“Total by Verizon” was the name Verizon gave Total Wireless when it relaunched the prepaid brand on September 21, 2022. Its launch plans ran from $30 to $60 a month, but those prices are historical—not today’s plan lineup. The brand is now called Total Wireless, and Verizon announced a refreshed set of plans beginning May 13, 2026. The old headline is useful as a launch snapshot, not as current shopping guidance.
What Total by Verizon launched in 2022
On September 21, 2022, Verizon introduced Total by Verizon as a new name and retail push for its prepaid business. It was a repositioning of Total Wireless, not a new wireless network. The service was presented as no-contract prepaid service using Verizon’s network, with plans, retail availability, family pricing, 5G access, hotspot data and entertainment benefits. Contemporaneous launch coverage reported the $30-to-$60 monthly range; Verizon’s launch material is dated the same day.
“Newest prepaid brand” described Verizon’s launch positioning at that time. Total by Verizon sat within the company’s prepaid portfolio alongside Verizon Prepaid and other brands; it was distinct from traditional Verizon Wireless postpaid service and from Visible, Verizon’s digitally focused prepaid brand.
What the $30 starting price meant at launch
The $30 figure was the entry point for the 2022 lineup, not the price of every feature-rich or unlimited plan. Launch coverage described monthly prices up to $60 and additional lines for $35 each in the family-plan structure it reported. Benefits varied by tier, so the starting price should not be read as equivalent to the top plan.
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- Carrier: This SIM Kit is for the Verizon Prepaid network. It allows you to activate a compatible, unlocked phone on Verizon Prepaid. A Verizon Prepaid plan is required for activation. Activating is easy, upon receipt go to the Verizon Prepaid Website and select “Activate” and follow the prompts.
- KEEP YOUR PHONE, SWITCH YOUR PLAN – Love your current smartphone? Bring your own compatible, unlocked device to Verizon and get all the benefits of a great network without buying a new phone. This kit is compatible with most unlocked iPhones, Samsung Galaxy phones, Google Pixels, and other 4G LTE/5G smartphones.
- AMERICA'S MOST RELIABLE NETWORK – Get access to Verizon’s award-winning, dependable nationwide 4G LTE and 5G networks. Enjoy fast downloads, reliable streaming, and crystal-clear calls on the network more people count on.
- UNIVERSAL 3-IN-1 SIM CARD – No need to guess which SIM size you need. This kit includes a single card with pre-cut pop-outs for Standard, Micro, and Nano SIM sizes to fit any compatible device. Simply punch out the size your phone requires and insert it to get started.
- NO CONTRACTS, NO CREDIT CHECKS – Enjoy the freedom of prepaid. Choose from a variety of monthly plans with no annual contracts, no activation fees, and no credit checks. You're in control of your wireless service, with the flexibility to change your plan as your needs change.
| Launch-era detail | What it meant |
|---|---|
| Monthly price range | $30 entry price to $60 top tier, as reported for the September 2022 launch. |
| Data and hotspot | Benefits differed by plan; higher tiers had larger hotspot allocations. |
| 5G | Verizon 5G access was part of the positioning. Ultra Wideband access depended on plan, compatible device and location. |
| Family lines | Launch coverage described additional lines at $35 each in its family-plan structure. |
| Entertainment | Disney+ was associated with the highest tier or eligible offers, not every plan. |
These are launch-era descriptions, not a complete archival plan-by-plan benefit schedule. The contemporaneous report is the source for the advertised range and family-price detail.
Why Total by Verizon is now Total Wireless
Verizon later returned the brand to the Total Wireless name. Its current materials describe Total Wireless as “formerly Total by Verizon.” The brand remains a Verizon prepaid offering, with its own plans, retail presence and eligibility rules; it is not the same plan portfolio as Verizon postpaid. Verizon’s prepaid portfolio also includes Straight Talk, Visible, Tracfone, Simple Mobile, SafeLink, Walmart Family Mobile and Verizon Prepaid. See Verizon’s brand-refresh announcement.
The retail footprint is part of the positioning: Verizon said in January 2026 that Total Wireless had opened its 2,000th store and operated stores in 41 states. That date and geography matter because store availability continues to change. Verizon’s store announcement provides those figures.
Rank #2
- BRAND NEW DIRECTLY FROM VERIZON
- SIMBROS SIMKEY INCLUDED FOR EASY ACCESS TO THE SIMTRAY OF ANY DEVICE!
- THIS TRIPLE CUT SIM CAN BE BROKEN DOWN INTO EVERY SIZE SIM CARD SO IT WILL FIT IN ANY VERIZON DEVICE MADE!
- THIS WORKS ON BOTH THE 5G AND 4G NETWORKS!
