Cheap prepaid phones in April
Prepaid phones are great way to avoid commitment, overage costs, and early termination fees.
The plans are affordable and widely available - but how do you go about getting a good quality phone to use with your prepaid plan?
We'll help you find the best prepaid phone for your budget and how to save up to $600 per year on your cell phone bill!
Best prepaid iPhones
iPhone 12
| Device | Price |
|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 12 (Refurbished) | $629.99 |
| Apple iPhone 12 (Unlocked) | $579 |
| Apple iPhone 12 (AT&T) | $579 |
| Apple iPhone 12 (T-Mobile) | $829 |
| Apple iPhone 12 (Verizon) | $829 |
Screen Size | 6.1" |
Screen Resolution | 2532 x 1170 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | A14 Bionic Chip pixels |
Internal Memory | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
Operating System | iOS 14 |
Back Camera | Dual 12MP |
Front Camera | 12MP |
HDR for Photos | HDR |
Video Resolution | 4K, FHD, HD |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Talk Time | Up to 20 hours |
Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4mm |
Weight | 164g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | nano |
eSIM | Yes |
Pros
Attractive design
Fantastic audio quality
5G compatible
Amazing OLED display
Cons
No charger or headphones included
Battery life
Not much camera upgrade
iPhone 12 Pro
Screen Size | 6.1" |
Screen Resolution | 2532 x 1170 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | A14 Bionic Chip pixels |
Internal Memory | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
Operating System | iOS 14 |
Back Camera | 12MP (Ultra Wide, Wide, Telephoto) |
Front Camera | 12MP |
HDR for Photos | HDR |
Video Resolution | 4K, FHD, HD |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4mm |
Weight | 189g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | nano |
eSIM | Yes |
Pros
Bright and colorful OLED display
Good photo quality
5G compatible
Good quality speakers
Attractive design
Cons
Shorter battery life than iPhone 11
No charger or headphones included
iPhone 12 Pro Max
Screen Size | 6.7" |
Screen Resolution | 2778 x 1284 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | A14 Bionic Chip pixels |
Internal Memory | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
Operating System | iOS 14 |
Back Camera | 12MP (Ultra Wide, Wide, Telephoto) |
Front Camera | 12MP |
HDR for Photos | HDR |
Video Resolution | 4K, FHD, HD |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Dimensions | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4mm |
Weight | 228g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | nano |
eSIM | Yes |
Pros
Durable and water resistant
Large OLED screen
5G compatible
Great battery life and fast charging
Photo and video quality
Cons
Expensive
Heavy
No charger or headphones
Best cheap prepaid iPhones
iPhone SE
| Device | Price |
|---|---|
| Apple iPhone SE (Refurbished) | $99.97 |
| Apple iPhone SE (Unlocked) | $149 |
| Apple iPhone SE (AT&T) | $149 |
| Apple iPhone SE (T-Mobile) | $349 |
| Apple iPhone SE (Verizon) | $349 |
Screen Size | 4.7" |
Screen Resolution | 1334 x 750 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | A13 Bionic pixels |
Internal Memory | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
Operating System | iOS 13 |
Back Camera | 12MP |
Front Camera | 7MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | 4K, FHD, HD |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Talk Time | Up to 14 hours |
Dimensions | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3mm |
Weight | 148g |
Splash Proof | IP67 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | Yes |
Pros
Compact and lightweight
Water-resistant
Amazing A13 chip performance
Affordable price
Touch ID
Cons
Battery capacity
Night mode is missed
Only a 5W charger
iPhone 12 mini
Screen Size | 5.4" |
Screen Resolution | 2340 x 1080 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | A14 Bionic Chip pixels |
Internal Memory | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
Operating System | iOS 14 |
Back Camera | Dual 12MP |
Front Camera | 12MP |
HDR for Photos | HDR |
Video Resolution | 4K, FHD, HD |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Dimensions | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4mm |
Weight | 135g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | nano |
eSIM | Yes |
Pros
Great compact size
Excellent camera
5G compatible
Brilliant OLED display
Cons
Battery life
No tele lens
iPhone 11
| Device | Price |
|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 11 (Refurbished) | $499.99 |
| Apple iPhone 11 (Unlocked) | $349 |
| Apple iPhone 11 (AT&T) | $349 |
| Apple iPhone 11 (T-Mobile) | $599 |
| Apple iPhone 11 (Verizon) | $599 |
Screen Size | 6.1" |
Screen Resolution | 1792 x 828 pixels |
HDR Screen | No pixels |
Processor | A13 Bionic pixels |
Internal Memory | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
Operating System | iOS 13 |
Back Camera | 12MP (Dual) |
Front Camera | 12MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | 4K, FHD, HD |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Talk Time | Up to 17 hours (video playback) |
Dimensions | 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3mm |
Weight | 194g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | Yes |
Model Number | A2111 |
User Manual |
Pros
Tougher and water resistant design
Great quality speakers
Good photos from main camera
Excellent selfie photo and video quality
Powerful A13 processor
Cons
No screen update
Storage starts at 64GB
Only a 5W charger included
Prepaid iPhone price comparison
