Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Carrier Postpaid vs Prepaid cellular plans

M

max2

macrumors 603
Original poster
May 31, 2015
6,429
2,045
Is coverage really different ? Like for example with AT&T or Verizon.

Thinking of switching to prepaid but not sure yet. Right now have postpaid.
 
  • Like
Reactions: russell_314
I had cricket wireless on at&t, 5gigs for $35 a month and had zero issues with signal. Maybe speed was slow because it was capped to 8mbs but I couldn’t tell.
I now have visible, operating on Verizon’s. I have unlimited for $25 and the signal is even better. My tax guy where he lives has super week signal on cricket but I had full speed on visible. Soooooo I am in now way incapable of paying for a cell phone plan I just refuse to. I just buy unlock and currently have an xs max. Sister paid close to $100 on Verizon but I helped her switch to visible and she doesn’t notice and speed differences.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: max2
Was on a Verizon postpaid shared data plan for about 10 years. Switched about 6 months ago to prepaid. I've noticed no difference at all. BUT, that's in my area of use. Yours may very well be different. I don't use much data as I'm always on wifi at home and work. Saved about 30 % on my bill.
 
  • Like
Reactions: max2
I changed from post paid Verizon to Straight Talk and now on Spectrum prepaid. All are on Verizon and I can't say I've noticed a difference. The big difference is customer support. Verizon wasn't good by any means but it was acceptable. Straight talk and Spectrum (Formally Time Warner cable) have almost non existent customer service.
Straight talk had support based in India so it took me a while trying to port my number from Verizon. They eventually figured it out and I never needed support after that.

Spectrum only has customer support for new customers. They sent me a new phone I picked out and everything. Now when it was time to upgrade a year later they were like well you have to go to the store and pick a phone. We only mail phones to new customers. The problem is their stores only have a few certain models in stock so if you want anything else too bad you can't get it. I wanted the 11 Pro Max and my choice was only rose gold and 64 GB.

When the new iPhone 12 comes out I'm just going to buy it from the Apple store, ditch Spectrum and go with a prepaid Straight talk SIM kit from Walmart. About $50 a month for 25 GB on Verizon network can't be beat.
 
  • Like
Reactions: max2
Thanks does a lot of wireless providers for prepaid have esims ?
 
Went from PostPaid to PrePaid AT&T last year. Only difference I have seen is my bill is way lower and I have more data per person. Buying PrePaid cards at Target lowers the bill even more.
 
  • Like
Reactions: max2
prss14 said:
Went from PostPaid to PrePaid AT&T last year. Only difference I have seen is my bill is way lower and I have more data per person. Buying PrePaid cards at Target lowers the bill even more.
Click to expand...

Can I use prepaid with my esim ?
 
forums.macrumors.com

List of eSim providers (Prepaid vs Postpaid)

Is there a more detailed list of eSIM providers somewhere? I know Apple lists the carriers but outside of that, it lacks any useful information like if they offer post-paid or pre-paid on eSIM, if it's provisioned via app or if you have to call or obtain an eSIM card like on EE. EDIT: Doesn't...
forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com
 
max2 said:
Thanks does a lot of wireless providers for prepaid have esims ?
Click to expand...

I did that for T-Mobile and AT&T when I was trying to decide who to go with. If one store says they can't do it, go to another one. Some sales people still don't know how to set it up.
 
  • Like
Reactions: max2
The same cellular towers are used so the coverage map is identical.

The carrier will prioritize connections to postpaid customers above their own prepaid customers followed by MVNOs.

If the tower your device is connecting to is not congested you shouldn’t see any difference.
 
  • Like
Reactions: max2
teeshot44 said:
I did that for T-Mobile and AT&T when I was trying to decide who to go with. If one store says they can't do it, go to another one. Some sales people still don't know how to set it up.
Click to expand...

Is this with prepaid?
 
I know in some cases, they don't get the roaming benefits. For me, I choose the postpaid for the ability to get devices on EIP and upgrade without having to pay full price each time. I had AT&T prepaid before going postpaid, I see no difference in coverage but I do in speed during peak hours. T-Mobile prepaid was the same as postpaid but I didn't keep the prepaid long enough to notice coverage/speed differences.
 
  • Like
Reactions: VineRider and max2
max2 said:
I spent over 1 or 2 hours at AT&T store for them doing unlimited postpaid for me on a esim.
Click to expand...

It took me a while too because I did a port in and trade in promotion. Still, I think in store was best as I could see what they were doing and got to use my device before I left.
 
Septembersrain said:
It took me a while too because I did a port in and trade in promotion. Still, I think in store was best as I could see what they were doing and got to use my device before I left.
Click to expand...
Sorry was this with prepaid on a esim?
 
Your speed on Verizon or AT&T will depend on where you use your phone. Some areas have good connection on one service but not the other. I'd ask around your neighborhood to find out what provider works best in your area.
 
Roaming may not be available on some prepaid plans. This is the case with AT&T prepaid. I experienced no service in some remote areas of New Mexico on my prepaid phone whereas my postpaid phone had service. Also spam blocking may not be included as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back