Straight Talk Buyer's Guide: Everything you need to know! (2024)

Straight Talk Wireless is an alternative carrier, or Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), that offers prepaid wireless service through a partnership with TracFone and Walmart. Straight Talk offers support for both CDMA and GSM devices, as it piggybacks on the T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon's networks.

Straight Talk offers no-contract plans for individuals on 30-day refills that start at basic talk, text, and limited data, all the way up to unlimited data. Straight Talk Wireless is provided by TracFone, which is owned by América Móvil. It focuses mainly on selling budget devices but you can still pick out the outstanding Samsung Galaxy Note 10, or opt to bring your own device.

Straight Talk has a lot to offer for a price conscious consumer, so read on and find a plan that works for you!

• The plans
• What about phones?
• How to cancel Straight Talk
• How to unlock a Straight Talk phone

The plans

Straight Talk offers prepaid 30-day plans as well as some extended 90-day, six-month, and one-year plans like we've seen from Mint Mobile. There are no contract commitments required unless you decide to buy a phone on a monthly payment plan.

You're able to buy a new plan at Walmart or directly from Straight Talk. You also have the option to save a few bucks and sign up for the auto-refill option, which you can opt out of at any time with no cancelation fees incurred.

Straight Talk is rather generous with its high-speed data rates, and since it borrows the Big Four Networks existing infrastructure and equipment it's able to pass along great savings while still offering outstanding coverage from coast to coast.

If you're looking to make international calls, you can add a global calling card for $10 per month if you only need it occasionally or upgrade to a 25GB data plan with international support for $60 per month.

What about phones?

Straight Talk offers a fairly limited number of low-budget Android phones alongside the usual Apple devices, but you can still get the latest and greatest from Samsung, the Galaxy S10 series. The S10 and the S10+ are both available to be purchased outright or on a 15- or 24-month payment plan. You actually need to enter your ZIP code to see what's offered in your area, but the Galaxy S10 should definitely be available nationwide through Straight Talk. Of course, you can also stop in at your local participating Walmart and see what's available in-store.

Beyond the Galaxy line, you can shop at Walmart or on Straight Talk's own online store. You can choose from a wide range of phones, including cheaper phones.

• Best Android Phones Under $400 in 2019
• Best Android Phones Under $100 in 2019

Making sure your phone is compatible

You also have the option to Bring Your Own Device. Straight Talk is a subsidiary of Tracfone, a company unique in that it has deals with all four U.S. carriers. If you decide to buy your phone directly from Straight Talk, the representative (or website) will make sure you get the right SIM card, but if you decide to use your existing unlocked phone, things get a little tricky.

That's because while the phone, if purchased in the U.S., is more than likely compatible with one of Straight Talk's networks (since they offer support for both CDMA and GSM devices, you should be in luck), it must have the right SIM card to align with the right parent network. Check your phone's compatibility at Straight Talk's website to easily find out which SIM card you need.

Once you have your device and SIM card, you can activate it here and then get a monthly plan.

What's that mean for coverage?

For coverage, it's going to come down to the phone you're using and the SIM card it needs. You'll have to check each map to determine if your phone will work for you. Even if you're coming from one of these other carriers, you should still double check your location since Straight Talk won't have the same roaming agreements that other carriers have.

How to cancel Straight Talk

Since Straight Talk exclusively offers prepaid contracts with no contracts to sign, you're free to stop using Straight Talk by simply not refilling your account by the end of your current term.

If you bought a phone from Smart Talk on a monthly payment plan, you will either need to return the device or pay the outstanding balance. As outlined in the fine print on its website, it's a lease-to-own transaction, meaning you don't technically own the phone until you've completed the final payment.

How to unlock a Straight Talk phone

Bought your phone through Straight Talk and want to bring it to a different carrier? You can do that but it will depend on the particular device you're looking to unlock! All you need to do is call the Straight Talk customer service department at 1-877-430-CELL (2355) and ask for an unlock code for your device. If it's available to be unlocked the customer service rep will give you the unlock code over the phone and away you go!

Its call center is open between 8:00 a.m. and 11:45 p.m. (EST), seven days a week. Learn more here.

Finding another MVNO

If you're not happy with Straight Talk for one reason or another, there are plenty of alternative carriers to choose from.

Learn more