In another example of a wireless telecom experimenting beyond the standard payment models in the category, Sprint on Friday introduced a contract-less, data-less plan for $45 a month.
Called Sprint Prepaid, the plan works with a Sprint Spark-enabled Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini ($349 without a contract), a 4G-capable Samsung Galaxy S3 ($299) and a 3G Moto G ($99).
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Another option is a pre-owned iPhone 4S ($199). Voice calling and texting are unlimited on the plan, but there is no cellular data plan. Instead, the phones can only get data access via Wi-Fi. A plan called Smart Plus offers 2.5 GB data a month, after which speeds are throttled. As GigaOm points out, the plan appears to put restrictions on video use on 4G and may use 3G for such media.