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Straight Talk Cell Phone Service Review 2022

Cheap, prepaid plans with none of the frills.

Straight Talk is a no-contract, prepaid prison cell phone programme and 1 of the cheapest prepaid carriers out there.

Straight Talk keeps its prices down by using existing prison cell towers from other companies. While this definitely helps Straight Talk stay more affordable (yay!), information technology also means you lot'll have to do without a few bells and whistles. That means reduced data speeds and no family plan deals.

If y'all tin can live without these luxuries, then you can relieve some money—and notice some flexibility too—with Directly Talk.

Straight Talk Wireless plans

Today's special: prime number minutes and fresh texts served with a heaping side of data.

Straight Talk is similar an all-you-can-consume cafe: y'all pay upwardly front end, it'southward cheap, and in that location are options for everyone. Information technology may not be the fanciest cuisine around, but it'll do well in a pinch.

On the kids' menu, at that place's Straight Talk'southward unlimited talk and text plan with 3 GB of data. That'south ideal for your teenager who's on their phone all the time—even when they should be doing their homework.

For the main class, there's unlimited nationwide text and calling plans. You become a higher information cap, which is smashing—and a 25 GB tier will work for anyone who isn't completely glued to their telephone. And for those who are, there's also an unlimited information choice.

These plans can be quite appetizing, peculiarly if you compare those depression prices to unlimited plans from major carriers, similar Verizon and T-Mobile—which, for all their quality, will e'er exist pricier.

Like any good buffet, Straight Talk has a deal for grandma and grandad, also. The cheapest plan from Direct Talk volition give you lot one,500 minutes, unlimited texts, and 100 MB of data. Perfect for those who use the internet mainly for email and who aren't streaming Spotify or Snapchatting.

Direct Talk add-ons and deals

Motorcar-refill savings: You can save $1 on your monthly bill if yous sign upward for "machine-refill"—basically autopay.
Extended plans: If yous've got a few hundred dollars burning a hole in your pocket, you tin pay up front for discounted three-, six-, or 12-month "extended plans"
Family Plans: Straight Talk has no deals—zero, zilch, zilch—for adding extra lines. You'll accept to look elsewhere for a family programme.
Actress data add-ons: Used up all your high-speed data mid-month, but now you just need to stream the new Kanye album? Y'all can buy ane GB add-ons for $5.
Global calling add on: Got a relative in Republic of guatemala? Or a friend in Malaysia? Add together a global calling card onto any programme for $10.

How skillful is Straight Talk operation?

A service map patched together—like Frankenstein. But in a good way! . . . mostly.

There was a time when "I lost service" was a convenient excuse for missing your boss's telephone call. These days, that doesn't cutting information technology.

Most of us expect to have reliable prison cell service all the time—if not for our bosses, then for ourselves. (Gotta mail that killer shot from your sunrise hike or it's like it didn't happen!)

Direct Talk'due south network uses a patchwork of other companies' towers (including some with the best coverage), making the service a bit disruptive. Your coverage will differ depending on the device you have (CDMA or GSM) and how you set it up with Straight Talk.

Straight talk coverage map

But for near people, coverage won't be a huge trouble, especially if you lot live in a metropolitan area, since those will be covered past all major networks. Just your information speed may be a dissimilar story.

Tom'south Guide has measured Directly Talk's average LTE speed at 31.1 Mbps.¹ That makes it slower than all the major leaguers out there, but still ahead of other discount mobile companies like Boost and Cricket.

Straight Talk speed and data details

Data speeds: The LTE averages at 31.i Mbps downloading and 15.6 Mbps uploading.
Streaming quality: Straight Talk phones comprise "data optimizers" that limit you to 480p resolution. And so yous can nevertheless stream, but the quality won't exist amazing.
Mobile hotspots: No luck here. Directly Talk'south acceptable employ policy excludes "all hotspot applications". Denied!

Directly Talk cell phones and devices

New iPhone Ten 64GB in Infinite Gray for $699.99, who dis?

