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AT&T vs. Visible: Which unlimited carrier fits your needs?
AT&T and Visible both offer unlimited data but differ in some key areas including 5G coverage and international features
If you’re a heavy data user, you’ve probably been shepherded toward the most expensive plans carriers offer with tons of premium data, hotspot data, and international features you don’t really need. Visible stands out for these users by offering totally unlimited data with no speed caps and a low price. Visible cuts costs in all of the right ways for most people by dropping premium data on its base plan, cutting the speed of hotspot data, and keeping its international offers minimal.
T-Mobile vs. Verizon: Which carrier is the better value?
T-Mobile and Verizon offer a lot of data on their 5G networks, with streaming-focused perks to help customers make the most of them
T-Mobile has been a big pain for the incumbent top carriers, AT&T and Verizon, over the past few years. This is due to its departure from the stifling contract-laden past plans, a boost in 5G deployment (thanks to its purchase of Sprint), and its valuable 2.5GHz spectrum. T-Mobile has managed to keep its foot on the gas with other updates like new plans, simplified pricing, and easy-to-understand discounts that have kept the carrier competitive as Verizon has started to decrease the gap in mid-band 5G coverage.
Verizon vs. AT&T: Which is the best carrier for you?
AT&T and Verizon are two of the biggest carriers in the game, thanks to their excellent coverage, but how do they stack up?
Both AT&T and Verizon offer wireless plans with premium and unlimited data plans. While both carriers’ plans are on the expensive side, their vast coverage, international perks, and multiline savings make them appealing to many users. Besides that, if you want one of the latest flagship phones for the whole family, 36-month payment plans and upgrade discounts can take the sting off of the price. Most users will have excellent coverage on either carrier, so really, the choice comes down to which plans give you the best value.
Best Verizon plans in 2024
Verizon offers excellent coverage and a ton of 5G data with its best plans, but you probably don't need to get the top plan
Verizon is a popular carrier thanks to years of excellent coverage, and the best Verizon plans give you plenty of data to take advantage of the network wherever you go.
Best phone carriers in 2024
There are a ton of plans to choose from, but the best network mostly comes down to coverage in your area
Phones get all the attention for their flashy hardware and features, but it's important to ensure you’re on the right carrier to get the best coverage and connectivity. If you want to switch to a new carrier, the first thing to consider is coverage. This can vary depending on where you live. The Big Three carriers offer solid LTE coverage for most Americans. Rural customers need to be more careful and double-check the coverage map before signing up. If you want to take full advantage of a new phone, you’ll want a carrier with strong mid-band 5G coverage.
Mint Mobile vs. Verizon: What's the difference?
Mint Mobile offers strong savings on data, while Verizon has a lot more flexibility thanks to controlling its own network
If you need a phone plan, Verizon may seem like the obvious choice, thanks to years of excellent 3G and LTE coverage paired with memorable marketing. Verizon's plans can get expensive fast with streaming add-ons, and its best 5G speeds requiring one of its pricier plans. Even so, Verizon has rightfully earned its reputation for great coverage, and many people are willing to pay a little more to know their call will nearly always go through.
Visible vs. Verizon: Which carrier should you pick?
Visible keeps its plans simple with unlimited data and no worrying about multi-line or multi-month discounts
Verizon Wireless has a lot of dedicated customers that have been willing to pay a bit more for a reliable network with great coverage. While Verizon's older plan stack was overcomplicated and bloated, its current offering of three plans and a smorgasbord of add-on's is a lot easier to wrap your head around. Even so, Visible's plans are much simpler with just two choices and unlimited data on both. Visible also bakes in its taxes and fees, giving you a better idea of how much phone service will actually cost before you go through the trouble of creating an account.
Visible vs. Google Fi: Which carrier should you pick?
Google Fi has great features, but Visible's simplicity and low prices push it ahead.
Visible is known for its unlimited data; to that point, it's one of only a handful of prepaid carriers to offer truly unlimited data on its unlimited plans. By comparison, Google Fi's unlimited plans come with 35GB or 50GB of high-speed data before being throttled to 256Kbps. Even so, Google Fi rightly points out that this is more than enough data for most people, and Fi's strength really comes from something that Visible can't match — international roaming and Google services.
Does Visible work in Mexico?
Visible's premium Visible+ plan not only comes with faster 5G access, but roaming in Mexico and Canada is inlcuded in the price.
Visible is a prepaid carrier owned by Verizon that specializes in unlimited data and plan simplicity. In the United States, customers get totally unlimited data on Verizon’s LTE and 5G network with taxes and fees included. Visible’s cheapest plan comes in at $30 per month with its only international features being free calls to Mexico and Canada. If you want to roam in these countries, you’ll need to upgrade to the $45 Visible+ plan which also comes with some domestic perks like access to faster 5G speeds and 50GB of premium data.
Verizon’s legacy Unlimited plans are getting more expensive
Your monthly phone bill is going up by $2
Inflation has caused the prices of almost everything around you to become more expensive. Smartphones have gotten pricier, and even streaming services have been forced to hike their prices or introduce an ad-supported tier. And now, your monthly phone bill is also about to become more expensive. Starting this week, Verizon is increasing the prices of some of its older Unlimited plans by an additional $2/month.
