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Are you a heavy data user? In this review, we’ll be looking at Red Pocket vs Visible phone service to see which MVNO has better offers for online activity, specifically high premium data and good browsing speeds.
However, you’ll still need to use your Red Pocket or Visible phone for the other phone services. So, the article will also be covering other crucial features like coverage, roaming, and phone plan structures.
FYI: MVNO is an acronym of mobile virtual network operator- a carrier that leases network from the major network operator (or MNO)
Red Pocket vs Visible: A Quick Peak on the Cell Phone Providers
| Feature | Red Pocket | Visible Wireless |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 | 2018 |
| Carrier Network | AT&T/ T-Mobile/ Verizon | Verizon |
| eSIM support | N/A | YES |
| Free 5G | YES | YES |
| 5G Download Speeds | 200+Mbps | 200+Mbps |
| Lowest Phone Plan | $10 | $40 |
| Unlimited Minutes | YES | YES |
| Unlimited data | YES (with cap) | YES (with no cap) |
| Family Discount | YES | YES (Sorta) |
| Free Mexico/ Canada Call | YES (and to 80+ destinations) | YES |
| Mobile Hotspot | YES | YES |
| WiFi Calling | Varies | YES |
| Video Streaming | YES [up to 720 HD] | YES [up to 480p] |
| Phone Unlock Period | Varies (After 6 or 12 Months) | After 60 Days |
| Extra Perks | 6 months free service | Free Unlimited mobile Hotspot |
About Red Pocket
Red Pocket is one of the few MVNOs that has partnered with all the major network carriers, namely Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T. Thus, allowing you to join them with the network that works best in your area or fit your lifestyle.
While discussing Red Pocket vs Mint, we also saw the former has flexible cell phones, starting from ten bucks a month. And since it’s a prepaid phone, you won’t need to worry about credit checks or the high deposits that postpaid services sometimes demand.
Other pros and cons of Red Pocket cell phone service include:
Pros:
- It supports both 4G LTE & 5G networks
- Has decent data speeds on all networks
- Supports mobile hotspot and tethering
- Offers multi-line discount on select plans
- Allows up to HD streaming on all the plans
- Offers free international calling on various countries
- It has up to 6 months of free service on device purchase
Cons:
- It’s deprioritized data
- Has no eSIM at this moment
- Doesn’t support network roaming
About Visible Wireless
Visible is a prepaid brand of Verizon and a pretty good one on the calm days. Unlike many MVNOs, it usually offers “truly” unlimited data (with no cap) on all the rate plans, including even the Party Pay. Thus, allowing you to browse as much as you want without worrying about your data getting throttled.
On my recent Xfinity Mobile and Visible review, though, we concluded that the Verizon brand usually gets deprioritized when the carrier network’s busy. So, I’d advise you to get a 5G-capable phone so that you can still have usable data when the drop in speeds happens.
Other pros and cons of the Visible phone plan include:
Pros:
- It supports eSIM services
- Has free trial plan with unlimited everything
- Includes unlimited mobile hotspot (at 5mbps speeds)
- Offers some amazing multi-line & referral discounts
- All customers have access to the WiFi calling feature
- Eligible customers can finance devices over 24 months
- It includes free calling to Canada, Mexico, & Puerto Rico
Cons:
- It gives deprioritized data
- Has limited 4G LTE Bands
- Doesn’t have a network roaming option
Red Pocket vs Visible: The Main Differences & Similarities of the Cell Phone Providers
Network Coverage
Red Pocket leads here since it has been able to partner with all the major carriers. Thus, making it possible to use the service on the network that works in your area. That includes even on Verizon, which usually has coverage not only in the urban but also remote places, including the Midwest and Northwestern region.
On its end, Visible only works on the Verizon network. So, yes, you’ll enjoy extended coverage from the many Verizon towers across the country. But you’ll be limited in the areas where T-Mobile or AT&T is the strongest service.
Winner: Red Pocket as it has access to Verizon, T-Mobile, & AT&T networks.
Free Phone Deals & Discounts
Unfortunately, neither of the two network providers has free phone deals on the catalog. However, you can get a partial discount from either, with Red Pocket leading on the savings through its free service deal.
That’s on the featured Red Pocket iPhone deals, you get to receive a partial discount of up to $50 and six months of free service on any GSMA (on AT&T network) plan.
If you checkout a device like the Apple iPhone SE (2020 edition) on the Unlimited plan, the total savings will be $300+$50.And that would be like you have bought the device for only $49 instead of the regular value of $399.
As for Visible, the phone offers are in the form of a virtual gift card, loaded with up to $200 on high-end devices. Then, $50-$150 virtual gift card for the entry-level through midrange phones.
Winner: Red Pocket as it has more savings on the iPhone deals and doesn’t require porting a number
Free 5G Access & Speeds
When we now compare Visible vs Red Pocket on the 5G service, they both don’t charge additional fees to access it.
As for the performance, Visible has decent data speeds, whereby you can record up to 230+Mbps on good days (without congestion). But do remember the carrier usually cap the speeds on 5G at 200Mbps.
