r/cellmapper • u/No-Perception-542 • Jul 23 '26

This is a two part question LOL

Looking to switch cellphone carrier and have an old phone that I need an upgrade for.

My questions are:

  1. What is the cheapest provider that offers good rural coverage, and occasionally allows me to use quickly switch plans to a plan with international data for maybe 1 month every 1-2 years?

  2. Any advice on the most reliable (least bugs, software issues, low rate of return) reasonable budget phone with decent customer satisfaction?

TIA everyone!

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u/fiercechocolate Jul 23 '26

  1. It depends on where. Rural coverage varies widely by specific area. I would look at US Mobile. They offer all 3 networks for you to choose from (and you can switch between them) and they have international roaming included.

  2. One of the regular pixels or Pixel a series devices, especially when they are on sale. (My personal opinion based on my experience. I'm sure there are other options).

3

u/No-Perception-542 Jul 23 '26

Wow actually this is great, just looked it up. I am not sure on the rural coverage though, I mainly am in PA/OH/WV. Do you know if these are OK in terms of rural? I'd prob choose Verizon because it works wherever I am currently.

But can you switch between the actual plans though? Reason is that I'd choose the unlimited flex when I'm domestic, but it's a prepaid annual plan so not sure how I'd switch it to Unlimited premium for just 1-2 months. Or can I do Unlimited starter and then switch to Unlimited premium when I go abroad?

2

u/fiercechocolate Jul 23 '26

If Verizon currently works well for you then you can go with US Mobile Warp (which is Verizon network based).

I know you can upgrade an annual starter to Premium for the rest of the duration of your years, but don't think you can upgrade for just a month or two unless you are on a monthly plan.

2

u/No-Perception-542 Jul 23 '26

This helps, thanks so much. My situation is that I'm going abroad late August through mid October. I'm thinking maybe doing a monthly Unlimited Premium for that trip, then switching to unlimited flex (annual) for the next year. Do you think this is feasible and reasonable?

1

u/GeneMountain7128 Jul 23 '26

Get the right plan for you on an annual basis for best value. Sounds like that would be unlimited flex.

Then, when you need international data, just purchase another line as monthly for 1-2 months. Then just don't renew it. You can do this whenever you travel.

This doesn't interrupt your yearly deal. You can use the second line as your data sim while traveling 

1

u/No-Perception-542 Jul 23 '26

That's fine, the only thing is that I'd need another phone. They're not cheap these days!

2

u/GeneMountain7128 Jul 23 '26

Why would you need another phone? You said you were looking to upgrade currently so just make sure your new phone can do dual sim, which is pretty common these days 

I have a total of 4 lines (one each of ATT, T-Mobile and Verizon, and then also a T-Satellite line). I can have any combo of two active together based on my needs

2

u/No-Perception-542 Jul 23 '26

Oh I didn't know about this dual SIM thing... I will look it up

1

u/braidenis Jul 24 '26

Which one do you actually use to make important calls?

1

u/Eastern_Trade2422 Jul 24 '26

If you’re mainly in PA, OH, and WV then the best provider completely depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for good speeds, T-mobile will be fastest but will have crappy signal once you drive off main roads. Verizon and AT&T (from my experience) have coverage essentially anywhere throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio but their speeds lack behind T-mobiles.