Phone in the USA — prepaid without paperwork (T-Mobile, Mint, Cricket, Visible)

Introduction

A phone is the first thing you need to arrange after arriving — work, bank, doctor. Without an SSN, you cannot sign a long-term contract (postpaid), but prepaid works with a passport. Prepaid plans are cheap and without obligations.

Prepaid vs postpaid

• Prepaid: you pay in advance; no contract, no credit check
• Postpaid: contract for 12-24 months, requires SSN + credit; more expensive
• Start with prepaid; after 6-12 months (once you build credit), you can switch to postpaid

Three networks (carriers)

• Verizon — best coverage, most expensive
• T-Mobile — great 5G in cities
• AT&T — wide coverage

Other brands (MVNO) use one of the three networks.

Best prepaid plans 2026

Mint Mobile (T-Mobile)

• 5 GB: 15 USD/month (with 12 months)
• 15 GB: 20 USD; 20 GB: 25 USD; Unlimited: 30 USD
• First 3 months for 15 USD (promotion)
• Online only — eSIM or physical SIM
• Plus: cheapest; Minus: no stores

T-Mobile Prepaid

• Connect 8 GB: 25 USD; 50 GB: 40 USD; Unlimited: 50 USD
• Physical stores (sometimes in Polish in Polish neighborhoods)

Cricket (AT&T)

• 10 GB: 30 USD; Unlimited: 55 USD
• AT&T = great coverage
• Stores everywhere; popular in Chicago

Visible (Verizon)

• Unlimited: 25 USD/month; Visible+: 35 USD (5G UC)
• Online only; Verizon = best coverage

Tello (T-Mobile)

• Custom plans 5-30 USD
• No contract, monthly changes

Boost (DISH)

• 5 GB: 15 USD; Unlimited: 40 USD
• Promotion: first 3 months discount

Lyca, Lebara (international calls)

• International package to PL — 19-25 USD/month
• For calling family in PL

Activation

Online (Mint, Visible, Tello)

1. Select a plan on the website
2. Pay with a card
3. eSIM (QR) or physical SIM by mail
4. Activate on your phone, reserve the number

In-store (T-Mobile, Cricket, Boost)

1. Go with your passport
2. Select a plan, pay 10-25 USD + 10 USD for SIM
3. An employee activates it, number is immediate

Phone — buy in the USA or bring from home

• A Polish phone — works in the USA if "unlocked" and supports USA bands
• iPhone from 2018 — all bands OK
• Samsung Galaxy global versions OK
• Xiaomi/Huawei — check bands (B66, B12, B71)
• New in the USA: iPhone SE from 430 USD; Galaxy A35 from 400

Wi-Fi calling — crucial

• All US carriers support it — call over WiFi at home
• A Polish phone with a Polish SIM + Wi-Fi calling = free calls to PL (if the PL carrier supports it)
• Better: WhatsApp, Messenger, Signal — free globally

Common mistakes

• 50-80 USD/month postpaid when Mint offers the same for 15
• No Wi-Fi calling — quick consumption of minutes/data
• Roaming in Poland — expensive; turn off mobile data
• Polish SIM in the USA — very expensive roaming
• Not using eSIM — iPhone supports two numbers simultaneously