Visible Wireless for Seniors: Phones, Prices, and Reviews
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July 16, 2024
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Piggybacking off of Verizon’s network, Visible Wireless offers unlimited talk, text, and data plans from $25 per month. Visible doesn’t offer any basic plans with just talk and text, but the provider can be a great option for people seeking affordable unlimited data.
Pro Tip: To learn more about our favorite cellular providers for seniors, read our guide to this year’s best senior phone plans.
Visible Pros and Cons
Pros
- Unlimited data plans: Unlike some other small carriers, Visible Wireless offers a robust unlimited data plan.
- Verizon network coverage: Verizon has one of the most reliable wireless networks, and Visible provides a more affordable way to access the service.
- 5G support: Visible now supports 5G on some of its phones, which is another area where Visible has the advantage over comparably priced providers.
- International service benefits: Visible users can call over 30 countries without incurring extra charges.
- Bring your own phone: Visible offers the option to buy a plan and keep the phone you currently have.
Cons
- Data speeds: Visible’s streaming quality is capped at 480p resolution, which means you may want to look elsewhere if you wish to stream video.
- Limited device availability: Not only does Visible limit which of its phones have 5G access, but it also frequently runs out of stock with the devices on its website.
- Limited plan options: At the time of writing, Visible offers only two plans, neither of which costs below $20 per month.
Visible Plans and Pricing
Visible Wireless currently offers two plans, both of which allow unlimited talk, text, and data. The primary difference between the two plans is the amount of data allowed before your speeds are slowed.
| Plan | Monthly price | Talk and text allowance | Data allowance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visible | $25 per month | Unlimited | Unlimited 5G Nationwide and 4G LTE |
| Visible+ | $45 per month | Unlimited | Unlimited 5G Nationwide and 4G LTE, plus 5G Ultra Wideband |
Visible Plans for Seniors
Visible does not offer a specific plan or discount for seniors, but the basic plan is a solid option for older adults. At $25 per month with no long-term contracts, it’s one of the most affordable unlimited plans we’ve seen. T-Mobile senior plans, which start at $27.50 per month, provide similar unlimited talk, text, and data, but the lowest prices require you to purchase multiple lines, whereas Visible’s pricing is the same regardless of how many lines you purchase.
Compared to Visible+ — which costs $45 per month — the basic plan has slower data speeds. That will only be an issue, however, for people who frequently use their phone for streaming video or performing other tasks that use a lot of data.
How to Purchase Visible
Both of Visible’s plans are easy to sign up for. Just visit the Visible Wireless website and follow the onscreen options.
The first thing you’ll need to decide is whether you want to keep your own phone. If you do, click “bring my phone,” which will lead you to a page to provide details about your phone’s hardware. This is to check its compatibility with Visible’s services. If you click “get a new phone,” you’ll be taken to Visible’s devices page. The company’s offerings include the Apple iPhone 14, Samsung Galaxy S22, and Google Pixel 6. Visible even offers service for the Apple watch.
You will then be taken to the “plans” page, where you can select which of Visible’s two plans you prefer.
Visible Pricing
Visible has no long-term contracts associated with its services. Its pricing is extremely straightforward, with monthly bills amounting to either of its two pricing tiers with little room for additional savings.
Visible does, however, offer a few introductory benefits that can reduce the risk of trying its services. The first is a referral discount, which means that if you successfully refer a friend to Visible’s services, both you and the friend will receive a $20 coupon for your next phone bill. Visible also offers a free trial period of 15 days, after which you can sign up for the plan or cancel with no hassle.
Visible used to offer savings through a party-pay system, which allowed multiple plans to be purchased at a discount. That is no longer the case. The company also no longer offers any senior-specific discounts or coupons.
FYI: To learn more about our favorite phones for seniors, read our guides to the best flip phones and best smartphones for seniors.
Visible Network Coverage
Visible Wireless piggybacks off Verizon’s network, which gives it access to some of the most versatile coverage in the country, including Verizon’s 4G LTE and 5G proprietary networks. Visible’s users, however, will be deprioritized on the network in favor of Verizon’s users, which is common with virtual phone services like Visible.
Visible now offers 5G as an incentive to buy its plans, but only certain phones support it, including the Galaxy S22 and the Blade X1 5G, a phone made by Visible specifically for its plans.
Check Verizon’s coverage map to see whether Visible will work for you.
Visible vs. The Competition
Visible’s plans are highly competitive with T-Mobile’s, but they’ll likely have slower data speeds unless you upgrade to the Visible+ plan, which costs $45 per month.
| Visible | T-Mobile Essentials 55+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $25 per month | $27.50 per month |
| Price increases | Never | Never |
| 5G access | Yes | Yes |
| Long-term contracts | None | None |
| Age requirement | None | Must be 55+ |
Another comparable senior phone plan is from Consumer Cellular with plans starting as low as $15 per month.
Bottom Line
Visible Wireless offers a competitively priced unlimited data plan designed to contend with the major carriers. It has recently added 5G compatibility to its lineup of devices, making it a great choice for people who wish to stream movies on their phone.
Slow streaming speeds due to Visible’s deprioritization on Verizon’s network, as well as a lack of plan options, may deter some users from joining Visible’s ranks, but a 15-day free trial is a great and rare opportunity to try them with no strings attached.
Visible Frequently Asked Questions
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Does Visible have a senior plan?
Visible does not have a senior plan. The service offers only two plans total.
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Is Visible trustworthy?
Visible is a trustworthy network that piggybacks off Verizon’s service to offer its users access to one of the nation’s largest mobile networks.
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What are the downsides of Visible?
Visible’s biggest drawback is its inflexible pricing system, which not only limits new users to two plans but also restricts 5G access to its more expensive devices.