Pay as you go cellphone carriers are always touting offers and promotions on cellphone plans. In some instances, these carriers provide plans that value considerably lower than what’s provided by Verizon, AT&T and T-Cell. However it’s useful to know the way pay as you go and conventional carriers work whenever you’re trying to find one of the best worth in reasonably priced plans.
Most pay as you go cellphone operators are owned by or carefully affiliated with the three main carriers. This implies telephones that work on postpaid plans typically additionally work on pay as you go plans. As an example, T-Cell is the proprietor of Mint Cell, AT&T owns Cricket, and Seen is owned by Verizon Wi-fi. Different pay as you go cellphone carriers like Enhance Cell and Google Fi offer you entry to those self same networks together with aggressive pricing and perks. This enables for lots of flexibility whenever you join pay as you go plan, as a result of practically any unlocked cellphone could be introduced over.
Many of those pay as you go cellphone carriers promote gadgets too, and whereas their promotions aren’t essentially anyplace near a “free iPhone,” you may doubtlessly get smaller reductions off the acquisition of a tool whereas switching to a pay as you go cellphone service. In forming this record for one of the best pay as you go telephones, we took under consideration gadgets which might be obtainable straight from pay as you go carriers alongside value-filled telephones that you may purchase unlocked.
Learn extra: Greatest Pay as you go Cellphone Plans
What’s the finest pay as you go cellphone of 2024?
Like with any cellphone alternative, one of the best system goes to depend upon what you’re valuing essentially the most out of your cellphone as a communication system and as a digital camera. Nonetheless, if system value is essentially the most delicate concern alongside getting a less expensive pay as you go cellphone plan, then the $200 Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is the choice I can most suggest.
Whereas pay as you go cellphone carriers do provide even cheaper cellphone choices than the Galaxy A14, this Samsung cellphone is the lowest-cost option to get a tool that features 5G compatibility and NFC for contactless funds. Samsung can be offering the A14 with two main software program updates (the primary of which can be based mostly on Android 14) together with 5 years of safety updates, making it a safe cellphone to make use of for a number of years. That mentioned, the system is just a little sluggish in efficiency and the digital camera is not nice, but when value is the best precedence then the A14 is in any other case a fantastic entry-level possibility for a pay as you go cellphone plan.
Greatest pay as you go telephones of 2024
The $200 Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is without doubt one of the most practical telephones underneath $200 obtainable proper now. Although it is at a budget-friendly worth, this Samsung cellphone contains 5G assist for quicker knowledge and NFC for contactless funds utilizing Google Pockets. Whereas each of these options are highlights for this worth vary, Samsung can be planning to assist the Galaxy A14 with two years of software program updates and 5 years of safety updates, making it a cellphone that can be secure to make use of for a number of years.
Nonetheless it’s best to nonetheless remember that the cellphone does have tradeoffs to hit its $200 worth. It has a colorless design, a slower processor and blended images efficiency.
But regardless of its points, the options it does embody make it a simple suggestion if you’re shopping for the cellphone outright or if it is provided without cost with a service subsidy deal.
The $300 OnePlus Nord N30 5G contains quite a lot of options for the cash, however its 50W charging pace is a standout for this worth vary. The cellphone can cost from 0% to 100% in 45 minutes, and most different telephones that value $300 or much less want 90 minutes to 2 hours to do the identical factor. Its giant 6.72-inch 1080p show that runs at a 120Hz refresh charge additionally makes apps, video games, web sites and streaming video animate easily.
Nonetheless it is price calling out that the 108-megapixel foremost digital camera — regardless of being an astounding megapixel quantity on a cellphone — takes pictures which might be solely marginally higher than what I normally see from telephones on this worth vary. Which means it could actually take good, detail-filled pictures in outside settings with loads of gentle. Nonetheless pictures taken in darker settings are a battle for the N30, with indoor pictures trying washed out or blurry.
The cellphone may also solely get one software program replace to Android 14 (launched in late 2023) together with three years of safety updates — which is a mean timeline for this worth vary but nonetheless disappointingly brief.
Google’s funds cellphone took a leap ahead in 2023 with the $499 Pixel 7A, which affords most of the similar advantages because the Pixel 7 however at a less expensive worth. Just like the Pixel 7, the Pixel 7A runs on Google’s Tensor G2 processor, which means it has most of the similar photograph modifying and language translation options as its pricier sibling. The Pixel 7A’s 64-megapixel digital camera additionally takes glorious pictures that rival the Pixel 7’s in high quality.
An particularly good perk in regards to the Pixel 7A is its software program replace timeline: It would get three years of software program updates (the primary of which is Android 14 launched in late 2023) and 5 years of safety updates. On high of that, the 7A can be among the many first Android gadgets to get these software program updates, with Google in a position to push them on to its Pixel telephones alongside Characteristic Drops that add options all year long.
