Us Cellular Prices for 4 Lines $140 Review

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Some of us get excited about shopping for a new phone (New technology! Megapixels! Fancy screen!), but none of usa savor shopping for a new phone plan. It's always been a confusing experience, and things aren't getting any easier to sympathize in the era of 5G. With more than 5G spectrum coming online this twelvemonth — and carriers inventing more words for information technology— understanding what a phone plan includes and picking the right one is difficult. While we can't hope to make it an enjoyable experience, nosotros tin can aid y'all exercise a niggling homework alee of fourth dimension to make information technology less painful.

If you adopt to cut right to the chase, we've got two recommendations from the major US carriers for you: T-Mobile's Essentials if you're looking for unlimited and Verizon's 10GB Shared Data programme if you lot'd rather take a set up amount of information each calendar month.

T-Mobile's Essentials program is your best bet for a cheap phone plan with unlimited information: at $60 per month for a single line, it's the least expensive unlimited plan from a major carrier and includes some prissy extras like wireless hotspot data (at slower 3G speeds, but ameliorate than none at all — which is what you'll get on comparable plans).

Verizon's 10GB Shared Data plan is $65 per calendar month for a single line and should provide plenty of data for most people. Verizon lets you curlicue over unused data and includes mobile hotspot usage for no extra fee.

We'll go into more item almost these plans and some of our recommendations for the all-time inexpensive unlimited plan, best premium unlimited program, and best inexpensive by-the-gig plan a bit after, simply first, take a look at a few things to consider earlier you pick a plan. If y'all besides happen to be shopping for a new device, we've got suggestions for the best telephone you can buy right now and the all-time telephone under $500.

Location

This is an obvious — and of import — first consideration in your mobile plan shopping process. On a high level, yous'll desire to know which wireless carriers encompass your area. If you're in or near a major city, you're pretty much guaranteed service from whatever of the major carriers. If y'all're in a rural area, you may take fewer choices and a smaller, regional carrier might serve your needs better.

Carriers' published coverage maps are a good starting betoken. They're not reliable enough to gauge coverage in a particular neighborhood or on your street, merely they tin assistance place carriers without a pregnant presence in your area. Check Usa Cellular's coverage, too, since it tends to offer service where some of the major carriers don't.

PCMag provides a thorough, counterbalanced evaluation of the major carriers' network functioning across the country every year; accept a look at the 2021 results. And it doesn't hurt to poll your co-workers and neighbors nearly their wireless service for more than data points.

Budget nuts

When you start shopping effectually, y'all'll see some very bonny prices on the major carriers' unlimited plans, like $xxx or $45 per month. Remember that those are prices per line on your account, and the prices carriers like to evidence you are based on their best per line charge per unit, which is usually available when you lot have 4 or five lines. If you're shopping for a single line, await to spend effectually $70 per month, plus taxes and fees in most cases. For four lines, expect effectually $140 for your total nib.

The quoted prices on carriers' websites too include a disbelieve for signing upwards for autopay. If you lot're non comfy signing up for autopay, you'll need to add a niggling more than to your monthly neb — $x per line per calendar month in most cases.

Shared data versus unlimited

Plan costs add upwardly fast, simply at that place are ways to salvage a lilliputian bit if you're okay with looking outside of the large carriers' marquee plans. If you're a lighter information user, a shared data plan with a ready allotment of data per month tin can save you lot a bit of money. AT&T and Verizon both offer such plans starting around $50 per month for a single line. (All of T-Mobile's plans offer some kind of "unlimited" information service.)

Shared information plans seem to exist on their way out, and carriers volition be much happier to steer you toward an unlimited plan. There are some downsides to shared data plans, too. They tend to be express to 4G or depression-band 5G, which isn't a large bargain now only could be in the next few years. But on the plus side, both Verizon and AT&T let mobile hotspot use on their shared data plans, which isn't an option on either carrier's basic unlimited plan.

