Over the weekend a press release announced the HOP 1800 which is a rather ugly prepaid $10 phone that did not have a display screen. This budget phone will be sold in retail outlets. It set me wondering why anyone would pay $10 for a phone with no display screen, no camera, and no SIM card. There are at least two better deals - both $10 or less and sold by AT&T via their web site. Both are brand name models (Nokia and Pantech), include a SIM card and one has a camera.

Neither of these phones is going to win any fashion awards, and they are both refurbished (though covered by a 90 day warranty).

So what do they have going for them?

1 - They are cheap and

2 - You can use your regular AT&T SIM card in them (making them great backup phones) or you can use the included prepaid SIM CARD.

(Note: Some deals may require you to activate the prepaid SIM card at point of purchase).

Important Note: These phones are carrier locked - meaning that out of the box if you buy the phone off the AT&T site, it only accepts an AT&T SIM. Unlocking services are usually available for a fee and can be located via a Google search.

Hungry For A NOKIA ? - How About The Nokia 2610 for $ 9.99?

AT&T’s web site is advertising this refurbished Nokia 2610 for only $9.99 after an instant online $150 discount.

Can’t afford $9.99? Take a look at the Pantech C120 (camera included) - for $ 4.99!

There are a lot of options for obtaining no-contract (inexpensive) cell phones. You just need to look in the right places. Buying a prepaid cell phone in a grocery store or gas station is generally the most expensive option.

Looking online at the AT&T or T-Mobile web sites will periodically reveal lots of great deals.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. These prepaid phones are carrier locked. Unless you unlock them by paying a fee (typically to an Internet site), they may only be used with a SIM card on the carrier they are sold by/for. If you have questions about whether a particular phone may work in your situation, an excellent resource is the cell phone discussion forum - howardforums.com.

2. Both AT&T and T-Mobile prepaid phones will accept “post paid” SIM cards - meaning they make cheap replacement phones for those times when your expensive phone is in the shop for repairs. Just remember that you cannot buy a cheap AT&T branded phone an put your T-Mobile SIM card in it without unlocking (these unlocking services are pretty easily discovered via Google searches).

3. Both AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM technology. It is not possible to unlock a GSM phone for use on a carrier that does not use GSM technology (such as Verizon or Sprint - who both use CDMA).

Link: AT&T Prepaid Phone Page
Link: T-Mobile Prepaid Phones
(Periodically T-Mobile will offer a $25 prepaid card with purchase - so keep an eye on this page for deals)