Samsung revived its FE line of gadgets this yr with the $600 Samsung Galaxy S23 FE. The brand new cellphone largely takes one of the best specs of the Samsung Galaxy S22, together with a quick (albeit two-year-old) Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor alongside a 50-megapixel foremost digital camera, and locations it inside a colourful aluminum physique that highlights a 6.4-inch 1080p show.
It ends in a cellphone that gives an entry-level worth for a tool that options Samsung’s higher-end options, which embody the desktop-optimized DeX mode and reverse wi-fi charging.
Whereas researching my assessment of the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, I discovered it gives a pleasant step up from Samsung’s A-series of telephones with its energy and images. Nonetheless, similar to with the Galaxy S22, I did discover that the Galaxy S23 FE’s battery life is shorter than I would favor throughout my testing, however its 25W wired charging will help for a fast noon cost when wanted.
Apple’s $599 iPhone 13 is at the moment essentially the most up-to-date but reasonably priced possibility the corporate affords in its cellphone lineup, which features a bigger 6.1-inch display with Face ID, 128GB of storage and all the options included in iOS 17. Whereas you may get a new iPhone SE at $429 that features the identical processor because the iPhone 13 with many equal options, it does so within a dated design that features a smaller 4.7-inch display and a relatively small 64GB of cupboard space.
Whereas I would wish to see Apple convey again a $499 iPhone possibility — maybe by reviving the iPhone Mini design — for now Apple’s $599 iPhone 13 is without doubt one of the lower-priced methods to purchase a larger-screen iPhone in new situation and get entry to Apple’s companies like iMessage.
Whereas pay as you go cellphone carriers promote all kinds of telephones — together with many flagship telephones from yesteryear — for our greatest pay as you go telephones record, I’ve targeted the picks on telephones which might be at the moment obtainable unlocked from a cellphone maker along with telephones you should purchase straight from a service. That is partly due to software program and safety updates — every of those picks will obtain no less than one main software program replace and no less than three years of safety updates, which lengthen the lifespan of those telephones.
It is an essential distinction, as a result of although you should purchase a tool just like the Samsung Galaxy A03S from Mint Cell for $126, that system is not receiving safety updates. This implies the cellphone is not as secure to make use of as a lower-cost system that’s nonetheless receiving lively vulnerability safety from its cellphone maker.
Consequently most picks on this record are telephones which have been launched inside 2023-24, apart from Apple’s iPhone 13. It is because Apple’s telephones traditionally obtain a few years of software program and safety assist — as an example whereas Apple just lately sundown main iOS software program updates to 2017’s iPhone X and iPhone 8, each gadgets are nonetheless receiving safety updates. This enables us to be fairly assured that Apple can be offering many extra years of software program and safety updates to the iPhone 13, even because the system enters its third yr in the marketplace.
Discovering the proper worth is essential: A profit to getting a pay as you go cellphone plan over postpaid is that by shopping for your service upfront, you will not in any other case be caught on a contract nor do it is advisable get a credit score test so as to join a cellphone plan. Nonetheless, it does imply that you’re unlikely to obtain a deep low cost off of your subsequent system whenever you aren’t bringing over an present one, since many cellphone carriers provide hefty system subsidy incentives when signing up with a brand new postpaid plan or renewing an present one. Because of this system value goes to be an important concern when shopping for a cellphone to make use of on a pay as you go plan, since you may very well be footing the whole invoice.
Goal your most essential wants: You may need to resolve whether or not you want a less expensive system that covers your entire important features or if you’re OK with springing for a dearer system with extra capabilities.
Bear in mind to buy round: Whereas many US cellphone purchases are made by a cellphone service, most pay as you go cellphone plans embody a bring-your-own-device possibility. This implies you do not have to purchase your handset from a pay as you go cellphone service to enroll with them, which is useful when you have one already or particularly when you discover a deal at one other retailer for a similar system. After buy, you’ll as an alternative join a plan together with your pay as you go service and observe their instructions for establishing your system with their service.
Be sure you purchase a appropriate system: Although you do not have to purchase your cellphone from a pay as you go service, you do want to ensure the cellphone you buy is appropriate with it. As an example, if you’re shopping for a cellphone to make use of on Mint Cell, you will need to ensure that it is a system that is appropriate with T-Cell’s community. Similar with Cricket, working on AT&T. Similar with Seen, working on Verizon. Most pay as you go carriers will let you know what networks their service runs on, and that may assist you match up what system you want from there.
Each cellphone on this record has been totally examined by CNET’s professional evaluations workforce. We use the cellphone, take a look at the options, play video games and take pictures. We assess any advertising guarantees that an organization makes about its telephones. And if we discover one thing we do not like, be it battery life or construct high quality, we let you know about it.
