There’s no doubt that prepaid or “pay as you go” mobile phones have a bit of a reputation. Known as “burner phones,” prepaid mobile devices are linked to dicey characters, but there are several good reasons to use a pay-as-you-go phone, including those mentioned in this article.
Top 10 Reasons to Get a Prepaid Mobile Phone
Pay as you go phones have come a long way and have since been adopted by millions of people. Here’s why you may want a prepaid mobile instead of a phone contract.
1. Your Children Want a Mobile Phone
Getting your own mobile phone is a major part of growing up in the modern era, but if you’re uncomfortable with giving your 8-year-old child free range of their data, get a prepaid phone. You’ll be able to control how much they spend, and they’re easy to replace, thanks to SIM cards.
2. You Want to Pay for a Cheaper Plan
Pay as you go mobile plans can combine with SIM card plans if you want to pay a cheaper monthly cost. For example, a SIM card with a "PAYG" plan only charges you based on the amount of phone/video calls you make, text messages you send, or the data you use.
3. You’re Carrier Has a Limited Range
If you’re with a smaller carrier, you may not get service on vacation. Sure, you could switch to a bigger carrier where their signal reaches pretty much anywhere, but if you want to avoid high roaming charges while ensuring your stay connected, it’s better to get a prepaid mobile phone.
4. You Don’t Want to Lose Your Expensive Phone
Mobile phones are becoming more and more expensive. At over ?800 a pop, it would be a shame if you went on vacation and lost your new phone. Since the latest gadgets are targets for theft, it makes more sense to take out your SIM card and put it in an older, less costly phone.
5. Your Current Carrier Has Spotty Reception
Even if your current provider can produce a signal for your phone in another country, you may still want a prepaid phone if your reception drops in forests, mountains, or deserts. Getting a prepaid phone from another carrier that can keep up with your adventurous spirit is ideal.
6. You Want to Try Out Another Phone/Brand
The problem with most contracts is their lack of flexibility. You’re tied down to one phone for approximately 2 years, and that can dissuade you from trying out a new phone or brand. With a SIM card, you can switch to and from your regular phone or brand to another pretty easily.
7. You Keep Your Data With You At All Times
If you consider yourself the adventurous type, you may use GoPros or your phone to record or take pictures of the fun things you get up to. But, if your GoPro or phone is destroyed, you’ll have a hard time recovering your data, but that won’t be a problem with a SIM card.
8. You Need a Waterproof Phone for a Limited Time
The uses for a pay-as-you-go phone with a SIM card are virtually endless, especially when it comes to durability. Most phone users have to choose between a truly waterproof or durable mobile device or a top-of-the-line flimsy model, but with prepaid, you can swap between both.
9. You Need to Test Cell Signal (Old iPhone)
If you have an old iPhone, you won’t be able to use its Field Test Mode, which is the only way to reliably measure mobile signal. Any model before 2019 didn’t have this feature, so if you prefer to use old iPhones, you’ll need another brand to test phone signals in a new location.
10. You Want to Turn off GPS Tracking Completely
There are several reasons why you may not want to be tracked, but most modern mobile phones require you to turn your GPS on or sign in to your account to use certain apps or features. If you prefer to go off-grid, some older phones will let you remain anonymous.
