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Visible is one of the prepaid phone services on the Verizon network. It now has two cell phone plans to choose from, starting from $30 ($25 for new customers). And when you compare the Visible vs Verizon service plan structures, you’ll notice more similarities than before.
For instance, select phone plans from both carriers now support 5G Ultra-wideband. Then you get to enjoy unlimited everything, including high-speed data with no cap. Thus, you can browse as much as desired without your data getting throttled.
Even better, Visible finally has QCI 8 standard that brings you mobile data on the high priority mark. But as we shall see later in the article, the perk is only available to select plans, just like in Verizon prepaid.
Verdict: 5 Best Things about Visible Phones
- Visible has cheaper service than Verizon
- Visible has Unlimited mobile hotspot as Verizon
- Visible has unlimited data (with no cap) as Verizon
- Visible has free calling to Canada/ Mexico as Verizon
- Visible has data roaming in Canada/ Mexico as Verizon
Visible vs Verizon Prepaid: A Summary of the Cell Phones Services
| Feature | Visible | Verizon |
| Founded | 2018 | 2000 |
| Carrier Network | Verizon | Verizon |
| eSIM support | YES | YES |
| 5G Download Speeds | 460+Mbps | 4000+Mbps |
| LTE Data Speeds | 70+Mbps | 200+Mbps |
| Lowest Phone Plan | $30 | $30 |
| Unlimited Minutes | YES | YES |
| Unlimited Data | YES (with no cap) | YES (with no cap) |
| Family Discount | – | YES |
| Free Mexico/ Canada Call | YES | YES |
| Mobile Hotspot | YES | YES |
| WiFi Calling | YES | YES |
| Phone Unlock Period | After 60 Days | After 60 Days |
| Extra Perks | Free Disney Bundle, Apple One, Walmart+, Apple Music Family, +Play Monthly Credit, TravelPass, etc | |
In the chart, you can see my earlier point on Verizon and Visible phone having a lot of similarities. However, this shouldn’t be any surprise considering Visible is a brand of Verizon.
As of now, Visible is operating as Visible By Verizon (formerly Visible Wireless). The name changed at the time the carrier also updated its service plan structure.
In the new Visible service structure, there’s 5G Ultra-Wideband, which has speeds up to 400+Mbps. But while fast, this speed is still about a tenth of what you can get on the Verizon 5G Ultra-Wideband.
I mean, in the Google Fi vs Verizon review, we saw Verizon record up to 4090Mbps with the 5GUW icon on the device. And the best part, the data usage while on 5GUW usually doesn’t count toward your monthly allowance bucket.
When you’re now connecting on the 5G Nationwide or 4G LTE, all your data usage will count towards your monthly allowance. Thus, you’ll want to be careful about your usage.
More on that, let’s jump to the main Verizon vs Visible review and see which service will be the best to get.
Visible vs Verizon: Comparing Features & Perks of the Phone Services
Can I Try Before I Join?
First, either Verizon or Visible is an easy phone service to join. YES, Verizon has the upper hand on physical stores if you want to shop or get assistance in person. But online is still effortless to operate and fast to process the orders or activate.
One drawback is that you may have to wait for the SIM kit (or device) order, which can take the next day to three days to arrive. If you don’t want to wait, both Visible and Verizon support eSIM activation, which is instant.
Even better, the two are on the list of carriers with free eSIM service for iPhones. The perk is available through the trial plan, albeit Verizon offerings are double what Visible gives you.
What Is the Different Visible vs Verizon Network Coverage
Indeed, it is. Both Verizon and Visible use Verizon towers to operate.
You may know Verizon is the leading Network provider on LTE coverage, with access even in remote/ rural areas. It’s the reason when you look at the Visible coverage map (or Verizon’s), locations like Hines, Paulina, or Prineville, Oregon have at least 4G LTE. T-Mobile or its MVNOs has zero coverage in such remote areas.
Sadly, though, Verizon is a little behind on the deployment of 5G Ultra-wideband infrastructure. I think the problem was from the fact the carrier initially wanted to focus on the high-capacity Ultra-wideband, whereas the leading 5G network (T-Mobile) was working on the Mid-range (C-Band) spectrum.
Anyhow, when looking at where Verizon 5G Home Internet is available in mmWave, we saw our CDMA carrier has been actively expanding the C-band cells. The 2023 goal is to reach 175 million Americans, which will be up to 75 million more than they achieved by early 2022.
