Download Article
Download Article
These days, having a cell phone almost isn’t even a luxury anymore—it’s pretty much a necessity! With so many cell phone carriers and retailers, it can feel overwhelming to try to figure out the best way to buy one. To help cut through the clutter, we’ve answered some of the most common questions that people have about buying cell phones so you can make the best choice for you.
Steps
Question 7 of 9:
What cell phone carrier is the best?
-
T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T are the best major carriers. When it comes to the best plans, prices, and customer service, T-Mobile is the best overall of all of the large phone companies. Verizon and AT&T offer high-quality network speeds and great plans, but their unlimited plans can be on the pricey side and their “5G” speeds may be limited to select areas. Ultimately, the best carrier for you will be the one that satisfies your cell phone needs. [7] X Research source
- For instance, if you don’t need an unlimited plan, you may be able to get a cheaper plan at Verizon than with T-Mobile.
-
2Visible, Mint, and Metro by T-Mobile are the best discount carriers. If you aren’t looking for a pricey plan with one of the major carriers, there are a variety of alternative companies you can use. Companies like Visible and Mint may not have all of the service options of the larger companies, but you can get unlimited talk and data for a much cheaper rate. If you’re looking for the best cell phone service for the cheapest rate, Metro by T-Mobile (formerly MetroPCS) offers plans as low as $15 USD a month. [8] X Research source
- With some of the alternative companies, your loading speed can slow down if the network is heavily congested.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Search
-
QuestionWhat kind of cell phone should I get?Mobile Kangaroo is a full service repair shop and Apple Authorized Service Provider headquartered in Mountain View, CA. Mobile Kangaroo has been repairing electronic devices such as computers, phones, and tablets, for over 19 years, with locations in over 20 cities.When buying a phone, you should always think about the features that are important to you and what your budget is. Be sure to include a good phone case and screen protector in your budget.
-
QuestionHow long will the process take at the store?Community AnswerTime spent at the store depends on if you want to set up a contract or make a data plan. If the store is busy, it could take an hour or more. If you just want to purchase a phone and do a pay-as-you-go plan, it could take as little as 15 minutes.
-
QuestionWhich carrier is the best in the US?Community AnswerIt very largely depends on your location in the US. Most of the Eastern United States is well-covered, while the Midwest and West have quite a few dead zones.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Tips
- Old cell phones need to be disposed of correctly. When you buy a new phone, consider recycling your old phone! Look up a recycling company or center in your area that accepts cell phones. [11] X Research sourceThanks
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
Warnings
- Be wary of buying used cell phones from sites like eBay. They could be damaged or malfunction.Thanks
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://www.gazelle.com/thehorn/2017/02/09/never-buy-new-smartphone-cell-phone-carrier-heres/
- ↑ https://clark.com/cell-phones/unlocked-phones/
- ↑ https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones/Guides/Do-I-Need-a-New-SIM-Card-to-Switch-Carriers
- ↑ https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones/Guides/buy-phone-online-avoid-stores
- ↑ https://www.techradar.com/news/best-phone
- ↑ https://www.wired.com/story/best-cheap-phones/
- ↑ https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-phone-carrier
- ↑ https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-phone-carrier
- ↑ https://www.moneymanifesto.com/the-best-place-to-buy-your-new-cell-phone-isnt-where-you-would-think-6959/
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 202,476 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "This article helped me so much. At first it took me about 2 days to choose a good cheap phone, like the iPhone 6s, then I started to make about 6,0000 dollars, then I went on the internet to find info. Finally I went to the Apple store to buy the phone!" ..." more
Advertisement