10 Best Tracfones 2024 in the US

Phone companies want people to keep buying phones. This is why every year a new improved phone is launched with more advanced features. And who wouldn’t want a better phone with more features? But there are also people who don’t want to spend money on extra features that they don’t need. That’s where TracFone comes in, but what is the best Tracfone?

We’ll go through some of the best options for TracFones, as well as the most popular buying guide options.

What is a Tracfone?

TracFone, founded in 1996, originated as a “pay-as-you-go” carrier, with plans that allow you to sign up for just a few months at a time. Getting the best TracFone for your needs will provide you basic phone service, texting options, and Internet access. And you won’t have to worry about all sorts of additional, hidden charges.

At first, you were compelled to buy TracFone’s device, and you couldn’t insert their SIM card into any other phone. But, that’s changed now. You have the option of buying TracFone brand phones and also, there are many phones that are compatible with the TracFone SIM.

That gives you the best of both worlds: saving money with TracFone service, while using the phone that suits you the best!

Why Get a TracFone Compatible Phone?

A survey showed that 50% of people are concerned about their cell phone bill being unexpectedly high, due to exceeding their cell phone plan.

Also many don't know how to keep track of their phone usage. A “pay-as-you-go” plan can remove the anxiety of these hidden costs.

There are several reasons why you’d prefer getting a TracFone, or a TracFone- compatible phone:

• No contract: Since TracFone is a “pay-as-you-go” plan, you don’t have to sign any contract. That frees you up from any activation or cancellation fees, or a monthly bill.
• Cost of a phone: TracFone offers phones that are “locked” onto TracFone service and they’re surprisingly affordable. Typically, the cheapest models are around $30, and the most expensive are no more than $200!
• Perfect for light Internet use: If you need a phone only for the basics, such as calling, texting, and perhaps accessing the Internet on occasion, there’s no need to pay for an extensive phone plan. TracFone’s plans will provide you with the number of minutes and Internet plan that you need and if there’s any left over at the end of the month, it carries over to the next month!
• Options for unlimited talking and texting: TracFone offers a plan for an unlimited number of minutes and texting for just a little more money per month. You don’t have to be afraid that you’ll run out of minutes in the middle of a conversation!

What is the Best Tracfone to Buy?

Choosing which Tracfone is right for you is very subjective. Perhaps the only feature you want is for calling, and texting now and then.

Maybe you want your TracFone to be able to take pictures and videos, and then share them with WhatsApp or on social media. Then you’ll want a phone with a built-in camera, resolution, and storage space.

Let’s look at some of the most popular TracFone-compatible phones on the market presently:

Samsung Galaxy A51

The Samsung Galaxy A51 is a mid-range camera using the Android 10 operating system, with a brilliant 6.5” FHD+ display using Super AMOLED technology.

It comes in aesthetically-pleasing pastel shades, and a slim construction. It has essentially 4 rear cameras: It has a 48 MP main camera, a 12 MP ultra-wide camera for panoramic shots, a 5 MP macro-camera for close-up pictures, and a 5 MP depth camera with Live Focus effects.

It also has a 32 MP camera for selfies, which can take 4K movies. It has a 4000 mAh battery with a long battery life of around 86 hours. It is a very capable mid-range phone and is best for photos in good lighting only. It may be a bit slow for gaming purposes.

Samsung Galaxy A51

Samsung Galaxy A20

The Samsung Galaxy A20 has a 13 MP wide view and 5 MP depth camera, as well as an 8 MP front-facing camera. It can also take 1080p videos.

It is available in either GSM or CDMA versions, and you can find versions where it is locked for TracFone service. It is available with the Android 9.0 “Pie” operating system. It has a 4000 mAh battery, and a 6.4” Super AMOLED display.

Users recommend using the Galaxy A20 with the Android 10.0 operating system, since upgrading to Android 11 will make the phone run a bit slow. Overall it is a durable phone, and has a good battery life.

Samsung Galaxy A20

LG Stylo 6

The LG Stylo 6 has three dual rear-facing cameras: a 13 MP wide camera, a 5 MP 120-degree ultra wide camera, and a 5 MP depth camera. It also has a 13 MP selfie camera.

