Xiaomi's latest fitness tracker doesn't look like one at all

The Mijia Quartz Watch doesn't look like your average fitness tracker, but it is hiding a lot of smarts.

Xiaomi is known primarily for its phones, but the Chinese brand is the second-largest wearable manufacturer in the world. That's down to its affordable line of fitness bands under the Mi Band label, but that's not all Xiaomi makes. It introduced a full-fledged smartwatch last month, and over the years it has launched a few hybrid wearables, like the Mijia Quartz Watch.

As a refresher, Xiaomi uses Mijia branding for devices it sells under its smart home and lifestyle portfolio. These include everything from action and security cameras to razors, desk lights, cordless vacuums, home automation tech, and much more.

Like every other product that Xiaomi makes, affordability is a key trait here. The Mijia Quartz Watch retails for under $50, making it an enticing option if you're looking for a fitness band disguised as a regular watch.

At a glance

Xiaomi Mijia Quartz Watch

Bottom line: The Mijia Quartz Watch combines classic styling with fitness tracking capabilities, making it an enticing option if you want a fitness tracker that looks like a regular watch. It automatically syncs time with your phone, you can set activity alerts and hourly reminders, and you'll get six months of usage from the battery.

The Good

• Minimal design
• Great value
• Accurate fitness tracking
• Six-month battery life
• 3ATM water resistance

The Bad

• Limited availability
• Pairs with Mi Home and not Mi Fit

$40 at AliExpress

Xiaomi Mijia Quartz Watch What feels great

The Mijia Quartz Watch looks like a regular watch; in fact, it's hard to tell from a first glance that it can be used for fitness tracking. The design is what sets the watch apart from other fitness trackers, and in this area, Xiaomi is channeling Withings. If you've ever used a Withings watch or even looked at one before, the Mijia Quartz Watch has the same design aesthetic with clean lines and a focus on simplicity.

The Mijia Quartz has a 40mm stainless steel case with a two-hand dial displaying the time in hours and minutes. There's a secondary dial at the bottom with a single hand that tracks daily activity, with the step counter going up to 20,000. The bundled blue band is made out of leather, and you can switch it out if you're interested in using steel links. You can also use any 20mm strap with the watch, and switching out the bands is as straightforward as removing the lugs.

The front of the glass is coated to provide adequate protection against the usual wear and tear, and it also has a coating to resist fingerprint smudges. Xiaomi sells the Mijia Quartz Watch in three options — the black and grey models have matching dials and straps, and the blue variant pictured above has a white dial with a blue leather band. This is the variant that I like the most, and the classic styling goes with a wide range of outfits.

The Mijia Quartz Watch automatically syncs time with your phone, and you get detailed fitness data on the Mi Home app.

The minimalist design extends to the buttons as well, and there's a single button on the right side that's used for pairing the watch with your phone. All you need to do is press the button for five seconds, and the watch goes into pairing mode. Once it's paired, it sets the time to match that of your phone, and the best part about this is that it syncs time automatically, so even if you're traveling, you don't need to manually adjust the time on the Mijia Quartz Watch.

The watch features a motion sensor to track daily activity, and when used side-by-side with a Fitbit Alta HR, it provided nearly identical data. You'll be able to access daily activity statistics as well as activity history from the Mi Home app, and you'll also be able to see calories burned and distance covered. You also have the option of setting hourly activity reminders, with the watch vibrating to notify you to get up and move.

Pairing and syncing data with your phone is done over Bluetooth 4.0 LE, and the watch is powered by a CR2430 battery that lasts up to a year. Not having to worry about charging the watch is liberating, and makes the Mijia Quartz that much more enticing.

Xiaomi Mijia Quartz Watch What feels off

The main issue with the Mijia Quartz Watch is that it doesn't pair with Xiaomi's Mi Fit app. You'll instead have to use the Mi Home app, which is used for smart home products.

You'll have to use the Mi Home app to sync activity from the Mijia Quartz Watch.

The Mijia Quartz is the only Xiaomi wearable that connects to Mi Home, and that's puzzling when you consider the fact that all four Mi Bands, older Amazfit smartwatches, Xiaomi's smart scales, and smart shoes all pair with Mi Fit. Having to use a different app to sync data is irksome, but Mi Home provides the same statistics as Mi Fit.

Honestly, there's little else that's wrong with the watch. You do have to unscrew the back to switch out the battery once every year or so, but that is also straightforward and shouldn't take more than 10 minutes.

Xiaomi Mijia Quartz Watch Should you buy it?

