T-Mobile Cell Phone Plans Review

T Mobile
T-Mobile
4 out of 5 stars
4
  • pro
    Tons of data
  • pro
    Fastest download speeds
  • pro
    Best 5G coverage and availability
  • con
    Need multiple lines to get steep discounts
Easton Smith
Feb 18, 2025
Icon Time To Read10 min read

T-Mobile offers the largest 5G coverage in the country, steep family plan discounts, and internet bundle deals with its 5G internet service.

I've been a T-Mobile customer for the past eight years and I’m happy that I never worry about losing coverage or running out of data. Whether I’m streaming Netflix, working remotely via a mobile hotspot, or calling my parents while I’m stuck on the freeway during rush hour, my T-Mobile service comes in clutch–most of the time.

Still, T-Mobile is on the pricier side. There are definitely cheaper cell phone plans out there, but since T-Mobile plans include tons of high-speed data, it provides the most value for those of us who are chronically online and want a reliable connection everywhere we go. 

Keep reading to read my full review going over everything you need to know about T-Mobile plans.

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T-Mobile plans and prices overview

Provider
Prices starting at
Data
Hotspot data
Details
$50/mo
Starting with unlimited 5G & 4G LTE with 50GB of Premium DataStarting with unlimited 3G speeds

T-Mobile’s looking darn good these days, especially for those who prefer lightning-fast data speeds over rural coverage. Here’s the summary of T-Mobile's main specs:

  • Prices: T-Mobile offers prepaid plans from $40 and post-paid unlimited talk, text, and data plans from $50 monthly
  • Talk, text, and data: All T-Mobile unlimited plans come with unlimited talk, text, and 5G or 4G data
  • Family plan discounts: You can save a significant amount of money by bundling up in a family plan with T-Mobile. For the T-Mobile Essentials plan, you can get plans for as low $25 per person for four lines.
  • Coverage: T-Mobile’s 5G network is the biggest and fastest in the country. Its slower 4G network has some big gaps, especially in the rural western US.
T-Mobile unlimited data plans and prices
All the high-speed data you could ever want in one place

T-Mobile's unlimited cell phone plans range from $50 to $100 per month for unlimited talk, text, and data. Why the wide price gap for "unlimited" plans? It comes down to premium data, hotspot allowances, and additional perks like free streaming subscriptions and travel benefits. 

T-Mobile unlimited cell phone plans and prices
Plan
Monthly price
Data
Hotspot data
Details
Essentials Saver
$50/mo
Unlimited (50GB full-speed)Unlimited at 3G speeds
Essentials
$60/mo
Unlimited (50GB full-speed)Unlimited at 3G speeds
Magenta
$70/mo
Unlimited (100GB full-speed)5GB high-speed then unlimited at 3G speeds
Go5G
$75/mo
Unlimited (100GB full-speed)15GB high-speed then unlimited at 3G speeds
Go5G Plus
$90/mo
Unlimited high-speed50GB high-speed then unlimited at 3G speeds
15GB high-speed data in Canada and Mexico
Go5G Next
$100/mo
Unlimited high-speed50GB high-speed then unlimited at 3G speeds
15GB high-speed data in Canada and Mexico

T-Mobile data caps

Here’s a weird thing about unlimited data plans—most of them don’t actually give you unlimited high speed data. There’s usually a data cap. If you go over your data cap, your data speeds can be significantly reduced (making it hard to stream or game).

Even though my plan comes with 50GB of high-speed data, I was surprised that I only use about 2 to 5GB of data per month, even though I feel like I spend a lot of time on my phone. 

While I don't max out my premium data cap, I still think it's worth having T-Mobile for the peace of mind that I always have real time traffic alerts when I'm driving, or I can update my Instagram story on the fly when I'm visiting another state.

Companies like AT&T and Verizon set their caps at 75GB per month for mid-level unlimited plans and allow unlimited standard data with their entry-level plans, which is slowed during times of high traffic. But T-Mobile’s mid-tier Go5G plan has a data cap of 100GB of premium data per month, and its entry-level Essentials plan includes 50GB of premium data.