We study each facet of a cellphone throughout testing:
- Show
- Design and really feel
- Processor efficiency
- Battery life
- Digicam high quality
- Options
We take a look at all of the cellphone’s cameras (each back and front) in quite a lot of circumstances: from open air underneath daylight to dimmer indoor locales and nighttime scenes (for any obtainable night time modes). We additionally evaluate our findings towards equally priced fashions. We’ve got a collection of actual world battery checks to see how lengthy a cellphone lasts underneath on a regular basis use.
We take note of further cellphone options like 5G, fingerprint and face readers, styluses, quick charging, foldable shows and different helpful extras. We weigh all our experiences and testing towards the worth so you understand whether or not a cellphone represents good worth.
Learn extra: How we take a look at telephones
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G specs vs. OnePlus Nord N30 5G, Google Pixel 7A, Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, Apple iPhone 13
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| Samsung Galaxy A14 5G | OnePlus Nord N30 5G | Google Pixel 7A | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE | Apple iPhone 13 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Show measurement, decision | 6.6-inch FHD+ LCD show, (1,400 x 1,080 pixels), 90Hz | 6.72-inch FHD (1080p decision); 120Hz refresh charge | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,400×1,080 pixels; 60/90Hz | 6.4-inch AMOLED show; 2,340 x 1,080 pixels; adaptive 120Hz refresh charge (60-120Hz) | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,532×1,170 pixels |
| Pixel density | 268 ppi | 391 ppi | 361 ppi | 466 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 6.6 x 3.07 x 0.36 in. | 6.51 x 2.99 x 0.32 in. | 6.00 x 2.87 x 0.35 in. | 6.22 x 3.01 x 0.32 in. | 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.3 in. |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | 167.6 x 77.9 x 9.1mm | 165.5 x 76 x 8.3mm | 73 x 152 x 9.0mm | 157.9 x 76.4 x 8.1mm | 147 x 72 x 7.65mm |
| Weight (ounces, grams) | 203g (7.19 oz.) | 195g (6.97 oz.) | 193g (6.81 oz.) | 209g (7.4 oz.) | 6.14 oz.; 174g |
| Cell software program | Android 13 | Android 13 | Android 13 | Android 13 | iOS 15 |
| Digicam | 50-megapixel (foremost), 2-megapixel (macro), 2-megapixel (depth) | 108-megapixel foremost, 2-megapixel macro, 2-megapixel depth sensing | 64-megapixel (foremost), 13-megapixel (ultrawide) | 50-megapixel (vast), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 8-megapixel (telephoto) | 12-megapixel (vast), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) |
| Entrance-facing digital camera | 13-megapixel | 16-megapixel | 13-megapixel, 4K @ 30fps | 10-megapixel | 12-megapixel |
| Video seize | 1080p at 30fps | 1080p at 30fps | 4K at 30/60fps | 8K at 24fps, 4K at 60fps | HDR video recording with Dolby Imaginative and prescient as much as 4K at 60 fps |
| Processor | MediaTek MT6833V | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 | Tensor G2 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Apple A15 Bionic |
| RAM/Storage | 4GB + 64GB | 8GB + 128GB | 8GB + 128GB | 8GB + 128GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Expandable storage | Sure | Sure | None | No | No |
| Battery/Charger | 5,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh (50W wired charging) | 4,385 mAh (18W quick charging 7.5W wi-fi charging) | 4,500 mAh (25W wired charging) | Battery capability not disclosed (20W wired charging, 15W MagSafe wi-fi charging) |
| Fingerprint sensor | Facet | Facet | In-display | In-display | No (Face ID) |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | Lightning |
| Headphone jack | Sure | Sure | None | No | No |
| Particular options | 5G-enabled, NFC, 15W charging | 50W SuperVooc quick charging, 108-megapixel foremost digital camera, recreation mode, twin stereo audio system | 5G (5G sub6 / mmWave), IP67 score, 18W quick charging, 7.5W wi-fi charging | Wi-fi PowerShare, Quick Wi-fi Charging 2.0, Samsung Knox with Samsung Knox Vault, IP68 water resistance | 5G enabled; MagSafe; water-proof (IP68); wi-fi charging; dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM) |
| Worth off-contract (USD) | $200 | $250 | $374, $549 (mmW) | $550 | $599 (128GB), $699 (256GB), $899 (512GB) |
| Worth (GBP) | £179 | Converts to £199 | £298 | £438 | £599 (128GB), £699 (256GB), £899 (512GB) |
| Worth (AUD) | AU$379 | Converts to AU$385 | AU$576 | AU$847 | AU$1,099 (128GB), AU$1,299 (256GB), AU$1,649 (512GB) |
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