Straight Talk keeps its prices down by using existing cell towers from other companies. While this definitely helps Straight Talk stay more affordable (yay!), it also means you’ll have to do without a few bells and whistles. That means reduced data speeds and no family plan deals. If you can live without these luxuries, then you can save some money—and find some flexibility too—with Straight Talk. For the main course, there’s unlimited nationwide text and calling plans. You get a higher data cap, which is great—and a 25 GB tier will work for anyone who isn’t completely glued to their phone. And for those who are, there’s also an unlimited data option. These plans can be quite appetizing, especially if you compare those low prices to unlimited plans from major carriers, like Verizon and T-Mobile—which, for all their quality, will always be pricier. Like any good buffet, Straight Talk has a deal for grandma and grandpa, too. The cheapest plan from Straight Talk will give you 1,500 minutes, unlimited texts, and 100 MB of data. Perfect for those who use the internet mainly for email and who aren’t streaming Spotify or Snapchatting.
Auto-refill savings: You can save $1 on your monthly bill if you sign up for “auto-refill”—basically autopay. Extended plans: If you’ve got a few hundred dollars burning a hole in your pocket, you can pay up front for discounted three-, six-, or 12-month “extended plans” Family Plans: Straight Talk has no deals—zero, zilch, nada—for adding extra lines. You’ll have to look elsewhere for a family plan. Extra data add-ons: Used up all your high-speed data mid-month, but now you just need to stream the new Kanye album? You can buy 1 GB add-ons for $5. Global calling add on: Got a relative in Guatemala? Or a friend in Malaysia? Add a global calling card onto any plan for $10.
Most of us expect to have reliable cell service all the time—if not for our bosses, then for ourselves. (Gotta post that killer shot from your sunrise hike or it’s like it didn’t happen!) Straight Talk’s network uses a patchwork of other companies’ towers (including some with the best coverage), making the service a bit confusing. Your coverage will differ depending on the device you have (CDMA or GSM) and how you set it up with Straight Talk. Tom’s Guide has measured Straight Talk’s average LTE speed at 31.1 Mbps.1 That makes it slower than all the major leaguers out there, but still ahead of other discount mobile companies like Boost and Cricket.
Data speeds: The LTE averages at 31.1 Mbps downloading and 15.6 Mbps uploading. Streaming quality: Straight Talk phones contain “data optimizers” that limit you to 480p resolution. So you can still stream, but the quality won’t be amazing. Mobile hotspots: No luck here. Straight Talk’s acceptable use policy excludes “all hotspot applications”. Denied!
Straight Talk has all of the newest Apple and Samsung phones, and some budget options from other manufacturers (including a retro flip phone for all you hipsters and old souls). Most phones can be paid for in monthly installments. So, how does Straight Talk measure up? According to J.D. Power’s 2018 U.S. Wireless Customer Care study, which surveyed over 14,000 customers, Straight Talk is among the lowest ranking cell phone companies.2 (Sad trombone noise) The company scored lower than T-Mobile, Verizon, Boost, Cricket and others. But it did beat out other budget operators, like Tracfone. So there’s still some good news there: if you just need the budget service, it might still be worth it. If you need to try your luck with Straight Talk customer service, you can call 1-877-430-2355. However, if you want crystal-clear streaming quality, high-speed hotspots, and perfect nationwide coverage, you might want to look at some more traditional plans.
