Straight Talk – Prepaid Reviews Blog

When it comes to Straight Talk Phone plans, the ability to be free from a a long-term contract is especially appealing. But in doing so, one wants to make sure they are able to use their favorite phones, as well as get sufficient coverage with their Straight Talk plans.

There are a number of different Straight Talk plans that use Verizon Wireless and the phone towers that come with such things. So whether you want to have unlimited data and minutes on your iPhone, or your LG Optimus, there are options with Straight Talk phones that use Verizon.

One of the most well known smart phones on today’s market is the iPhone. You’re in luck if you want to have a Straight Talk plan through Verizon and want to use all the wonderful capabilities of the iPhone.

No matter what model, the Apple iPhone is available through Straight Talk. If the iPhone doesn’t quite impress your fancy, then try a Samsung Galaxy or a Samsung Platinum Illusion. Both of these smartphones are available through Straight Talk, and use Verizon towers.

Any phone that refuses to work properly will cause headaches, and you want options in picking out a phone. Thankfully, if you are looking for a Straight Talk plan that uses Verizon coverage, there are a few more options for you than the ones listed above. A long list of such plans that use the Verizon towers are as follows:

-LG 100 C
-LG 220 C
-LG 231 C
-LG 221 C
-LG 290 C
-LG 511 C
-Motorola 385 C
-Samsung 335 C
-Samsung 355 C
-Samsung 451 C
-Samsung 380 C-
-Samsung Galaxy Proclaim S720C- Android
-Huawei Ascend Y H866C- Android
-Samsung Galaxy Showcase- Android
-Unimax U670C- Android
-LG Optimus ZIP- Android
-LG L38 C- Android

As you can see, whether you desire a smart phone or one of a more basic functioning level, you’ll have options in choosing which Straight Talk plan through Verizon is right for you.

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Numerous no contract cellular phone plans have started to become more prevalent these days. Many of the big carriers are beginning to offer up their own versions of no contract plans. Straight Talk BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) has been around for a couple of years now. Straight Talk started a plan in which customers could not only dump their big carriers, but they could take their phone and number with them.

The program is forthright in the service offered. There is a 3-Step process for getting started. The first step is to find out if your present phone is compatible by checking on your IMEI, MEID, or ESN number. Once it is determined whether or not you have a GSM or CDMA phone you be directed to either buy a SIM card for $6.99 for your unlocked GSM phone or purchase a CDMA network access code for $14.99.

Simply put if you have an unlocked GSM phone that runs on the AT&T or T-Mobile network you should be able to purchase a new SIM card when switching your service. Verizon and Sprint have CDMA phones you will need to purchase a network access code. Straight talk warns you up front that the CDMA access code is compatible with iPhone 4 and 4s only implying that the new iPhone 5 models will not work. If you have a Blackberry forget it unless you are ready to jettison that phone for a Straight Talk phone.

Straight Talk has a simple $45 unlimited 30 day plan. This includes unlimited talk and text and data. However, there is a limitation of 2.5 GB on the data before speed throttling is activated. Data is restored to full speed on the next 30-day cycle.

You will need to create an online account to keep your phone “refilled” on a monthly basis. If you don’t pay for the next 30-day cycle at the end of the current cycle you will experience a service disruption. Straight Talk does allow you to register a debit or credit card on your account to keep your phone service paid automatically an you may cancel anytime without penalties or fees.

Although there are few minor hoops to jump through for keeping your phone the activation and SIM card fees are low compared to signing on with a big carrier for two-year stretches. The $45 a month plan is competitive and reasonable making this Strait Talk plan worth considering.

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When you decide to purchase a Verizon Straight Talk phone, you are no longer going to have to deal with length contracts that keep you roped in for a number of years with severe penalties for breaking the contract. Now you can pay as you go and use your phone just like you would any other mobile device. In addition to getting a much cheaper monthly plan, you get to share all the options that many contracted users enjoy. Here are just a few of the options you can enjoy with your Verizon Straight Talk phone.

The most obvious options that you can to enjoy with your new Verizon Straight Talk phone is that you will no longer be subjected to lengthy contracts, monthly bills, or any activation fees. There are no credit checks when you purchase the phone and there are no age requirements either. Without any of those restrictions you can enjoy your new phone as soon as you get it home and activate it.

One option you will definitely enjoy is the ability to use one of the nations top coverage plans. You will be on the sane nation coverage as the users who are stuck with length service contracts. You will never have to worry about any roaming charges because your phone will get a signal all over the country.

Your new Verizon Straight Talk phone will allow you to make international calls. This service is not offered in many pay as you go phones, but with your phone you have the ability to make those calls if needed. You can also access the website and purchase additional ringtones that you can download to your phone instantly.