The Mijia Quartz Watch is one of the best fitness trackers around if you're looking for a device with a minimal design aesthetic. Yes, Xiaomi is essentially copying Withings' design here, but the quality on offer is better than what you get with a Withings Move, and you're paying just over half the price.

The 3ATM water resistance means you can take it to the pool without any issues, and the best part about it is that you don't need to charge it weekly or even monthly. That makes it a standout product, and the fact that you can pick it up for $40 is a steal for what you're getting here.

4 out of 5

If you're in the market for a fitness tracker that you can wear with any outfit, the Mijia Quartz Watch is an ideal choice. You won't need to charge it, and you get detailed activity data as well as hourly reminders in a design that looks fantastic.

Best of both worlds

Xiaomi Mijia Quartz Watch

$40 at AliExpress

A fitness tracker that you can wear anywhere.

The Mijia Quartz Watch combines classic styling with fitness tracking capabilities, making it an enticing option if you want a fitness tracker that looks like a regular watch. It automatically syncs time with your phone, you can set activity alerts and hourly reminders, and you'll get six months of usage from the battery.

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Use a lot of data? Check out these MVNO carriers

A lot of people think of an MVNO as a carrier you get to just save money, but in the last few years these carriers have become a stronger choice even for heavy users. A data hungry user wants to have fast and reliable internet everywhere they go. There are more options than ever for unlimited MVNO data plans and the prices keep coming down as well. Our current favorite is Visible because of its simplicity compared to other carriers.

Best Overall: Visible

Visible keeps things simple like no other carrier. Besides being easy to understand, its service is rated highly, prices are competitive, and there are no service contracts. Utilizing Verizon's LTE network, Visible has great coverage out of the gate. You should still check the coverage map to be sure.

Unlimited talk, text, and data are all included in the $40 per month price. Unlike some other unlimited plans, all of Visible's data is LTE with download speeds around 5-12Mbps in most areas, which is more than enough for most HD streaming or social media applications. This is rounded out with an unlimited hotspot at 5Mbps.

It's worth keeping in mind that Visible doesn't support every new or unlocked phone. You will need to keep an eye on its compatibility list to know for sure. Most modern iPhones and a few Android phones are available with more being added all the time. You also won't get any international service at all. If you are a traveler, you'll need to pair Visible with another carrier in order to stay connected abroad.

Pros:

• Unlimited talk, text, and LTE data
• Simple to understand
• Verizon LTE
• Unlimited hotspot (5Mbps)

Cons:

• No roaming
• No international roaming
• Limited phone selection

Best Overall

Visible

• $40/mo. at Visible

Verizon LTE without limits

Visible offers one of the best packages for users that want to forget about usage. Unlimited everything, including a hotspot, makes Visible a great deal.

Best World Coverage: Google Fi

Google Fi has been around for a while but the recently unveiled unlimited plan makes Fi a better option than ever for heavy data users. The new plan picks up where the old one left off, offering 22GB without interruption before being slowed down. Video streams could be limited to a quality of 480p but Google hasn't been specific on when quality drops.

The 22GB cap is more than most people need and starting at $70 for one line with the price per line decreasing with more line activations up to four at $45 each, Google Fi is still a good value. You can also use your data as a hotspot at will.

Google Fi is compatible with phones that are unlocked and compatible with T-Mobile's GSM network but works even better with phones designed specifically to work with Fi. These phones will get access to Sprint's and US Cellular's networks if T-Mobile has weak service. While T-Mobile's growing footprint narrows the gap between the two tiers all the time, if you want the best service possible, you'll need the most compatible phone possible. You can check your phone at Google Fi's website.

It's also a good idea to make sure you are covered on the coverage map to be sure Fi is right for you.

One thing that sets Google Fi apart from the crowd is its international roaming capabilities. In over 200 countries Google Fi users can use their phone's data like normal. For the world traveler, there really is no better value from another MVNO or even the carriers.

Pros:

• Large combined network
• Support for most phones
• International coverage
• 100GB Google cloud storage

Cons:

• Slowed after 22GB
• Video quality may be low

Best World Coverage

Google Fi Unlimited

• From $70/mo. at Google Fi

A great tool for traveling abroad

Google Fi expands its service with this unlimited plan for heavier users that want to take advantage of the great travel benefits and coverage of Fi.

Best on AT&T: Cricket Wireless

AT&T has a massive network and for a lot of people, it's worth it to have the coverage that comes with it. Coverage is always one of the most important factors when selecting a carrier and you should always check the coverage map before signing up for service. Luckily, Cricket has a great unlimited option available.