Phone | AT&T | Verizon | T-Mobile | Unlocked | $349 | $599 | $599 | $349 | $649 | $899 | $899 | $649 | $999 | $999 | $999 | $999 | $579 | $829 | $829 | $579 | $479 | $729 | $729 | $479 | $749 | $999 | $999 | $749 | $849 | $1,099 | $1,099 | $849 | $149 | $349 | $349 | $149 | - | $409 | $409 | $409 |
|---|
Best prepaid Samsung phones
Galaxy A71
Galaxy S20
Galaxy Note 20
Best cheap prepaid Samsung phones
Galaxy A11
Screen Size | 6.3" |
Screen Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Internal Memory | 32GB |
Operating System | Android 10 |
Back Camera | 13MP, 5MP, 2MP |
Front Camera | 8MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | FHD |
Wireless Charging | No |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Dimensions | 161.4 x 76.3 x 8mm |
Weight | 177g |
Splash Proof | No |
Water Resistant | No |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | No |
Model Number | SM-A115UZKAVZW |
Pros
Android 10.0 OS
Triple rear camera
3.5mm headphone jack
MicroSD slot
Cons
Not waterproof
No LED flash on front camera
No wireless charging
Galaxy A21
| Device | Price |
|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy A21 (Unlocked) | $249 |
| Samsung Galaxy A21 (T-Mobile) | $249 |
| Samsung Galaxy A21 (Verizon) | $249 |
Screen Size | 6.5" |
Screen Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels |
HDR Screen | No pixels |
Internal Memory | 32GB |
Operating System | Android 10 |
Back Camera | 48MP, 8MP, 2MP, 2MP |
Front Camera | 13MP |
HDR for Photos | No |
Video Resolution | FHD |
Wireless Charging | No |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Dimensions | 163.7 x 75.3 x 8.9mm |
Weight | 192g |
Splash Proof | No |
Water Resistant | No |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | No |
Model Number | SM-A215UZKAVZW |
Pros
Large 6.5" screen
Amazing quad camera
Powerful battery
Excellent front camera
Cons
No Gorilla glass protection
No wireless charging
Plastic body
Galaxy A51
| Device | Price |
|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy A51 (Unlocked) | $379 |
| Samsung Galaxy A51 (T-Mobile) | $379 |
| Samsung Galaxy A51 (Verizon) | $399 |
Screen Size | 6.3" |
Screen Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | Exynos 9611 pixels |
Internal Memory | 128GB |
Operating System | Android 10 |
Back Camera | 48MP, 12MP, 5MP, 5MP |
Front Camera | 32MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | UHD 4K |
Wireless Charging | No |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Talk Time | Up to 28 hours |
Dimensions | 158.5 x 73.6 x 7.9mm |
Weight | 172g |
Splash Proof | No |
Water Resistant | No |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | No |
Pros
Compact and light
Excellent camera
Super AMOLED display
Dedicated microSD slot
Cons
Camera performance in low light
No video stabilization in 4K
Average battery life
Prepaid Samsung Galaxy price comparison
Phone | AT&T | Verizon | T-Mobile | Unlocked | - | $169 | $169 | $169 | - | $249 | $249 | $249 | - | $399 | $379 | $379 | $549.99 | - | - | $549.99 | $749.99 | - | - | $749.99 |
|---|
Best cheap refurbished phones
Screen Size | 5.8" |
Screen Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | Exynos 7884 pixels |
Internal Memory | 32GB |
Operating System | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
Back Camera | 8MP |
Front Camera | 5MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | FHD |
Wireless Charging | No |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Talk Time | Up to 23 hours |
Dimensions | 147.3 x 69.6 x 8.4mm |
Weight | 141g |
Splash Proof | No |
Water Resistant | No |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | No |
Model Number | SM-A102UZKAXAA |
Pros
Great battery life
Stylish design
Cons
Lacks good performance
Poor sound quality
No fingerprint sensor
Not water-resistant
| Device | Price |
|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (Refurbished) | $179.99 |
Screen Size | 5.5" |
Screen Resolution | 2560 x 1440 pixels |
HDR Screen | No pixels |
Processor | Snapdragon 820 pixels |
Internal Memory | 32GB |
Operating System | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) |
Back Camera | 12MP |
Front Camera | 5MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | HD, 4K |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | No |
Talk Time | Up to 27 hours |
Dimensions | 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7mm |
Weight | 157g |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | No |
Model Number | SM-G935V |
User Manual |
Pros
Good battery life
Improved camera
Water resistant
MicroSD support up to 200GB expandable memory
Fast focusing camera
Cons
Expensive
Glass design makes it fragile
Glass back is a fingerprint magnet
Touchwiz is not fully optimized
| Device | Price |
|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S8 (Refurbished) | $161 |
Screen Size | 5.8" |
Screen Resolution | 2960 x 1440 pixels |
HDR Screen | No pixels |
Processor | Snapdragon 835 pixels |
Internal Memory | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
Operating System | Android 7.0 (Nougat) |
Back Camera | 12MP |
Front Camera | 8MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | HD, 4K |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Talk Time | Up to 20 hours |
Dimensions | 148.9 x 68.1 x 8mm |
Weight | 155g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | No |
Model Number | SM-G950U |
User Manual |
Pros
Excellent camera
Large and amazing display
Headphone jack
MicroSD Support
Cons
Poor Battery life
Badly placed fingerprint sensor
Fragile
| Device | Price |
|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Refurbished) | $279.99 |