You can easily purchase additional minutes at any Walmart store. The store has a large variety of service plans that are perfect for all your phone needs. There are plans available that make it even easier for you to keep your phone active. The auto plans will automatically top up your phone at the end of each month if you like, saving you trips to the store to refill your card.

Your phone comes with all the features you would expect in a mobile device. In addition to making calls, texting, and accessing the internet, your phone options include voice mail, called ID, call waiting, and BlueTooth capabilities. Your new Verizon Straight Talk phone is the perfect fit for the person who does not want to be locked into contracts any longer.

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Straight Talk Wireless is becoming a more popular wireless network everyday, the company has already taken the title of America’s largest non-contract phone service provider. The company offers quite a few service plans to fit many needs, but what is making them so popular is the fact that Straight Talk offers great service plans at affordable prices, all without the hassle of a binding service contract.

Straight Talk currently has three prepaid wireless phone service plans available to help you get the best out of your mobile phone at a price you can afford! The most affordable of the three package is the $30.00 Straight Talk “All You Need” Plan, this plan includes 1,000 anytime minutes, 1,000 text or multimedia messages, 30 MB of mobile web usage for data enabled phones, that you can use for 30 days after the service is purchased and applied to the wireless account. The next plan is a little more expensive, but it’s a better bargain for what the plan includes. This plan is the $45.00 Straight Talk Unlimited Monthly Service Plan, the plan provides users with 30 service days of unlimited nationwide minutes, unlimited text and multimedia messaging, and unlimited mobile web access. The last mobile service plan is the $60.00 Straight Talk International Calling Plan, this plan also provides the user with 30 days of service, and that service includes international calling to over 1,000 locations, unlimited mobile web access, email, and unlimited text and multimedia messaging. Another benefit that all three services share are free calls to 411 Directory Assistance.

Straight Talk has a Prepaid Home Phone Service plan available to consumers, as well. There are two service plans that are currently being offered, the Unlimited Nationwide Minutes for $15.00 monthly or the Unlimited Nationwide and International Minutes for $30.00 monthly.

The last service that Straight Talk offers is a prepaid Wi-Fi Hotspot plan. There are a total of five different service plans available to choose from that vary in cost, service days, and internet usage limits. The 1 GB mobile hotspot package includes 30 days to use 1 GB of data for $15.00, the 2 GB package gives you 30 days to use 2 GB of data for $25.00, then for 60 service days there is a 4 GB package available for $40.00, a 5 GB package available for $50.00, and 7 GB package available for $75.00.

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It often seems like the smarter phones become, the smarter one has to be to use them. There’s a million different abbreviations, technical terms and various other complications involved with simply using a phone these days. One of the biggest disadvantages to this situation is that great deals often go unnoticed because of complicated descriptions. One of the best examples of this is Straight Talk prepaid plan APN settings for Android. It’s a complex name for something that’s both immensely beneficial and actually quite simple to use.

To understand what Straight Talk does, one first has to look at how most phones are set up. Smartphones use a SIM chip to communicate with a phone company. The chip contains the information needed to identify a person, and the service plan they’re using. This, in turn, is separated into two different identifiers. The SIM sends out information on normal cell service, and information related to the phone’s data plan.

The data plan information comes in the form of something known as APN, or access point names. This is also the basic point where the settings come in when using Straight Talk. In general, this is set in the SIM card. So changing the settings to a different phone carrier usually means changing the SIM card itself. As such, Straight Talk typically uses a replacement SIM card in order to use the new settings on a phone. With the new SIM card comes new APN settings which let it take advantage of the Straight Talk program.

That’s the technical side of things. But what does switching to Straight Talk actually mean for the end user? Basically it offers people the ability to get away from the traditional structure of phone service plans. Most phone companies have gone through a fairly slow evolution to where they are now. There’s a lot of needless bundling, hassle and lack of understanding of how important data plans are to the modern smart phone. Worse, they typically force people to stick to the same plan for extended periods of time.

Straight Talk frees people to pay on a monthly basis for the service they want. Even better, that service comes on an as needed basis. With most phone companies, the user is locked into a specific service. Straight Talk allows people to pay as they go for the service they require at that particular point in their life. If someone’s going to travel, they can step up to an international plan.

After a traveler is back home, he or she can switch back to what they were using before. If someone isn’t going to use the Internet much, they can save money by using one with a data cap. If that person needs unlimited Internet for a while, it’s a simple process to just switch over to it. It’s a way to use one’s phone in the exact way one wants.

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Straight Talk Wireless is a small wireless provider that leases out service form the large companies, including AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile, in order to provide less expensive mobile service for individuals who are looking for another mobile option.

