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Best Cheap Phone Plans in 2026

Find ways to save on phone plans while still getting unlimited talk, text, and data

By Kelly Huh

Oct 13, 2026

3 min read

This piece is sponsored by Metro by T-Mobile.

Cheap cell phone plans start at $25 per month for unlimited talk, text, and data. One of the plans you can get is from Metro by T-Mobile. Metro is an affordable prepaid brand owned by T-Mobile which offers more affordable plans while delivering the same coverage.

According to the Reviews.org State of Consumer Media Spending report, the average cell phone plan costs nearly $60 per month. Switching to a low-cost cell phone plan from Metro by T-Mobile can save you around $400 a year.

Keep reading to get our expert advice on which cheap cell phone plan to get.

See Metro by T-Mobile Plans

Key Takeaways

You can get an affordable unlimited cell phone plan from Metro by T-Mobile for $25 per month
Metro by T-Mobile uses T-Mobile network towers. That means you get the same award-winning coverage for a fraction of the price.
According to JD Power’s 2026 U.S. Wireless Network Quality Performance StudySM—Volume 2, Metro by T-Mobile’s network, T-Mobile, ranks the highest in the Southwest region for network quality.

On this page:

How to find the best cheap phone plan ↓
Who has the cheapest cell phone service right now? ↓
Metro by T-Mobile cell phone plans ↓
How to get the lowest price on a phone plan ↓
FAQ ↓
Key definitions ↓

Meet the expert

Hi I’m Kelly. I’ve researched all the best cell phone plans and carriers. Whether you’re a student, parent, or retired senior — anyone can save money by choosing a cheap cell phone plan. To put together this article, I referenced industry reports including OpenSignal’s USA Mobile Network Experience Report and Ookla United States Speedtest Connectivity Report. I also keep up to date with deals, price changes, and news about Metro by T-Mobile.

Kelly Huh

Deputy Editor, Reviews.org

How to find the best cheap phone plan

Here are a few things to consider when looking for a cheap cell phone plan:

How much am I willing to pay per month?

How much you pay is correlated with how much high-speed data you want to use within a month, and if you need any hotspot data. You can get an affordable cell phone plan with unlimited 5G data for as little as $25 per month.

What are the different types of carriers?

There are two main types of carriers. A “Big Three” carrier is T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T. These are the largest carriers in the US. “Big Three” carriers primarily offer postpaid plans with extra perks and device financing.

Then there are MVNO carriers or prepaid wireless brands which use a major carrier’s service under their own brand name. These brands still get the same coverage quality because they use the exact same network towers as the major carrier, but can offer more affordable prices.

What cell phone carrier gets the best coverage in my area?

Coverage varies by your area. According to JD Power 2026 U.S. Wireless Network Quality Performance StudySM—Volume 2, T-Mobile ranks the highest in the Southwest region for network quality, and ties for first place with rivaling carrier networks in the Northeast and West regions. So if you sign up for a prepaid brand that uses T-Mobile’s network, such as with Metro by T-Mobile, you get access to one of the largest, fastest 5G networks available.

Who has the cheapest cell phone service right now?

The cheapest cell phone plans with unlimited data start at around $25 per month. They usually include unlimited talk and text as well. If you pay more than $25 per month, the plan includes extra perks, such as hotspot data and roaming.

MVNOs or prepaid brands typically offer the cheapest cell phone plans. Below is a comparison table of average monthly and annual costs for a “Big Three” carrier vs. an MVNO carrier:

Frequency	Big Three (Major Carrier)	MVNO/Prepaid Brand
Monthly cost	$57.96	$41.41
Annual cost	$695.53	$496.89

Average prices from Reviews.org 2025 State of Consumer Media Spending report. Mobile pricing includes data from both the Big Three carriers (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile) and leading MVNOs (Visible, Mint, and Tello) to highlight savings potential.

Metro by T-Mobile cell phone plans

Metro by T-Mobile’s best low-price cell phone plan is its new limited-time offer: $15 per month for the first 3 months, then $25 per month.

All plans include unlimited 5G data. If you want to save the most money, getting a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) plan keeps your monthly rates low, and there are no contracts or credit checks. Plus, the advertised price includes taxes and regulatory fees.

Carrier	Plan	Price	Data	Perks	Details
Metro by T-Mobile	Unlimited 5G Data - Bring Your Own Device	$25/mo.	Unlimited	5-year price guarantee, T-Mobile Tuesdays, Scam Shield	View Plans
Metro by T-Mobile	Unlimited 5G Data - Bring Your Own Device - $30	$30.00/mo.	Unlimited	All perks from cheaper BYOD plan, plus 10GB hotspot data	View Plans
Metro by T-Mobile	Unlimited 5G Data - Bring Your Own Device - $35	$35.00/mo.	Unlimited	All perks from cheaper BYOD plans, plus unlimited calls and text to and from Mexico and Canada with up to 5GB of data roaming	View Plans

If you use more than 35GB of data, you might temporarily notice slower speeds.