Make sure you opt for the Cricket More plan over the Cricket Core plan. Though cheaper, the Cricket Core plan limits data to just 3Mbps and will be noticeably slow. At $60 per month, the Cricket More plan is a good value and comes with 15GB of hotspot data as well. You also get usage in Mexico and Canada for those that like to travel.

Cricket sells a decent array of phones from its website such as the Samsung Galaxy S10 but it doesn't have the other versions of the S10 series like you might expect. Still, most unlocked phones should work fine on Cricket and you can make sure on Cricket's website.

Pros:

• Vast AT&T network
• Support for most phones
• Mexico and Canada roaming
• 15GB hotspot

Cons:

• 480p video streams

Best Value

Cricket More

• From $60/mo. at Cricket

Cricket's biggest data plan

Take advantage of the strong AT&T network with no contracts with the Cricket More plan. Unlimited data and 15GB of hotspot makes it a great option.

Best Value: Walmart Family Mobile

Family Mobile offers a large amount of data on the T-Mobile network for a fairly standard price. Where it really stands out is when it comes to adding lines. While one line with unlimited data costs just under $50 per month, adding additional lines is only $25 each. With more than one line, the value really stands out.

As always, check your coverage before signing up. As far as phones go, Walmart sells plenty of devices, though most of them trend towards the lower end, there are high-end phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S10 line. With the T-Mobile network, most unlocked phones should work as well.

Family Mobile isn't perfect with its hotspot only coming with 5GB of data as well as videos only streaming at 480p. Still, if you are fine with these drawbacks and have coverage, Family Mobile can be a great value.

Pros:

• Save with more lines
• Support for most phones
• Uses T-Mobile network

Cons:

• Only 5GB hotspot
• 480p video streams

Best Value

Family Mobile Truly Unlimited

• From $50/mo. at Walmart

Available at your local Walmart

Walmart and T-Mobile come together to offer cheap data and great coverage. Save money by adding more lines and forget about your data usage.

Max Data: Metro by T-Mobile

Metro by T-Mobile allows users to consume a massive 35GB of data before they are subject to data deprioritization. This is good if you want to use a lot of data and want your speeds to stay suitably snappy even when the towers are getting busy. The lower priced unlimited plan, at $50 per month, includes 5GB of hotspot data and 100GB of Google One cloud storage.

Since Metro uses T-Mobile's network, it has the same coverage a T-Mobile customer would get, but you should always check to be sure you're covered. It also means that nearly any unlocked phone should work, but you can always check before you sign up.

Metro sells some phones from its stores, you can see the models on the website, which are mostly lower-end devices with more expensive phones available from Samsung and Apple. You can also save some money if you have multiple lines with the cost for additional lines discounted $20. A bigger plan is available for $10 more per month that comes with more hotspot data and an Amazon Prime membership.

Pros:

• 35GB before deprioritization
• 100GB Google cloud storage
• Save with more lines
• Support for most phones

Cons:

• Only 5GB hotspot
• 480p video streams

Max Data

Metro by T-Mobile Unlimited

• From $50/mo. at Metro by T-Mobile

A data focused network

Make the most of the T-Mobile network with no contracts with Metro by T-Mobile. Unlimited data with savings for each additional line are a great value.

Bottom line

There's a lot ot consider with all of these different plans but the most important factor is going to be coverage. Not all MVNOs have access to the same towers so it's important to check each one individually. Considering this among the other factors, Visible is the best overall value thanks to the massive Verizon LTE network and the simple plan with a great price.

While another carrier like Google Fi is compelling for its massive roaming potential, Visible is the best balance and should be suitable for nearly any user. There's only one plan, but it's easy to understand and you'll get everything you need for heavy data usage. You don't get international roaming either, but for U.S.-based customers who don't travel often, you can't do much better.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Samuel Contreras When Samuel is not writing about networking at Windows Central, he spends most of his time researching computer components and obsessing over what CPU goes into the ultimate Windows 98 computer. It's the Pentium 3.

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These are the best alternatives to Google Fi

There's nothing quite like Google Fi when it comes to service and coverage. Not everyone needs all of the features Fi offers, and if you aren't traveling internationally, the data can be quite pricey. If you've been looking to Google Fi for your phone service but don't think it's quite the right fit, here are some of the best alternatives you can get.

