Best T-Mobile plans in 2023: Pricing, phone options, and more

T-Mobile is one of the fastest-growing carriers in the United States thanks to aggressive pricing, marketing, and a penchant for doing the unexpected. The Uncarrier has significantly shaken up the mobile industry in the US, but is it the right carrier for you? Let’s look at the best T-Mobile plans and how they compare to the competition. After that, we’ll also help you pick the best T-Mobile phone for your needs.

The best T-Mobile plans at a glance

T-Mobile’s plans offer quite a bit of overlap, as you can tell from the chart above. This is especially true now that we have the Go 5G plans, which at first glance, aren’t too different from what they already offered. Wondering which plan is right for you?

• Go5G plans are perfect for families and frequent travelers. The Go5G plans really aren’t much different from the older Magneta plan, with all the same perks included, like Netflix Basic for accounts with at least two lines and a 6-month trial to Apple TV. The biggest difference is you get much more high-speed hotspot data, with 15GB in the basic G05G plan and a whopping 50GB for those who go for the Plus option. It’s also only $5 more a month for those with one or two lines, and CHEAPER for those with 3 or more lines. 
• Go5G Next is for those who want to upgrade regularly. Go5G Next is the latest plan in the Go5G line. You get all the same perks as the Go5G Plus plan but with the added benefit of upgrading a phone up to once a year, as long as you’ve already paid for half of it. Nothing else is really different, though the added feature will cost you as it starts at $100 a line. 
• T-Mobile Magenta is the best alternative to Go5G for those that don’t care about hotspot use. Magenta used to be T-Mobile’s best plan for most users, but that’s no longer the case. We really don’t recommend Magenta as it only costs $5 less per line for 1-2 lines, and it’s $3+ more for those with at least three lines. Still, if you don’t want the extra high-speed hotspot access, Magenta offers pretty much identical service to Go5G’s base plan, including unlimited data and 100GB priority data. You also get all-you-can-eat 3G hotspot data, for what that’s worth. 
• Magneta Max is for those who use a LOT of mobile data. This plan is quite expensive, but if you use a ton of mobile data and want to avoid deprioritization during congestion, this is the plan you’ll want to get. Max gives you unlimited priority data. You also get Apple TV for free, in addition to Netflix Basic. Unlike the other plans, there’s also higher-definition streaming.
• Essentials is a good postpaid choice if you’re looking to save money. Starting at $50 for one line but going as cheap as $25 a line for four lines, Essentials is the cheapest postpaid option. You don’t get Netflix or Apple TV, but you do get unlimited 3G hotspot access and 50GB of priority data. You also will have postpaid extras like the ability to finance a phone, free phone upgrades for select devices, and more. That said, IF you don’t mind paying upfront for your phones, T-Mobile’s Prepaid Unlimited is actually a better option for some consumers. 

That’s a TL;DR look at the best postpaid T-mobile plans, but be aware a recent leak suggests T-Mobile is getting ready to force Magenta customers onto its more expensive Go5G plans, though you’ll be able to switch back later. 

Let’s also not forget the carrier also offers great prepaid options that require no credit check or obligation. Unlike most carriers, T-Mobile also gives its prepaid customers nearly the same network priority as postpaid customers, especially if the plan includes premium data.

Here’s what T-Mobile Prepaid has to offer at a glance:

• Prepaid Unlimited is the best-prepaid choice for most. Not only is this the best choice for most prepaid users, but it’s also the best choice for those looking for a budget unlimited option PERIOD. Not only is Prepaid Unlimited $10 less per line than Essentials, it’s higher up in the data priority chain too. The postpaid service does have a few small advantages, which we’ll highlight further down. 
• Prepaid Unlimited Plus is for those who need high-speed hotspot access. There’s nothing different about the Plus option other than it gives you a few extra perks, including 10GB of 4G LTE hotspot access. Unless you really need higher speed hotspot access, you’re probably better off with Prepaid Unlimited.
• T-Mobile Connect is for those who want a no-frills, budget option. Looking to keep things simple and only need a single line? Connect starts at just $10 a month for 1,000 minutes of talk, 1,000 texts, and just 1GB of data. If you need a bit more, $15 will give you unlimited talk and text and 3.5GB data. All other Connect plans have unlimited talk and text, but $25 a month gives you 6.5GB of data, and $35 nets 12GB. 

Not overwhelmed by choice yet? There are also MVNOs that run on T-Mobile’s network but are not officially operated by the carrier. This includes Metro by T-Mobile as well as completely independent options, like Mint Mobile. We’ll talk about those a bit later in this guide.  

T-Mobile Prepaid vs Postpaid: What’s the difference? 

As you can see, there are a lot of similarities between T-Mobile’s different prepaid and postpaid offerings. So what’s the real difference between the two? Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of prepaid service: 

That’s honestly the biggest difference: customer service and extras. Believe it or not, network quality is not a major difference, though. In fact, as we highlighted above, T-Mobile Prepaid Unlimited is actually prioritized above the postpaid Essentials plan.

Notably, T-Mobile charges customers a $5 surcharge if they pay their bill in-store. To avoid this, users must pay on the web through T-Mobile.com, via the T-Mobile app, or set up autopay.

Which of T-Mobile’s plans do we recommend?

We’ve already highlighted which plans are best for what kind of users in the section above, but which ones do I recommend personally? That’s easy. For those who have families or travel frequently, sign up for Go5G. It’s the perfect balance of value and features and doesn’t have any of the downsides associated with prepaid plans. Can’t live without high-quality streaming and use a lot of mobile data? Then I say get Magenta Plus. It’s a good service with tons of extras, but it’s also pretty expensive. 

For those looking to save? We’d pick up Connect only if you really want to pay the least possible, as the plan is very competitive when pitted against other prepaid carriers that use T-Mobile’s network. 

What if you want unlimited service but just can’t stomach paying the premium you’ll find on Magenta Max or Go5G? That’s where it gets trickier. In most cases, we’d recommend Prepaid Unlimited, despite the downsides to prepaid service. But if you have three or more lines, the postpaid Essentials plan is a better deal. The only major downside is Essentials has lower network priority than Prepaid Unlimited (yes you read that right). 

Below we take a closer look at our favorite plans and dive into what makes them stand out. 

Go5G: The best T-Mobile plan for frequent travelers and families

The Go5G plan is basically just a repackaged version of the older Magenta plan with more hotspot data and a few other perks suited for frequent travelers. Lines start at $75 for Go5G. That’s $5 more a month than Magenta, but you get 15GB of high-speed hotspot data versus the paltry 5GB offered on Magenta. Those that need even more hotspot data should consider Go5G Plus, which starts at $90 a line but includes unlimited data with no deprioritization. 

Go5G and Magenta both give you unlimited talk, text, and 100GB of premium data; all three benefits are available in 11 countries, but you can only use 5GB abroad before it drops to 2G speeds. Go5G and Go5G Plus users have one advantage here over Magenta: you get 10GB of high-speed data in Canada and Mexico. As for streaming services, Go5G and Magenta offer a Netflix Basic plan and six months of Apple TV Plus access. 

Ultimately we’d pick Go5G over Magenta, but if you have two lines or fewer, you’ll save $5 on Magenta for those who don’t care about hotspot access. For families, it actually costs more on Magenta.  Also, be aware that Go5G Next is a good option if you want the added benefit of yearly phone upgrades. 

Magenta Max: The best T-Mobile plan for those who want MOAR

If you want the biggest and best that T-Mobile offers, Magenta Max or Go5G Plus are the way to go. 

For Max you’ll play $85 per month for one line, two lines are $70 each, and four lines are just $50 each. All the unlimited perks remain the same as Magenta and Go5G, and your international data is available at double speeds. Go5G Plus has all the same benefits as Max but is $10 more per line and has significantly more hotspot data. 

Unlike other plans from T-mobile, Max and Plus are the only services that let you stream in up to 4K. The perks don’t end there. 

Finally, Magenta Max and Go5G Plus take its streaming perks further than Magenta and Go5G. You’ll get Apple TV for free instead of limiting it to six months. Not impressed? You’ll also get the standard version of Netflix, instead of the Basic tier. 

Prepaid Unlimited OR Essentials: two great unlimited options for those on a budget

We have a tie! The best cheap unlimited plan depends on your family size. If you’re only getting one or two lines, we’d recommend Prepaid Unlimited. Why? For one, it costs the same, and yet it actually has a higher priority than the Essentials plan.

Let me explain.  T-Mobile gives all its plans and services a QCI (Quality of service class identifier). This identifier lets the network know where each plan stands in terms of priority. T-Mobile’s highest priority level is a QCI 6, while its lowest is a QCI 9. Interestingly, Essentials’ 50GB of priority data is actually classified as a 7, while Prepaid Unlimited has a value of 6. In other words, if you’re in a congested area, the Essentials customer will see deprioritization first.  On the downside, you’ll get weaker customer service, and you’ll have to pay upfront for your phones, as installment plans are only offered to postpaid customers. 

The Essentials plan beats the Prepaid Unlimited plan for those with three or more lines. T-Mobile is currently running a discount that gives you a third line for free. This brings pricing for four lines down to $25 per line vs $35 on the prepaid service. You’ll also get device installment plans, better customer service, and other small perks. Neither comes with extras like Netflix or Apple TV, though. And remember in congested areas you’re not going to get prioritized the same way you would with Prepaid Unlimited. 

The best T-Mobile plan for single users on a budget: T-Mobile Connect

The T-Mobile Connect plan is the most affordable option around. It keeps things simple with a starting price of $10 monthly for 1,000 minutes of talk, 1,000 texts, and just 1GB of data. If you want unlimited talk and text, you’ll pay $25 a month. That includes a respectable 6.5GB of data, perfect for those who regularly use data on the go, like listening to music in the car, watching YouTube while waiting in a line, and so on.

You can get even more data for $35 a month, which nets you 12GB. If you only have a single line, that’s still $15 cheaper than the most basic T-Mobile unlimited plan. Of course, you don’t get postpaid perks like device installment plans. You are also subject to the same weaker customer service that you’ll get with T-Mobile Prepaid Unlimited. Still, this is the cheapest way to experience T-Mobile service directly. It also has a priority rating of QCI 6 — which puts it above the postpaid Essentials plan. 

T-Mobile vs the competition

If you’re here to switch carriers, you’re probably looking for a head-to-head showdown. We’ll stack T-Mobile against Verizon and AT&T to give you just the battle you’re looking for. Comparison shopping is the easiest way to decide on the right carrier. We’ll compare our favorite plans from the best unlimited data plans in the US to show you how each carrier stacks up.

As you can see, the top-tier plans follow similar pricing structures, and unlimited talk, text, and data are all standard. AT&T and Verizon are more specific with plan details and offer international texting in over 120 countries. T-Mobile’s plan is the most affordable of the three, regardless of having one line or four. AT&T and Verizon have also announced increased fees to offset inflation — a move that T-Mobile has yet to follow.

Obviously, there are many more plans from each carrier. If you’re looking to dive deeper, we recommend looking at our guides to the best Verizon plans and best AT&T plans. You can also see how they pit against T-Mobile directly in our T-Mobile vs Verizon and T-Mobile vs AT&T comparisons.

Best T-mobile phones

T-mobile keeps its pricing and options consistent regardless of whether you’re a prepaid or postpaid T-Mobile customer, though the latter will have financing options. If you go the prepaid route, you’ll have to pay for the full phone outright. With that in mind, pretty much every major flagship sold in the US can be found on T-Mobile. To make things as easy as possible, I’ve recommended three phones: a flagship, a mid-ranger, and a budget option. Keep in mind these aren’t necessarily the best phones available in each class (as that’s pretty subjective). Instead we made our selections based on pricing and promotions. These are the phones we feel are the best deals currently on T-Mobile.

Don’t like our picks? Check out T-Mobile’s phone section directly, or visit our best Android phones and best cheap phones guide to learn more about many of the great unlocked phones you can bring to T-Mobile. Of course, you can also unlock any T-Mobile phone if you want to jump to a new network.

Our recommended flagship: Galaxy S23

Samsung’s shiny Galaxy S23 devices sit at the top of this list of the best T-Mobile phones. The Galaxy S flagships have long offered a taste of just how good Android can be. That quality is even better now that Samsung has stepped up to Gorilla Glass Victus 2 across all three models. Better yet, you get quite a lot without the price climbing any higher. Every phone has at least three cameras on the back and comes with a vibrant display and minimal bezels surrounding it.

The phones are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset in all markets, and all three can connect to T-Mobile’s 5G network. You also get an IP68 rating, wireless charging, and an in-display fingerprint scanner regardless of the three phones you go for. If you opt for the Galaxy S23 Ultra, you also get an S Pen and a 200MP primary camera.

Notably, the Galaxy S23 series is the only smartphone at present to support T-Mobile’s newer and faster 5G technology that should be coming on stream in late 2023.

Our recommended mid-ranger: Apple iPhone SE

Apple’s iPhone SE has long been the most affordable way to dip your toe into iOS, and now it’s better than ever. The company recently introduced the new iPhone SE (2022), and it’s immediately one of the best phones to buy on T-Mobile’s network.

At first glance, you might not notice anything different about the latest Apple handset, and you’d be right. The design is essentially unchanged from the 2020 version, which itself was unchanged from the original iPhone SE. You still get a 4.7-inch display with a solid forehead and chin, but the return of a Touch ID home button is nice

The real advantage of Apple’s latest budget device lies under the hood. It carries a 5G-ready A15 Bionic chipset, the same as you’d find in the more expensive iPhone 13 series.

Our favorite budget option: Samsung Galaxy A23 5G

If you’re on a budget and don’t demand a lot from your phone, the Galaxy A23 5G might be up your alley. Its specs won’t blow your socks off, but the handset still has more than enough power for everyday tasks like browsing the web, watching videos, and checking social media at 5G speeds.

The device’s screen is quite large, coming in at 6.6 inches with a Full HD+ resolution. Four cameras at the back get the job done, just don’t expect the world from them — especially in low-light situations. Other specs and features include up to 128GB of storage, a 5,000mAh battery, and Android 12 with Samsung’s One UI 4.1 on top.

The phone is also equipped with a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, supports expandable storage, and has a headphone jack.

Want T-Mobile’s service on a budget?

You don’t have to sign up for T-Mobile to get access to the T-Mobile network. Check out the table below for a few of our favorite alternatives to T-Mobile that still use the same reliable network.

Google Fi Wireless

Google’s carrier is an excellent fit if you plan to pay per gig or expect to go abroad often. With monthly bill limits, you’ll never pay past a certain point, even if you use mountains of data. Thanks to Google Fi’s reliance on multiple networks, you can always get the best signal available — even abroad. Now, you can choose from two unlimited plans to save money without sacrificing access.

Metro by T-Mobile

We’ve already mentioned Metro as a T-Mobile prepaid alternative, but its perks and plans make the MVNO a solid choice no matter your needs. If you opt for unlimited service, you’ll be rewarded with 15GB of hotspot included as well as Google One and Amazon Prime memberships. Unfortunately, you’ll have to head into a Metro store to sign up for most services.

Mint Mobile

Mint Mobile, the carrier owned by Ryan Reynolds, is an affordable alternative for service if you want to save some money. Plans range from 4GB to unlimited, and you’ll never pay more than $35 per month for one line of service. You may not get much by way of extra perks, but if you sign up for multi-month plans, you’ll save even more money.

Straight Talk

One of the easiest MVNOs to sign up for, Straight Talk, is available at most Walmart locations and actually supports most of the primary carriers. You can go for a limited talk option with just a little bit of data or spend more for unlimited service. Affordability is critical, so you’ll pay a bit extra for bonus features like international access, but Straight Talk is an easy way to grab the basics.

US Mobile

If you want a plan that’s perfectly tailored to your needs, US Mobile is the way to go. You can choose your ideal level of talk, text, and data for as little as $5 per month or go unlimited for $40. 5G access will cost you a little extra, but it’s nice to know that it’s available. When you add multiple lines of unlimited, you’ll get the chance to add subscription services like Disney Plus, Spotify, and PlayStation Plus.

Does T-Mobile offer any special discounts?

T-Mobile offers special discounts if you’re in the military, a first responder, or over the age of 55. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Unlimited 55 is for those 55 and older. This discount applies to Essentials, Magenta, Magenta Max, and the new Go5G plans. The exact discount will vary. As an example, two lines of Essentials 55 will run you $37.50 a piece versus $40 for each line on the standard Essentials plan. 
• Military discounts apply to Magenta and Go5G plans. You’ll get military discounts on any of the plans under these umbrellas. The exact discount will vary. For example, you’ll pay $100 for four lines of Magenta. That would cost you $160 normally, so the discount is pretty substantial. Keep in mind only one member has to be active military to qualify. 
• First responder plans apply to Magenta and Go5G plans. As long as one member of your family is a first responder, everyone will get the discounts here. The exact savings vary, just like with the other options above. Actual discounted rates are the same as the military discount. 

Frequently asked questions