Does Visible have 5G?
Visible uses Verizon's 5G network with the Visible+ plan, getting full Ultra Wideband speeds
Carriers like Verizon build and maintain their own wireless networks, which is an extremely expensive thing to do. In order for Verizon to maximize its return on that investment, its plans need to cover as wide a range of customers as possible, including value-focused customers like those attracted to Visible's prepaid plans. Visible is a prepaid carrier owned by Verizon, and as such, it uses Verizon's network for all of its coverage. Visible has two plans, with the more expensive plan offering stronger speeds on 5G if you've got coverage.
Verizon will let you test-drive its network free for 30 days, 'no strings attached'
You’ll need to be in the United States and have an eSIM device
It’s a good time to be considering changing your phone carrier. Last week we told you about a new Google Fi trial option that allows people with phones that support eSIMs to test drive the service for a week, and decide if it’s right for you. Today Verizon upped the ante by giving potential customers the option to try out its 5G Ultra Wideband network for free for 30 days, with no obligation to commit, and minimal strings attached.
Does Visible support eSIM?
Visible allows activations with physical SIMs and eSIMs as long as the carrier supports your phone.
Visible is a prepaid carrier owned by Verizon that has focused on delivering truly unlimited plans with straightforward pricing and no hoops to jump through to get the best rates. Visible has no stores, so customers need to handle most of their own account setup and activation, though customer support is available for assistance. If you want to sign up for phone service with Visible, you can get your phone activated in just a few minutes without waiting for the mail or driving to a store.
Verizon is planning some big changes to its rewards program — here's what to know
Spend those Device Dollars soon
Verizon rolled out its Verizon Up program almost five years ago, offering an excellent bonus for the carrier's customers. It's delivered perks like Device Dollars, which were monthly rewards you could put toward buying new gadgets. The biggest US service provider stopped letting people claim their credit in November, and that now looks like it was a sign of things to come. Customers learned yesterday that the company is making major changes to how Verizon Up works.
US airlines launch latest attempt to temporarily ground Verizon and AT&T's C-band 5G plans
The companies see this week's expected launch as potentially 'catastrophic'
AT&T and Verizon have been waiting for nearly two years to finally get their hands on some old satellite TV spectrum that has sat unused for years. Following an auction process at the tail end of 2020, the networks seemed set to launch the "C-band" just in time for the holidays, until the airlines and the FAA politely requested this 5G expansion get pushed into 2022. After relenting on yet another delay two weeks ago, both companies intend for their improved networks to go live on Wednesday, January 19th. Unfortunately, those plans may also be in jeopardy.
Verizon and AT&T have relented in their fight with the FAA, delaying C-band 5G for two more weeks
Turns out airplane safety is pretty important
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Despite the hype from carriers, the switch to 5G hasn't been quite the game changer many of us had expected. Sure, having faster data speeds on the go is nice, but Twitter and Instagram feeds can only load so fast — and some areas still have yet to get their first taste of 5G at all. Verizon and AT&T planned to launch some newly-acquired spectrum — the "C-band" — late last year, but delayed its plans following safety concerns from the FAA. While both companies pushed back against the request for additional holdups, they've since relented and agreed to a two-week delay.
Stable Android 12 arrived for Pixel phones a few weeks back. Whether you're buying a brand new Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro, or you're updating an older phone, Android 12 comes with not only design improvements in the form of Material You (whether you love it or hate it, it's here to stay), but also new features that should greatly change the way you use your phone. Now some Pixel users are receiving an unexpected new Android 12 update, and it sure seems like this one's being sent out in error.
Here's why unlocked Pixel 6 phones on Verizon aren't getting updates (yet)
Users are also facing SIM card issues when activating
By all accounts, Google's latest smartphones are some of its best yet — especially considering the $600 starting price. However, if you're a Verizon customer, you've likely noticed the smaller Pixel 6 is much more expensive, with a $100 price increase across both storage options. If you decided to buy unlocked to avoid its mmWave-related markup, a couple of other issues are likely causing you even more frustration.
All passengers flying Verizon and AT&T to C-band 5G, your arrival's been delayed due to aircraft interference
Now scheduled for 2022
For nearly two years, we've waited as the FCC had worked to free up underutilized spectrum for telecoms, all in an effort to expand 5G. This "C-band" was previously used primarily by satellite companies, auctioned off to carriers earlier this year. Verizon and AT&T had planned to launch their newly-bought spectrum next month, but following some potential safety concerns, they have postponed the plans into 2022.
Pixel 6 pre-orders are so delayed your estimate is basically meaningless
Carriers and retailers alike can't lock down delivery dates
After months of rumors, leaks, and wild speculation, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro finally arrive on store shelves tomorrow. With glowing reviews for both phones, it's no wonder that plenty of users are excited to try out Google's new flagships. Unfortunately, not everyone will get that chance — even if they got their orders in on time last week.