It has a superior 6.8” display, with a resolution of 1080 x 2460 pixels. It includes a built-in stylus pen to allow you to write notes directly into your phone, and the Swift Text Turn, which converts what you write into a text file. It also has stereo speakers, with 3D Surround Sound.

LG Stylo 6

LG Stylo 5 LTE

The LG Stylo 5 uses the Android 9.0 operating system (“Pie”), and has a slightly smaller display than the Stylo 6 (6.2” instead of 6.8”, with only a 79.8% screen-to-body ratio).

It has 32 GB internal storage, 3 GB RAM, and an Octa-core 1.8 GHz CPU. It has a single 13 MP phase detection auto focus (PDAF) main camera and a 5 MP selfie camera.

It has a stylus to allow you to write, draw, take and send notes, and even convert your writing to printed text.

LG Stylo 5

Samsung Galaxy A21

The Samsung Galaxy A21 has a 4000 mAh battery, which is enough for 12 hours of streaming or 7 hours of gaming on a single charge, and it gets up to 35% charged up in a half-hour.

The A21 has a large 6.5” Infinity-O display, which utilizes the maximum amount of the screen for viewing. It has a rear quad-camera, which includes a 2 MP depth camera, a main 16 MP camera, an 8 MP ultra-wide camera, a 2 MP macro-camera, and a 13 MP selfie camera.

With all of these cameras, it’s capable of portraits, wide shots, and 720p videos. It has 4 GB RAM and 32 GB storage, which you can expand with a MicroSD card.

Samsung Galaxy A21

Samsung Galaxy A11

The Samsung Galaxy A11 has a 4000 mAh battery, 2-3 GB of RAM, a 6.4” display, and is available with either the Android 10 or 11 operating system.

It has a 13 MP wide autofocus camera, a 5 MP 115-degree ultra wide camera, and a 2 MP depth camera, as well as a 8 MP selfie camera.

It has Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, and is available for as little as $87.

Samsung Galaxy A11

Apple iPhone SE

The 2020 version of the Apple iPhone SE is the upgrade of the iPhone 8. It’s one of the best TracFones available, using Apple’s impressive operating system and durable hardware.

It has a 4.7” display, with ion-strengthened glass and oil-resistant coating. You can get it with the iOS 13.4 or 14.6 operating system, and as much as 256 GB storage and 3 GB RAM.

It has a 12 MP wide main camera, and a 7 MP selfie camera. It has Apple’s voice assistant Siri, enabling language commands and dictation. You have the option of charging it with a USB cord or Qi wireless charging.

It has a smaller display, but the processing power is considered very fast, and you have the advantage of Apple apps.

Apple iPhone SE

Motorola G Power

The Moto G Power by Motorola has a 5000 mAh battery that can work up to 3 days on a single charge, enough for 150 hours of uninterrupted music that you can enjoy on its dual-stereo speakers!

It has strong processing power, with an octa-core processor and 4 GB RAM. It has a triple camera system, for regular pictures, ultra-wide angle shots, and close-ups.

It is GSM and CDMA compatible, giving you the choice of prepaid carriers such as TracFone, or the contract carriers such as Verizon or AT&T.

It’s an adequate phone for people who don’t want to recharge their phone often, one user called it “The Battery Life Champ”.

Moto G Power

Moto G Play (2021)

The 2021 edition of Motorola’s Moto G Play has a 6.5” 720p display, and a huge 5000 mAh battery. It’s able to last for over 2 days on a single charge, even with moderate use.

It can be used on a GSM, CDMA, or LTE network. It has a 13 MP wide-angle camera, and a 2 MP depth camera, as well as a 5 MP camera for selfies.

It goes for around $170 and thus is considered an entry-level phone. Since it has less memory, you can expect it to be a bit slow in response, either in applications or in gaming.

Overall, the battery life is impressive, and the quality of the sound when calling is considered top-notch.

Moto G Play

Smart vs Basic Tracfone Options

TracFone now sells a SIM card that you can insert into a compatible phone, and you’ll receive TracFone service. But there’s a wide range of TracFone compatible phones out there!

