H2O Wireless, an MVNO that runs on AT&T’s network, only carries a few cell phones. If buying one of the hottest new phones is a priority for you, you will want to look elsewhere. Conversely, if you just want something cheap and functional, it may be worth checking H2O Wireless out, especially because they have a decent variety of affordable cell phone plans.
H2O Wireless phones can be bought:
- Outright by paying the full price upfront
- On a monthly installment plan
- On a 3-month installment plan
- On a 6-month installment plan
- On a 12-month installment plan
Monthly payment plans from H2O Wireless are actually managed through Affirm, a third-party company, and are only offered for pricier phones, such as the Samsung Galaxy A8 Plus. Otherwise, you must pay for the phone’s full price upfront at checkout.
H2O Wireless is not the best carrier to buy a cell phone through, due to their limited catalogue
Android Phones from H2O Wireless
H2O Wireless only offers Android phones for sale. They don’t sell any of the flagship Android devices, like the Samsung Galaxy S10 series, LG G8 ThinQ, or Google Pixel 3. They offer relatively cheap Android phones, though, if you’re looking for a device that won’t break the bank.
Top 10 Android Phones Available Right Now
(See full list of H2O Wireless Android phones)
Cheap Phones from H2O Wireless
Need a cheap cell phone under $50? H2O Wireless has a few Android phone options for budget-minded customers. Although these phones lack the cool specs of newer models, they get the job done for someone just looking for basic functions like talking, texting, and browsing the internet.
How to Buy a New H2O Wireless Phone
There are two ways to purchase a new H2O Wireless phone:
- Buy the phone outright
- Paying smaller installments through Affirm, a third-party company
When you buy your H2O Wireless phone outright, you pay the full RRP at the time of checkout. For cheap phones, this is generally manageable, but for more expensive phones this may not be a realistic option. That said, H2O Wireless doesn’t offer any of the newest models from any brand so most of their phones are reasonably priced. There are several phones that will run you less than $50 and a few others under $150.
Interest rates through Affirm monthly payments can be as high as 30%
If you’d prefer to buy your H2O Wireless phone by making more manageable payments, you have the option of paying monthly installments through Affirm. H2O Wireless doesn’t provide this option for every phone, since some are nearly as cheap as a monthly payment, but for the more expensive phones, this should be an option.
One thing you need to be aware of is that Affirm charges interest rates on their monthly installments so you’ll ultimately wind up paying more than the RRP for the cell phone. Your interest rate may be anywhere from 10-30%, depending on what your credit score is, and a down payment may be required as well. Your estimated monthly payment amount will exclude shipping fees and taxes.
A nice thing about Affirm, though, is that they have several time periods in which you can pay off your phone—monthly, 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months.
Let’s Talk tip: Many carriers, including the big four—AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile—do not charge interest on their monthly installment plans. If you’re sold on getting service through H2O Wireless and need a new phone, it may be better in the long run to just swallow the price upfront, if possible.
Bring Your Own Device
You can bring your own phone to H2O Wireless as long as it is unlocked and compatible with AT&T’s network since that’s the network H2O Wireless runs on. Therefore, all AT&T devices are eligible to bring to H2O Wireless. T-Mobile phones will likely be compatible too since T-Mobile uses the same network technology as AT&T (GSM). H2O Wireless states that devices from Verizon, Virgin Mobile, Sprint, MetroPCS, or Boost Mobile are not compatible.