Due to this, when individuals want to use the Straight Talk service, they simply need to bring their current phone and they are able to use their current network as well.

Of course, the actual coverage map for Straight Talk is going to vary, depending on what the current service provider already offers. Due to this though, it is necessary to know what locations the major carriers provide service to and how it affects those who are considering Straight Talk Wireless.

AT&T

AT&T has a total of over 824,000 cell towers with a combined825 cellular networks. This provides a total of almost 5.2 billion signal readings and 1.2 billion Wi-Fi hot spots.

With this in mind, wireless towers provide exceptional service throughout the midwest, northeast and southeast. Once an individual moves past Texas though, the coverage becomes a bit spotty. The majority of California is under coverage, as is central Colorado and most of the western coast of Oregon and Washington. However, there is a large region, spreading from Idaho and Montana down to Nevada and Nebraska that simply do not receive that much service.

This is more because of the small populations in the area, but this is still something to keep in mind for individuals who are looking to use the AT&T service.

Verizon
Verizon has some more coverage throughout the aforementioned dead zones that AT&T doesn’t have. There is more coverage throughout the middle states in the U.S., not to mention more coverage throughout Montana and the Dakotas (although there is still a good share of open, uncovered regions).

However, one thing to consider is that Verizon does struggle when providing service to Alaska and Puerto Rico, two regions that AT&T is one of the few service providers that does facility the region.

T-Mobile
T-Mobile is the third largest service provider in the United States. There is also a massive drop off in coverage here. The majority of Montana through the Dakotas and Nebraska has no coverage, and even most of Oregon and Wyoming does not have any coverage as well.

Sprint
Sprint has a bit more total coverage than T-Mobile, although it comes in hits and misses throughout the middle area of the United States.

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Yesterday, Apple finally pulled back the curtain to reveal the next generation of iPhone: the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus. These flashy new devices have caught the attention of both Apple lovers and phone enthusiasts across the internet, especially with their affordable on-contract price. For the prepaid market, the unlocked no-contract cost can be a little harder to swallow, but never fear–our trusty companies are sure to be offering deals in the coming months so you can get your hands on one of those fancy phones soon.

So, in preparation for the celebration of this exciting new phone, we’ve rounded up some of the best money-saving iPhone 6 prepaid plans for each main carrier network. You’ll want as much data as you can get for the lowest price, and of course, unlimited talk and text is a must so you can tell everyone all about your snazzy new phone.

Best AT&T Network: Cricket Wireless

If you’re an AT&T coverage fan, then Cricket Wireless is probably one of the best operators to go with. Owned by AT&T, Cricket has some of the best coverage and also has some pretty sweet deals. Here are their best deals:

$40 – 500 MB* high speed, unlimited lower speeds
$50 – 2.5 GB* high speed, unlimited lower speeds
$60 – 5 GB* high speed, unlimited lower speeds

If you sign up for Auto Pay, you can get $5 off of all three of those deals, which makes them pretty nice, depending on how much data you use.

*The data allotments are actually lower than Cricket’s current limited-time double-data deal.

Best Sprint Network: Boost Mobile

Sprint fans should probably consider Boost Mobile for an unlimited no-contract monthly plan. Their prices are pretty much the same as AT&T, but with a different coverage map. Here are their unlimited options:

$40 – 500 MB high speed, unlimited lower speeds
$50 – 2.5 GB high speed, unlimited lower speeds
$60 – 5 GB high speed, unlimited lower speeds

Boost Mobile also has a buyback program where you can sell them your used phone or recycle an unusable old phone. The money is put on your account in the form of a credit and, depending on what phone you have, you could make a little bit of money. But don’t expect a ton back, as it is a used phone.

Best T-Mobile Network: MetroPCS + T-Mobile Prepaid

For the best T-Mobile network plan, it would have to be a tie between MetroPCs and T-Mobile prepaid, although they are both run by the same company. While MetroPCS has better prices for the most part, T-Mobile has a much cheaper introductory price for new customers ($45 for unlimited talk, text and 2 GB data) and allows for roaming. Aside from that one plan, however, MetroPCS has better prices. Here they are compared:

T-Mobile Prepaid:

$45 – 2 GB high speed, unlimited lower speeds, for new customers only; limited time deal
$50 – 1 GB high speed, unlimited lower speeds
$60 – 3 GB high speed, unlimited lower speeds
$70 – 5 GB high speed, unlimited lower speeds
$80 – Unlimited high speed

MetroPCS:

$40 – 1 GB high speed, unlimited lower speeds
$50 – 3 GB high speed, unlimited lower speeds
$60 – Unlimited high speed

It would all boil down to how much data you need and how good T-Mobile’s usually spotty coverage is in your area. I don’t believe that MetroPCS gets to roam on any other network, while T-Mobile’s Prepaid, I believe, can on select networks.