Best overall: Visible

Visible debuted in May 2018 as a new carrier powered by Verizon's network, and at the time, we couldn't thoroughly recommend it as it only supported iPhones. However, as of January 2019, Visible now works with Android!

For $40/month, Visible gives you unlimited talk, text, and LTE data on Verizon's vast LTE network. Video streaming is limited to 480p, but you can use as much data as you'd like throughout the month.

That's a good enough deal on its own, but Visible goes the extra mile by being about as customer-friendly as cell providers come. After ordering a SIM through its website, wait for it to be delivered, pop it in your phone, and then download and open the Visible app. Through here, you'll handle all of your billing, get in touch with customer service, and more. When you want to pay your bill, Visible accepts credit/debit cards, PayPal, and even Venmo.

Visible works with more phones all the time. Visit the BYOD page to see if you have a compatible device. In addition to being able to bring an unlocked S9/S9+ if you already own one, you can also buy a handset directly from Visible with 0% financing through Affirm.

Don't forget to make sure your have coverage.

Pros:

• Unlimited talk, text, and data
• Verizon LTE
• Simple plan
• Unlimited hotspot

Cons:

• No roaming
• No international service
• Limited phones

Best overall

Visible

$40/mo. at Visible

One plan for everyone

With unlimited everything and the massive Verizon LTE network behind it, Visible is very competitive as long as your stay in the US.

Buy in bulk: Mint Mobile

Most wireless service providers require you to pay your bill month-to-month. But Mint Mobile takes a different approach by charging you upfront for three, six, or 12 months of service at a time. It's a unique concept and one that requires a bigger check from the get-go but could result in some significant savings over time.

All Mint Mobile plans come with unlimited talk and text, and depending on the one you choose; you've got your choice of 3GB, 8GB, or 12GB of 4G LTE data. If you decide you need additional LTE speeds during a month, you can get an extra 1GB for $10 or 3GB for $20. Oh, and the mobile hotspot is included no matter what plan you get.

Mint Mobile is powered by T-Mobile's network, and as such, you can bring over virtually any unlocked GSM phone.

If the service sounds like something you'd be interested in, you can test-drive it for seven days with a money-back guarantee.

Don't forget to make sure you have coverage.

Pros:

• Works with most unlocked phones
• Lots of data choices
• Hotspot included

Cons:

• No unlimited option
• Must buy in bulk

Buy in bulk

Mint Mobile

From $15/mo. At Mint Mobile

Save by buying more at once

Start small with three months or save more with twelve months. Get unlimited talk and text and as much data as you need on the T-Mobile network.

Big data packages: Metro by T-Mobile

Metro by T-Mobile (formerly known as MetroPCS), got an overhaul in 2018 with a new name, logo, and plans.

At its cheapest, you can sign up for a plan with unlimited talk, text, and 2GB of 4G LTE data for just $30 each month. At its most expensive, Metro by T-Mobile costs $60/month for unlimited talk, text, LTE data, 15GB of hotspot use, 100GB of Google One storage, and even a free Amazon Prime membership.

Taxes and fees are included with Metro's pricing. And since it runs on T-Mobile's network, you can bring just about any GSM unlocked the phone to it and have everything work just fine.

Don't forget to make sure you have coverage.

Pros:

• Lots of data
• Save with more lines
• Cloud storage with unlimited plans
• Works with most unlocked phones

Cons:

• No hotspot on smaller plans

Tons of data

Metro by T-Mobile

From $30/mo. at Metro by T-Mobile

Save on more lines

Metro by T-Mobile takes advantage of the improving T-Mobile LTE network with great prices on big buckets of data. Online storage is a great bonus.

Best on AT&T: Cricket Wireless

AT&T's discount brand, Cricket Wireless, doesn't tick every box for Google Fi wannabes, but it comes close on a few. For example, it offers excellent nationwide coverage, since it runs on AT&T's network. And as a result, it should be compatible with almost every unlocked phone sold in the U.S. today.

It also has simple, inexpensive, and flexible plans that offer unlimited U.S. talk, text, and data, plus the ability to roam in Canada and Mexico on two of the higher-tier (but at $55 and $60, still affordable) plans.

There are a few caveats, though. The $55/month Unlimited plan is limited to data speeds of just 3Mbps, which compared to regular LTE speeds on AT&T, is a lot slower. The 2GB and 5GB data plans are increased to 8Mbps, and the Unlimited Extra plan for $60/month has access to Cricket's "fastest 4G LTE." A mobile hotspot is available, but you'll need to hand over another $10/month to use it.