Which brings usa to ane of the cracking mysteries of carrier unlimited plans: they aren't actually unlimited. Fifty-fifty the most expensive unlimited plans include limitations on how much data you lot can apply via mobile hotspot. Most plans too include monthly data thresholds that, once exceeded, leave you subject field to temporary slowdowns in times when the network is busy. Before you lot pick an unlimited programme, it's a good thought to read up on the fine print then you know merely what you are (and aren't) getting.

MVNOs

Signing upwardly with a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) can also aid you lot save some money. These companies resell service on the major carriers' networks, so with a couple of exceptions, you're getting admission to the aforementioned network for less money. These plans are ameliorate suited for those who don't need the accented best network speeds because they typically include lower prioritization thresholds than the major network plans.

Many MVNOs are set to operate without retail locations, too, which could be a positive or a negative depending on if you prefer to walk into a store to troubleshoot issues with your connectivity. They're also more eagerly adopting eSIM, which many newer phones support and which removes the need to wait for a concrete SIM card to popular into your device.

Mostly, yous'll observe more than plan options with set information limits per month than the few shared information options that remain with the big carriers. You'll also find more prepaid options and fewer requirements similar credit checks or contracts.

Prepaid versus postpaid

In addition to MVNO prepaid options, the big iii carriers as well offer their own prepaid plans. These plans don't crave credit checks, but you're still getting your service and customer support directly from the network operator. There are data-capped and unlimited data options across the board, and if yous're willing to spend more, you tin get premium features like HD streaming video and mobile hotspot data that not even all postpaid unlimited plans include.

Prepaid plans directly from the big carriers can also be nearly every bit expensive every bit postpaid. Depending on your state of affairs, it may brand sense to pay a petty more per month for a postpaid plan or become with an MVNO for a ameliorate price. Just they're a decent pick, particularly if y'all're looking for a single-line plan, have predictable data usage habits, and need to avoid the credit bank check on postpaid plans.

Best phone plans in 2022

Our programme recommendations have into account cost, features, and restrictions imposed on the carrier plans nosotros evaluated. They should exist considered along with network performance in your surface area.

All-time bones unlimited plan: T-Mobile Essentials
$60 / calendar month for one line (with autopay)

At $60 per calendar month for a single line, T-Mobile's Essentials is the least expensive of the major carriers. Bold T-Mobile coverage in your area is sufficient, it offers the best value for someone who just wants to stay connected and not worry about information overages. Plus, information technology includes 3G hotspot data and admission to all flavors of T-Mobile's already-stiff 5G network.

It'south always subject to data slowdowns when the network is busy, simply so are the other carriers' basic unlimited plans. T-Mobile may impose additional slowdowns for users who become over 50GB of data in a month, so if you're a heavy data user, you may want to consider a more than expensive unlimited programme.

T-Mobile offers a handy way to test-drive its network on your own phone without switching from your current provider. It's just bachelor with certain iPhones right now, and you should exist aware that you might experience faster speeds than you'll actually go with information prioritization on the Essentials program.

Plans compared: Basic unlimited

Plan	Cost per month for one line with autopay	Cost for four lines per month with autopay	Premium data	5G	Mobile hotspot information	Streaming video quality	Streaming and other services included
Plan	Cost per month for i line with autopay	Cost for four lines per month with autopay	Premium data	5G	Mobile hotspot information	Streaming video quality	Streaming and other services included
AT&T Unlimited Starter	$65	$140	None	Included	3GB per line per month	480p	Half dozen-month Stadia Pro trial
T-Mobile Essentials	$60	$120	None (further speed reductions after 50GB)	Included	Unlimited at 3G speeds	480p	One year of Paramount Plus
Verizon 5G First	$70	$140	None	Low-band (nationwide) only	None	480p	Six-calendar month Disney Plus and Apple tree Music trials

Best premium unlimited program: Verizon 5G Play More
$80 / month for a single line (with autopay)

The major carriers offer 2 pricier "pace-upwardly" plans with the exception of Verizon — information technology offers three, only the centre two are essentially the same except for the mix of included services. For very heavy information users and those who want the highest possible streaming video quality, the elevation tier plans make the most sense, simply for most people, one of the heart-of-the-road options is likely a better fit. Verizon'due south 5G Play More than Unlimited (and nearly identical Do More) program isn't the cheapest option, just it strikes the best residuum of cost versus features.

