T-Mobile Cell Phone Plans

T-Mobile's 5G network leads the competition for its availability and speed, but lags in reliability, according to data from RootMetrics. T-Mobile merged with Sprint in 2020.

T-Mobile cell phone plans

T-Mobile has three main unlimited plans, as well as specialty plans for seniors, members of the military and veterans, and first responders.

Unlimited plans

You can save $5 per month per line (up to eight lines) on any unlimited plan if you opt for automatic payments. The prices listed below are for one line, before any discounts.

• Essentials ($65 plus taxes and fees): Video streams in standard definition. Unlimited mobile hotspot data is included, but at 3G speeds, which is slightly slower than the 4G or 5G data speed you get on your smartphone. International features include unlimited texting while outside of the United States. International features also include talk, text and 2G data (read: slow) in Mexico and Canada.

• Magenta ($75, taxes and fees included): Video streams in standard definition. This plan includes 5GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data (but jumps down to unlimited 3G speed once you've used that up), plus a basic Netflix subscription if you have more than one line. International features include talk, text and 5GB of high-speed data in Mexico and Canada, plus unlimited texting and data at 2G speeds in more than 200 countries.

• Magenta MAX ($90, taxes and fees included): Video streams up to 4K UHD, but customers must activate it and have a device that supports it. This plan includes 40GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data (and once that's been used, customers get unlimited at 3G speeds), plus a standard Netflix subscription if you have multiple lines. International features include talk, text and 5GB of high-speed data in Mexico and Canada, plus unlimited texting and data with speeds up to 256kbps in more than 200 countries. That's slightly faster than on the Magenta plan, but uploading photos and videos would still be a pain.

Specialty plans

Magenta Military plans

T-Mobile offers a discounted rate on the Magenta and Magenta MAX plans to active-duty service members, veterans and their families. T-Mobile Magenta Military starts at $60 for one line, before autopay discount. The per-line price drops as you add more lines. You'll need to verify your military status within 45 days of signing up.

Essentials 55+ plans

Customers 55 or older have three plan options with T-Mobile. In the most basic plan, eligible customers can get two lines of unlimited service starting at $65 per month plus taxes and fees. Price is $55 if you opt for automatic payments.

» MORE: NerdWallet's picks for best family plans

Magenta First Responder plans

Customers who qualify as state and local first responders are eligible for two plans. The lowest-price plan starts at $60 for one line, with increasing discounts the more lines you have. This is a limited time offer, however, and available only at participating locations. You'll need to confirm first responder status with 45 days and re-verify annually.

Other plans

Plans with more than five lines

T-Mobile customers can have more than five lines on a single family plan, if they qualify, but they will need to call customer service or visit a store. Customers will then need to undergo a credit check to determine the number of lines they are approved for. There is one exception: The 55+ plans are capped at two lines. Learn more about T-Mobile family plans.

T-Mobile Prepaid plans

T-Mobile's Prepaid plans have monthly and pay-as-you-go options. The monthly options function much like the carrier’s traditional plans, but they don’t require a credit check or a deposit to activate the service. Learn more about T-Mobile prepaid plans.

T-Mobile unlimited plan: How it compares on price

Prices listed are for the least expensive plan when more than one unlimited plan is available. The pricing doesn’t include taxes, fees or autopay discounts.