Note: All states support Verizon 5G Nationwide (on the low-band spectrum), as the network utilizes already existing 4G LTE towers. But the best speed you can get here is up to 300Mbps, which is possible to record on 4G LTE high-capacity spectrum.
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Network Roaming is Free
Despite being the leading network in the country, Verizon has locations without native coverage. But to compensate and make sure you’ll have a working phone, our two services have a roaming feature.
Well, Verizon has always had a network roaming free of charge. Part of the domestic roaming networks the provider use are the 21 LTEiRA partners, like Cross Telephone, Bluegrass Cellular, and Thumb Cellular, that enhance coverage in rural areas.
Verizon also supports international roaming, where you get service allowances while in Canada or Mexico free of charge. You can also get a TravelPass that offers up to 36 days of roaming in 210+ countries and destinations.
The TravelPass credits are something Visible doesn’t support for now. As a matter of fact, the MVNO supports international roaming in only Canada & Mexico. Then the roaming allowances are less than half of what Verizon gives you.
As for when outside the native coverage here in the US, Visible has domestic roaming now. I’ve not been able to find the local roaming partners of the carrier, albeit I do know it has access to Verizon’s LTEiRA networks.
Visible vs Verizon Speed
Verizon takes the whole point in this part. As I’ve mentioned earlier, you’ll get up to 4+Gbps (4000+Mbps) on the 5G Ultrawideband. But since most of us only have access to the 5G Nationwide, you can expect data speed in the ranges of 120Mbps to 300Mbps. Then the 4G speeds are in the range of 50 -150+Mbps. (Remote areas in places like Paulina, PrineVille, Hines, or even Honolulu can have data speed in the lows of 20+Mbps).
On the other hand, Visible, on the Network Features, notesa typical speed 5-12Mbps in 4G LTE. During good days you can record 70+Mbps, and some people even claim to get 90+Mbps.
If lucky to have a 5G-capable phone, Visible has always capped the data speed of 5G Nationwide at 200Mbps. But now the carrier supports 5G Ultra-Wideband, you get double data speed, in the ranges of 460+Mbps.
How are Phone Plans & Pricing
When we now compare Verizon vs Visible service plans, the latter is definitely the best at the price point. You now get a basic service plan with unlimited everything, including high-speed data, for only $30/ month ($25 for new customers). See below:
Chart 2.0 Visible Phone Plan Structure
| Features | (Basic) Visible Plan | (New) Visible+ Plan |
| 1 Line Price | $30/ mo. | $45/ mo. |
| Priority Level | QCI 9 (lower priority) | QCI 8 (higher priority) |
| 5G Technology | 5G Nationwide | 5G Nationwide & Ultra-Wideband |
| Talk Minutes | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Text Messages | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| High-Speed Data | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Premium Data | N/A | 50GB (on QCI 8) |
| Hotspot Data | Unlimited (at 5Mbps) | Unlimited (at 5Mbps) |
| Calls & Text to Canada/ Mexico | YES | YES |
| Free Roaming in Canada/ Mexico | N/A | YES |
| Free International Calling | Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, & Saipan | YES (to 30+ countries) |
| Free International Texting | Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, & Saipan | YES (to 200+ destinations) |
| Video Streaming | SD Quality (480p) | SD Quality (480p) |
Chart 3.0 Verizon Phone Plan Structure (postpaid)
| Features | Unlimited Welcome | Unlimited Plus |
| 1 Line Pricing (with AutoPay) | $65/ mo. | $80/ mo. |
| 2 Lines Pricing (with AutoPay) | $55/ Line | $70/ Line |
| 3 Lines Pricing (with AutoPay) | $40/ Line | $55/ Line |
| 4 Lines Pricing (with AutoPay) | $30/ Line | $45/ Line |
| Priority Level | QCI 9 (lower priority) | QCI 8 (High priority) |
| Free 5G Access | YES (Nationwide) | YES (Both) |
| Talk Minutes | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Text Messages | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Data Allotment | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Premium Data | N/A | YES |
| Mobile Hotspot | Unlimited (At 3G) | 30GB Premium (then 3G) |
| Video Stream Quality | Up to 480p | Up to 4K Ultra-HD |
| International Texting | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Canada/ Mexico Calls | FREE | FREE |
| Canada/ Mexico Data | 2GB / Day (then 2G) | 2GB / Day (then 2G) |
| Device Savings | YES | N/A |
| Add-on Extra Perks | Disney Bundle, Apple One, Walmart+, +Play Monthly Credit, TravelPass, etc | Disney Bundle, Apple One, Walmart+, +Play Monthly Credit, TravelPass, etc |