You'll become 720p HD video streaming typically, or even 4K streaming if you lot're connected to the Ultra Wideband network (though this needs to be enabled in your Verizon account) along with a healthy 25GB of mobile hotspot data and a 50GB threshold of premium information before slowdowns can be imposed. Crucially, it includes access to Verizon's Ultra Wideband (UW) 5G, which is becoming more than important equally C-band spectrum comes online. You get super-fast but hard to find mmWave 5G, too, which isn't worth upgrading for, merely it's part of the UW bundle.

Finally, the included services are worthwhile. Play More than includes access to Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus, which is shared across all lines on the business relationship. If you're not interested in those streaming services, Do More than includes 600GB of Verizon Cloud storage as an alternative, though, honestly, that sounds like a lot less fun than having nine seasons of Letterkenny included with your phone plan.

Best family program: Verizon 5G Play More
$180 / month for four lines (with autopay)

Verizon's Play More is also our top choice for families. Four standard lines will cost $45 each for a total of $180 per calendar month, but parents with younger kids can mix and match the standard plan with Verizon's Simply Kids plans, which are cheaper and offer parental command features. But Kids lines come with a limit of upward to twenty contacts for talk and text, and speeds capped at 5Mbps — good for a younger child whose phone employ you want to keep closer tabs on just non well-suited for older kids.

At least ane unlimited plan line is required to add Simply Kids lines, which are $35 each for an account with four lines, making a program with two Play More lines and ii Just Kids lines $160 per calendar month. And Disney Plus included with the price of the plan doesn't hurt, either.

Plans compared: Premium unlimited

Plan	Price per calendar month for i line with autopay	Cost for four lines per month with autopay	Premium data	5G	Mobile hotspot data	Streaming video quality	Streaming and other included features
Plan	Price per calendar month for one line with autopay	Cost for four lines per month with autopay	Premium data	5G	Mobile hotspot information	Streaming video quality	Streaming and other included features
AT&T Unlimited Extra	$75	$160	50GB	Included	15GB	480p	Stadia Pro six-month trial
AT&T Unlimited Elite	$85	$200	Unlimited	Included	40GB	4K UHD	HBO Max included
T-Mobile Magenta	$70	$140 (incl. taxes and fees)	100GB	Included	5GB (3G subsequently that)	480p	Netflix Basic (with two or more lines)
T-Mobile Magenta Max	$85	$172 (incl. taxes and fees)	Unlimited	Included	40GB (3G after that)	4K UHD	Netflix Bones (with one line), Netflix Standard (with 2 or more lines)
Verizon 5G Do More	$80	$180	50GB	Included (UW and Nationwide)	25GB	720p (4K on UW)	600GB Verizon Cloud storage included
Verizon 5G Play More	$lxxx	$180	50GB	Included (UW and Nationwide)	25GB	720p (4K on UW)	Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus included
Verizon 5G Get More	$90	$220	Unlimited	Included (UW and Nationwide)	50GB	720p (4K on UW)	Disney Plus, Hulu, ESPN Plus, Apple Music, and 600GB Verizon Deject storage included

Best postpaid shared data programme: Verizon Shared Data Plan — 10GB
$65 / month

We call back Verizon's $65 per calendar month 10GB plan provides the best blindside for your shared-data buck compared to its 5GB program and AT&T's 4GB plan (T-Mobile doesn't offer postpaid shared data plans). However, if you lot buy a telephone from Verizon on a 2-twelvemonth contract, that monthly price goes upwards.

The 10GB plan typically costs $40 per calendar month for account access and an additional $25 per month per line (with autopay), adding up to $65 per month for a plan with a single line. If you're on a two-twelvemonth device contract, that $25 fee per line per calendar month goes up to $40 — with or without autopay enabled — and so you lot'll pay $lxxx per calendar month for a unmarried line plus the toll of the phone itself, which varies depending on the model. If you prefer buying your phone through your carrier on a two-year plan, and then an unlimited plan may make more sense.

