A burner phone, as the name implies, is a mobile phone designed to be used temporarily and then disposed of or "burned" when no longer needed. But what exactly does that mean and what are burner phones used for?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll demystify burner phones, revealing everything you need to know about how they work, why people use them, their pros and cons, and even recommendations on which ones to buy.
A Straightforward Definition
At its core a burner phone is simply a prepaid mobile phone with limited capabilities and features. They allow the user to make calls, send texts, and access mobile data anonymously because no contract or commitment is required.
You essentially "pay-as-you-go", adding more minutes, texts or data as needed. When you no longer require the phone, you can simply stop paying for service and toss it out.
This disposable nature is why they got the nickname “burner phones”. However, most people actually reuse prepaid phones multiple times rather than burning through a new device each month.
A Brief History
So when did people start using burner phones? The exact origins are unclear but they grew in popularity with the prepaid mobile phone market in the 1990s.
Back then mobile plans were primarily contract-based and required credit checks as well as long-term commitments. Prepaid phones with pay-as-you-go plans emerged as an affordable alternative without those limitations.
However, the term “burner phone” wasn’t really used until around 2004 when it was popularized by the HBO television series The Wire. Characters on the show frequently used prepaid phones to conduct illegal business and often disposed of them to avoid getting caught.
While burner phones had existed for years already, The Wire associated them with criminal activity in popular culture. And unfortunately that stigma still persists today.
Common Misconceptions
If you’ve heard anything about burner phones before reading this article, it was likely negative. Shows like Breaking Bad and tropes from movies reinforce the stereotype that burners are mostly for criminals.
But in reality, legal everyday people use prepaid and burner phones too.
Some common examples include:
- Having a temporary backup phone
- Protecting your privacy
- Separating personal and work calls
- Controlling costs (no contracts!)
Later we’ll cover those use cases in more detail. But first, let’s talk about the typical capabilities of most burner phones.
What Can You Do with a Burner Phone?
Originally burner phones utilized outdated devices and networks, offering only basic calling and texting. But modern prepaid smartphones can handle most tasks of regular flagship devices.
However, there are still some limitations to keep in mind:
- Smaller app selection/compatibility
- Lower screen resolution
- Slower processing speeds
- Limited internal storage
Most burner phones sport stripped down versions of Android, lacking support for advanced features. The hardware prioritizes affordable pricing over top-tier performance.
But they can readily handle basics like:
- Making calls
- Sending SMS
- Using mobile data
- Running essential apps
- Taking photos
- Streaming music
Just don’t expect to play graphics-intensive mobile games or edit 4K video on a burner phone. Their strength lies in simplicity and flexibility rather than maximizing computing power in your pocket.
Why Do People Use Burner Phones?
By now hopefully you understand what a burner phone can and cannot do spec-wise. But why would the average person need one when smartphones are ubiquitous?
Here are the most common use cases:
Temporary Backup Phone
Losing or breaking your primary smartphone can be catastrophic today. Burner phones make excellent short-term replacements or backups if that happens.
Rather than being totally disconnected, you can pop in your prepaid SIM card to get access to essential features immediately. It‘s like a spare tire for your mobile life.
Privacy Protection
Standard smartphones track massive amounts of data about us all the time. From your location to sites you visit, it’s all collected, packaged up, and sold by tech giants.
Burner phones with prepaid plans break that data trail, preventing companies from compiling detailed records about your activity when using one.
Personal + Professional Separation
Similarly, using a burner phone allows you to keep work and personal communications completely separate. This helps maintain better work-life balance and privacy.
Affordability + Control
Prepaid monthly plans remove the long-term commitments of postpaid contracts. And without running credit checks, burner phones also increase access to mobile communication for people with limited financial histories.
Plus you can control costs closely based on your usage levels month to month.
Off-the-Grid Capabilities
For people wanting to live entirely off the grid, burner phones enable maintaining mobile connectivity without having any records tied to your identity. Law enforcement would hit dead ends trying to subpoena a burner phone provider for customer data.
Now let’s explore the biggest reasons people decide burner phones aren‘t for them.
Potential Downsides of Burner Phones
Burner phones can serve many useful purposes. But depending on your needs, there may be some limitations to consider as well before ditching your flagship smartphone.
Here are the biggest potential downsides:
Limited Internal Storage
Don’t expect expansive built-in storage for apps, photos, videos and more like modern Android devices and iPhones provide. A 16GB burner phone would be on the high-end of internal capacity.
However, some models do allow expanding storage via a microSD card slot if needed.
Lower Power + Performance
We covered this earlier but it’s worth reiterating: burner phones sacrifice computing horsepower to reach affordable price points. A burner won’t match the speed of a flagship.
You’ll also have less RAM and slower processors, which can impact performance running newer resource-intensive apps.