Chart 3.1 Verizon Phone Plan Structure (prepaid)
| Features | Talk & Text Plan | 15GB | Unlimited | Unlimited Plus |
| 1 Line Pricing (w/ AutoPay) | $30/ mo. | $35/ mo. | $50/ mo. | $60/ mo. |
| Loyalty Discount | $5 – $10 (loyalty tip) | $5 – $10 (loyalty tip) | $5 – $10 (loyalty tip) | $5 – $10 (loyalty tip) |
| Priority Level | QCI 9 (lower priority) | QCI 9 (lower priority) | QCI 9 (lower priority) | QCI 8 (High priority) |
| Free 5G Access | N/A | YES (Nationwide) | YES (Both) | YES (Both) |
| Talk Minutes | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Text Messages | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Data Allotment | Unlimited (2G) | 15GB (then 2G) | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Premium Data | N/A | N/A | N/A | 50GB |
| Mobile Hotspot | N/A | YES | 5GB Cap (then 3G) | 25GB Cap (then 3G) |
| Video Stream Quality | N/A | Up to 480p | Up to HD | Up to 4K Ultra-HD |
| International Texting | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Canada/ Mexico Calls | $5/mo. | FREE | FREE | FREE |
| Canada/ Mexico Data | $5/mo. | 2GB / Day (then 2G) | 2GB / Day (then 2G) | 2GB / Day (then 2G) |
| Extra Perk | N/A | N/A | N/A | Global Choice Credit |
In case you checked out either Verizon or Visible last year, you’ll notice a lot has changed. Start with Visible phone plans, there are now two options (previously was one) to choose from, including Visible (Basic) and Visible+.
The basic Visible plan has a regular plan of $30/ month, but currently going for $25 for new customers. Then the Visible+ has a regular price of $45/ month ($35 for new customers). All the prices include taxes and other surcharge fees.
Unfortunately, new Visible customers no longer get PartyPay, the Multiline plan that used to offer service at $25/ month with 4+ lines. But recently, the brand introduced a Loyalty Discount program, whereby the old customers who were Party Pay-ers get a $5 discount on the Visible Basic.
Meanwhile, Verizon has just disbanded the Unlimited Start, Play More, Do More and Get More plans. The plans are now grandfathered tiers: only available to the old subscribers.
If a new Verizon customer, the only plans to choose from are Unlimited Welcome at $65/ month per line (with Auto Pay) or Unlimited Plus at $80/ line.
Although the new Verizon unlimited phone plans seem cheap, they’re not. What has happened is that the company has removed the entertainment perks it had locked in the old phone plans. Then made them (entertainment perks) an optional add-on feature.
For instance, in the Verizon Welcome plan, you’ll have to pay $65 for the service alone. Then you can add the add-on Apple One, Disney Bundle, 100GB hotspot, Walmart+ Membership, et cetera at an extra $10 each.
One thing, these extra perks are not for Verizon prepaid phone plans category. Then again, this is understandable considering the prepaid service is cheaper, starting at only $30 and only $60 for the premium plan.
Key Takeaway: Phone discounts & Deals
In the new Verizon phone plan structure, you’ll be eligible for device savings on the Unlimited Plan Plus. A time like now, the carrier has up to two dozen phones on offer, including the latest iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, and Motorola.
Verizon Prepaid also has several free phones to give to subscribers on either of the Unlimited plans. But like with the postpaid section, you can only get the freebies when you add a new line to your prepaid account.
On its end, Visible doesn’t exactly have the best free phone deal. It has something called Swap deals, where you can send your old phone to get a discount (partial or full discount) on the latest brand.
Don’t Forget about the Deprioritization
Although there are still other things to cover, these are the six crucial points you should know when deciding between Visible vs Verizon. And while they’re both great services, Visible, in my opinion, is more worthwhile to get.
From as low as $30, Visible brings you a fully unlimited service, talk, texting, and high-speed data without a cap. The mobile hotspot is also unlimited, albeit at 5Mbps speed. Then, you can call several international destinations free of charge.
But that said, remember only the $45 Visible+ service plan is on Verizon’s QCI 8 priority standard. This brings you great data speeds even when the Verizon towers are too busy.
The Visible (basic) plan gets deprioritized data (on QCI 9 standard)- data speed slows down during congestion. Then again, Verizon service is also on the QCI 9 for most prepaid plans and the (postpaid) Unlimited Welcome plan.
