The Pros and Cons of Prepaid Cell Phones: Cell phones are no longer a luxury; they’ve become virtually indispensable. Because we never know when an emergency will strike, having a cell phone on hand can provide you peace of mind by allowing you to communicate from practically anywhere at any time. However, while cell phones might help us relax, they can also come at a high cost.
If you’re fed up with astronomically high cell phone costs, try switching to a prepaid phone plan. Going prepaid can save you money, but before you make a final decision, consider the following benefits and drawbacks of a prepaid plan.
Prepaid Cell Phones Pros
One of the main advantages of being prepaid is that you can purchase a plan without having to sign a contract. This allows you to come and go as you wish without incurring early termination penalties. With this flexibility, you can easily transfer carriers if things don’t work out with your current one.
Pay-as-you-go cell phones are available. Because there is no contract, you must pay for your minutes in advance. This is a significant benefit because you simply pay for the minutes you use and there are no overage costs. These phones are not only great for you, but they’re also a good value if you’re looking for a phone for your preteen or adolescent. These phones are also ideal if you want cellular coverage but don’t use your phone frequently.
There is no credit check with a prepaid cell phone because there is no contract. A prepaid phone is a way to go if you don’t want a credit inquiry to lower your credit score or if you think bad credit will prevent you from getting a phone contract.
Prepaid cell phones have come a long way, with many major carriers now offering their own pay-as-you-go service. This is advantageous to you because you can compare plans and select the one that best suits your needs. Sprint, Boost Mobile, MetroPCS, Virgin, and others provide prepaid services.
Prepaid Cell Phones Cons
Prepaid monthly rates are often less expensive than contract rates—but only if you don’t use a lot of minutes. On the other hand, if you’re a heavy phone user, your prepaid phone’s cost-per-minute could be more than a contract plan’s cost-per-minute.
Keep in mind that your minutes on a prepaid plan will expire after 30 or 90 days, depending on the provider. To avoid overspending, only purchase what you require.
If you’re purchasing a prepaid cell phone and want the newest, most expensive phone, be prepared to spend a lot of money. When you buy a cell phone on a contract, the cell phone carrier covers the cost of the phone, lowering your out-of-pocket expense. Prepaid cell phones do not include this feature. You must pay the full retail price for your cell phone if you choose a prepaid plan.
Related: Reasons Why a Prepaid Mobile Plan is Better Than a Contract
So, what are your plans?
When deciding between a prepaid phone and entering into a contract, think about what’s most essential to you. A prepaid cell phone might be right for you if you only need a phone for emergencies and won’t text or consume a lot of minutes or data each month. If you use a lot of data and rely on your phone to connect with friends and family, though, you could be better off signing a cell phone contract. You may be able to receive better internet speeds and more minutes for your money if you sign a contract.
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