That’s a ton of data, but it’s the Go5G Next plan that really impresses us.

T-Mobile’s Go5G Next plan has no data cap. That means you get truly unlimited 4G and 5G data on this plan. No throttling and no deprioritization, just that sweet, sweet high-speed data. So go ahead and stream that new episode of Severance.

T-Mobile family cell phone plans

Cell phone plans for whatever your family needs

T-Mobile family plans range from 50GB of data to unlimited data with HD-quality streaming. From Essentials and up, you’re looking at unlimited everything plans—unlimited talk, text, and data. 

T-Mobile unlimited plans and prices with four lines

Plan
Monthly price
Lines
Data
Hotspot data
Details
Essentials 4 Line Offer
$100/mo
4Unlimited (50GB full-speed)Unlimited at 3G speeds
Essentials
$105/mo
4Unlimited (50GB full-speed)Unlimited at 3G speeds
Go5G
$155/mo
4Unlimited (100GB full-speed)Unlimited, 15GB high-speed mobile hotspot data
Go5G Plus
$185/mo
4Unlimited full-speedUnlimited, 50GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data
Go5G Next
$225/mo
4Unlimited full-speedUnlimited, 50GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data

The best T-Mobile plan for your family depends on what kind of unlimited you want:

  • Do you have a family that requires tons of hotspot data and HD streaming?
  • Do your college kids need laptop access on the go?
  • Do you enjoy watching The Walking Dead on your morning train commute?

If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions, then you might want to check out the Go5G Next plan that gets unlimited full speed data, 50GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data, and entertainment perks like AppleTV+, Netflix with ads, and Hulu with ads. 

On the other hand, if you primarily use the internet for email, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, you’ll want a basic unlimited plan, like the Essentials plan, for just $100 for four lines.

How do these T-Mobile family plans compare with other family plans? Let’s take a look.

T-Mobile vs. Verizon vs. AT&T: Family plans

Among the major three providers—AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon—the Essentials plan from T-Mobile is $44 less than AT&T's plan and $20 less than Verizon's Unlimited Welcome Plan. But if you're a fan of hotspot data, Verizon's Unlimited Welcome plan doesn't offer any.

With T-Mobile's Essentials family plan, you can get four lines for just $100, or about $25 per line. That’s a good chunk of change that stays in your bank account each month. In short, if you can get on a family plan with T-Mobile, then you should.

Provider
Plan
Lines
Price
Data
Details
T-Mobile_logo
Essentials Saver4
$100/mo
Unlimited (50GB full-speed)
Verizon
Unlimited Welcome4
$120/mo
Unlimited (slow speeds during high traffic)
ATT
Unlimited Starter SL4
$143.96/mo
Unlimited (slow speeds during high traffic)
T-Mobile international coverage
Bullhorn

T-Mobile’s Go5G plans have some pretty awesome international talk, text, and data perks. In fact, they top our list of the best international cell phone plans.

T-Mobile prepaid cell phone plans

Save some money with a T-Mobile prepaid plan

If you compare T-Mobile prepaid plans with the unlimited plans, you’ll notice the prepaid options are a bit cheaper. The main catch is that you’ll have to pay in advance instead of paying T-Mobile your bill at the end of the month, and you won't be eligible for T-Mobile Tuesdays. 

T-Mobile prepaid cell phone plans
Plan
Price
Data
Hotspot data
Details
Prepaid Unlimited Plan
$50/mo
Unlimited (50GB full-speed)Unlimited at 3G speed
Prepaid Unlimited Promo Plan
$55/mo
Unlimited high-speedUnlimited at 3G speed
Prepaid Unlimited Plus Plan
$60/mo
Unlimited (50GB full speed)15GB at full-speed

The prepaid system can get a little annoying if you forget to pay for another month of service, but as long as you stay on top of things, you’ll save more than a few bucks every month.