As for the Visible LTE, a lot of places will give you between 5-12Mbps, but others can peak at 70-90+Mbps. Thus, relatively similar to the Red Pocket, whichhas the LTE data speeds capped at 75Mbps and the 5G around 230+Mbps.
Winner: A Tie as the two carriers seem to have similar data speeds on both the LTE & 5G networks.
Network Roaming
Technically, Red Pocket is pretty convenient on coverage from the partnership with all the carriers. However, each SIM card is usually limited to operating on only one network- AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile. So, it’s only possible to get full nationwide coverage when you pay for all three lines.
As for the network roaming, Red Pocket doesn’t support the feature, and neither is Visible. That includes both domestic and international roaming, thereby neither will be great for traveling abroad unless you’re okay with WiFi calling.
Winner: A Tie as neither Red Pocket nor Visible has roaming service
Phone Plans & Pricing
In this part, you’ll come to notice a mix of convenience, just as when comparing US Mobile and Visible. Red Pocket has relatively more flexible rate plans and at great pricing. Then, Visible, as usual, is a little expensive for the single line accounts but has a better data allowance. See below:
Chart 2.1 Red Pocket Phone Plan Structure
| Features | Basic Plan | 3GB Plan | 10GB Plan | 25GB Plan | Unlimited Plan |
| Single Line Price | $10/ mo. | $20/ mo. | $30/ mo. | $40/ mo. | $50/ mo. |
| 12-Month Subscription | N/A | $180 ($15/ mo.) | $270 ($22.50/ mo.) | $360 ($30/ mo.) | $450 ($37.50/ mo.) |
| 2+ Lines Discount | N/A | N/A | $10/ mo. (per extra line) | N/A | N/A |
| 4G LTE & 5G | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Talk Minutes | 500 or Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Text Messages | 500 or Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| High-Speed Data | 500MB or 1GB | 3GB | 10GB | 12GB or 25GB | 50GB or 100GB |
| 128kbps Data | N/A | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Mobile Hotspot | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Video Streaming | HD Quality (720p) | HD Quality (720p) | HD Quality (720p) | HD Quality (720p) | HD Quality (720p) |
Chart 2.2 Visible Wireless Phone Plan Structure
| Features | Visible Phone Plan |
| 1 Line Price (Before Tax) | $40/ mo. |
| 2 Lines price (after Discount) | $35/ mo. (per line) |
| 3 Lines Price (after Discount) | $30/ mo. (per line) |
| 4+ Lines Price (after Discount) | $25/ mo. (per line) |
| 4G & LTE | YES |
| Talk Minutes | Unlimited |
| Text Messages | Unlimited |
| High-Speed Data | Unlimited |
| Priority Data | N/A |
| Hotspot Data Cap | Unlimited (at 5Mbps) |
| Video Streaming | SD Quality (480p) |
As you can see from the first chart, the Red Pocket phone plans are relatively cheaper, with the Basic plan going for only $10/ month. If you want to save even more, you could even opt for the yearly plans, whereby you can save $5-$13/ month.
Alternatively, you could get the 10GB family plan and save $10/ month on every line you add. Or else check out with the Red Pocket/ eBay Exclusive plans that start from as low as $2.50 to $8.25/ month.
On the other hand, the Visible phone plans will cost you $40/ mo when you have only one line or $25 when joining a party. The Visible Party Pay plan (as it’s called) is more like a family plan, whereby you get a $5 discount on every line you add.
After the fourth line, the price will now remain at $25/ month, but you can also start inviting your friends using a special referral code. And once they join, you’ll get your monthly service, with unlimited data and hotspot, at only $5. If you can convince twelve people, that simply means your annual service bill will be only $60.
Winner: Red Pocket as it has a mix of super-cheap and premium phone plans
Deprioritization & Throttling
Last but least, you can expect deprioritization (slow data speeds based on network congestion) on all the two MVNOs. However, Visible LTE usually gets a heavy deprioritization from the low data speed cap, whereby the downloads can drop to as low as 1.6Mbps or less. Hence, the reason it’s great to get a 5G-capable phone as the deprioritized 5G speeds drop to 50-80Mbps, which is still high.
As for throttling, though, Visible usually has uncapped high-speed data and WiFi. So, you can stream, game, and browse as much as you want.
On its end, Red Pocket usually has capped high-speed on all the cell plans. But with the LTE data speeds capped at 75Mbps, you’ll notice the phone is more usable than Visible during deprioritization.
Winner: a Tie as Visible has no throttling, whereas Red Pocket has better-deprioritized speeds
Final Thoughts:
Unlike many carriers, the choice between Red Pocket and Visible isn’t easy to make. But, in my opinion, Red Pocket is a much better choice as you’ll have an option to choose the plan that fits your needs or budget. Then, it has decent speeds even during deprioritization, and also premium data allotment (50-100GB) is more than most of us will need.
Even so, Visible is still a great carrier, especially when there are not many people competing for the bands with you. It has “truly” unlimited data and mobile hotspot, plus great promotional discounts.
So, the major issue with the carrier’s only on the heavy deprioritization, which also causes high latency (ping).