Otherwise, the 10GB program is almost the same price as the company's basic unlimited plan but comes with the power to stream video at 720p (once enabled for your account) and employ your data via a mobile hotspot. You can besides carry unused information over to the adjacent billing bike, and utilize your data on other non-phone connected devices like a tablet for an extra $x per month per device; unlimited requires a dissever device plan starting at $10 per calendar month for a smartwatch or $20 for a tablet.

Plans compared: Shared data (postpaid)

Plan	Toll per month for one line with autopay	Price for iv lines per calendar month with autopay	Additional data	Carryover information	5G	Mobile hotspot data	Streaming video quality	Monthly charge for additional non-phone devices
Program	Cost per month for one line with autopay	Cost for iv lines per month with autopay	Boosted data	Carryover data	5G	Mobile hotspot data	Streaming video quality	Monthly charge for boosted non-phone devices
Verizon Shared Data Programme -- 5GB	$55	$130	$xv / 1GB	Yes — through next billing wheel	Low-band nationwide only	Included	720p	$10 per device
Verizon Shared Data Plan -- 10GB	$65	$140	$15 / 1GB	Yeah — through next billing cycle	Low-band nationwide merely	Included	720p	$10 per device
AT&T 4GB Plan	$50	$160	$10 / 2GB	No	Not included	Included	480p	$20 / tablet, $ten / clothing

Best cheap phone plan (by the gig): Google Fi Flexible
Starting at $30 / month for a single line

Our pick for the best cheap data-capped telephone program is Google Fi Flexible, which costs between $30 and $80 per calendar month. It isn't the least expensive, and it'southward certainly not the one with the easiest pricing construction to embrace. But it does alive up to its "Flexible" name and offers some inclusions that cost extra on other plans, like mobile hotspot information and boosted SIMs for non-telephone devices.

Here'southward how it works: on the Flexible plan, you prepay a gear up access fee per line at the start of every month, depending on the number of lines on your account. (It's $20 for one line.) At the end of that, you lot pay $10 for every 1GB of data used during the month, upwardly to a set maximum amount adamant by, again, the number of lines on your plan. That'due south 6GB on a single-line plan, and then your plan will cost at most $80 per calendar month.

Y'all tin keep using data across that limit, but you won't exist charged more than, and y'all won't experience drastic slowdowns until you reach 15GB. At that signal, yous'll be dropped down to 2G speeds for the residuum of the month unless you add more than data at $ten / GB. Over again — not the cheapest plan by any means — simply if you can get by most months on 2 or 3GB of data, your $40 or $l bill will look pretty good compared to most alternatives.

It'southward a little scrap more complicated than your typical phone plan, but it means you're just paying for the information y'all use in a month — with a lot of flexibility congenital in if yous need to use a lilliputian or a lot more data than usual in a typical billing cycle. And it includes a somewhat rare characteristic: the option to add data-only SIMs at no extra charge so y'all can use your programme across other devices like tablets and smartwatches.

Google Fi Flexible

A pay-by-the-gig program that's partially prepaid and partially postpaid that ensures you're but charged for the data you use in a given month.

$30 at Google

Plans compared: Inexpensive past-the-gig

Plan	Network	Toll per calendar month for one line	Information allocation	5G	Mobile hotspot data	Streaming video quality	Additional non-phone devices
Plan	Network	Cost per month for one line	Data resource allotment	5G	Mobile hotspot data	Streaming video quality	Additional non-phone devices
Google Fi Flexible	T-Mobile, US Cellular, and public Wi-Fi on supported phones	$xx (prepaid) plus $10 per GB (postpaid) upward to $fourscore maximum	Slowed afterwards 15GB	Included (4G only for iPhone)	Included	Managed by user	No charge; up to 4 information-but SIMs
Cricket 10GB plan	AT&T	$40 prepaid ($35 with autopay)	10GB	Included	Not included	480p	Not included
Metro by T-Mobile 10GB programme	T-Mobile	$40 prepaid	10GB	Included	Not included	480p	Not included
Mint Mobile 10GB 12-month program	T-Mobile	$twenty prepaid when paying in full for 12 months ($240 up front toll)	10GB	Included	Included	480p	Non included
United states of america Mobile Shared Information	Verizon or T-Mobile	$30 prepaid	10GB	Included	Included	480p	Additional $9 per month each
Xfinity Wireless	Verizon	$lx	10GB	Included	Included (4G)	720p on phones, 1080p on tablets	Additional $10 per month each