One significant advantage to Cricket is that taxes and fees are included with its plans. In other words, if you sign up for the $60/month plan, you'll pay exactly $60.

Don't forget to make sure you have coverage.

Pros:

• Big AT&T LTE network
• Mexico and Canada calling in unlimited plan
• Unlimited data (slowed after data allotment)

Cons:

• SD quality video
• Hotspot only on biggest plan

Best on AT&T

Cricket Wireless

From $25/mo. At Cricket Wireless

AT&T without the contracts

Access to the massive AT&T LTE network with no contract is no joke. Starting small and moving up to unlimited, Cricket has a plan for everyone.

Best custom plan: Ting

To many of its long-time users, alternative carrier Ting is a darling of flexibility and customer service. The main appeal for Google Fi admirers is the flexible, modular plans, which let you pay for exactly how much talk time and texting you need, along with simple, affordable data tiers.

Prices for a single line start at $32 for 100 minutes of talk and text and 2GB of data, but it doesn't cost much more to add features from each category. It's also just $6 per additional line, which is pretty great.

Ting also has access to two networks, Sprint and T-Mobile, though unlike Google Fi you can't dynamically switch between them — your phone may be compatible with both services, but you'll need to choose whether you want GSM or CDMA service, and can switch SIM cards based on your location and coverage.

One thing I constantly hear about Ting, too, is that it offers fantastic customer service and flexibility. And while its roaming rates are not included in the base package like Project Fi, they're relatively inexpensive.

Don't forget to make sure you have coverage.

Pros:

• Only pay for what you need
• T-Mobile or Sprint network
• GSM and CDMA devices

Cons:

• Can get expensive for data
• No network switching

Best custom plan

Ting

From $6 at Ting

Custom plan for light users

If you only use a little data, you can save a lot with Ting. Pay only for what you need with good coverage to boot starting at the bare minimum.

Best on Sprint: Virgin Mobile

Virgin Mobile operates on Sprint's network and even brings along roaming to fill in the gaps on Sprint's coverage maps. This is a great bonus and not something available on all Sprint MVNOs.

Virgin Mobiles plans all have unlimited talk and text with different tiers for LTE data. At $35 per month, you get 5GB of LTE data with free 2G data after that. $45 per month gets you 10GB and $60 per month removes all of the limits. International calling is available at $5 per month.

Virgin mobile sells plenty of phones from iPhones to the Galaxy S10e. It should be possible for anyone to find a phone that fits their needs. You can also bring a compatible device if you have one. Check your phone for compatibility here.

Don't forget to make sure you have coverage.

Pros:

• Sprint LTE with data roaming
• Unlimited talk, text, and data (2G after data allotment)
• International calling for $5/mo.

Cons:

• Hotspot is extra
• Limited BYOD

Best on Sprint

Virgin Mobile

From $35/mo. at Virgin Mobile

Sprint with roaming

Many MVNO providers drop roaming support, but Virgin Mobile keeps it intact with no additional fees. Competitive pricing makes Virgin a strong option.

Bottom line

The reality is that nothing in the U.S. is like Google Fi. Google's carrier experiment may be a little more expensive on a per-gigabyte basis, and more restrictive from a phone choice perspective. But in many ways, and for many people, it's the ideal network provider.

Of course, not everyone has access to a phone that taps into Fi's full potential, so hopefully, these offerings will come in handy when you're searching for your next alternative carrier. And with no contracts, you're free to try out more than one. Thanks to unlimited service, a low price, and an extensive LTE network, Visible is the best alternative as long as you don't need to use your phone outside of the US.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Samuel Contreras When Samuel is not writing about networking at Windows Central, he spends most of his time researching computer components and obsessing over what CPU goes into the ultimate Windows 98 computer. It's the Pentium 3.

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Everything you need to know about Mint Mobile

Get the lowdown on Mint Mobile's coverage, pricing, phones, and more.

The wireless carrier space is a neverending battle between T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint. However, underneath the four big dogs is a collection of smaller brands tapping into their networks to deliver excellent wireless coverage at a fraction of the price.

One such company is Mint Mobile (formally known as Mint SIM), and if you've been searching for a new way to buy phone service that can help you save a heap of money, it may be worth a look.

Here's everything you need to know!

