Wondering how do prepaid phones work and why they are different from the commonly used carrier-tied network plans? Here’s everything you need to know about prepaid network services and the cheapest Android prepaid phones out there to get.Back in the old days when mobile phones were an emerging concept, carrier charges were a luxury, not a necessity. As times have progressed and infrastructure has improved, the overall cost of telecommunications has dropped significantly. However, this has not curbed the value or usage of prepaid mobile plans and prepaid phones in general. Almost every major network carrier in the world offers prepaid phone plans to a varying extent, all thanks to the popular demand.In the United States, most of the network carriers have established themselves based on monthly plans. However, recent years have seen the emergence of telecommunication brands that exclusively offer prepaid plans and services. But what are the real-world benefits of having a no-contract mobile device and how do prepaid phones work exactly in the first place? Here’s everything you need to know about prepaid phone services, and the best affordable prepaid Android phones to get right now.

How do prepaid phones work exactly?

Traditionally, when you get a new smartphone from a specific network carrier brand, you purchase it based on a contract. This monthly contract, along with some payment upfront in some cases, includes the cost of the phone itself, along with the monthly usage charges. This monthly service usually includes mobile data, calling and text messaging allowance, all of which depends on your billing plan.Just as the name suggests, prepaid plans are activated by paying in advance for the services you require. The basic design of how do prepaid phones work is that you get to keep a grip over how many phone calls you make, the number of text messages you send out, and the amount of mobile data you use in each cycle. Additionally, since prepaid does not bind you by contract like postpaid services, you’re not tied down to one network carrier.Most mobile phones that you buy under a contract with the network carrier are offered as “carrier-locked” devices. This essentially means that you are bound to use the smartphone with only the network carrier you’ve purchased it from. Even if you have paid for the smartphone is full and the duration of your contract is over, you need to carrier unlock the device in order to use it with other networks.

Benefits of prepaid phones

  • Under a prepaid plan from your carrier, you have control over the amount of money you spend on telecommunication services. This is ideal for those of parents who wish to hand over a phone to their children but with restrictions.
  • Most prepaid services allow you to specifically choose the calling plans, texting plans, and mobile internet plans separately. This gives you a lot more freedom over the type of communication service that you wish to use your phone for.
  • How do prepaid phones work is completely in your control since they are owned entirely by you. The mobile phone is not locked down to one specific carrier. So you can choose to swap out the SIM Card for another network carrier at any point in time.
  • Network carriers that issue a postpaid connection to customers require them to uphold a good credit score. Since prepaid plans are paid for upfront, you don’t need a credit check to get your prepaid plan connection activated.

Disadvantages of prepaid phones

  • Since network carriers want to lock down customers for a long-term period, they offer plenty of incentives. This includes premium membership included with postpaid plans to entertainment services. Like AT&T offers WatchTV access and T-Mobile offers Netflix subscription for multi-user plans. You miss out on these additional perks if you go for a commitment-free prepaid plan instead.
  • Traditionally, GSM connections have been considered to fluctuate more in comparison to CDMA connections. Although LTE technology has erased the differences, you can expect a better cell reception with postpaid in some specific cases.
  • The larger volume of users subscribing to a monthly plan means the overall lowered cost for calling, texting, and mobile internet. For larger households, getting an interconnected family postpaid plan is usually more cost-saving even if it means reduced usage control.

Best options for a prepaid phone connection

While prepaid plans are prevalent across the world, in the United States, the telecommunication giants rule the industry. Brands such as T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T have long dominated the on-contract phone market. However, the demand for contract-free phones and plans has ushered in an era of smaller, independent network carriers across the US. While most of the big brands in the business will not offer you a great plan that accommodates your budget.But newly emerged names such as Consumer Cellular, MetroPCS, Mint Mobile, and Republic Wireless are reshaping the industry. Additionally, mobile virtual network operators (MVNO) such as Google’s Project Fi are building to be the future of prepaid networking. An MVNO essentially uses the cellular resources of other network carriers, combines it with Wi-Fi connectivity and offers highly cost-effective plans. Albeit these cannot compete with the customer support of big brands, but it is a step in the right direction.