Best Verizon Network: Page Plus Cellular

The choices for Verizon’s network are not quite as good as the other carriers, but the best for a monthly unlimited plan is probably Page Plus Cellular. Here’s an overview:

$40 – 1 GB high speed, unlimited lower speeds
$55 – 3 GB high speed, unlimited lower speeds
$70 – 5 GB high speed, unlimited lower speeds

Honorable Mention: Straight Talk

Straight Talk uses all four carriers, so be sure you know what you’re signing up for coverage-wise. However, they do have an unlimited monthly plan that expires every 30 days and includes unlimited talk, text and 3GB high speed data, with unlimited lower speeds for $45. However, I don’t believe it automatically renews, so you’d have to remember to refill it. however, that would be an excellent option as well.

So, what prepaid plan are you going to use with your new iPhone 6?

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Last week, I posted an article comparing all of the Verizon MVNO coverage maps. Several of them were a little surprising, so I thought that I would go through all of the other Tier 1 carriers and compare maps of their MVNOs to see how they stacked up. While most MVNOs share the prepaid network of their primary carrier, some of them skimp on coverage to cut costs, and very few of them offer roaming in areas with no Tier 1 carrier network coverage.

Today, we have a compilation of the AT&T MVNO maps. Most of them shared coverage with GoPhone, but did not offer roaming (represented by the lighter yellow areas). However, the maps were far more similar than the Verizon MVNO maps we saw last week.

So, without any more ado, here are the AT&T MVNO maps:

Once again, MVNOs not listed here share maps with the AT&T Prepaid/GoPhone map above (it’s the second orange map). For a full list of the main MVNOS, click here. All of these service maps were pulled right off of the website for the parent company earlier this week, so they should be fairly accurate.

Reviews for most of these companies can be found on our site, with more reviews to come in the next couple of months.

Were you surprised by any of the maps? Let me know in the comments!

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The post AT&T MVNO Coverage Maps Compared appeared first on Prepaid Reviews Blog.

Alcatel Onetouch has announced the launch of three new smartphones which will be available exclusively through Tracfone and StraightTalk. The Alcatel Onetouch Pop Star LTE, Onetouch Pop Icon and the Onetouch Pop Mega LTE will be available sometime in the next couple of weeks.

The Alcatel Onetouch Pop Star LTE and the Onetouch Pop Icon look like pretty standard Alcatel phones with low to mid-grade hardware, average screen sizes (4 inch and 5 inch respectively) and an affordable $150 price tag. Unlike many phones at this price range, the Pop Star LTE offers 4G capability. Other than that, however, both phones look like pretty standard devices with par or slightly sub-par specs.

However, the phone that really caught my attention is the Onetouch Pop Mega LTE. Marketing for $250, this phone comes with a bluetooth add-on device called a ‘buddy’ which basically looks like a mini old-school candybar Nokia phone. The Pop Mega LTE buddy can be used to answer and make calls, leaving the 6 inch phablet in your bag or purse. According to reports, the buddy is expected to have a two day battery live and is pretty lightweight and small, as all it does is connect to your phone and make and answer calls.

This still from Lilliputing’s hands-on video shows the bluetooth Buddy
that comes with the Onetouch Pop Mega LTE

The Pop Mega LTE is expected to market for $250 and has some features mid-range specs, a decent camera and good storage options. While the idea of the ‘buddy’ is rather ingenious, I’m not sure how well it’s going to work. The idea of not having to hold a tablet up to my face to answer calls is rather appealing, though, so here’s to hoping it takes off.

What do you think? Do you like the idea of a ‘buddy’ for a phablet-sized phone?

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The post Alcatel Launches Exclusive Phones appeared first on Prepaid Reviews Blog.

Straight Talk announced yesterday that they now offer the coveted iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus for their no contract service. These phones are Apple’s current bestselling iPhone and features Apple 8.1 OS, an upgraded Siri and Apple Pay, along with several other services. The devices were first released a few weeks ago and can be purchased through Straight Talk, Walmart or directly from Apple for activation on Straight Talk’s network.

The iPhone 6 16GB will be available for $649 in stores and online, and the iPhone 6 Plus will be available for $749 online only. Both phones will be available in space gray, silver and gold in most locations. Customers who wish to finance their phone through a Walmart Credit Card program may qualify for 24 month no interest financing, depending on credit eligibility–however, applying for that will require a credit check. Purchasing the phone and activating via Straight Talk will not require any kind of credit check.

