If you want to leave T-Mobile’s network, compare lower-cost plans that run on Verizon or AT&T, then confirm coverage at the places you use your phone. If price is your only concern, Connect by T-Mobile prepaid may be worth checking—but it still uses T-Mobile’s network. There is no single best alternative for everyone: the right choice depends on local coverage, data and hotspot needs, and the plan’s full recurring cost.
Start by deciding whether you need a different network
A different phone-plan brand does not necessarily mean a different network. Lower-cost providers may rely on another carrier’s network, so check which network a plan uses before switching. If T-Mobile coverage is the problem, choose an option that uses a different underlying network and verify that network where you live, work, and travel. If the bill is the problem but T-Mobile service works for you, an in-network prepaid plan could be a simpler comparison.
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Visible: a Verizon-network option to investigate
Visible advertises unlimited data on Verizon 5G and 4G LTE for $25 per month, with taxes and fees included, on its official plan page: Visible. The page lists typical 5G/4G LTE speeds of 20–148 Mbps download and 2–15 Mbps upload. Those are disclosure ranges, not a guarantee of the speeds you will receive; location, signal, handset, and network congestion affect performance.
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Connect by T-Mobile: potentially cheaper, but not a network switch
T-Mobile describes Connect as prepaid plans with 30-day service periods. Customers must refill at or before the end of each period, and the page says you can bring your own device. Check the current plans and terms on T-Mobile’s Connect page. This option may suit someone seeking a lower-cost T-Mobile plan, but it does not move service off T-Mobile’s underlying network.
#1 Best Overall
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Other prepaid brands: compare current terms directly
Verizon-, AT&T-, and T-Mobile-based prepaid offerings can be candidates for reducing a single-line bill, and comparison coverage also points readers toward brands such as Mint and Cricket. However, current official prices and fine print for those brands are not established here. Use a comparison article to identify possibilities, then verify network, price, and plan terms on the carrier’s own current disclosure before deciding: NerdWallet’s prepaid-plan comparison and Tom’s Guide’s prepaid-plan guide.
Compare plans on the details that change the bill and service
Before you switch, compare the same usage pattern across plans. A headline “unlimited” label does not tell you how much high-speed data is included, what happens during congestion, or whether hotspot use has a separate cap.
Rank #2
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with Verizon, Spectrum, AT&T, Total Wireless, other CDMA carriers, it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- 4G LTE Bands: B1/B3/B5/B7/B8/B20/B28/B38/B40/B41
- Display: Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
- Coverage where you actually go: Check the underlying network at home, work, and common travel locations. Coverage maps and typical-speed disclosures are useful screening tools, but do not guarantee indoor or street-level service.
- Recurring total price: Separate promotional or introductory pricing from the renewal price. Account for taxes and fees, required multi-month prepayment, and autopay conditions; these determine what you will keep paying.
- Data behavior: Read the plan’s Broadband Facts disclosure for high-speed data, priority during congestion, reduced-speed or throttling terms after an allowance, and any video limits.
- Hotspot: Confirm whether it is included, how much data is available, whether a speed cap applies, and whether hotspot draws from the same allowance as phone data.
- Switching and support: Check device compatibility, number-porting steps, renewal and cancellation rules, and which customer-support channels are available. Do not assume customer-service quality from the carrier name alone.
- Benefits: Count international access, streaming, or other extras only if you expect to use them and their value to you justifies any price difference.
Choose based on your use case
| Your priority | What to investigate | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Leaving T-Mobile’s network | A plan using a different underlying network, such as Visible’s Verizon-powered service | Coverage at your likely-use locations, device compatibility, and current data and hotspot terms |
| Lowering the bill while keeping T-Mobile’s network | Connect by T-Mobile prepaid | Current plan price, refill timing, included data, and whether the 30-day refill arrangement fits your needs |
| Finding another low-cost prepaid option | Prepaid plans from Verizon, AT&T, or brands such as Mint and Cricket | The provider’s current official price, network, renewal cost, data behavior, hotspot allowance, and taxes or fees |
The table identifies options to investigate, not a universal ranking. The right choice depends on your coverage needs and the live terms of the plan available to you.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- GSM Unlocked: Enjoy seamless connectivity with your preferred GSM carrier. Compatible with T-Mobile, Metro PCS, AT&T, Cricket, Mint Mobile and other GSM networks. SIM card not included. For network compatibility, please check with your carrier. Note: Not compatible with CDMA networks like Verizon (Visible, Spectrum Mobile, US Mobile, Total Wireless, Straight Talk Wireless)
- Boundless Views: Enjoy immersive viewing on the spacious 6.5” HD+ display. Whether you're watching videos, browsing, or gaming, every detail comes through with stunning clarity.
- Smooth Performance, All Day: Powered by an efficient octa-core processor, the G35 ensures smooth performance for your everyday tasks. Enjoy faster app launches, seamless multitasking, and reliable speed.
- Snap, Share, Repeat: The G35 features a dual rear camera setup for sharp, detailed shots, and a front-facing camera that’s perfect for selfies and video calls. Capture every moment with ease and clarity.
- Effortless Access: Keep your phone secure with A.I. Face ID technology. Instantly unlock your G35 with just a glance. It's fast, easy, and secure.
Rank #4
- Charger NOT Included, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 385 ppi, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery
- 128GB, 4GB RAM, microSDXC, Exynos 1330 (5nm), Octa-Core, Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 5MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 2MP, f/2.4 (macro), LED flash, panorama, HDR; Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.0, Android 14, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
- 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100; 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 2/5/25/41/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
Rank #3
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
Make the switch only after checking the live disclosures
- Identify the reason for leaving. If T-Mobile coverage is the issue, prioritize a different underlying network. If cost is the only issue, include T-Mobile prepaid in the comparison.
- Check likely-use locations. Review coverage for home, work, and common travel routes on the network behind each plan. Treat maps as estimates rather than guarantees.
- Read each plan’s current Broadband Facts and terms. Compare high-speed data, congestion priority, post-allowance behavior, video limits, hotspot details, and full recurring price.
- Confirm your phone and switching requirements. Check compatibility and number-porting instructions, along with renewal, cancellation, and support arrangements.
- Recheck the offer before ordering. Prices and terms can change; confirm promotional duration, renewal price, taxes and fees, and any prepayment or autopay requirement on the carrier’s live page.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
