Last Updated: June 24, 2017
Almost everyone has a smartphone or will have one shortly. Their usefulness is undeniable. This convenience comes at a high cost and multi-year commitment. We examine the major smartphone providers, their wireless plans and costs, to help you make a more educated decision.
Last Update: February 13, 2017
On February 13, 2017:
Verizon Wireless brought back the Verizon Unlimited Plan.
Updated: 2/27/2017
February 2017 New Unlimited Data
AT&T Wireless has introduced a brand new unlimited wireless data offer for its new and existing customers starting 2/17/2017. Clearly AT&T's goal is to meet the competition. This does not require DirecTV.
On 2/27/2017 they lowered the price from $100 to $90 when you get paperless billing and make automatic payments from a bank account. (Not credit card) You will get 10GB of high-speed tethering each month.
AT&T also created an "Unlimited Choice" plan that costs $60 a month and has no data caps and overage fees. This plan does not include any tethering, and video is always reduced to about 480p resolution or a maximum bandwidth of 1.5Mbps.
Last Update: September 9, 2016
AT&T created a new wireless phone plan in July 2013 called AT&T Next Installment to address the needs of customers who want to upgrade to the latest and greatest Smartphone every year. Verizon followed suit with their Edge program a week later.
Normal Smartphone plans in the USA require shoppers to commit to a 2 year contract. They cannot change phones during this time unless they want to pay an expensive early termination fee, for cancelling their contract early
Last update: 9/8/2016
On 8/22/2016 AT&T Wireless rolled out the new Mobile Share Advantage plan with more data for less $$. It also added no overage charges, speeds will slow to a crawl after you hit your limit. This plan clearly shows the hidden costs of 2 year contracts.
An allotment of of data costs $30/month for 1GB, $40 for 3GB, $60 for 6GB, $80 for 10GB, etc..
Costs for each Smartphone line: (more…)
Last Update: 9/8/2016
Verizon changed Smartphone plans in July 2016.
Verizon announced that customers are eligible to get a new iPhone every year through the annual upgrade program. The new program allows you to turn in your phone and upgrade to a new iPhone every year. If you pre-ordered an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus, you’re automatically enrolled in this program if you’ve elected the Device Payment option.
Verizon has announced the end of 2 year plans effective August 13, 2015. Only those currently on a 2 year plan, can get a new phone with 2 year commitment, when their current commit is fulfilled. New customers cannot buy phones with 2 year plans. Tablets with 2 year contracts are still available as of Summer 2016.
Last updated 3/26/2016
Almost everyone has a smartphone or will have one shortly. Their usefulness is undeniable. This convenience comes at a high cost and often a multi-year commitment. We examine some little known companies that can take the average cell phone bill from just under $150 to as little as $30 a month. It is surprising that only 1-2% of subscribers switch to other carriers every year, they must feel married to their service.
Important: As with any mobile wireless plan, you need to ensure you have coverage where you need it. Home, work, play, you need signal otherwise it does not matter what the price is.
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
T-Mobile created a new wireless plan called T-Mobile JUMP! to address the needs of customers who want to upgrade to the latest and greatest Smartphone when a new device is available or when you are tired of your current phone. This was later renamed to JUMP! On Demand in June 2015.
Normal Smartphone plans in America require shoppers to commit to a 2 year contract. People cannot change phones during this time unless they want to pay an expensive early termination fee (ETF), for cancelling their contract. With this new program, you can upgrade as many as 3 times a year, more often than AT&T Wireless or Verizon Wireless. As you read our T-Mobile JUMP! On Demand review, you will see how much it costs and whether it is worth signing up for.
JUMP! On Demand Features: (more…)
Introduction
People are stuck to their Smartphones. Everywhere you go someone is staring at their phone, while in the street, at work, on the bus, almost everywhere. These useful devices help us look up information, play games, take pictures and videos, do business, and stay in touch. When we travel overseas, we expect to keep our Smartphone with us, but foreign countries and their cellular networks throw a monkey wrench into our desire to stay connected. We ate BuyVia believe that constant connectivity is almost mandatory these days.