For example, at the low end, there is the LG Classic Flip (Model L125DL), with a small 2.8” display, and with no touchscreen capability. But it still gives you basic Internet access, a 2 MP camera, instant messaging, and more.

And you still receive the benefits of a TracFone plan, in terms of the number of minutes you’re allotted, or the number of text messages.

LG Classic Flip (Model L125DL)

On the other end of the spectrum, you have the Samsung Galaxy A51 smartphone. It’s also TracFone compatible, but still quite affordable, at around $270.

This combination makes it one of the best TracFone options available. You’ll also get the Android operating system with all of its convenient touchscreen features and with enough processing power to be able to enjoy streaming music and video, as well as gaming!

Samsung Galaxy A51 Smartphone

What are Smart Tracfone Pros and Cons?

Pros:

• Access to great apps and even gaming

• Huge amounts of storage space, which can easily be expanded

• Better features in terms of cameras, display, and sound

Cons:

• More expensive

• May prove to be confusing for some users

• Has to be charged up more often

What are Basic Tracfone Pros and Cons?

Pros:

• Inexpensive

• Long battery life go as long as a week on a single charge

• Simple to access the most commonly used features

• Available for Senior Citizen phones, with extra-large keys and display

Cons:

• Limited storage space

• Camera is very rudimentary

• You may require apps that aren’t available

What are Tracfone Prices?

A basic Tracfone-compatible phone can be as low as $29.99, as in the LG Classic Flip that we saw above. And for just a little more money, you can already get smartphone capabilities as in the TracFone Blu View Mega, for only $67.34!

TracFone Blu View Mega

(https://www.amazon.com/Tracfone-View-prepaid-Smartphone-Locked/dp/B08XZRB2YX)

And just because you’re saving money on your carrier plan by using TracFone, you can still splurge on the actual phone itself. If you want to spend even more, you can splurge on a mid-range smartphone, such as the Moto G Power for $250.

Moto G Power

(https://www.motorola.com/us/smartphones-moto-g-power/p?skuId=617)

How Do You Use Your New Tracfone?

Getting started with TracFone service is simple.

1. Getting a TracFone compatible phone: First, you buy a phone that is unlocked and compatible with the TracFone SIM card. If you already have a phone, you can just order a SIM card through TracFone.

2. Activate TracFone service: You can activate your phone either:

   • Through the TracFone website

   • Using the My Account App

   • Calling customer service at 1-800-867-7183

3. Select a plan: You can select a phone plan either

   • From the TracFone website (www.tracfone.com)

   • Using the TracFone My Account app

   • Sending an SMS “BUY” to 611611

   • Calling customer service at 1-800-867-7183

How to Make the Most of the Best Tracfone?

There are some features of the TracFone program that you should be aware of, which will help you get more out of your TracFone plan, as well as utilize the phone:

• Estimating what plan you need: If you sign up for a 1-month plan, that gives you “1 GB of data”. Tracfone says on their website that 1 GB will suffice for 835 pages, 13,000 emails, or 51 hours on Facebook and other social media, or 27 hours of Google Maps. Of course, you’ll spread out your usage among several applications. But, it’s good to know that emails and texting don’t use up very much space. (Do you really think you’ll send 13,000 emails in a month?!)

• Carryover: What happens to the data and minutes that you didn’t use up? The beauty of TracFone is their unlimited “carryover”. As long as you keep your TracFone plan active, your data and unused minutes get carried over to the next month!

• International calls: Tracfone has a Basic International service which you get when you sign up. And the call can be the same price per minute as a local call! If necessary, there is an add-on service for international calls, for just $10 more and the call can be as cheap as $0.01 per minute!

• Auto-refill: What if you see in the middle of the month that you’ll need to expand your plan? Firstly, there’s an Unlimited Talk & Text plan. And if you signed up for a small bundle of services, you can purchase an add-on at any time.

Conclusion

All told, getting the best TracFone handset and plan for your needs is a great option for people who need a cell phone for only light usage, to make calls, send text messages and emails, and perhaps share some photos.

You can purchase the best Tracfone for your needs, with only the features you use, whether it’s a basic phone, or a state-of-the-art phone. TracFone lets you enjoy use of your phone, exactly as much as you need, without worrying about any extra charges later down the line.