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Are you a Straight Talk subscriber? In this article, I’ve put together a list of Straight talk Phones that use Verizon towers in case you needed to upgrade an old model or replace your damaged device. The prepaid carrier is now offering the fifth-generation network, 5G service if you might be interested. So, the guide could also come in handy if you needed to migrate to the new network but don’t have a 5G-capable device.
Fortunately, Straight Talk support Bring Your Own Phone (BYOP) policy. You can purchase your favorite phone brand elsewhere or even finance through bill me later stores and use your SIM card with no issues. But again, can I use my Straight Talk service with just any unlocked cell phone?
What Are The Best Straight Talk Phones That Use Verizon Towers in 2024?
Here are some of the best touchscreen and basic phones you can use with Straight Talk-Verizon service. They consist of the three different types of devices that you can use with the prepaid MVNO as we shall see later in the article.
- Samsung Galaxy A10e Smartphone
- Samsung Galaxy A51 Smartphone
- Apple iPhone 12 64GB iOS Phone
- Samsung Galaxy S5 4G LTE Smartphone
- Samsung Galaxy S9 (CDMA) Cell Phone
About Straight Talk
Straight Talk is one of the wireless carriers you can consider if you need a budget-friendly phone service. It’s a mobile virtual network operator, or simply MVNO, which means it doesn’t have cell towers of its own. So, the company serves its subscribers through the Big Three providers, namely T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T.
As I mentioned when looking at phones compatible with Simple Mobile, Straight Talk is one of the subsidiaries of TracFone Wireless. There, you could use a TracFone branded device with your Straight Talk SIM card, but considering the two are compatible. Why do I say this?
Even though Straight Talk’s compatible with the three main carriers, your SIM card can’t use all the three services at ago. You can use either a Verizon or T-Mobile or AT&T and your device must have the technology to connect with the bands of each.
How Can I Tell Which Network My Straight Talk Line uses?
If you have a Straight Talk-Verizon SIM card, you may not be able to use it in a Straight Talk-GSM phone. True, many of the LTE and 5G devices in the market have dual-band support, whereby they support GSM and CDMA devices. But then, every carrier distributes its network at different bands and frequencies that some devices may not have.
For instance, Verizon operates on 66, 13*, 5, 4, and 2 4G LTE bands. 13* LTE is the main band of the CDMA carrier. But then, your device has to have at least one of the main bands if it’s to be compatible with the network in question.
In any case, the Straight Talk Bring Your Own Phone kit usually comes with all three types of SIM cards: Verizon, T-Mobile, and T-Mobile. Each of the SIM card plates usually has a printing of the carrier it uses. If not, you can check the color codes, whereby Red means it’s Verizon compatible, Blue’s for AT&T, and Pink goes to T-Mobile.
If it’s a phone you’ve purchased directly from Straight Talk Wireless, the box will have a map in either of the colors above. Alternatively, you can check in the lower left front corner, whereby you’ll notice LTE-A (AT&T 4G), LTE-T (T-Mobile 4G), or LTE-V (Verizon 4G).
Types of Straight Talk Phones Compatible With Verizon Towers
In case you’ve missed it, there are three different types of phones you can use with your Straight Talk line through Verizon towers. They include:
- Straight Talk Branded Phones: the are the devices locked on Straight Talk-CDMA. You can find them at the nearest Straight Talk dealer or Online Shop.
- Unlocked Verizon Phones: If you have an unlocked Verizon device, it should work with a Straight Talk-CDMA SIM card with no issues. After all, the MVNO is using the main carrier’s infrastructure to work.
- TracFone Branded Phones: That’s right. Straight Talk is a subsidiary of TracFone. So a TracFone-locked (CDMA) device should work flawlessly, though you might need to call the customer service number to activate it.
Note, you can also get few Straight Talk branded phones in select authorized retailers. Amazon’s a good example, but Walmart has the most selections from the wireless carrier since it’s its service. Walmart stores, Inc. launched the service in 2009 with the hopes to provide a no-contract wireless service at a low price.