The T-Mobile prepaid plans aren't perk-less, though. You still have a 50 GB data cap and mobile hotspot on the go.

T-Mobile discounted cell phone plans and deals

T-Mobile has lots of deals and special offers, including discounted plans for military, first responders, and people aged 55 and above. So if you qualify, make sure you sign up for these specific plans to get the most bang for your buck. 

T-Mobile discounts for military and veterans

T-Mobile offers active-duty military and veterans 40% off its Go5G plans when you bundle with family lines. This is a pretty darn good deal for one of the more powerful cell phone plans on the market.

Plan
Price (4 lines)
Price per line
Data
Hotspot data
Details
Go5G Military
$120/mo
$30/mo
Unlimited (slow speeds during congestion)15GB of 4G LTE data
Go5G Plus Military
$160/mo
$40
Unlimited high-speed50GB of 4G LTE data
15GB in Mexico and Canada
Go5G Next Military
$200/mo
$50
Unlimited high-speed50GB of 4G LTE data
15GB in Mexico and Canada

T-Mobile discounts for first responders

T-Mobile also offers 40% off family lines on the Go5G unlimited plans for first responders. You can get the Go5G Next plan for just $85 a month for one line or as low as $47 a month per line with four lines. That’s a pretty darn good deal for one of the more powerful cell phone plans on the market.

Plan
Price (4 lines)
Price per line
Data
Hotspot data
Details
Go5G First Responder
$120/mo
$30/mo
Unlimited (slow speeds during congestion)15GB of 4G LTE data
Go5G Plus First Responder
$160/mo
$40
Unlimited high-speed50GB of 4G LTE data
15GB in Mexico and Canada
Go5G Next First Responder
$200/mo
$50
Unlimited high-speed50GB of 4G LTE data
15GB in Mexico and Canada
T-Mobile discounts for 55+ and seniors

T-Mobile offers steep discounts for customers who are 55 years old and above that can save you $10 to $15 on your monthly bill. 

Plan
Price
Price without 55+ discount
Data
Hotspot data
Details
Essentials 55+
$40/mo
$50/mo
Unlimited (50GB full-speed)Unlimited at 3G speeds
Essentials Choice 55
$45/mo
$60/mo
Unlimited (50GB full-speed)Unlimited at 3G speeds
Go5G 55
$60/mo
$75/mo
Unlimited (100GB full-speed)Unlimited at 3G speeds, 15GB high-speed mobile hotspot data
Go5G Plus 55
$75/mo
$90/mo
UnlimitedUnlimited at 3G speeds, 50GB high-speed mobile hotspot data
Go5G Next 55
$85/mo
$100/mo
UnlimitedUnlimited at 3G speeds, 50GB high-speed mobile hotspot data

T-Mobile perks and bundle deals

Getting a few extra perks isn’t the main reason to choose a cell phone plan. But it is a nice cherry on top. Here’s what you’ll get from T-Mobile’s Go5G plans:

  • Free Netflix Standard with ads subscription
  • Free Apple TV+ subscription for six months
  • Free Hulu (With Ads) subscription (Go5G Next only)
  • Free in-flight texting plus four full-flight streaming sessions a year and one hour of streaming
  • Worldwide data coverage
  • Mobile hotspot data (50GB on Go5G Next and Plus)

Any T-Mobile postpaid mobile customer can also get monthly discounts when they bundle with T-Mobile 5G Home Internet. These nifty broadband plans cost as low as $35 monthly with autopay and a T-Mobile voice line. 

Bullhorn
Get $20 off your monthly internet plan with a T-Mobile bundle

T-Mobile wireless customers can get $20 off T-Mobile 5G Home Internet

T-Mobile Tuesdays

As long as you're an active T-Mobile wireless customer (without a prepaid or pay-as-you-go plan) or home internet user, you'll be able to get freebies, discounts, and the chance to win prizes with the T-Mobile T-Life app. Every Tuesday, you can open the app for a myriad of T-Mobile Tuesdays discounts as well as get a sneak peek of what will be available the following week.

