Need help finding a cellphone plan? Post here! US edition (Master thread)

[meshugener]

He means any Verizon MVNO. Page Plus is a mobile virtunal network operator that leases unused airtime from VZ. But VZ famously does NOT give away their 4G, unlike Sprint or other MVNOs.

Ok, so my options are:
 
1) Pay $70 a month (after fees & taxes) for:

Full Verizon service,
Get a free phone,
Unlimited calls and text,
1GB of 4G data,
Use it with a SIM international,

2) Nothing

Decisions..... decisions...

[Joe4007]

Ok, so my options are:
 
1) Pay $70 a month (after fees & taxes) for:

Full Verizon service,
Get a free phone,
Unlimited calls and text,
1GB of 4G data,
Use it with a SIM international,

2) Nothing

Decisions..... decisions...

So is the 4G a must?

[Mordy]

Have you considered the new Sprint "Framily" plan?

Can be a really great value if you do it right. I'm paying $25 a line for unlimited talk and text, 1GB of 3G/4G data.

[meshugener]

Have you considered the new Sprint "Framily" plan?

Can be a really great value if you do it right. I'm paying $25 a line for unlimited talk and text, 1GB of 3G/4G data.

3G or 4G? I'm coming now from Sprint 3G. Mediocre.

But do Sprint phones also have that option to insert a SIM for international? Or is it just Verizon?

[meshugener]

So is the 4G a must?

Not a must but a huge plus.

[Joe4007]

3G or 4G? I'm coming now from Sprint 3G. Mediocre.

But do Sprint phones also have that option to insert a SIM for international? Or is it just Verizon?

Sprint has 4G in the city.

A lot of smartphones have SIM slots even with sprint, though it's locked and they can put you through a great deal of trouble before unlocking it.

[Jkhein]

OT, but I would love to understand why the US cellphone market can charge such outrageous high prices, while the average unlimited talk, text and data plan in Europe and Israel cost $25/month?

[sillypainter]

OT, but I would love to understand why the US cellphone market can charge such outrageous high prices, while the average unlimited talk, text and data plan in Europe and Israel cost $25/month?

Show me one European country that has what you just said. Israel has more carriers than people, so competition is bad.

[Jkhein]

Show me one European country that has what you just said. Israel has more carriers than people, so competition is bad.

England, plenty

[meshugener]

Sprint has 4G in the city.

A lot of smartphones have SIM slots even with sprint, though it's locked and they can put you through a great deal of trouble before unlocking it.

  And Verizon would give me an easy time unlocking it? Is that what you're saying?

[Joe4007]

  And Verizon would give me an easy time unlocking it? Is that what you're saying?

Verizon phones come unlocked as of the last few years. I believe it has something to do with a network they bought and this was their compromise to the government (they shouldn't have a monopoly).

[meshugener]

Verizon phones come unlocked as of the last few years. I believe it has something to do with a network they bought and this was their compromise to the government (they shouldn't have a monopoly).

Thanks.
Now which phone?
Is the S4 mini considered a good phone? I hate huge phones.

[cozmohoot]

Good resource of plans... http://www.prepaidphonenews.com/2011/02/best-prepaid-data-carriers-and-plans.html?m=1

[sillypainter]

Verizon phones come unlocked as of the last few years. I believe it has something to do with a network they bought and this was their compromise to the government (they shouldn't have a monopoly).

ALL LTE phones are unlocked on VZW.

[Mordy]

Have you considered the new Sprint "Framily" plan?
Can be a really great value if you do it right. I'm paying $25 a line for unlimited talk and text, 1GB of 3G/4G data.

3G or 4G? I'm coming now from Sprint 3G. Mediocre.

Yes, LTE. Its not an MVNO or prepaid plan- its an actual bonafide Sprint plan, which means you get access to whatever their network offers. 3G, 4G, the new Sprint Spark frequencies, etc... you aren't a 2nd or 3rd tier customer renting unused airtime from a major carrier like MVNOs are. You also get whatever perks they offer like Google Voice integration with your mobile number and sms-to-landline, etc.
As far as coverage, I live in Monsey, which is more-or-less the boonies when it comes to rollouts like 4G, but I have LTE all over the place here! I was driving the other day and performed the following speed test:
http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/a/746578255

11.5mbs down, about 5 up. That's almost as fast as my cable modem at home, and this was from a moving vehicle! Granted, the tests aren't always that high, but I'm rather pleased with the network and performance, especially for the price I'm paying!

But do Sprint phones also have that option to insert a SIM for international? Or is it just Verizon?

There are a couple of "worldphones" on the network, but generally no. They stuck to the old CDMA standard without SIM cards (unlike VZ who is embracing the transition to VOLTE sims). I do have an old GSM HTC phone that I keep around if I were to travel overseas. Those handsets are super inexpensive these days.

[cozmohoot]

There are a couple of "worldphones" on the network, but generally no. They stuck to the old CDMA standard without SIM cards (unlike VZ who is embracing the transition to VOLTE sims). I do have an old GSM HTC phone that I keep around if I were to travel overseas. Those handsets are super inexpensive these days.

there are more than a couple though.. lg g2, iphones, s4, htc, moto x...
i am also very happy with the sprint lte speeds in bklyn

[meshugener]

Probably gonna take the S4 Mini. Does that have a SIM slot?

Do I get a free phone with Sprint Family?

[Mordy]

Probably gonna take the S4 Mini. Does that have a SIM slot?

Do I get a free phone with Sprint Family?

Not sure if the S4 mini has it.

But no, you don't get a free phone- that's part of the idea of the Framily plans and why they are able to offer it so low. Carriers that subsidize handsets include the subsidy as part of your monthly bill, that's why they usually start $20-$30 more than the Framily pricing.
With Framily, you are just paying monthly for the service. The handset can be bought through them and financed out over 24 months if you want, or you can bring your own device. I opted for used handsets on ebay to bring in- you can get last year's flagships for under $100 there. But the devices mentioned above (G2, S4, Moto X, etc) are mostly new handsets.

[meshugener]

Thanks all for your help!

[Achas Veachas]

Thanks all for your help!

If you need a Framily plan to join, my plan still has room for a Meshugener or 2...