Comparing the Features of Straight Talk Phones that Use Verizon Towers
| Cell Phone Brand | Type | Cellular Technology | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy A10e Smartphone | Smartphone | 4G LTE | 5.8” capacitive display, Android 9.0 (pie), up to 512GB MicroSD |
| Samsung Galaxy A51 Smartphone | Smartphone | 4G LTE | 6.5” capacitive display, fingerprint reader, 128GB internal memory |
| Apple iPhone 12 64GB iOS Phone | Smartphone | 5G | 6.1” capacitive display, A14 Bionic chip, & 64GB built-in memory |
| Samsung Galaxy S5 4G LTE Smartphone | Smartphone | 4G LTE | 5.1” capacitive display, Snapdragon 801, up to 128GB MicroSD card |
| Samsung Galaxy S9 (CDMA) Cell Phone | Smartphone | 4G LTE | 5.8” capacitive display, Snapdragon 845, 64GB built-in memory |
| Motorola Moto e 32GB Smartphone | Smartphone | 4G LTE | 6.2” capacitive display, Snapdragon 632, up to 512GB MicroSD card |
| Motorola Moto G Play Cell Phone | Smartphone | 4G LTE | 6.5” HD+ touch screen, Snapdragon 460 chipset, & 32GB built-in Memory |
| Apple iPhone 11 (Unlocked) Phone | Smartphone | 4G LTE | 6.1” capacitive display, A13 Bionic chip, 128GB built-in storage |
| Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G Smartphone | Smartphone | 5G | 6.9” QHD touch screen, Snapdragon 865 5G chipset, & 128GB built-in Memory |
| Samsung Galaxy S7 32GB Memory 4G Phone | Smartphone | 4G LTE | 5.1” capacitive display, Exynos 8890 Octa, Qi/PMA wireless charging |
| Apple iPhone XR (Verizon) Smartphone | Smartphone | 4G LTE | 6.1” capacitive display, A12 Bionic chip, 64GB built-in storage |
| Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ Smartphone | Smartphone | 4G LTE | 6.8” HDR10+ display, Snapdragon 855 chipset, & 256GB built-in Memory |
| Samsung Galaxy S10 4G LTE Cell Phone | Smartphone | 4G LTE | 6.1” HDR10+ display, Snapdragon 855 chipset, & 128GB built-in Memory |
| Samsung Galaxy J7 Crown LTE Phone | Smartphone | 4G LTE | 5.5” capacitive display, Exynos 7884 Octa-core, up to 400GB MicroSD card |
| Google Pixel 4a w/ 5G Smartphone | Smartphone | 5G | 6.1” HDR10+ display, Snapdragon 765G, & 128GB built-in Memory |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 w/ 5G Smartphone | Smartphone | 5G | 6.2” HDR10+ display, Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, & 256GB built-in Memory |
| Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (SM-G965U) Phone | Smartphone | 4G LTE | 6.2” capacitive display, Snapdragon, & 64GB MicroSD card |
| Motorola Z3 4G LTE Android Cell Phone | Smartphone | 4G LTE | 6.0” capacitive display, Snapdragon 636, 64GB internal memory |
| Alcatel MyFlip (Simple Mobile) | Basic Phone | 4G LTE | 2.8” touch screen, 1.1 GHz Quad-Core, up to 32GB internal memory |
Here’s a quick summary of the eleven best phones that you can use with your Straight Talk service on Verizon.
Technically, this is a good example of a Straight Talk smartphone that you can consider for your line. It’s already locked to the network, which means you won’t have any trouble using it with your CDMA SIM card.
The phone sells under a hundred bucks, but include everything you need if you’re not interested I the extra bells and whistles. It has a wide 5.8” display, which is enough for streaming on the go, and supports up to 4G LTE for fast downloads. The storage isn’t bad off either as it has 32GB built-in and a dedicated MicroSD slot that you can insert up to 512GB card.
As the name advertises, this phone is locked to the TracFone network, but you should be able to use it with a Straight Talk-Verizon SIM card. It has a 6.5-inch edge-to-edge display for a cinematic streaming experience and an upgradeable Android 10 operating system.
The Samsung Galaxy A51 also has a superior 48MP quad-camera system that you can capture vibrant 4K videos at 30fps. Its storage space is also more than enough as it has 128GB built-in and a dedicated slot that you can mount up to a 1TB MicroSD card.
If you want to migrate to the fast 5G service, the newly-released iPhone 12 should serve your needs well. It comes unlocked for all carriers, both CDMA and GSM as well. So, you should be able to use it with your Straight Talk-Verizon SIM card without any flaws.
Other than the 5G support, the 5G device has a beautifully bright display that’s also with the iPhone 12 Pro. It also has an extra-fast A14 Bionic chipset that enables you to perform trillions of operations per second while still maintaining the battery life.
Furthermore, the smartphone has an excellent dual-camera system with 2x motorized zoom and supports 4K@60fps to 1080p@120fps recording. Hence, enabling you to capture all your scenes, including the distant objects, in crispier quality.
This is another TracFone smartphone that you could use with your Straight Talk line on the Verizon network. It’s an entry-level model that you can get around seventy dollars, and if I can be honest, that’s much less than it offers.
If it’s the performance, the Motorola Moto E has a fast Snapdragon 632 processor, with Android 10 operating system. The display is also rather large, 6.2 inches, and enough for playing games and streaming movies in your palms. Then, there’s a dedicated MicroSD slot that you can insert up to 512GB card to boost the 32GB built-in.