Special Deal

Metro by T-Mobile offers a $15 unlimited 5G plan for your first 3 months of service, then $25 afterwards with AutoPay. This plan includes a 5-year plan price guarantee.

Carrier	Plan	Price	Data	Perks	Details
Metro by T-Mobile	Unlimited 5G Data	$15/mo. for your first 3 months, then $25/mo. with AutoPay.	Unlimited	5-year price guarantee, T-Mobile Tuesdays, Scam Shield	View Plans

What plan is best for you?

Here are recommended cheap phone plans based on your data usage:

Type of User	Needed Features	Recommended Cheap Phone Plan	Details
Light	High-speed data	Unlimited 5G Data ($15/mo. for your first 3 months, then $25/mo. with AutoPay)	View Plans
Moderate	High-speed data	Unlimited 5G Data - $40/mo. period. Just Bring Your Number	View Plans
Heavy	High-speed data, hotspot data, and international roaming	Unlimited 5G Data - $50/mo. with AutoPay, $55 first month.	View Plans

Free or discounted cell phone deals

Metro by T-Mobile also offers other prepaid cell phone plans from $40–$60 per month if you want to get a phone deal with your plan. Metro by T-Mobile offers heavily discounted or free phones, like the Samsung Galaxy A37 5G, which you could get for free when you sign up for a new line on a qualifying plan and bring your number.

See Phone Deals

How to get the lowest price on a phone plan

To get the lowest price on a phone plan, look for these deals:

Find online-exclusive offers: Cell phone carriers often have limited-time sales or discounts on their website. Look around a website to see if you can find special plans that are only available online.
Get multiple lines on a family plan: Metro by T-Mobile offers $15 to $25 off per line, per month, when you add multiple lines to select plans.
Download the “Ad It Up” app: Play games to earn points, which can be redeemed for payments towards your Metro by T-Mobile plan.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is the best and cheapest mobile plan?

The best and cheapest mobile plans include unlimited data for an affordable price. Metro by T-Mobile offers a $25 monthly plan that includes unlimited data, talk, and text with a 5-year plan price guarantee.

What is the best budget phone right now?

The Samsung Galaxy A37 5G is a top budget phone and you can get it for free when you get an eligible plan for $40 per month or more. This usually costs $489.99 on Samsung’s website, but is available for $0 at Metro for a limited time. The Galaxy A17 includes 128GB storage, 6.7” FHD+ Super AMOLED screen, and a 50MP main camera and 12MP front facing camera.

Which carrier is offering free phones right now?

Metro by T-Mobile gives you a free phone with a new line on a qualifying plan when you bring your number, with plans starting at $40 per month.

Key definitions

Term	Definitions
Prepaid phone plan	A cell phone plan paid before you use it, typically month to month and with no credit checks or surprise extra fees.
MVNO (mobile virtual network operator)	A wireless carrier that doesn't own its own cell towers and instead rents network access from a major carrier like T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T, often at a more affordable price.
No-contract phone plan	A plan you can cancel or switch at any time without early termination fees, since you're not locked into a multi-year agreement.
BYOD (bring your own device)	Using a phone you already own on a new carrier's plan instead of buying or financing one from them.
Lifeline program	A federal assistance program that gives eligible low-income households a discount on phone or internet service. More details in our guide here.
eSIM	A digital SIM on your phone that lets you activate a carrier plan without inserting a physical SIM card.

Written by

Kelly Huh

Kelly helps readers find the best home services and technology products. She’s written about every major internet and mobile provider, spending many of her waking hours decoding the fine print that no one reads. She enjoys digging through statistics and user data to put together Reviews.org’s consumer research analysis and proprietary surveys. She has also reached out to real customers all over the country and talked with them over the phone to see how their services fare in reality. Kelly also covers efforts to bridge the digital divide for low-income and rural households—her report on the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program was recently cited in a Supreme Court amicus brief in support of expanding internet access. Her articles have been cited by The New York Times, Fast Company, Telecompetitor, Benton Institute for Broadband, and the Federal Communications Commission. Originally from New Zealand, Kelly graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in communications and is currently pursuing an MBA at Utah Valley University. She’s based in Provo, Utah, and sometimes bakes cakes (but being in the kitchen truly stresses her out).