I am currently on the Virgin Mobile $35/month plan (300 minutes, unlimited SMS & data) and my wife is on the $45/month plan (1200 minutes, unlimited SMS & data). I estimate she needs more than 500 minutes/month and is interested in buying a new phone, but the phones (aside from the iPhone which costs $550+) on VM do not currently interest her. So, we're now considering trying out a new carrier for her. I've been doing some research and thought I'd share it here...
Virgin Mobile
Plan: $45/month for 1200 minutes, unlimited SMS and data
Phones: small selection of Android phones at a reasonable price; iPhone is $550+; no ability to bring in phones from other carriers
Straight Talk
Plan: $45/month for unlimited minutes, SMS and data (note: consensus seems to be 2GB data/month)
Phones: small selection of phones; can purchase SIM card for $15 and bring any AT&T, T-Mobile or unlocked GSM phone
Red Pocket
Plan: $55/month for unlimited minutes, SMS and 1GB data
Phones: can purchase SIM card for $10 and bring any unlocked GSM phone
I also looked at Ting - the rates for one phone did not appear to beat Virgin Mobile's rates.
I also realize that coverage (VM using CDMA-based Sprint towers to Straight Talk / Red Pocket using GSM towers) may change.
Did I miss any details or competitive pre paids? Thanks in advance!
Virgin Mobile
Plan: $45/month for 1200 minutes, unlimited SMS and data
Phones: small selection of Android phones at a reasonable price; iPhone is $550+; no ability to bring in phones from other carriers
Straight Talk
Plan: $45/month for unlimited minutes, SMS and data (note: consensus seems to be 2GB data/month)
Phones: small selection of phones; can purchase SIM card for $15 and bring any AT&T, T-Mobile or unlocked GSM phone
Red Pocket
Plan: $55/month for unlimited minutes, SMS and 1GB data
Phones: can purchase SIM card for $10 and bring any unlocked GSM phone
I also looked at Ting - the rates for one phone did not appear to beat Virgin Mobile's rates.
I also realize that coverage (VM using CDMA-based Sprint towers to Straight Talk / Red Pocket using GSM towers) may change.
Did I miss any details or competitive pre paids? Thanks in advance!