Other crucial features/ functions include 4G LTE support, 13MP dual-camera system, fingerprint sensor, Bluetooth, and the standard 3.5mm jack.
The Motorola Moto G Play is yet another low-end piece that could be a great choice if you’re looking for a simple replacement device. It has a large Max Vision full HD display that should be great to watch movies, play games, or video chat with friends and family.
The device has a Snapdragon 460 octa-core processor, with 3GB of operating memory and 32 built-in storage. You can also capture vibrant, smooth HD videos, even in scenes with unbalanced lighting conditions. Then, the storage space you can expand with up to 512GB MicroSD card.
Although you’re two years late, the iPhone 11 model could also make a great smartphone for you. The phone is compatible with both GSM and CDMA network bands, which means you can also use it on Straight Talk without any issue.
As for the hidden beauty, the iPhone 11 has a fast A13 Bionic processor, with 4GB RAM. It also comes with 128GB built-in storage, which should take you a while before you utilize it all or rather start deleting stuff.
More on that, the Apple handset can record super-smooth 4K videos at 60fps, which, by the way, is great for objects in motion. You can even record 1080p video quality at 240fps if you’re planning to playback your videos in super-slow-motion.
If you want your phone for more than making calls and texting, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is a perfect choice. Not only does it have the fastest Note processor but also high 12GB operative memory. So it can handle high graphic gaming and multitask with less to no interruption while at the same time maintaining the battery life.
The Galaxy device also has a high-grade 108MP main camera, with 5x optical zoom and 50x digital zoom. Hence, the reason you can capture videos at up to 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps, or 720p@960fps. You can save your recordings in either the 128GB of built-in storage space or up to 1TB MicroSD card.
The iPhone XR is also a little old in the market but can still deliver if you have any of the other previous models. This particular model is Verizon carrier-locked, which means you can also use it with your Straight Talk SIM card.
In performance, the Apple device has the A12 Bionic chip, with 64GB of internal storage and 3GB RAM. So, you can still enjoy your gaming, photography, video chats, amongst other operations without lagging.
Speaking of photos, the iPhone XR has a powerful 12MP camera that records videos in 4K up to 60fps or 1080p@240fps. It also features various modern technologies, including NFC tag for contactless payments, Face ID for quick access, and Qi Wireless charging.
The Google Pixel 4a model has the Snapdragon 765G processor. Thus, it’s 5G-capable if you have a Straight Talk-CDMA SIM with 5G support. It has a 6.2-inch full HD+ display for wider gaming and video streaming. Then, the main dual-camera system camera has 12MP & 16MP sensors that can record 4K videos up to 60fps and 1080p quality up to 240fps.
The Google device comes with 6GB RAM and 128GB built-in memory, which is probably more than your needs. It also has a rear-mounted fingerprint reader, NFC support, Bluetooth, and a 3.5mm jack port to connect with your external speakers.
The Galaxy S21 is one of Samsung’s bestsellers in 2023, thanks to its efficiency, convenience, and reliability. True, the device may look pretty basic to the eyes, but the performance is incomparable, perhaps to even the Note 20 Ultra. Why’s that?
The Samsung Galaxy has a hyperfast Snapdragon 888 processor with 5G support and 256GB of built-in storage. It also has a pro-grade triple-camera system that enables you to capture your moments like a pro in vivid 8K or 4K quality. You can also shoot videos in super-slow motion up to 1080p@240fps or 720p@960fps.
More on that, the S21 has an adaptive display with a 120Hz refresh rate for faster scrolling and smoother appearance be it day or night, inside or outside.
If you need a simple basic phone for a senior, the Alcatel MyFlip should do the trick. This particular model is TracFone carrier-locked (CDMA), but you can also activate it with your Straight Talk-Verizon SIM card.
The phone is compatible with up to 4G LTE network bands, which brings you crystal-clear voice call quality and fast browsing speeds. It also has an MP3 player that you can use to play your favorite music and games. Then, the built-in memory sits at 4GB, but you can expand with up to 32GB MicroSD card.
Final Thoughts:
While you’ll come across others, these are some of the best 4G and 5G phones that you can use with Straight Talk on the Verizon network. Each device has its unique qualities, pros, and cons. So, the perfect one for you will certainly depend on the situation at hand.
In my opinion, however, the Apple iPhone 12 can be a perfect choice if your idea’s to upgrade your old device. It not only has the latest 5G connectivity, but also you can use it for Dolby Vision HDR video recording, Airplay streaming, high-graphic gaming, and others.
Meanwhile, the Motorola G Play could also serve your needs well if you need a simple but decent mid-range smartphone. It has everything you need for an effective and delightful experience, yet you won’t need to spend a fortune.
Anyhow, I hope the article has answered your question and you’ve found the right upgrade or replacement device for your Straight Talk service.
