Advice on Purchasing an iPhone and Plans?

[obafgkm]

I am likely to purchase an iPhone later in 2016, after the iPhone 7 is released. I have never had a smartphone. I have been using an Audiovox 8610 (look it up!) on Virgin Mobile on a pre-pay plan since 2006 (18 cents a minute) and never had a problem with coverage. Heck, I haven't even had to change the battery in all that time. With the Virgin Mobile plan, I don't use the phone much, though that is likely to change with a smartphone.

I am familiar with iOS; I have an iPod Touch and an iPad Air that I use frequently.

I would prefer to buy a non-subsidized phone and find a plan that is low-cost. I have become used to paying $80/year for my Virgin Mobile phone pay-as-you-go plan. I know I will not find something so cheap with an iPhone, but I would like to spend as little as possible for a plan. I have never texted (and do not intend to), but plan to use the phone as a telephone and for apps while away from home. I doubt I will do much streaming on the iPhone.

Is there an online tool that can help me sort out what plan is best? Or what things should I consider over the next few months? I know things will change between now and this fall when the iPhone 7 goes on sale, but I like to be able to sort out options with plenty of time.

 

[timeconsumer]

Since you'd prefer to buy a non-subsidized phone I would recommend buying directly from Apple and make sure you get the factory unlocked phone so you can take it to any carrier.

The least expensive iPhone plan that I am aware of is the $30 plan from T-Mobile. For this it will give you 100 minutes, unlimited text, 5GB data (then throttled after that). https://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/other-prepaid-plans

However it sounds like you'll need more minutes based on your post, all carriers offer their version of prepaid or pay as you go type options. Here's the best I could find for the "top 4" carriers in the US.

Verizon: http://www.verizonwireless.com/prepaid/
AT&T: https://www.att.com/shop/wireless/gophone-plans.html
Sprint: https://www.sprint.com/shop/plan-wall/?INTNAV=LeftNav:Shop:Plans#!/?plan=individual
T-Mobile: http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/pay-as-you-go

Since you are on Virgin Mobile currently you can also check with them to see what they offer for iPhone/smartphone users if you're happy with their service.

Also to note, your usage may change once you're using a smartphone as you'll have much more functionality from the device. So while you're only paying a certain amount now, you may see the added value of the additional functionality/features of the smartphone.

Hope this helps!

 

[MephistoZap]

Well instead of spending $700 on a iPhone, cricket is selling brand new iPhone 5s for $200. They have plans for $35 month with unlimited talk text and 2.5 gb of data. It runs on atts network so it's overall much better network then sprint is. I've been using cricket for a well over a year now and love it. They also sell the iPhone 6s with a $100 off the original price.

 

[timeconsumer]

Well instead of spending $700 on a iPhone, cricket is selling brand new iPhone 5s for $200. They have plans for $35 month with unlimited talk text and 2.5 gb of data. It runs on atts network so it's overall much better network then sprint is. I've been using cricket for a well over a year now and love it. They also sell the iPhone 6s with a $100 off the original price.

Would the 5S be locked to Cricket/AT&T? Only asking in case the OP doesn't like the service with them. Also, if I'm not mistaken the 5S would be limited in carrier options in comparison to the 6 or 6S. I believe the 6 and 6S if unlocked will work on any US carrier whereas the 5S had different versions for each carrier. Of course if the OP likes Cricket/AT&T this wouldn't matter, but I try to avoid recommending a device that's tied to a certain carrier.

 

[Flow39]

That $30 T-Mobile plan is the one I use, and it's great. As long as you don't talk on the phone too much, it is the best deal you can get on a plan currently. Plus it is prepaid so you don't have to get locked into a contract or payment plan like Jump or AT&T Next.