The Best T-Mobile Cell Phone Reviews and Plans
T-Mobile Cell Phone Reviews and Plans The second-largest US carrier has thrived by rejecting two-year commitments and data-overage costs. T-Mobile acquired Metro PCS in 2013 and Sprint in 2020. The company now offers 4G and 5G service throughout the US. The latter service benefits from midband spectrum that allows rapid spe$30
Pros:
Cost of plan includes taxes and fees
100 GB of high-speed data
Free Netflix basic account with two or more lines
Cons:
Hotspot data limited to 5 GB
Streaming resolution capped at 480p
T-Mobile Magenta costs $70 per line, including taxes and fees. It comes with 100 GB of “Premium Data,” after which your connection may slow down if T-Network Mobile’s network is too busy, and 5 GB of mobile hotspot use, after which you can only share your bandwidth via Wi-Fi at 3G speeds.
Streaming video is DVD-quality 480p. T-Mobile’s Max plan costs $85 per line for extra mobile hotspot internet and 4K UHD video streaming.
Magenta offers free unlimited 2G roaming in most countries outside the US (in Canada and Mexico, it’s 4G up to 5 GB a month) and weekly freebies from T-Mobile Tuesdays. Two or more Magenta lines get a free Netflix basic subscription.
T-Mobile’s and 5G’s networks rank at or near the top in independent evaluations of network performance in and around cities. 5G employs midband spectrum, which offers faster speeds than 4G and better coverage. T-Mobile says “Ultra Capacity 5G” reaches 200 million Americans.
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Magenta offers unlimited calling, texting, and 4G and 5G data for one or more cellphones, with 100 GB per line given priority. This package lets you share 5 GB per month over mobile hotspot. Streaming video is limited to 5 GB per month.
Magenta lets you text for free and use 2G roaming in most parts of the world. Calls cost 20 cents. T-Mobile’s plans feature one hour of free Gogo inflight Wi-Fi.
Magenta costs $70 for one line, with discounts for additional lines. Two lines cost $60, three lines $40, and four lines $35. Automatic payments save $5. T-Mobile gives its greatest discounts to consumers 55 and older who pay $50 for one Magenta line. Military service members, veterans, and first responders pay $55 a month. Both groups enjoy multiple-line savings.
T-Mobile once charged $10 for a SIM card but now charges nothing. If you buy a new device and start service, there are no upgrade fees.
T-Mobile delivers 5G on the same low-band frequencies as its 4G service, making it available over most of its footprint. It also offers faster 5G on midband frequencies, dubbed “Ultra Capacity 5G.” The carrier’s 5G network includes 9,100 cities. You can check its coverage near you.
Video Streaming
T-Mobile’s plan limits streaming video to 480p unless you pay $3 per day for HD. Magenta comes with a basic Netflix subscription limited to SD resolution. For $5 a month, you can upgrade to HD streaming on two devices or 4K UHD streaming on four displays. T-Mobile’s Essentials plan offers 720p streaming, while Magenta Max permits 4K UHD.
International Services
T-Mobile’s “Uncarrier” action was to offer free slow-speed roaming around the world. Magenta comes with unlimited 2G data roaming, free texting in more than 210 countries, and voice calls that cost 20 cents per minute. Magenta Max doubles free 2G roaming speeds to 256 kbps, which is adequate for map downloads but not spectacular. In Canada and Mexico, Magenta and Magenta Max give you 5 GB of 4G data, but Essentials only gives you 128 kbps on 2G.
Other Services
T-Mobile’s plans include robocall screening, but Scam Shield Premium costs $4 a month. Customers can buy an extra 10 GB of 4G mobile-hotspot bandwidth for $10 a month on Essentials, Magenta, or Magenta Max, but Max includes 40 GB. T-Mobile has $10 to $20 add-on plans for tablets and wearables, depending on your smartphone plan.
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T-Mobile vs. Verizon
T-Mobile beats Verizon’s costs while offering a faster 5G network, and its rate plans are simpler—there are fewer options to pick from, and most include all taxes and fees. Frequent travelers will like T-Complimentary Mobile’s hour of Gogo inflight Wi-Fi and slow-but-free international roaming, which allows them to take their phone out of airplane mode without running up a cost.
T-coverage Mobile’s coverage may not equal its older rival’s in rural areas. Streaming media aficionados may find Verizon’s Play More Unlimited package with Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ a better deal if they were previously paying for those services.
T-Mobile vs. Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile uses T-Mobile’s network but charges less. Mint’s $30 unlimited data plan is half the price of T-Mobile Essentials. Mint’s $30 rate needs a 12-month commitment. Mint limits this plan to 5 GB of mobile hotspot use and 480p video streaming. Mint’s $15/month/15GB package has no streaming resolution limit or mobile hotspot cap. Mint has frequent deals, but its international roaming is expensive. Mint only offers phone and internet assistance, while T-Mobile has 7,500+ stores.
Similar Cell Phone Plans
How do I sign up for T-Mobile service?
T-Mobile was the first nationwide US carrier to eliminate two-year commitments, and it welcomes customers who bring their own devices. Any US-market smartphone sold today should work on its network with its free SIM card. It sells the same smartphones as its rivals. T-Website Mobile lets you check your phone’s compatibility by inputting its IMEI.
T-Mobile offers significant promotions for switchers. Its present agreement pays off any remaining installment-plan payments on a handset from another carrier.
Does T-Mobile Offer a Trial Period?
The 30-day free trial of Mobile’s service requires no new gear. You can download a T-Mobile eSIM on an unlocked iPhone XS or newer. Otherwise, the carrier sends a hotspot. Both are 30 GB free.
Does T-Mobile Offer a Money-Back Guarantee?
T-Mobile lets you return a handset for a full refund up to two weeks after purchase. Depending on the device’s original MSRP, restocking fees range from $20 to $70.
How Do I Cancel My T-Mobile Cell Phone Service?
To cancel service, call T-Mobile or use its website to get a callback. T-Mobile device installment plan balances must be paid off with the final bill.
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