Screen Size | 6.3" |
Screen Resolution | 2960 x 1440 pixels |
HDR Screen | No pixels |
Processor | Snapdragon 835 pixels |
Internal Memory | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
Operating System | Android 7.1.1 (Nougat) |
Back Camera | 12MP |
Front Camera | 8MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | HD, 4K |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Talk Time | Up to 22 hours |
Dimensions | 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.6mm |
Weight | 195g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | No |
Model Number | SM-N950U |
User Manual |
Pros
Two cameras take fantastic pictures
MicroSD expansion
6GB of RAM
Amazing design and build
Cons
Badly placed fingerprint reader
Quite big and heavy
Speaker is weak
| Device | Price |
|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S9+ (Refurbished) | $230 |
Screen Size | 6.2" |
Screen Resolution | 2960 x 1440 pixels |
HDR Screen | Yes pixels |
Processor | Snapdragon 845 pixels |
Internal Memory | 128GB |
Operating System | Android 8.0 (Oreo) |
Back Camera | 12MP |
Front Camera | 8MP |
HDR for Photos | Yes |
Video Resolution | HD, 4K |
Wireless Charging | Yes |
Voice Commands | Yes |
Dimensions | 158.1 x 73.8 x 8.5mm |
Weight | 189g |
Splash Proof | IP68 |
Water Resistant | Yes |
WiFi & 4G Calling | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
SIM Card | Nano |
eSIM | No |
Model Number | SM-G965U |
User Manual |
Pros
Long battery life
Great display
Camera performance
High-end build
Wireless charging
Cons
Expensive
Fragile all glass design
No major upgrades
Prepaid phone benefits
Save money: Get your next mobile phone upgrade for less than half the retail price.
Get huge value: Since there are only a few minor changes to each new smartphone or iPhone version, you'll get way more bang for your buck when you buy refurbished or used.
Own your phone - and your freedom: Buying your phone outright and using it on a prepaid phone plan means you're in control of everything. You can switch carriers any time if you find a better deal.
Compatibility: You can choose a phone compatible with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, or even unlocked (so it can be used with any network).
Key considerations when buying a prepaid phone
There are a few things you need to know in order to get the best deal and ensure that you're getting a gently used phone in great working condition.
Keep the following in mind as you compare prices on used (sold as-is) and refurbished (tested, cleaned, and repaired) prepaid phones:
Warranty: Reputable sites offer warranties with their used smartphones. Depending on which seller you buy from you might get 30 days, which is what Gazelle give you, or even a full year like Decluttr offers.
Return period: This is another layer of protection for your peace of mind. Most sellers give you the chance to return your phone if it doesn't meet your expectations. Check the website you buy from for details.
Certified pre-owned: A certified phone has been thoroughly inspected and tested to make sure everything functions properly.
Compatibility: You need an unlocked cell phone in order to activate it on your own carrier. Make sure the model you're buying will work with your network (you can usually check on your carrier's website).
Timing: Get the best cell phone deals when a new model of your desired phone comes out.
Payment options: It is possible to buy a used phone with installment payments, just watch the interest rates (you will undergo a credit check). It's typically much better to just pay in full at the time of purchase.
Cheap prepaid phone plans
Buying a prepaid phone is a great start to saving money on your wireless expenses. We're not done yet, though - there's more you can do to free up room in your budget for other things.
Switch to a prepaid phone carrier
You don't have to go with a pay-as-you-go cell phone plan in order to save huge and avoid a contract. Instead, you can take your prepaid phone to an MVNO=.
An MVNO is a smaller mobile service provider that rents space on one or more of the big four wireless networks - AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint - and resells it to you at a cheaper price. They can do this because most of them operate online selling prepaid plans, thus their overhead is much lower than the major carriers'.
Prepaid carrier benefits
Cheaper by up to 50%
Cell phone service on the same reliable high-speed network you're used to
No-contract plans
Custom plans - pay only for what you need, similar to pay-as-you-go plans
Great customer service
Bring your own phone and keep your number
In short, you can put together a monthly plan that fits your needs, at a lower cost than the big four carriers charge. Whether that means an unlimited data plan with unlimited talk and text, or the cheapest cell phone plan you can find, the options are out there.
COMPARE NOW: Prepaid Cell Phone Plans
Sell your old phone online for cash
Sell your old phone online if you want to make more than you would trading it in at a store. It's as simple as that. Buyback sites make it easy and you get cash, not trade-in credit.
Recap
Prepaid phones are a whole different ballgame than they were in the past. Now, you don't have to sacrifice anything in terms of your smartphone and wireless service:
Get the best cell phone deal by comparing phone prices from numerous prepaid carriers in one place.
Switch to a cheaper prepaid phone plan and save up to $600 per line.
Sell your old phone online for cash.
Following these tips can put an extra $1,000 more per year in your pocket!