Straight Talk has a variety of plan options, their most popular is the $45 unlimited one month plan, which includes unlimited everything–talk, text, low speed data, 411, etc–with 3 GB of high speed data included. For more information on plans and pricing, visit their website or read our review.

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The post Straight Talk to Carry iPhone 6, 6 Plus appeared first on Prepaid Reviews Blog.

Straight Talk Wireless, one of the larger MVNOs in the country, has released their first Verizon LTE phone, the ZTE Rapido, at select Walmart stores nationwide. The phone is on sale for around $180 and looks like it should be a pretty standard entry level phone, albeit one with LTE compatibility.

Here are some of the specs for the phone:

Android KitKat 4.1
4.5 inch display, 720x1280p
Gorilla Glass
1.2 GHz dual-core processor
1 GB RAM
8 GB memory
microSD card slot
8 MP back camera
1 MP front camera
Bluetooth
7.5 hour talk time, 9 day idle time

Prior to this release, the only Verizon MVNO that was able to use Verizon’s LTE was Page Plus. It is unclear whether Verizon is going to release their LTE bands to additional MVNOs outside of Page Plus and Straight Talk (which are both owned by the same company), but it’s likely that other companies like Net10 will also carry this phone with Verizon LTE soon.

With Page Plus, users have reported throttling on LTE bands. It is unclear whether Straight Talk customers can expect to be throttled as well, but with Verizon’s control-freak streak and need to offer postpaid customers better speeds to justify prices, it is highly likely. However, that is pure speculation. When we get more solid information, we’ll be sure to update you!

Reports of this phone came first from Prepaid Phone News and then from photos posted on HowardForums. There isn’t really any information about the phone on Straight Talk’s website, other than to list it as compatible with hearing aids. Walmart’s website likewise does not have any information so this is likely just a soft rollout for now with more details to come.

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The post Straight Talk’s First Verizon LTE Phone Released appeared first on Prepaid Reviews Blog.

According to a scoop by Prepaid Phone News, Straight Talk debuted two new prepaid mobile broadband devices last week, both of which are available at select Walmart stores. One of the devices uses Verizon’s network while the other uses AT&T. Both devices are around $100 and have similar specs.

The devices don’t appear to be available on Straight Talk’s website (at least not for my area), but at least one of them is available via Walmart.com. I haven’t seen any reports about whether or not Verizon LTE speeds will be throttled, but it is likely as Page Plus’ LTE speeds have been confirmed to be throttled to 3.5 Mbps down and 1 Mbps up.

Straight Talk currently offers several broadband plans:

$15 – 1 GB data, expires in 30 days
$25 – 2 GB data, expires in 30 days
$40 – 4 GB data, expires in 60 days
$50 – 5 GB data, expires in 60 days
$75 – 7 GB data, expires in 60 days

None of the broadband plans require a contract, and all of them offer an auto-refill option to save consumers the trouble of reloading. To use these plans, you must purchase a broadband hotspot device separately. Aside from the two newest additions, Straight Talk has one other broadband device available for sale, but it can only access 3G speeds.

If you’ve seen one of the new devices in Walmart, or have used one, let us know what you think in the comments!

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Straight Talk uses the networks of all four of the major carriers, and is one of the most popular MVNO companies. However, that being said, one of the most common problems with Straight Talk (aside from their customer service) is getting APN settings right for BYOD phones. If you’re having trouble with getting your internet or SMS messages to work and recently switched to Straight Talk, then you probably need to change your APN settings.

What are APN settings?

APN, or Access Point Name settings are important for accessing data and SMS over a wireless network. These settings not only tell your phone what routes to take to get the internet, but also allow your phone to communicate with the network. If these settings are wrong, then users will often be unable to receive SMS or access the internet. Voice calls are frequently not effected, however.

Keep in mind that there are many different factors, and APN settings aren’t always the cause of not being able to connect properly. Additionally, not all phones are going to be 100% compatible with Straight Talk’s network, as it might not be able to access all of the necessary bandwidths. If resetting the APN settings doesn’t work, then you might need to call Straight Talk for more help.

How do I change the APN settings?

If you purchased a phone from Straight Talk, then you shouldn’t have many problems. Your phone should have come with a red activation card that will have all of the information that you need to set up the phone properly. Alternatively, you can get help from Straight Talk by putting in your phone information on this page.

If you’re bringing your own phone to Straight Talk, then you might need to manually put in your own APN settings. Every phone is a little different, so it’s hard to give a universal direction for where to access the APN settings. However, APN settings are always accessed from the settings menu so start there and look for something that has to do with internet, connectivity or network settings. Some phones will have APN settings under “More Networks,” “Mobile Data,” “Tethering and Networks,” or any other number of locations. Once you’ve found it, look for “APN Settings” or “Access Point Names” and tap or select “New APN” to enter your own settings.