Cheapest Android prepaid phones to buy

In theory, all of the factory unlocked smartphones in the market out there are essentially prepaid mobile phones. Since almost all unlocked cell phones are able to function on GSM network bands, they can be used with postpaid and prepaid SIM Cards. However, since prepaid phones are usually meant to be expendable, your best bet is getting a cheap Android prepaid phone.While choosing the best, most affordable Android prepaid phones out there, we’ve kept a few things in mind. Not only are each of these Android devices hailing from renowned brands, but each of them supports LTE connectivity too. Reaching the maximum price point of $199.99, here are the best and most affordable Android prepaid phones out there.

1. AT&T Prepaid - LG Phoenix 3

  • Display – 5.0-inch TFT Display
  • Processor – Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 1.1GHz
  • RAM – 1.5GB
  • Storage capacity – 16GB expandable up to 32GB
  • Android version – Android 6.0 Marshmallow
  • Camera – 5MP rear and front camera
  • Battery – 2500mAh capacity
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2. Verizon Prepaid - Moto E5 Play

  • Display – 5.2-inch HD 1280 x 720 resolution
  • Processor – Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 1.4GHz
  • RAM – 2GB
  • Storage capacity – 16GB expandable up to 128GB
  • Android version – Android 8.0 Oreo
  • Camera – 8.0MP rear and 5.0MP front camera
  • Battery – 2800mAh capacity
VIEW PRICE   |   READ USER REVIEWS

3. Total Wireless - Samsung Galaxy J3 Orbit

  • Display – 5-inch TFT Display
  • Processor – 1.35GHz Octa-core
  • RAM – 2GB
  • Storage capacity – 16GB expandable up to 400GB
  • Android version – Android 8.0 Oreo
  • Camera – 8.0MP rear and 5.0MP front camera
  • Battery – 2600mAh capacity
VIEW PRICE   |   READ USER REVIEWS

4. Verizon Prepaid - Moto G6 Play

  • Display – 5.7-inch IPS HD Display
  • Processor – Qualcomm Snapdragon 427 1.4GHz
  • RAM – 3GB
  • Storage capacity – 16GB expandable up to 128GB
  • Android version – Android 8.0 Oreo
  • Camera – 13.0MP rear and 5.0MP front camera
  • Battery – 4000mAh capacity
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5. Virgin Mobile - LG X Charge

  • Display – 5.5-inch IPS HD Display
  • Processor – Octa-core 1.4GHz
  • RAM – 2GB
  • Storage capacity – 16GB expandable up to 2TB
  • Android version – Android 7.0 Nougat
  • Camera – 13.0MP rear and 5.0MP front camera
  • Battery – 4500mAh capacity
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6. Total Wireless - Samsung Galaxy J7 Sky Pro

  • Display – 5.5-inch HD 1280 x 720 resolution
  • Processor – Qualcomm MSM8953 2.0GHz
  • RAM – 2GB
  • Storage capacity – 16GB expandable up to 128GB
  • Android version – Android 6.0 Marshmallow
  • Camera – 8.0MP rear and 5.0MP front camera
  • Battery – 3600mAh capacity
VIEW PRICE   |   READ USER REVIEWS

7. Virgin Mobile - LG Stylo 4

  • Display – 6.2-inch IPS HD Display
  • Processor – Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 1.8GHz
  • RAM – 2GB
  • Storage capacity – 32GB expandable up to 2TB
  • Android version – Android 8.0 Oreo
  • Camera – 13.0MP rear and 5.0MP front camera
  • Battery – 3300mAh capacity
 VIEW PRICE   |   READ USER REVIEWS

Wrapping it up

Prepaid services managed by the larger network carriers used to be dedicated to parents looking to curb the number of time kids spend on their phones. However, the sheer popularity of factory unlocked international devices like OnePlus and Huawei has changed the game for good. Recognizing how do prepaid phones work has garnered plenty of support in the United States too, convincing even mighty Google to join the race with the intuitive Project Fi initiative.Are you cutting short your contract and enjoying the freedom by understanding how do prepaid phones work? Or would you rather stick to the traditional postpaid plans and enjoy the perks that are offered with family plans? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section right down below.

View Comments

What's my model number?

There are several ways to locate your model number:

Option 1
On your device, go to Settings, then "About device" and scroll down to "Model number"
Option 2
Often times you can view the model number inside the device, by removing the battery
Option 3
Using Samsung's model/serial number location tool

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