Help Me, Tom's Guide: Should I Switch from MetroPCS to Straight Talk?

The grass is sometimes greener on the other side of the fence. For Tom's Guide forum user Celexstm, information technology'south looking awfully green over at wireless carrier Straight Talk. Celexstm asks:

"Could I switch my Metro[PCS] phone to Straight Talk?"

The curt answer is that you certainly could. The longer respond is that "could" and "should" don't always sync upward.

Permit's tackle the "could" part of this dilemma first. Straight Talk sells SIM cards and uses a mix of other cellular providers' networks for its wireless service. As such, at that place's cipher preventing a phone that works on the GSM-based T-Mobile network (which MetroPCS uses) from connecting to Straight Talk. The telephone will need to exist unlocked, however.

Credit: MetroPCS — (Paradigm credit: MetroPCS)

Let's presume that Celexstm bought the phone in question through MetroPCS. The carrier's unlocking policy lists more than a dozen devices that you can unlock on your ain with an automatic app. For all other phones, you lot only contact MetroPCS customer back up, or head to a retail store to request an unlock code.

Direct Talk can confirm that your phone will work on its network. Using the carrier'southward compatibility checker, you can enter your device's IMEI number to make sure that information technology works with Straight Talk. You lot'll notice your phone's IMEI number in the Settings app, either under Almost This Phone (for almost Android devices) or General > Nigh (for iPhones). If prompted to select a compatible carrier, choose "T-Mobile compatible."

From there, you'll order a $one SIM card — again, you'll want to select "T-Mobile compatible" — and select a Straight Talk information program. Plans get-go at $35 a calendar month for 2GB of LTE data. You'll pay $45 a month for a 10GB plan, or $55 for unlimited data. If you desire to add unlimited mobile-to-mobile calls to Mexico, People's republic of china, Canada and Republic of india to the 10GB plans, that brings the total cost to $60 a month. Yous tin also knock $1 off each program by enrolling in autopay.

MORE: And the Best Mobile (4G) Network In the U.S. Is...

But should you do all this? In our current wireless carrier rankings, MetroPCS is the height-rated prepaid service, besting even Large 4 carrier Sprint; Straight Talk, on the other hand, brings upwardly the rear in our rankings.

Network performance plays a large gene in that gap. Because MetroPCS uses T-Mobile'south network, it benefits from the Uncarrier's fast LTE. MetroPCS finished right alongside T-Mobile the last time we tested LTE speed. Straight Talk finished last in those aforementioned tests.

In terms of monthly prepaid plans, MetroPCS' offerings are more often than not more attractive than Straight Talk'southward. The same 2GB of LTE information that costs y'all $35 a month at Straight Talk will run you $5 less at MetroPCS. The aforementioned goes for unlimited data, which starts at $50 a month at MetroPCS. Straight Talk's 1 edge over MetroPCS is if you lot need to take advantage of international calling features, particularly to China or India. MetroPCS's international options aren't equally generous.

Fifty-fifty on i of MetroPCS' weaker attributes — customer service — Straight Talk fares worse. MetroPCS finished seventh in our most contempo ranking of wireless providers' customer service efforts; Straight Talk finished dead terminal.

More: Cellphone Carriers: Best and Worst Customer Service

Permit's assume, though, you're not enamored with MetroPCS' service. Y'all do have other options outside of Direct Talk. Heave Mobile may rely on Sprint'southward slower network, simply its plans are more than attractively priced than Straight Talk's: Unlimited data costs $5 less at Boost, and you can get an extra gigabyte of LTE information for $35 a month. What's more, Boost offered good customer service in our feel.

If saving money is your ultimate goal, consider the several depression-toll options nether $40 a month. Ane of the better values comes from Democracy Wireless, which charges $fifteen a month for unlimited talk and text plus $five for each gigabyte of information y'all use. Keep your information usage downwards to 2GB per month, and yous pay $25. Since Commonwealth defaults to Wi-Fi for text, talk and data when bachelor, you lot won't swallow every bit much LTE data, and when yous do need a cellular connection, you'll bound betwixt Sprint's and T-Mobile's networks.

Credit: Tom'due south Guide

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Philip Michaels is a senior editor at Tom's Guide. He has strong opinions well-nigh Apple tree, the Oakland Athletics and onetime movies. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.