The official information from Straight Talk’s website will tell you to delete your old APN settings, but unless your phone doesn’t allow for more than one set of APN settings or you’re really comfortable with technology, you don’t actually need to delete the old APN. Just make sure that the new Straight Talk APN is labeled as such so you know what it is, and that it is set as the default.

Straight Talk AT&T APN

If your phone runs on the AT&T network, then you’ll need to create new APN settings with the following information:

Name: straight talk
APN: tfdata
Proxy: Not Set
Port: Not Set
Username: Not Set
Password: Not Set
Server: Not Set
MMSC: http://mms-tf.net
MMS proxy: mms3.tracfone.com
MMS Port: 80

Save the APN settings, and restart your phone. You should be able to access the internet. If you’re still having issues, then I would restart the phone a second time and then contact Straight Talk customer service.

Straight Talk T-Mobile APN

If your phone uses T-Mobile’s network, then you will need to enter the following information in a new APN setting slot:

Name: straight talk
APN: wap.tracfone
Proxy: (Leave blank)
Port: 8080
Username: Not Set
Password: Not Set
Server: Not Set
MMSC: http://mms.tracfone.com
MMS Proxy: (Leave blank)
MMS Port: (Leave blank)

Save the settings, and restart your phone and that should fix the problem! If the issue is still not solved, then restart the phone a second time and contact Straight Talk customer service. The phone might not be compatible, or might require some other fix.

What if I’m on a CDMA Network?

I don’t have a CDMA phone to double check but from what I understand, Sprint and Verizon do not have the option to manually set APN settings. You will, instead, have to enter a code on your phone to program it for Straight Talk, and the phone will need to be unlocked as well.

If you’re having trouble with internet, SMS or MMS with a CDMA phone on Straight Talk, then the best thing you can do is make sure your phone is unlocked by contacting the carrier you got the phone from, and then call Straight Talk and get them to help you reprogram the phone. Their customer service number is 1-877-430-2355. When you call them, be sure you have your Straight Talk serial number/MEID and the actual cell phone number on hand.

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The first Saturday after Thanksgiving is, in my opinion, one of the better days to do holiday shopping. All of the Black Friday insanity is past, but there are still some lingering Black Friday deals, and upcoming Cyber Monday deals. It’s the twilight of holiday savings, when you can get some pretty sweet savings without as much trouble.

If you are a Straight Talk fan, then you are in luck because they have some pretty nice holiday deals going on right now for both Black Friday weekend shoppers as well as Cyber Monday online shoppers. Some of these phones are not discounted by very much, but a few, such as the LG Optimus Logic, are nearly half off.

Check it out:

Samsung Galaxy SIII – $279.99 or $99.99 (refurbished) (reg. $339.99)
LG Optimus Q – $9.99 (reg. $49.99)
Samsung T528G – Free (with plan activation)
ZTE Midnight – Free (with plan activation)
Samsung S380C – $9.99 (reg. $39.99)
Huawei W1 – $149.99 (reg. $199.99)
Samsung Galaxy Centura – $59.99 (reg. $99.99)
Samsung Galaxy Discover – $49.99 (reg. $99.99)
Huawei Ascent plus – $59.99 (reg. $129.99)
LG Optimus Logic – $29.99 (reg. $59.99)
ZTE Savvy – $34.99 (reg. $49.99)
ZTE Majesty – $59.99 (reg. $179.99)
LG Optimus Dynamic II – $79.99 (reg. $99.99)
Samsung Galaxy Ace Style – $129.99 (reg. $149.99)
Huawei Ascend Y – $19.99 (reg. $49.99)

phones all have free overnight shipping on all orders more than $29.99, plus a 30 day return policy, so if your giftee wants a different color or style, no problem! I’m not the biggest Straight Talk fan myself, but their network is pretty good and some of those deals are definitely worth the time.

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Samsung Galaxy phones are among the most sought-after Android devices on the market. They are all-around nice phones with some pretty nifty features and great hardware. While last year’s flagship phone, the Samsung Galaxy S4 has been eclipsed by this year’s larger S5 model, the S4 still is an excellent phone that normally fetches a pretty decent price.

Now, this week only, Walmart is offering a deal where customers can purchase a brand new Galaxy S4 for $249–nearly half off the normal price. I’m not 100% sure if the device is locked or not, although the device will be sold with Straight Talk plans. Reports indicate that the device might be working on either T-Mobile’s network or, more likely AT&T’s network. I haven’t had a chance to get to Walmart to check the packaging myself, but the device should have a little A or T to indicate which carrier it uses (as Straight Talk supports all four).

