If you’re looking for a better deal on your cellular plan heading into the new year, checking out some of the latest pre-paid options is a great idea. Below we’ll look at the best cheap iPhone plans with valuable features like free trials, free eSIM activation, and no contracts from as little as $10 per month without giving up good coverage.
There are benefits to paying a premium for US carriers’ flagship plans like having mostly unlimited data, priority speeds in congested areas, and extras like free entertainment services.
But if you’re looking to slash your carrier bill while keeping reliable coverage, there are more choices than ever, especially pre-paid plans backed by AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon’s solid networks.
One of the handy options is some of the providers below offering free eSIM trials for iPhone. That means you can instantly test out their networks before committing to changing carriers.
Most of the carriers below sell new devices or allow you to bring your own iPhone or other smartphones, but make sure to check compatibility for your specific device.
Best cheap iPhone plans
T-Mobile Connect
T-Mobile Connect offers some of the most affordable prepaid plans out there with its latest starting from just $10 and the top plan running $35 per month.
- Runs on the T-Mobile network including 5G
- Plans range from 1 to 12GB for data for $10-$35/month
- Speeds only throttled after 50GB of monthly data
- No contract or credit check
Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile offers plans with 4G/5G data starting from $15/month. Plus Mint offers instant eSIM activation (physical SIM is an option too)
- Works on the T-Mobile network including 5G
- 5 to 20GB data as well as unlimited data on 3, 6, or 12-month prepaid plans
- Lowest $15/month price available with as few as 2 lines
- Speeds throttled after 35GB of 5G/4G data on unlimited plans
- 5GB mobile hotspot on unlimited plans
- Free SIM card or activate service instantly with eSIM
- Bring your existing phone or buy a new one
- No contract and taxes + fees included
Consumer Cellular
Consumer Cellular has built a reputation for solid customer service along with good coverage by using multiple carrier networks. It offers cheap iPhone plans from $20/month.
- Runs on AT&T and T-Mobile networks including 5G
- Plans from $20/month up to $50/month for unlimited
- Speeds throttled after 50GB of monthly data
- No contracts
- AARP members get a discount
Visible
Visible is owned by Verizon and operates on its nationwide network. One of the handy features here is a free 15-day eSIM trial for iPhone users (e.g. instant setup for the trial via the App Store).
- Runs on the Verizon network including 5G
- Single-line unlimited plans normally $25 or 45/month, taxes and fees included
- Use code “VISIBLE24” for 24 months at $20 or $35 per month
- 15-day free trial (with eSIM option for iPhone)
- Mobile hotspot included
- No activation fee or annual contract
- Includes unlimited data, talk, and text (5G capped at 200 Mbps)
- Includes unlimited hotspot at 5 Mbps speeds
Xfinity Mobile
If you have Xfinity Internet service, you’re eligible for Xfinity Mobile. It runs on the Verizon network and offers both by-the-gig and unlimited options starting from $15/month.
- Works on Verizon’s network including 5G
- Xfinity Internet service required
- 1, 3, and 10 GB plans from $15/month, unlimited plans from $45 (or as low as $30 per line with 4 lines)
- Switch plans anytime with the Xfinity Mobile app
- Speeds throttled after 20 GB of data usage
- Hotspot included (600 Kbps on unlimited plans, 4G LTE for by-the-gig plans)
US Mobile
US Mobile works on Verizon and T-Mobile networks and makes it easy to test-drive its service with eSIM instant activation and 30-day risk-free trials.
- Runs on Verizon and T-Mobile network including 5G
- eSIM instant activation
- 2 GB plan from $10/month, 6 GB for $18, 12 GB for $25
- Unlimited starting from $23/month for 1 line, $20/month per device with 4 lines
- Or build a custom plan
- All taxes and fees included
Ting
Ting – owned by Dish Network – runs on both T-Mobile and Verizon’s towers with cheap iPhone plans starting from $15/month.
- Works on T-Mobile and Verizon’s network including 5G
- Plans range from $15 to $55/month
- Hotspot included
- No data overage charges
- Add an extra GB of data for $5 as needed
- Unused data carries over
Cricket Wireless
Cricket was purchased by AT&T back in 2014 and offers plans starting from $30/month.
- Works on the AT&T network including 5G
- Plans from $30 to $60/month for the top unlimited plan
- Pricing at low as $25/per line with 4 lines
- No throttling on the top unlimited plan
- 15GB hotspot with the top unlimited plan
- Discounts as you add more lines
- No annual contract and monthly taxes included in the price
Best cheap iPhone plans conclusion
Top comment by Richard Pontone
Got Mint Mobile two months ago and it was the best decision ever.
My friend had it and he loved it. Free International roaming to Canada and Mexico sealed the deal. You pay extra with the other cell providers when you have a cheap plan.
Got the 10 GBs a month plan for 20 bucks a month and they gave me three free months.
As an addition, they increased my data to 15 GBs per month for free, and I ported my iPhone XR 2018 edition quite easily. No brick and mortar stores and so, the mailed me the SIM and their customer service was fast, people skilled and professional.
Had Cricket for six years and saved 15 dollars a month for the same plan with Mint. It was difficult for the Mint Mobile person to get my phone line transferred as the Cricket tech people had changed my PIN number without alerting me.
Good riddance.
Whether you’re looking for a cheap iPhone plan with minimal data or still want unlimited data without paying as much as you are now, the 8 pre-paid options above should cover just about everyone.
Along with eSIM trials and carrier coverage maps, you can check out the independent Opensignal app to better compare carrier coverage.
Read more 9to5Mac guides and tutorials:
- 5G home internet comparison: T-Mobile vs Verizon on price, speed, incentives
- iPhone: How to check what apps are using precise location tracking and how to turn it off
- Do’s and don’ts for cleaning your dirty iPhone (and why you should make it a habit)
- How to turn on end-to-end encryption for iMessage, iCloud, iPhone backups
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