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Buying a new cell phone and deciding on a cell phone service plan can be confusing and frustrating. Cell

phones are essential but deciding which one is right for you can be difficult. The same goes for choosing a

cell phone carrier and plan. There can be big differences in prices, plans, and coverage among cell phone

carriers. Doing some research on the different options available, and figuring out what you need and want

in a cell phone and cell phone service may take some time and effort, but can save you from lots of

frustration in the long run (and save you significant amounts of money, as well).

phone for internet access, so that they can do school research with their phone. Still others want to use

their phones for games and other data-heavy uses. It’s important to try to be clear about your wants and

needs (and to make sure that you can afford what you want). These wants and needs will strongly affect

your choices and the costs you’ll face.

You may already have a phone. If so, you’ll need to consider whether you can and should use it for a new

plan. Have you paid the phone off or do you still owe money for it? Is it working well? Is the battery dying?

Will it work with a new provider or on a new plan? Do you need to have it unlocked in order to use it with

another provider? If you have a phone but need a new one, you may be able to trade it in when you sign up

choices for Smartphones are Android and Apple iOS. We don’t have any advice about which to choose. This

seems to be mainly a matter of comfort and personal preference.

Not too long ago, carriers would sell a phone at a big discount as part of their plans, locking you into a two-

year contract that covered both the phone and the cell service. Those contracts are a thing of the past.

Now, when you choose a phone, you have several options that do not necessarily tie you in to a long-term

commitment to any particular carrier. There are three general options now for paying for a phone. You can

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pay the entire price of the phone up front. This can be very costly depending on the phone. If you are

opting for an inexpensive phone, however, this can be a very good choice. It will result in lower monthly

bills (because you won’t be paying installments on the phone), and it may make it easier for you to switch

or want to accelerate your payments so that you can own the phone outright sooner. Finally, carriers offer

leases. Leases are different from installment plans, because leases include interest (which adds to the cost

of the phone). Some people who like to replace their phones more often than every two years opt for

leases. Again, read the fine print closely.

If you need a cell phone simply for basic communications needs, you may find that a very basic (and

inexpensive) phone paired with a prepaid calling plan will work fine for you. Carriers such as Consumer

Cellular, Republic Wireless, Cricket (a subsidiary of AT&T), and Ting may be good options. You’ll still need to

make sure that the carrier you are opting for actually provides good coverage in the area where you’ll be

using the phone.

coverage in your area, and which one offers the data plans that best meet your needs. But these are not

the only options. There are other, smaller carriers that may provide coverage in your area, and offer plans

that cost a lot less than the plans offered by AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. How do you find these other

carriers? Try Googling for information on carriers and plans from reputable sources like Consumer Reports.

Here’s a link to a 2019 Consumer Reports guide to low-cost cell-phone plans. Consumer Reports updates

this information yearly. You can also get good information about plans from Whistle Out or MVNO News.

Some cellular carriers offer a limited trial period during which you can try out your phone and calling plan.

Find out if your carrier offers this trial, which is likely to be no longer than 30 days–if that. If you do get a

trial period, use the time wisely. Use your phone in as many different locations as you can, such as where

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how much you’ll really be paying each month. It can be a good idea to ask about discounts–some carriers

offer specials for college students.

Though the process differs between carriers, some cell phone companies will let you create a “group” or

“family” plan that can help each participant save on their monthly bill. For instance, Cricket offers group

plans with convenient payment options. Although only one bill is generated for each group, individuals in

the group can make their own payments without accessing the primary member’s account. Cricket plans

have a quick pay feature that just lets each member put in their number and send a payment. It’ll credit the

account associated with the number, so there is no need to give out the primary account holder’s login to

everyone in the group. Other companies may have their own convenient group plans and/or payment

options. Discuss this with the carrier and be sure to consider whether any group plans the carrier offers will

phone providers are required by law to include certain taxes on bills. However, not all of the “fees” that

you may see on your cell phone bill are mandatory, and you should review your bills to make sure you

aren’t being asked to pay for any services that you didn’t authorize. For instance, be on the lookout for

charges for cell phone insurance or music services that you did not authorize. Ask about any of these

additional services before you sign up for a plan and authorize only the ones you want to use.

2. Overage fees.

One of the best ways to save money on a cellular plan is to pay only for as many minutes and as much

data as you need. If you’re not a frequent caller, you may not need the unlimited calling plan, and if

you don’t use a lot of data, avoid the expensive unlimited data plans. On the other hand, you should

make sure your contract includes at least as many minutes and as much data as you plan to use each

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3. Data and messaging services.

If you use your phone for messaging, social media, or accessing the Internet, you also should purchase

an adequate messaging and data plan. If you’re a frequent texter, for example, you’ll want to make

Some carriers charge roaming fees when you venture outside of your carrier’s regular service area or

go to a foreign country. Be sure you understand the boundaries of your calling area before you select a

calling plan.

5. Optional bells and whistles.

Think about the extras that are important to you in a cell phone: Do you want a quality camera? Long

battery life? Plenty of storage? These add-ons may increase the price of your phone but can be worth it

if you use it as a daily tool.

6. Upgrade and replacement options.

While you may be satisfied with your shiny new cell phone right now, there’s always the chance that it

could get lost or broken. Find out what options you have for upgrading or replacing your phone, and

what kind of fees you’ll be charged in those situations.

7. Breakage prevention.

Research shows that almost half of cell phone owners will accidentally damage their phone at some

point. Plan ahead and get a high-quality protective case and screen protector that could save you big

bucks in the long run.