Regardless, this little beauty is an excellent buy and features a 5 inch touchscreen, microSD slot, removable battery, 13 MP camera, GPS and a pretty decent battery life expectancy. Unfortunately, I don’t believe that this model is compatible with LTE speeds. It ships with Android 4.3 and should upgrade to 4.4 when you first boot it up. Rumor has it that Lollipop should be coming to the Galaxy line soon, but I haven’t confirmed that yet.

The phone is only compatible with Straight Talk’s smartphone monthly unlimited plans, which cost $45 or $60, depending on how much data you need. Both plans come with unlimited talk and text, much like the sort of plans you’d see on postpaid contracts.

To check it out, click here. Also check our in depth review for Straight Talk or visit Straight Talk’s website for more information.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

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If you’re a Verizon fan and you want a cheaper phone bill, then your options are extremely limited. Not only does Verizon have the fewest MVNOs out of all four of the Tier 1 carriers, but they also don’t really allow a majority of them to access their LTE network. Now, in addition to Page Plus, Straight Talk has been added to the lucky few who can use Verizon’s super fast LTE network.

I read about this announcement on Android Headlines, and I have to say that I’m surprised it took this long. Not only has Page Plus (who is owned by the same company) had this ability for a little while already, but Straight Talk has had LTE CDMA hotspots for a couple months.

Because Straight Talk is using Verizon’s network, there are restrictions to the BYOD. The device has to be at least a year old (generally), must not be in a contract or registered as stolen, etc. However, if you meet all of the criteria, you should be able to activate a Verizon LTE phone as of right now. I confirmed with two different Straight Talk customer service associates, but you’ll want to be sure to double-check your particular phone model is eligible. Once you’re sure, you can buy a CDMA network access code for $1, plus taxes and your first month’s plan.

For more information, check Straight Talk’s website.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a complaint against Tracfone and its subsidiary brands, including Straight Talk, Net10, Simple Mobile and Telcel America. The complaint alleges that Tracfone failed to disclose throttling and suspension terms to customers of its prepaid unlimited plans from 2009 to at least September 2013 and that customers were frequently deceived about what they were purchasing.

According to the complaint, Tracfone advertised their services as ‘unlimited’ but then would throttle customers anywhere from 60% to 90% once they exceeded internally set limits. The complaint says the throttling would generally begin at 1 – 3 GB, and termination of service was generally at 4 – 5 GB. Customers who came near the limit would be warned about ‘excessive use’ but the exact terms were not disclosed.

And, as if it wasn’t bad enough, the complaint further states that the throttling was not driven by congestion or technological constraints, but “… because TracFone offered its ‘unlimited’ mobile data service at a fixed price, more data usage by its customers meant more costs, and less profit, for TracFone…”

Yesterday, the court ordered that Tracfone pay a settlement of $40 million, and has announced that customers who were throttled or had unlimited services suspended from 2009 – 2013 can file a claim for a refund of the services received. Customers who are unsure if they were throttled should file a claim anyway to check and see if they are eligible.

“The issue here is simple: when you promise consumers ‘unlimited,’ that means unlimited,” Jessica Rich, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection told eCreditDaily. “This settlement means that Straight Talk, Net10, Simple Mobile, and Telcel America customers will be able to get money back from the company for services the company promised but didn’t deliver.”

If you believe you are eligible for a refund, or you used an unlimited plan from any of these companies before January 2015, you can file a claim here, and the FTC will check your eligibility.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

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Tracfone is probably the largest prepaid wireless provider in the US, especially when you count the customers of its other companies. But, when the CITA urged wireless carriers to voluntarily create consumer-friendly unlocking policies (which went into effect this week), TracFone kept quiet and said nothing.

Last week, TracFone finally added their own unlocking policies for smartphones purchased through TracFone, Simple Mobile, Straight Talk and Net10 Wireless. But, before you get all excited, the policy isn’t exactly up to par with the other companies. Here’s what the technical legal jargon on the sites says about unlocking:

“TracFone is working with manufacturers of mobile wireless devices to pursue secure solutions which would allow for unlocking of devices without jeopardizing the security of those devices. TracFone will use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that mobile wireless devices are capable of being unlocked domestically without compromising TracFone’s ability to protect against unlawful distribution and use of such devices and without impeding TracFone’s ability to protect its intellectual property. It will continue to keep the FCC apprised of these efforts on a quarterly basis.

Once it achieves this capability with any given device, TracFone will permit its prepaid customers, upon request, to unlock such devices one year after initial activation, consistent with reasonable time, payment, or usage requirements. Currently, TracFone offers a Bring Your Own Phone program which enables consumers to utilize their own wireless devices, including unlocked devices, with TracFone’s prepaid service.”