- Compatible with both prepaid and postpaid Verizon accounts. Not compatible with MVNO's
Current Total Wireless plans in Verizon’s May 2026 announcement
Verizon announced a refreshed four-tier lineup beginning May 13, 2026. The following prices and benefits are from its May 8, 2026 plan announcement; plan terms and promotions can change, so check the live Total Wireless plan catalog before enrolling.
| Plan | Advertised monthly price | Key benefits described by Verizon |
|---|---|---|
| Total Starter | $35 with Auto Pay | Unlimited talk, text and 5G data; 10 GB hotspot; Canada and Mexico roaming; international calling to 85+ countries and texting to 200+ countries. |
| Total MAX 5G BYO | $25 with Auto Pay | Bring-your-own-phone plan; unlimited premium 5G data; unlimited hotspot at 5 Mbps; roaming in 140+ countries; international calling and texting to 200+ countries; 100 GB cloud storage. |
| Total MAX 5G | $50 | Unlimited premium 5G data and hotspot; international benefits; 100 GB cloud storage; six months of Disney+. |
| Total All Access | $60 | Unlimited premium 5G data; unlimited hotspot at higher speeds; 1 TB cloud storage; Disney+; international calling, texting and roaming, plus a long-distance credit. |
Verizon’s announcement describes taxes and fees as included for the refreshed lineup, but confirm the terms for the specific plan and offer you select. “Unlimited” also does not mean every feature is unlimited at the same speed: for example, the BYO plan’s hotspot is listed at 5 Mbps, while the top tier is described as having higher-speed hotspot access. The announcement says the tiers include different international destinations and benefits, so check the country list for your own travel or calling needs.
Is $30 still a real Total Wireless price?
It can be, but the number alone does not identify a plan. Total Wireless lists a 15 GB plan at $30 per month; that is not an unlimited-data plan. A separate legacy 5 GB plan page also shows $30, and should not be mistaken for the current unlimited tiers. The live site may also show a first-month promotional price; a discounted first month is not necessarily the recurring charge.
Rank #3
- LOT OF 10 VERIZON 5G TRIPLE CUT SIM CARDS & 1 SIMKEY
- SIMBROS SIMKEY INCLUDED FOR EASY ACCESS TO THE SIMTRAY OF ANY DEVICE!
- THIS TRIPLE CUT SIM CAN BE BROKEN DOWN INTO EVERY SIZE SIM CARD SO IT WILL FIT IN ANY VERIZON DEVICE MADE!
- THIS WORKS ON BOTH THE 5G AND 4G NETWORKS!
- CompYou will receive 10 X SIM card, that can be "punched out" to fit standard, micro, and nano-sized SIM slots (4FF / 3FF / 2FF)atible with both prepaid and postpaid Verizon accounts. Not compatible with MVNO's
For a fair comparison, verify the plan name and data allowance, whether Auto Pay or a qualifying bring-your-own-phone activation is required, whether the price recurs, how taxes and fees are handled, and what hotspot limits apply. The current $25 BYO offer, for example, is tied to the BYO-phone plan and Auto Pay conditions; it is not a general price for every customer or device. Total Wireless provides a bring-your-own-phone page for compatibility and activation details.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Network access, 5G and performance caveats
Total Wireless is backed by Verizon’s 5G network, but using the same underlying network does not guarantee the same service experience as Verizon postpaid. A compatible 5G device and coverage in the area are required for 5G access. Local congestion, plan rules and device compatibility can affect performance, and advertised coverage does not guarantee indoor reception, a particular speed or service at every address. Total Wireless describes its network and 5G requirements; its legacy plan terms warn that speeds may be reduced relative to carrier postpaid customers during congestion.
Before switching, test whether Verizon coverage works at the places you rely on most, and confirm that your phone is unlocked and compatible. Also compare the actual hotspot allowance and speed, roaming destinations, international calling rules and any video or data restrictions in the plan terms. A 5G logo or an “unlimited” label does not settle those questions.
Rank #4
- ✅ Genuine Verizon SIM Card – Official, carrier-certified SIM for Verizon Wireless.
- 📡 5G + 4G LTE Ready – Supports the fastest Verizon data networks for reliable connectivity
- 🔒 NFC Enabled – Allows secure mobile payments and contactless pairing.
- 🔁 For New Activation or Replacement – Use for new devices or to replace a damaged SIM.
- 🔌 Nano Size (4FF) – Fits all modern smartphones (e.g., iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Pixel, etc.)
Who may find Total Wireless worthwhile?
- People who need Verizon coverage: It may be a fit if Verizon performs well at home, work and travel destinations where other networks do not.
- Shoppers who value in-person help: Total Wireless’s retail presence may matter if you prefer help activating service or resolving account issues in a store.
- Households that use bundled benefits: Compare line pricing and count only benefits—such as international service, Disney+ or cloud storage—that your household would otherwise pay for.
- Unlocked-phone owners: A compatible BYO phone can avoid buying a new handset, though the low advertised BYO price has eligibility and Auto Pay conditions.
When to compare other prepaid options
Total Wireless may not be the best fit if you want the absolute lowest single-line cost, do not need store support or bundled perks, or prioritize plan features that are better on another network. Alternatives include Visible, an online-focused Verizon-network option; Metro by T-Mobile, which uses T-Mobile’s network; Mint Mobile, which is oriented toward multi-month prepayment; and US Mobile, which offers flexible plan choices. Their current prices are not compared here.
When comparing, line up the total recurring cost, payment term, Auto Pay conditions, taxes and fees, hotspot, data priority, international service, device compatibility and access to retail support. A lower headline price may trade away a feature you value—or may rely on a promotion or prepayment.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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