Here are a few examples of T-Mobile T-Life app benefits:

  • 40% off hotels
  • Cruise credits
  • Up to 40% off car rentals
  • 10% cash back at participating restaurants (5% cash back every other day)
  • 30% off theme park admissions

T-Mobile's perks are practically never-ending, as they change weekly and vary depending on where you live. And because not every service is available nationwide, some users are trading codes on Reddit with fellow T-Mobilers. That means if you live in Florida and get an In-N-Out code, you can swap it for someone's Culver's code in Idaho. 

Should I switch to an MVNO? Pay half price for the same coverage

While T-Mobile’s cheapest unlimited plan costs similar to AT&T’s and Verizon’s equivalents, it’s still much pricier than plans from smaller discount mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) providers.

T-Mobile MVNOs rent T-Mobile towers but don't need to pay to maintain the infrastructure, so they offer more affordable plans. Here are our favorite T-Mobile MVNOs:

Provider
Plan
Price
Data
Details
Unlimited Starter
$25/mo
Unlimited (35GB high-speed data)
Unlimited Plan
$15/mo. for first 3 mos.
Unlimited (35GB high-speed)
Unlimited Data Plan
$30/mo. for 3 mos
Unlimited (40GB full-speed)
Unlimited Essentials
$10/mo
Unlimited (1GB high-speed)

Our top T-Mobile MVNO choice is US Mobile, which costs $25 monthly for 35GB of high-speed data, 10GB of hotspot data, and unlimited talk and text. US Mobile is interesting in that you can switch between different cell towers, so if a Verizon or AT&T tower is stronger in your area, you can easily switch. 

This plan is very similar to Tello's Unlimited plan, which also costs $15 monthly for the first three months, and then costs $25 monthly afterwards. 

Mint Mobile is also a good alternative to T-Mobile—you can get an unlimited talk, text, and data plan for just $30 per month for the first three months. After the promo price, the price goes up by $10 monthly. The caveat with Mint Mobile is you need to pay for your plan upfront, so you pay $90 for your first three months of service.

For those who truly want an affordable plan, Red Pocket is a great MVNO. The Unlimited Essentials plan costs $10 monthly for just 1GB of high-speed data, but for those who are usually working from home with full access to Wi-Fi, this should be enough data. 

T-Mobile network coverage maps and performance

T-Mobile has excellent coverage and speed. We’ve collected speed data from over 100,000 mobile users on a variety of networks. We discovered that, on average, T-Mobile has the fastest data speeds in the country. T-Mobile clocks the fastest average 5G download speed at 135.17 Mbps and the highest average customer time spent connected to 5G.That’s a big deal when it comes to streaming, gaming, or working on your phone.

These data speeds, combined with high data caps (so that your speeds aren’t slowed), makes T-Mobile a powerful contender for those who want high performance over all else.

Since I live near the city center, I get pretty good T-Mobile coverage day to day, but coverage isn't great when I visit national parks. 

Before you consider switching to T-Mobile, check if you get T-Mobile coverage below:

T-Mobile offers the best 5G coverage

Out of the three major networks, T-Mobile currently has the worst 4G coverage but also offers best 5G coverage overall. For context, here are the rankings for best 5G wireless coverage.

  1. T-Mobile: 7.4 out of 10
  2. Verizon: 5.8 out of 10
  3. AT&T: 5.8 out of 10

Evaluating which carriers have the best 5G networks is tricky because the technology is so new and because there are different kinds of 5G. Some companies use “high-band” technology that gives you very fast speeds but has limited range. Others use “low-band,” which goes further but isn’t much faster than 4G.

You can expect everything to be faster on T-Mobile’s wireless network versus Verizon or compared to AT&T. You can download apps faster, buffer streams more quickly, and upload your video to Instagram quickly as well. The biggest downside to the network is its coverage.

T-Mobile cell phones and devices

Pick a phone, any phone, including iPhones, Samsungs, Google Pixels, and more

Whatever phone you want to use, you can plan on using it on T-Mobile’s network. You can use the latest iPhone devices or Android devices. Here are the most popular cell phones on T-Mobile’s network right now.