TLDR: So, basically, TracFone says that someday, maybe, you probably (they think) should be able to unlock your TracFone device. Hopefully. And they want everyone to know they intend to work really hard on it as much as they can, provided it doesn’t cost too much and isn’t too hard and doesn’t compromise their sales and profit and… well, actually, you can just bring your own device; so stop worrying about it.

Of course, TracFone’s unlocking policy used to be a lot simpler. In fact, it looked a lot like the policies sported by T-Mobile or AT&T. I guess it changed the policy because now people are starting to realize that phones CAN be unlocked and they might actually ask for it and that would just be inconvenient. You can read the old unlocking policy for yourself from this archived page.

The thing I find most interesting is that the old page clearly indicates that TracFone IS capable of unlocking devices… while the new policy says that it’s something that TracFone is still working on and cannot currently do. Seems a little fishy to me, and sounds an awful lot like the kind of fast-stepping that Sprint has been doing in regards to its prepaid brands and their inability to unlock phones as well.

What do you think? Have you ever had a TracFone unlocked?

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

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If you live in the United States and you want to call Mexico, then there is no better time than right now. The recent trend in the wireless race has been to add unlimited calling to Mexico landlines and/or mobile numbers to prepaid plans and I’m pleased to announce that several Tracfone companies have finally come around.

The companies that recently got this international upgrade include:

All four companies now include unlimited calling to mexico mobile numbers, although the offer will only be valid on certain plans, all of which are priced at $50 per month or higher. Users can still add additional minutes to call other countries, although Mexico is not the only company included in this most recent unlimited international initiative. For a full list of the companies included, check with the individual carrier.

As a side note, Tracfone also offers international long distance calling to several countries. While it is not unlimited, users can call Mexico at the same per-minute rate as they would call anyone else, which is still nothing to scoff at.

This most recent Mexico calling trend was launched a few months ago by AT&T’s purchase of Mexican mobile provider lusacell and the decision to add this feature to GoPhone and Cricket a few weeks later. Other carries to offer free Mexican mobile minutes include Boost Mobile, Lycamobile, Ultra Mobile and a few others.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

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Yesterday, it took Straight Talk an hour to remember that they couldn’t unlock my phone. I can’t say that I was surprised that it took them so long—Straight Talk is an America Movil company after all, and that brand is notorious for slow, inefficient and sometimes rude customer service. What surprised me was that they actually had to look up whether or not the device could be unlocked. To me, Straight Talk’s unlocking policy sounds like they aren’t really able to unlock devices, so the response took me completely by surprise. Curiouser and curiouser.

As a refresher, here’s Straight Talk’s unlocking policy, as posted on the website:

Unlocking Policy: StraightTalk Wireless

TracFone Wireless, Inc. Unlocking Policy
TracFone is working with manufacturers of mobile wireless devices to pursue secure solutions which would allow for unlocking of devices without jeopardizing the security of those devices. TracFone will use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that mobile wireless devices are capable of being unlocked domestically without compromising TracFone’s ability to protect against unlawful distribution and use of such devices and without impeding TracFone’s ability to protect its intellectual property. It will continue to keep the FCC apprised of these efforts on a quarterly basis. Once it achieves this capability with any given device, TracFone will permit its prepaid customers, upon request, to unlock such devices one year after initial activation, consistent with reasonable time, payment, or usage requirements. Currently, TracFone offers a Bring Your Own Phone program which enables consumers to utilize their own wireless devices, including unlocked devices, with TracFone’s prepaid service.

Initially, I contacted Straight Talk on behalf of my roommate to confirm that they couldn’t actually unlock devices. Unsurprisingly, I kept getting different responses from different associates—the chat reps told me that I could unlock the device, and that I needed to call customer service; while the customer service phone reps for the most part had no idea what I was talking about.

Eventually, I found my way to the right phone service associate and after reading her the IMEI number no less than five times, she told me that she had to check with their Unlocking Department and put me on hold. The plot thickens. Apparently Straight Talk’s super vague unlocking policy does allow for some phones to be unlocked. That, or there is a group of people sitting in an office somewhere being paid to say , “Sorry, can’t do that!” Wouldn’t surprise me.

Anyway, long story short, I knew when I called that it probably wasn’t going to work out between us, and I was correct. Eventually she came back on the phone and told me that she couldn’t unlock my device. I asked her why, and she simply told me that the device didn’t support it, which begs the question: which devices DO support it?

Unfortunately, I don’t have any other Straight Talk phones with which to try. So, for those of you who have had Straight talk phones for a year, have you tried to get it unlocked? What did they tell you? Give it a shot and let me know what happens!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

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