Sick of seeing your cute selfies through a croaky screen? Running out of storage on your two-generations-one-time iPhone? Mayhap it'south time for an upgrade.

Directly Talk has all of the newest Apple and Samsung phones, and some budget options from other manufacturers (including a retro flip phone for all you lot hipsters and former souls). Near phones can be paid for in monthly installments.

Straight Talk customer service

Straight Talk's client service is, well, not so straight talkin'.

Expecting a telecommunications company to have fantastic customer service is like expecting a tortoise to gear up a speed tape: it's just not in their nature. Simply all the same, some will always be better than others.

And so, how does Directly Talk measure upwards?

According to J.D. Power's 2018 U.Due south. Wireless Client Care study, which surveyed over 14,000 customers, Straight Talk is amidst the lowest ranking prison cell telephone companies.² (*Sad trombone noise*)

The company scored lower than T-Mobile, Verizon, Boost, Cricket and others. But it did beat other budget operators, like Tracfone. And so there'south still some practiced news there: if you just need the budget service, it might still be worth information technology.

If you need to try your luck with Straight Talk customer service, y'all tin can call 1-877-430-2355.

Recap: is Straight Talk good?

Straight Talk's spartan cell phone plans proceed things simple, which is both a blessing and a curse. If y'all don't care about having the fastest speeds or the actress features, it's a great choice.

However, if y'all want crystal-clear streaming quality, loftier-speed hotspots, and perfect nationwide coverage, you might want to look at some more traditional plans.

Plans: Stripped-downwards prepaid plans for everyone, from the telephone-addicts to the engineering science-resistant (you know who y'all are).
Functioning: Decent only confusing coverage. Just it'southward the information throttling and lack of hotspots that you'll really desire to worry well-nigh.
Customer service: Nosotros'll grade on a curve for this category and give Straight Talk a C+.
Overall: It's a decent prepaid service for people on a budget, only Straight Talk can't compete with the big hitters when it comes to performance.

FAQs

Q: Does Straight Talk take overage charges or hidden fees?

Wireless contracts can be similar haunted houses: hidden fees waiting around every corner. The advantage with prepaid plans is that you'll be cut off if you get over your minutes and/or information. No surprise fees, and you lot can always buy extra is you'd like.

Q: Does Straight Talk charge an activation fee?

Nope! Once you buy a telephone (and transfer your contacts, if you lot want), consider yourself activated.

Q: Should I become a warranty or insurance for my Straight Talk phone?

All new Straight Talk phones are covered by a one-year limited warranty. The company does not offering additional warranties or insurance, though they may be available through third parties.

Q: Does Straight Talk let you lot bring your ain phone?

Yep! Straight Talk is well known for its BYOP policy. Y'all tin can check your device's compatibility on Straight Talk's website. Yous can too proceed your current telephone number. Just be certain not to cancel your electric current plan before you activate with Directly Talk or you lot could lose the number.

Q: Are Straight Talk phones unlocked?

If you lot end up purchasing a device straight from Straight Talk, your device tin merely be used with the Straight Talk network. After 12-months of service, you can asking the device to be unlocked.

Q: Does Directly Talk have 5G?

Yes. If you lot have a 5G-compatible phone all of the Straight Talk plans support 5G.

Q: What carrier does Direct Talk use?

Straight Talk uses the cellular towers of Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile and your telephone will be connected to 1 of the iii, generally the best-performing network for your surface area.

Q: Does Direct Talk accept a military or student discount?

Unfortunately, no. But at that place are plenty of companies out there that practice, then if that's a dealbreaker, y'all've got other options.

Written by

Easton Smith

Easton has worked as a freelance writer and researcher for several years, reviewing health, lifestyle, and engineering science products. He has probably read more than Terms of Use contracts than whatsoever human live. When he's not sitting in forepart of a reckoner, Easton spends his time camping, climbing, and volunteering with humanitarian aid organizations.

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