Be ready to share your credit score if you sign up for a lease on a new phone. Even average credit means you’ll most likely need to fork over a down payment with your monthly payments. This is fairly common with other major phone service providers, though we didn’t get asked about our credit when we signed up for Verizon.

If you prefer to skip the credit check, you can—just be aware you’ll need to pay the full retail price of your new phone right then and there.

T-Mobile customer service

The wireless industry as a whole has issues with customer service, but T-Mobile is trying to change that

Talk to a T-Mobile customer, and you’ll probably hear a mix of stories about customer service, both good and bad. For me, when I've wanted to switch to a family plan, I found it annoying that I had to set up a conference call with T-Mobile's customer service to transfer my line. However, the phone call was swift and the process was immediate, so it wasn't too much work.

My colleague has had great experiences with in-store customer service. They once ordered a phone from T-Mobile’s website, and it was stolen before it even arrived on the doorstep.

Thankfully, the in-store representative walked them through what to do and how to get a replacement phone, and T-Mobile remained understanding and helpful even though it was near closing time.

However, the stolen phone did end up getting activated, which incurred a bill. So, my colleague had to contact the call center several times to cancel the service. Moral of the story? Visit your local T-Mobile store for a better experience.

We hope T-Mobile will continue to improve on its customer service and keep pushing out transparent, easy-to-understand pricing. Because being able to understand what you’ll owe each month is important.

Need to contact T-Mobile customer service or tech support?

  • Call customer service by dialing 611
  • Send a message through the T-Life app on the App Store or Google Play
  • Send a DM on X (formerly Twitter) to T-Mobile's care team @TMobilehelp

How to choose the perfect T-Mobile plan

In my opinion, the T-Mobile Essentials Saver plan for $50 monthly is the way to go for the most value. However, if you're not so sure if it's the right one for you, here’s what you should look for in the perfect phone plan:

  • Data: Check how much data you really need by looking at your past usage over the past month. T-Mobile unlimited plans come with at least 50GB of high-speed data, which is plenty for most users. 
  • Price: Use comparison charts and customer reviews to be sure you’re getting the best price available. 
  • Coverage: Check coverage maps to see who has the best 4G/5G network in your area. T-Mobile has the largest 5G network in the nation, but if you live in rural areas, it might not be the best pick. 
  • Features: Special features—like HD streaming and hotspot data—aren’t standard. You may want to consider paying a bit more for these perks.

Methodology

T-Mobile is one of the major three cell phone providers in the country. So we monitor the company’s plans, performance, and prices constantly, and we regularly update our reviews to reflect the newest information.

We wrote this review using publicly available information, T-Mobile reviews from real customers, and our own proprietary data from over 100,000 mobile customers. Overall, we’ve spent dozens of hours researching, writing, and updating this T-Mobile review.

We hope that our analysis and recommendations have helped you find the ideal cell phone plan. If we’ve left anything out, please let us know in the comments below.

T-Mobile Review FAQ

It depends on what you are looking for in a carrier and where you're located. If you live in a service area that has more AT&T towers, you'll get better service going with AT&T over T-Mobile, but you will probably pay higher prices.

If you live in a service area with more T-Mobile coverage and you're looking to save some money or want to sign up for a family plan, then T-Mobile is a better option.

T-Mobile has better 5G coverage than Verizon, but Verizon has more widespread 4G LTE coverage. 

Verizon has the best overall cell phone coverage, but as we mentioned above, T-Mobile makes up for it on the 5G front. T-Mobile has the best 5G availability, reach, download and upload speed out of the three major carriers. 

Easton Smith
Written by
Easton has worked as a freelance writer and researcher for several years, reviewing health, lifestyle, and technology products. He has probably read more Terms of Use contracts than any human alive. When he’s not sitting in front of a computer, Easton spends his time camping, climbing, and volunteering with humanitarian aid organizations.

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