Best Cell Phone Service in Irvine, CA

Comparing Cell Phone Plans in Irvine, CA

Shopping for a new cell phone plan? It's definitely not tough to find one that has all the standard features and fits into your budget, no matter how big or small that is. Of course, with all the plans out there, it's easy to overlook a deal and end up spending more than necessary. That's why after you see a cell phone plan that you like, the best thing to do is shop around more and look for an even better one. That's where we come in, as you can check out all kinds of cell phone and plan options in Irvine, CA on MyRatePlan. We're all about finding the best plan for you at a great price, while cutting down the time you have to spend shopping for cell phone plans.

Different Types of Cell Phone Plans Available in Irvine, CA

Most customers in the Irvine, CA area are looking for a few features when they choose a phone. These are: minutes offered, how many text messages they can make and receive, and data plans. When you plan to use your phone for multiple things, you'll want a service that offers a good deal for all of these amenities.

Many people now completely depend on their cell phone for their communication needs, either through phone calls, text messages, live face-to-face apps, email and more. Our service allows you to look at the different ways you can communicate and see just what you can save. You'll be able to choose from three groups of wireless plans in Irvine, CA, which will include family, individual and no contract plans.

Single line plans are perfect when you only need to have service for one cell phone. You'll receive a rate for talk, text and data usage that will not include another phone or device. This is the best cell phone plan if you do not have a spouse or children who also need a phone.

If you have a spouse or children who do need cell phones, a family plan may be your best option. Family plans do cost more but are the best choice when two or more lines are necessary. The fees are less than if you would purchase separate lines for your family. Since family plans offer shared minutes, texts, and data, be sure to choose a plan that will cover everyone in your family.

A prepaid cell phone plan, also known as month-to-month, no contract and pay-as-you-go, is the most flexible option in terms of pricing and payments. Prepaid phone service in Irvine, CA is much more advanced than it was years ago. While you can choose to only pay the amount that you are comfortable with, there can be additional fees. The actual phones themselves may be priced higher to make up the difference in price. However, you're likely to find a newer smartphone with most companies; plus, you will never be bound by a contract.

Most contacts with the major carriers require you to sign up for one to two years, with most contracts being two. Every month you pay a certain amount that goes toward your bill and possibly the actual cost of the phone, if you choose to spread out the payments, and you will have to pay this amount for the whole length of the cell phone contract. Canceling this contract means having to pay an early termination fee, which can cost you hundreds of dollars, especially if you have more than one phone on your plan.

Which Cell Phone Plan Is Best For You in Irvine, CA

When you have to choose a new cell phone plan in Irvine, CA, it is a good idea to think about how many lines you will need and the type of additional services you want to include. Most service providers will factor three things into the plans that they offer: talk, text and data.

If you choose to go with a cheaper plan, you may end up having a limit on your talk and text messages. That is good for people who don't use their phones often. But those who talk on a daily basis and need access to their phone at all times should go with an unlimited plan. For those who choose a prepaid plan, you can either buy a refill card that offers minutes or go with an unlimited talk and text refill card that is offered by most (but not all) no-contract carriers.

Data is a major factor when it comes to choosing a plan these days. Most cell phone carriers in Irvine, CA will charge more for high amounts of data use. And while there are some unlimited data plans available, they tend to either have restrictions and limits, or they are extremely expensive. Most plans are priced per MB or GB used, in some cases, when you go over your data limit, you will be charged for overages. Therefore, it is important to choose a data plan that will meet your personal data usage needs.

Compare Cell Phone Carriers in Irvine, CA

The large carrier networks in Irvine, CA include: AT&T, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, and Sprint. There are also smaller carriers available, which are called MVNOs, but they still usually operate on at least one of the larger carrier's networks.

AT&T is among the largest wireless providers in the nation and boasts an extensive lineup of plans. It has individual and family plans available, and you can get a plan with or without a contract.

Verizon Wireless also provides individual plans, family plans, and no-contract plans. When you obtain service with Verizon, you start the process by choosing either your prepaid plan or shared data plan. Shared data plans are available for individual or family use. They include a set data limit along with unlimited minutes and text messages.

Sprint has all the standard phone plans and a more expansive version of the family plan with its Better Choice Plan, which is for friends as well as families. One of Sprint's best features is its data, as it is one of the few carriers with unlimited 4G LTE data. If you have an unlimited data plan, Sprint never throttles your data.

T-Mobile has branded itself the 'uncarrier,' and its entire lineup is no-contract plans. It has individual and family plans available, and its two main plan lines are T-Mobile ONE and Simple Choice. These plans offer unlimited everything for a set monthly price, although T-Mobile does throttle data when you reach your plan limit.

Smaller MVNO cell carriers can also be good choices, even if they aren't as well-known as the national brands. Smaller cell carriers run on the networks of larger carriers so you will likely have service in Irvine, CA. Our cell phone plan comparison tool above lets you compare major carriers and MVNOs.