Pay-as-you-go mobile phones are cell phones that come with no-contract with any carrier and a certain amount is paid in advance for the services to be used. These are hence also called prepaid cell phones. With pay-as-you-go mobile phone deals, the services like data usage/minutes for which your phone is subscribed will cease when the amount paid previously has been used up. The services can be restarted/continue to work only after you choose to buy more services with a credit top-up as and when you want.

• Flexibility : If you are unhappy with your service provider or with your cell phone itself, these phones are ideal since they give you the flexibility to change the equipment or the carrier at any given point of time.
• Pocket-friendly : There is great value for money options since they have no additional costs like fixed monthly charges, activation fees and overage charges, fees for switching the carrier or contract termination fees.
• Helps to control budget : If you are a person who doesn’t use your phone very much, these deals let you control your budget as you can pay for only what you use. Pay-as-you-go mobile phone deals are ideal for students and senior citizens who would use their cell phones only occasionally or have one for emergencies.

Although these plans are easy on your wallet, they come with their own disadvantages as well. Not all handsets are compatible with the services provided by all carriers, hence restricts your options. Further, it is important to ensure that the phone serves the coverage required by you. Secondly, they may be more of a trouble if you run out of money and you are stuck unable to get help during an emergency.