• Start by reading our review
• Let's talk pricing
• Mint Mobile has great coverage
• Hotspot access is free
• So, what phones does Mint sell?
• You can also BYOP

Buy in bulk

Mint Mobile

From $15/month at Mint Mobile

A unique take on affordable wireless service

Buying things in bulk usually results in a lower price over the long-term, and Mint Mobile brings that mentality to the wireless space. You buy three, six, or 12 months of service upfront, resulting in a low effective monthly fee. Mint also gives you LTE data speeds, free hotspot access, and strong nationwide coverage.

Check out our full review

We'll get into all the fine details of Mint Mobile soon enough, but before we do that, we recommend reading our full review of the service if you haven't already.

The review analyzes Mint Mobile's data performance, network coverage, and a lot of fine details you can only really experience when testing a carrier or MVNO in the real world.

Check it out here! 👇

Mint Mobile review: A cheaper, better prepaid cellular plan

How much does Mint Mobile cost?

One of the biggest reasons to get your phone service from a smaller MVNO is because they usually cost less than the Big 4. With Mint Mobile, that's absolutely the case.

All Mint Mobile plans come with unlimited talk and text and are available with either 3GB, 8GB, or 12GB of 4G LTE data. However, rather than paying month-to-month for your plans, you can choose to pay upfront for three months, six months, or 12 months of service. This means your upfront cost is more expensive, but in the long run, your technical monthly cost will be quite low.

Here's how everything breaks down:

Three-month plans

• 3GB of 4G LTE data per month — Promotional price of $45 total ($15/month)
• 8GB of 4G LTE data per month — Promotional price of $45 total ($15/month)
• 12GB of 4G LTE data per month — Promotional price of $45 total ($15/month)

A quick note here — the prices above are part of an introductory offer and only available for your first three months. After that, the 3GB plan costs $25/month, 8GB goes for $35/month, and 12GB will set you back $45/month.

Six-month plans

• 3GB of 4G LTE data per month — $120 total ($20/month)
• 8GB of 4G LTE data per month — $150 total ($25/month)
• 12GB of 4G LTE data per month — $210 total ($35/month)

12-month plans

• 3GB of 4G LTE data per month — $180 total ($15/month)
• 8GB of 4G LTE data per month — $240 total ($20/month)
• 12GB of 4G LTE data per month — $300 total ($25/month)

Unlike some carriers, Mint Mobile's pricing does not include taxes and fees. In addition to the above figures, you'll also need to account for a regulatory recovery fee, telecom tax, an MTS surcharge if you live in California, and a PSCS fee for New York residents.

What's the coverage like?

Mint Mobile uses T-Mobile's network for its coverage, so if you have reliable T-Mobile service in your area, Mint Mobile will work great.

You can use Mint Mobile's interactive coverage map to see exactly how strong or weak its signal is in any part of the U.S., with the map even disclosing which LTE bands will reach your device based on whether you're outside, in a car, in your home, or in an indoor commercial building (such as an office).

The map also shows the difference between areas that have 4G LTE, 4G, 3G, 2G, or no coverage at all.

Check Mint Mobile's coverage in your area

Can you use your phone as a mobile hotspot?

A lot of MVNOs offer low monthly prices for their servce but then nickle and dime you for features you come to expect from larger carriers — one of which being mobile hotspot.

Thankfully, Mint Mobile is a wonderful exception to that rule.

All Mint Mobile plans come with mobile hotspot for free, meaning you can turn your phone into a portable Wi-Fi router and connect other devices to it whenever you'd like.

Which phones are available?

Surprisingly for a smaller MVNO, Mint Mobile has a pretty great selection of phones you can buy directly from it. You have the option of paying the full price of the phone outright or month-to-month with 0% financing from Affirm.

On the Android side of things, you can get the Samsung Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy S10, Google's Pixel 4 or 4 XL, the LG G8, and more. If you prefer iPhones, Mint sells the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, and quite a few older models.

Can you bring your own phone?

Alternatively, if you already have a phone you want to use with Mint Mobile, you can do that, too.

Mint Mobile works with any GSM unlocked phone, and if you aren't sure what that means, you can use a compatibility checker on Mint Mobile's website to confirm your device will work by entering its IMEI number.

The SIM card itself is free, so you'll just need to purchase one of the above plans to get going with your service.

Best Phones to use with Mint Mobile

Buy in bulk

Mint Mobile

From $15/month at Mint Mobile

A unique take on affordable wireless service

Buying things in bulk usually results in a lower price over the long-term, and Mint Mobile brings that mentality to the wireless space. You buy three, six, or 12 months of service upfront, resulting in a low effective monthly fee. Mint also gives you LTE data speeds, free hotspot access, and strong nationwide coverage.

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