Best inexpensive unlimited telephone program: Mint Mobile 12-month Unlimited Plan
$30 / calendar month (pre-pay $360)

Going by raw numbers alone, Mint Mobile's $30-per-month unlimited plan stands out with easily the lowest monthly price for unlimited data. However, to get that price you'll need to prepay for 12 months of service for a sizable $360 upfront toll. New customers tin can endeavour the service for 3 months at that $30 charge per unit. Simply after that, you'll demand to renew for the full year or pay a piddling more for a half-dozen-calendar month programme ($35 per month for an upfront cost of $210).

If paying up front is achievable for yous, so you'll get one of the best deals in wireless. The plan includes 5G, comes with 5GB of mobile hotspot data per month. An of import annotation: if you exceed 35GB in a calendar month y'all'll meet very slow 2G speeds until the start of the next calendar month. That's much slower than typical deprioritization, so Mint's employ of the word "unlimited" is a little misleading.

If yous want an unlimited plan that's more unlimited, or paying for six or 12 months of service up front isn't the best choice for you, then we think Visible'south $40 per calendar month standard plan is the next best option. Visible runs on Verizon's network (and is, in fact, endemic by Verizon) and includes mobile hotspot usage — not a feature of Verizon's ain basic unlimited plan — capped at 5Mbps. That'due south a bit slower than 4G, so you won't want to rely on it equally a chief connexion for your laptop, but information technology's skillful enough for basic internet browsing and electronic mail.

Of form, Visible customers are more likely to come across their speeds slow downwards compared to Verizon's own subscribers when the network gets decorated, then there is some benefit to signing up directly with the network. Simply it's a significant stride upward from $forty per month to the $lxx-per-calendar month Verizon Offset Unlimited plan in order to guarantee faster network speeds at all times.

Plans compared: Cheap unlimited

Plan	Network	Toll per month for one line	Information slowdowns	5G	Mobile hotspot data	Streaming video quality
Plan	Network	Cost per calendar month for one line	Data slowdowns	5G	Mobile hotspot data	Streaming video quality
Boost Mobile unlimited	T-Mobile, AT&T	$60	Afterward 35GB per month	Aye	30GB included	480p
Cricket Unlimited + 15GB Mobile Hotspot	AT&T	$55 with autopay	During times of congestion only	Yes	15GB included	480p
Google Fi Just Unlimited	T-Mobile, United states of america Cellular, and public Wi-Fi on supported phones	$50	Afterwards 35GB per calendar month	Yes	Included	480p
Metro past T-Mobile unlimited	T-Mobile	$50	After 35GB per month	Yes	5GB included	480p
Mint Mobile unlimited	T-Mobile	$30 for 12-month prepaid ($360 full)	After 35GB per calendar month	Yes	5GB included	480p
US Mobile	Verizon or T-Mobile	$45	After 50GB per month (GSM LTE / T-Mobile only)	Yes	5GB included	Set by user
Visible standard plan	Verizon	$40	During times of congestion merely	Yes (Nationwide merely)	Included (limited to 5 Mbps)	480p
Xfinity Mobile unlimited	Verizon	$45	During times of congestion; 1.5 Mbps later 20GB exceeded per line per month	Yes (Nationwide and UW)	Included (limited to 600 Kbps)	480p on LTE; higher when 5G is available

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Source: https://www.theverge.com/22606623/best-cell-phone-plans-verizon-att-t-mobile