These days, the choices are endless for mobile phone plans. Prepaid and postpaid plans offer different plusses and minuses. The main question to ask yourself is, how predictable is your monthly budget? Read on to learn some of the differences between postpaid and prepaid plans. We’ll also explain NOW Mobile and Xfinity Mobile as great examples of prepaid and postpaid plans, respectively.
What is a prepaid mobile plan?
A prepaid mobile plan is a mobile plan where the monthly cost is paid upfront and has traditionally come with a set number of minutes, text, and data. When buying a new phone, prepaid plans typically require you to pay the full cost of the phone at the time of purchase.
The benefits of prepaid phone plans often include:
- No credit checks since balances are paid up front.
- Flexibility to pause and resume service as needed.
- Lower prices per line.
Overall, prepaid phone plans are great for budget-conscious spenders, those of us who value predictability, and anyone who might have a low credit score.
Increasingly, there are many prepaid phone plans that offer unlimited data, talk, and text, which makes planning for your phone usage even easier.
What is NOW Mobile? What are its key features?
NOW Mobile is a flexible, affordable prepaid mobile service offered exclusively for customers of Xfinity Internet or NOW Internet. It offers no annual contract, no credit check, nationwide 5G connectivity, and access to Xfinity’s 20+ million WiFi hotspots. Best of all, it offers unlimited talk, text, and data so you don’t have to pay for a certain amount of data or minutes for each billing period.
Reduced speeds after 20GB of usage/line. In times of congestion, your data may be temporarily slower than other traffic
Also, it allows you to have up to five lines, and the ability to pause and resume service at any time. To start your NOW Mobile service, simply pay in advance and get connected within minutes when you bring your own phone. And if you’re interested in a new device, NOW Mobile offers great deals.
Ready for a low-cost prepaid mobile plan?
What is postpaid mobile?
Postpaid plans, also known as monthly plans, require you pay at the end of the month for services already used, rather than at this beginning of the billing period.
The benefits of monthly phone plans include:
- Different data options: For very light data users, a plan with a set limit on data can be a cost-effective option. For heavy data users — or those who don’t want to be concerned with limits or overages — unlimited plans can be a reasonably priced option.
- Savings when paying for several lines: Many providers offer discounts on family plans with multiple lines, and you may also be able to share data between lines. For example, Xfinity Mobile plans let you share data between multiple lines when you choose our By the Gig plan.
- International plans: Many plans offer international unlimited talk, text, and data in case you travel out of the US or have relatives abroad.
- Finance your device: When buying a new phone, monthly plans often offer the ability to finance your new device rather than paying the full cost upfront and may offer better promotional deals on devices.
What is Xfinity Mobile? Can I keep my phone with it?
Xfinity Mobile is a postpaid service with a nationwide network complete with 5G and 4G LTE connectivity. Not only that, Xfinity Mobile offers access to secure WiFi hotspots, with speeds up to a gig in over 20 million locations nationwide. Xfinity Mobile is exclusively available for Xfinity Internet customers. Apart from phone plans, Xfinity Mobile also offers cell phone deals.
Ready to save hundreds a year over major carriers?
Prepaid vs. Postpaid Cell Phone Plans
The key difference between postpaid and prepaid mobile plans is when you pay. Prepaid allows you to pay for your mobile services up front. Postpaid allows you to pay for your mobile usage after each billing period.
Postpaid monthly plans also allow you to finance your cell phone and other devices in your monthly plans. Xfinity Mobile offers you month-to-month contracts with the ability to cancel at any time without a termination fee.
Helpful Links on Mobile Plans
Want to learn more about mobile plans and the latest devices? Here are some helpful articles and deals:
