMA and GSM technology depending on the location. Most of their CDMA phones end in C, IE LG 505C.  GSM phones end in G, IE LG 840G. Tracfone focuses on low cost, non-Smartphone, and airtime cards. Must buy separate data cards. Will not roam where home network has coverage.

Coverage –Uses mostly Sprint and Sometimes Verizon Network on CDMA, depending on where it is sold. GSM versions use AT&T or T-Mobile. Get the type of phone that has the best coverage when you live, work, and play.

Best Plan –Individual +Family, 50min/30 days - $9.99.

Smartphone Selection –Limited selection of basic phones and Android phones.

Bring Your Own –Yes. CDMA phones only (Non-LTE Verizon, Sprint, Boost, Virgin). No iPhones or Blackberry Smartphones from Verizon. They later expanded it to GSM phones for use on their AT&T network when you buy this AT&T Compatible SIM kit.

Tracfone is best when:

  • You are on a budget
  • Don’t use a phone much
  • Don’t need the latest technology

AT&T Wireless

att

AT&T Wireless sells no annual contract AT&T Mobile Share wireless service at a similar price as Cricket but without unlimited data. A credit check may be required. This is only worthwhile if you're going to share data with multiple people. (They charge $25/mo extra on each additional non-contract line). If you are sharing data we suggest to go with the $70/mo for unlimited talk and text with 4GB of data. Cheapest plan is a $20/mo plan for 300MB with unlimited talk and text. AT&T has a reasonable amount of coverage nationwide. They are one of the most reliable wireless networks to be on.

AT&T Prepaid GoPhone plans include $60 for 2GB with unlimited talk, text ($5 more than AT&T Mobile Share). Additional GB of data is available for $10/GB.

Coverage - Good to very good depending on your area. Check their coverage maps

Best Plan - $55/mo Unlimited Talk and Text and 2GB Data; $70/mo for 4GB

Smartphone Selection - From Samsung Galaxy S4 through $170 Android phone. Does not include iPhones, but you can buy a phone from Apple or eBay and add a SIM card.

Bring your device -Free SIM Cards for GSM phones including iPhones that are unlocked. LTE support is also available.

AT&T is best when:

  • Sharing a plan with family
  • Speed
  • Reliability
  • Smartphone versatility

Verizon

verizon-logo

Verizon has the best coverage nationwide making them one of the most reliable networks. Verizon Prepaid does not offer unlimited data like some of the cheaper options reviewed here. Smartphone selection for no-contract plans is limited and does not include the latest phones.

In July 2014, Verizon introduced the 4G LTE ALLSET No Annual contract Plan.

Coverage - Good to very good depending on your area. Check their coverage maps

Best Plan - $45 per month for unlimited talk, text, and 500MB Data; Add $5 for 500MB more data, $10 for 1GB more, or $20 for $3GB more.

Smartphone SelectionDecent selection of no-contract Smartphones from $149. Refurbished smartphones save you money.

Bring your device - You need to buy a phone or mobile hotspot from Verizon. Other GSM phones will not work. Some used Smartphones from eBay may work if they are not banned.

Verizon is best when:

  • Reliability
  • Speed
  • Network Coverage
  • Budget not tight

Sprint

sprint

Sprint markets an Unlimited prepaid plan with no mention of throttling, but you will have to watch out for their off-network roaming usage limits. The off-network roaming usage allotment is small and can easily be used up in a few days. It is hard to recommend Sprint. Look at Boost Mobile instead.

Coverage - Good to very good depending on your area. Check their coverage maps

Best Plan - $35 per month for unlimited talk, text, and 1GB data.

Smartphone Selection – As You Go Smartphone selection has improved from before, but no iPhones. Some slightly older Samsung and Android smartphones.

Bring your device - You need to buy a phone from them. Other phones will not work.

Sprint is best when:

  • You want Unlimited Data without throttling
  • You have reliable Sprint Coverage
  • You can accept the limited Smartphone Selection

Other Carriers

Page Plus – Uses Verizon Network. $39.95 Unlimited Talk, Text, 500MB Data; $55 for 2.5GB. $29.95 for 1200 minutes, 3000 texts, 500MB Data. No unlimited data plans.

PTel – Uses T-Mobile Network. $30 Unlimited Talk, Text, Web (throttle after 2.5MB/mo)

Selectel Wireless – New. Similar to Page Plus.

GoSmart Mobile – Owned by T-Mobile. $45 Unlimited Talk, Text, Web (throttle after 5GB)

EcoMobile – Uses Sprint Network. $50 Unlimited Talk, Text, 3GB Web; $60 for Unlimited 4G Data.

PureTalkUSA – AT&T Network. $43.95 Unlimited Talk and Text with 1GB Data

H2O Wireless – AT&T Network. $40 Unlimited Talk, Text, 1GB Data. $60 gets you unlimited data. (Probably Throttled) Sells older iPhone and really old Android phones.

Red Pocket Mobile – AT&T Network. $59.99 Unlimited Talk and Text with 3GB Data

Air Voice Wireless – AT&T Network. $30 Unlimited Talk and Text with 500MB Data and offers the Samsung Galaxy S3 and older phones for sale.

ChitChatMobile - Sprint Network. $19.99 Unlimited talk and text. $20 600MB 3G/4G WiMAX Data. Use Sprint smartphones.

Conclusion

The consumer has the most control with prepaid, no contract Smartphone plans. You can switch carriers or Smartphones at any time. Review the details above + select the one that fits your needs. We recommend trying at least two or three different services for a month and pick the one best for you. Take Price, Coverage, Smartphone Selection, and monthly Bandwidth Allotment into consideration. The best thing about no-contract plans is that you can stop using the service at any time.

Share by EmailShare on FacebookTweet Deal

Tags: , , , , , , ,

6 responses to “How to Find the Best No Contract Smartphone Plans in 2015 – Part 2”

  1. Sharon Balbi says:

    Re your 2 part article on the best no contract smartphone plans in 2015, you stated that TracFone uses only CDMA phones. This is an error. I have owned a Samsung S390G phone
    since it was first shown on HSN in July of 2012. It is a GSM phone using 3G and Wi-fi on the
    AT&T and T-Mobile networks. Athough 3G phone calls sound very good, the phone has very
    limited capabilities and is not even an Android phone. It is one of those phones using Java
    apps. It was promoted as being an android phone, which was easy to do because everyone
    thinks android, when they hear the words “Samsung cell phone”. If anyone just wants a phone
    for conversations-buy it-otherwise beware ! Thanks for writing these columns. They are very
    helpful for sorting through the myriad of carriers and plans.
    Best Regards,
    Sharon Balbi

  2. David says:

    Your Ting information needs to be updated. They now support T-mobile GSM network connectivity. The best phone is the Oneplus One smart phone.

  3. Elsa says:

    Could you check out Consumer Cellular and add it to your comparisons? It’s a great company with really flexible cheap plans. I’d used them for years, and many months, I have been on the $15.00 plan. I believe they are highly rated by Consumer’s magazine.
    Thanks for all your helpful information.

  4. Meagan says:

    After reading part 1 and then switching over to finish part 2, I may consider switching to a prepaid. Every prepaid runs off of towers of the larger networks anyway. And most are also owned by those larger networks so you really aren’t losing much except the extra fees from what I am reading!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *