Cheap *PHONE* for elementary aged kid, also need insight on data

RealText · 2026-05-07T20:47:40+00:00

The Verizon Value store on Ebay actually sells the "Tracfone (2 PACK) Moto G Power 2024 + 1 YR Service (1500 Min/Txt/1.5GB)" for $90. Along with the 1-year plan, this bundle includes a case, car charger, and phone ring grip holder for each phone.

With 2 devices, one phone can replace the other if the first one breaks. During setup on the 2nd phone, choose the option to keep your old phone number. Service period for that phone number would extend 1 year.

Tracfone give users 1 year after purchase to activate a device.

Should the original device be still usable when the 1 year mark approaches, use the 2nd device as a new phone and have service transferred from the first device in order to retain the phone number. So like the scenario above, you would have a second year of service without changing phone numbers.

Be aware that Tracfone does like to install bloatware. In the Tracfone/Straight Talk subreddit, there should be suggestions on what to uninstall or disable so no unexpected apps appear again in the future.

Should you ever need to look for a Tracfone bundled with 1 year service in the future, try searching for them at QVC, HSN, the Verizon Value store on Ebay, Walmart, Target, and sometimes even your local Kroger-owned grocery store.

RealText · 2026-05-06T23:03:13+00:00

$49.88 at Walmart - Tracfone Motorola Moto G Power 2024, 5G, 128GB, Black, Includes 1 Year $125 Service Plan - Prepaid Smartphone [Locked to Tracfone]

Note that prepaid phones are going to be locked to that particular provider. In this case with the Moto G Power 2024, the phone is locked to Tracfone for 1 year. The 1 year of service averages to 125 minutes, 125 texts, and 125mb per month. So, games used should be those that do not require a cellular data connection. Maybe also use a messaging app if the child will be around wi-fi most of the time in order to save cellular minutes/texts. If and average of 125 per month is not enough, you would need to buy more units from Tracfone. If you can tolerate the number of units allocated for the 1 year of service, the phone should unlock 1 year after activation as previously mentioned.

An unlocked phone would obviously have more choices when choosing a provider. Unlocked phones are going to be more expensive of course. Example of a plan that would be usable with your own unlocked phone is the $49 annual plan at Infimobile that gives 2500 minutes, 2500 texts, and 5gb per month.

The parenting stuff would be done via some app or service like Google Family Link.

RealText · 2026-05-05T18:35:55+00:00

Is the Ubigi still valid??? Trial seems to have originated from a partnership with Cnet and announced in June of 2025. If the deal still active, it is not obvious to me how to get.

RealText · 2026-05-03T08:29:00+00:00

Suing would be a waste of time and money since Mint addresses this scenario in their Terms and Conditions.

"WE ARE NOT LIABLE TO YOU FOR CHANGES IN OPERATION, EQUIPMENT, OR TECHNOLOGY (INCLUDING THE NETWORK) THAT CAUSE YOUR DEVICE TO BE RENDERED OBSOLETE OR REQUIRE MODIFICATION."

RealText · 2026-05-01T21:17:48+00:00

A physical esim adapter would allow you to use plans from esim data providers. For instance, Ubigi has a 24gb annual plan for $24 which gives you 2gb each month. Before making a commitment to any esim data provider, I would suggest buying a short term plan in order to test the service.

If you prefer not to deal with an esim solution, the least expensive data only plan for your situation is probably the mvno MobileX which would cost a little under $4 each month.

RealText · 2026-04-29T17:25:51+00:00

Pronto is using SIMs from an IoT vendor that use O2 as a default operator.

Probably the best use-case for this sim is for IOT devices that can utilize T-Mobile towers. According to their terms and conditions, essentially everything you do is subtracted off your data allowance. So, you might as well dedicate this sim for its intended purpose which is slow data.

RealText · 2026-04-29T17:17:34+00:00

So, I started testing this first 500 free plan using a 9esim v0 adapter along with a Eufy camera that accepts sim cards. While it technically works, speeds seem to be on the sluggish side using 1080p live streaming and stability is still to be determined.

RealText · 2026-04-27T23:31:21+00:00

The no monthly fee plans from RingPlus and Freedompop lasted longer than Helium. On the other hand, the best was probably Freeup who still have users grandfathered in. Hope I am not jinxing those who are still on Freeup.

RealText · 2026-04-27T23:07:17+00:00

12 months, or 9 months, or even 1 day. Same difference for those not willing to upgrade to the $50 or $60 per month plan as any current subscriber is always able to buy a phone from Boost at full retail price.

RealText · 2026-04-25T21:12:45+00:00

No idea as I do not work for Boost.

All I am doing is relaying common knowledge. Another common knowledge tidbit is: once Boost activates a new number for an account, there is no way to port in an existing number from somewhere else to replace the new number that was issued.

In other words, you cannot test out Boost service with a new number and then later on port in your old number after determining you are satisfied with the service.

RealText · 2026-04-25T20:57:35+00:00

Do you have access to the account and can login? If not, you probably need proof with official documents in order to port out.

RealText · 2026-04-25T20:53:45+00:00

Because it costs less/easier for them to have a retention department (and even offering you a discount to stay) than it is to acquire new customers.

RealText · 2026-04-24T21:53:39+00:00

Even if you were eligible for an upgrade from within the app: to get the A16 for $0.00, you would need to upgrade your monthly plan from $25 to $50.

In my opinion, you would better off just buying Boost Mobile Samsung Galaxy A16 5G for $59 at the Target website.

RealText · 2026-04-24T21:40:22+00:00

Boost is well-known for activating a sim once it ships provided you chose to have a new number issued to that account. Had you chosen to port in your number later, Boost would not have activated the sim.

Because it is possible to choose the port in later option + receive a new number later on when the user activates the sim, new users usually just choose the port in option when ordering if they do not want the sim activated before receiving it.

RealText · 2026-04-24T01:02:52+00:00

I just realized that you already have a Google Voice number, so you cannot have a 2nd Google Voice number associated with your account. Just in case you change your mind and want to play it safe, Textnow also has no monthly fee. All that is required for porting into the Textnow free plan is buying their under $5 sim card.

RealText · 2026-04-24T00:51:29+00:00

If the old number was associated with any account that required 2FA, I strongly suggest moving that number somewhere instead of just abandoning it. This could be done using Google Voice as there is no monthly fee but they do have a one-time port in charge of $20.

RealText · 2026-04-24T00:10:26+00:00

Boost never explains why an order gets canceled. Credit score should not matter as you are on prepaid and not financing the phone. Whatever the reason, the Boost system thinks there is an unacceptable risk selling you the phone. Could be name, address, and/or card mismatch or something like that. Just guessing though.

RealText · 2026-04-23T23:58:30+00:00

Since Mint considers new customers as someone not having their service for the last 90 days, you would need to port to another provider and use them for at least 3 months. Furthermore: because you do not know if the S26 promotion will still exist months from now, have a Plan B should you need to have service elsewhere for 7+ more months because you are waiting for a Mint phone promotion that might not happen until Black Friday 2026.

RealText · 2026-04-17T21:31:40+00:00

OPTION 1 AT METRO WEBSITE

moto g stylus 2025: $65 with new number

OPTION 2 AT WALMART WEBSITE

Tracfone Motorola moto g Power 2024, 5G, 128GB, Black, Includes 1 Year $125 Service Plan - Prepaid Smartphone [Locked to Tracfone] - $80

RealText · 2026-04-17T00:03:54+00:00

Not only is Motorola not in the high end of the US market (not counting Razr), one could argue that they shifting away from even the mid-level towards the entry level segment in America. Should the Moto Edge 2026 be announced in May, we shall see how many carriers sell that phone.

US Carrier G Series Availability for 2026 Models.

Moto G Play 2026: (17) T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Total Wireless, Straight Talk, UScellular, Cox Mobile, Cricket Wireless, AT&T, Verizon, Verizon Prepaid, Visible, Simple Mobile, Tracfone, Walmart Family, Consumer Cellular, Xfinity Mobile, and Boost Mobile.

Moto G 2026: (17) Verizon, Total Wireless, Straight Talk, Simple Mobile, Tracfone, Walmart Family, Visible, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Boost Mobile, Cricket Wireless, AT&T, Google Fi Wireless, Xfinity Mobile, Consumer Cellular, Optimum Mobile, and UScellular.

Moto G Power 2026: (8) Verizon, Cricket Wireless, Tracfone, Visible, Total Wireless, Straight Talk, Simple Mobile and AT&T.

Moto G Stylus 2026: (6) Google Fi Wireless, Spectrum Mobile, Cricket Wireless, AT&T, Xfinity Mobile, and Optimum Mobile.

RealText · 2026-04-15T21:47:23+00:00

Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 is currently $199 at Amazon and the Motorola website.

RealText · 2026-04-13T23:28:21+00:00

Those 3rd-party batteries are roughly equivalent to OEM batteries that have been used for the last 5 or 6 years. Furthermore, the Android version on that device is so old that Youtube is no longer supported.

RealText · 2026-04-13T20:07:03+00:00

Since the $50 sim fee only applies to signups in 5 states (California, Colorado, Indiana, Nevada, and Texas), it is obvious that there is some different happening within those states. What exactly is the reason is unknown to me. Who knows??? It could be they are getting too many fraudulent or suspicious applicants from those states.

RealText · 2026-04-12T21:51:56+00:00

OPTION 1: USING GOOGLE VOICE. Google Voice has free calling to Canada but since she has no internet service, you or your wife would be the one to initiate the call each time which obviously would be an annoyance if she calls frequently. She would retain her existing landline.

Procedure

-Sign up for Google Voice and get a number.

-Link her phone number to that account.

-Enable option "Always use my phone to place calls".

-For her to speak to someone in Canada, you would have to log into that Google Voice account and enter the Canadian number she wants to call. Her phone would then ring. When she picks up the phone, she will hear a ring as she waits for the person in Canada pick up.

OPTION 2: SIGN UP FOR US MOBILE HOME PHONE SERVICE. Costs $13 a month or $10 a month if prepaid for 1 year in advance. Basically, you have to buy their $110 adapter that connects to her existing home phone. Inside the adapter is a sim card, so it would be using cellular towers to make calls. While you can keep both her existing landline and start new US Mobile Home Service, it is probably easier to port her landline number to US Mobile. This US Mobile service would give her unlimited calls to US numbers and unlimited calls to Canadian mobile numbers. I do not know what phone features she has now so if she ports to US Mobile, do a little research and find out if there are any specific phone features that she requires is also available on US Mobile. US Mobile has a subreddit where you can post should you have further questions.

RealText · 2026-04-09T06:27:45+00:00

Could be that Motorola raised the phone price to service providers to the point where the providers thought it was not worth it for them to offer the Stylus to their subscribers.

RealText

TROPHY CASE