Minimal Features + Capabilities
Beyond slower speeds, most burner phones lack features many smartphone users now take for granted. For example:
- No NFC for contactless payments
- No support for 5G connectivity
- No advanced cameras or lenses
- No high-resolution displays
- No waterproofing or premium build materials
If you require any of those capabilities frequently, sticking with a premium smartphone likely makes more sense.
Potential Network Limitations
Some prepaid phone providers rely on underlying carrier networks with more limited regional access compared to major national carriers like Verizon and AT&T.
So depending on where you need coverage, network connectivity could prove spotty in areas where top-tier postpaid plans provide service.
Cost Comparison
One of the main allures of burner phones is saving money compared to premium smartphones and plans. But how much can you realistically expect to spend using one?
Here is an overview:
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Phone Cost – Expect to spend between $20 and $200 on an actual burner phone device. Sub-$50 options feature old-school flip form factors. But you can get basic pseudo-smartphone touchscreen devices for under $100. Higher-end pre-paid smartphones creep up towards $200+.
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Activation Cost – Most prepaid carriers don’t charge activation fees. However, you’ll still need to purchase a SIM card which runs $1-$10 typically.
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Monthly Cost – This cost component brings the most potential savings over postpaid contracts. Prepaid voice/text only plans start around $10/month. Adding a few GBs of LTE data bumps the monthly cost to $20-30 typically. Higher data buckets in the 5GB+ range approach $40+/month.
Compared to major postpaid carrier plans in the $60-$100 per month range, prepaid can clearly offer substantial savings – even more so if you share a family plan on the postpaid side.
- Cost Over Time – Say you purchased a $75 burner phone and went with a $25/month prepaid plan averaging 12 months of use before replacing the device. That’s $75 (phone) + $300 (service) = $375 total or ~$31/month over the year.
Compare that to paying $1,000 for a new iPhone plus $70/month over 12 months for postpaid service = $1,840 or $153/month.
Even after 5+ years the costs still compare very favorably for burners as long as your usage fits the limitations we covered earlier.
Recommended Burner Phone Models
Hopefully now you have a clearer understanding of what burner phones are, how they work, why people use them and what to watch out for.
If you‘ve decided a prepaid phone does fit your needs, here are three recommended models to consider across different price points:
Alcatel Go Flip 3
An extremely affordable and compact flip phone option with the basics covered.
Key Specs:
- Price – $59.99
- Screen Size – 2.8 inches
- Storage – 4GB
- Camera Resolution – 2MP
- Pros – Reliable brand. External display shows notifications. Easy to use.
- Cons – Extremely limited internal storage. Subpar camera performance.
Bottom Line: Ideal ultra-low-cost burner phone if smartphone features aren‘t necessary.
BLU View 3
A budget smartphone with decent specs and performance given the price.
Key Specs:
- Price – $99.99
- Screen Size – 5.7 inches
- Storage – 64GB
- Camera Resolution – 13MP + 5MP Dual Lens
- Pros – Large HD display. Good storage capacity. Dual cameras.
- Cons – Heavy weight. Bloatware. Lacks NFC.
Bottom Line: One of the best sub-$100 prepaid smartphone options.
Moto G Pure
The perfect blend of affordability and quality for a prepaid smartphone.
Key Specs:
- Price – $149.99
- Screen Size – 6.5 inches
- Storage – 32GB
- Camera Resolution – 13MP
- Pros – Near stock Android. Responsive performance. 20W fast charging.
- Cons – No 5G support. Lacks NFC payments.
Bottom Line: The best mid-range burner phone available right now. Hard to beat the value.
Hopefully these recommendations give you a jumping off point on reliable and affordable options at different price points. Be sure to check which networks they are compatible with for coverage in your area too.
FAQs about Burner Phones
Let‘s wrap up by answering some frequently asked questions about burners and prepaid phones:
Do burner phones require a plan?
- Yes and no. You must add prepaid minutes or data in order to use core functionality. However, you aren‘t locked into any ongoing monthly subscription.
Can you reuse a burner phone?
- Absolutely. The "burner" term came from the idea you would use it temporarily then dispose of it. But these are really just prepaid devices which people often reuse long-term by purchasing additional minutes/data as needed.
Do burner phones work with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay?
- Unfortunately most don‘t. Those require deeper integration and connections typically lacking in temporary prepaid phone models not sold directly through wireless carriers. However, some higher priced prepaid devices at the $200 price point may offer support.
What carrier networks support burner phones?
- The major networks (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile) all offer prepaid subsidiaries. But you‘ll also find prepaid devices running on regional networks like TracFone and H2O Wireless which resell access in bulk. Just remember coverage maps vary greatly so check before you select a carrier.
Can you use burner phones internationally?
- Generally no unless explicitly listed as "international ready". Most prepaid devices sold directly through US carriers only function domestically. However, unlocked phones could allow you to purchase a local international SIM. But functionality will vary widely.
Hopefully this guide served as your one-stop shop answering all aspects around what is a burner phone and how they work compared to smartphones. Have additional questions? Feel free to contact me and I‘m happy to help further!
