How Can You Get A Better Deal From T
Looking to save on T-Mobile service or devices? You can get a better deal from T-Mobile by keeping your current phone in great shape so as to maximize your trade-in value. Plus, sign up for an eligible plan like Magenta MAX to enjoy savings on a financed device. If you’re currently with another carrier, switching to T-Mobile often gets you a credit such as $200.
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Thousands of cell phone plans unpacked. All the facts. No surprises.
How Do I Switch Cell Phone Providers
The ease of switching providers will depend on your current provider, your current plans details and whether your contract includes early termination fees.
Some decisions need to be worked out with your current provider and new carriermainly whether to keep your existing phone and phone number. Its also important to find out if youre locked into a plan.
Regardless, here are a few key steps to preparing to make the switch:
Do your research. Know which plan youd like to switch to and contact your current provider to get the details of your current contract, particularly if youre locked in.
If you do have a contract, check with your current provider to find out if there are early termination fees. If youd like to keep your current phone, make sure your phone isnt lockedwhich means you can only use the phone with your existing providers phone plans. Finally, ask your new provider whether you can use your existing phone.
Prepare your details for your new provider. Be ready to provide the following to your new wireless carrier:
- Your name and address
- Your phones ESN/IMEI number if youre keeping the phone
- Your phone number
To make the switch, contact your new cell phone carrier online, by phone or in person at a store. Theyll take your information and switch your service to your selected plan. Once you activate your new plan with your new carrier, your old service should automatically terminate. If you experience any issues, contact your old carrier.
Verizon’s New One Unlimited For Iphone Plan Bundles In Apple One
Verizon has a new plan geared toward people with Apple devices.
Eli Blumenthal
Senior Editor
Eli Blumenthal is a senior editor at CNET with a particular focus on covering the latest in the ever-changing worlds of telecom and streaming. He previously worked as a technology reporter at USA Today.
Apple fans on Verizon who would prefer an Apple One subscription as a perk now have a new option: the One Unlimited for iPhone plan. On Wednesday, ahead of Apple’s iPhone 14 event, the wireless carrier’s website revealed that it is adding a new plan to its lineup to cater to people with iPhones.
You can see the new option on Verizon’s app and website when you log in to change plans. Compared to its other offerings, the One Unlimited plan isn’t cheap, slotting between Verizon’s priciest Get More and Play More/Do More plans. One line will run $90 a month, two lines will be $150 a month , three lines will be $180 monthly , four lines is $200 a month and five lines is $225 a month . All prices are with automatic payments.
As with a regular Apple One subscription, those on Apple One Family will be able to share access to the features with up to five other people through Apple’s Family Sharing feature.
The Verizon One Unlimited for iPhone plan, right, compared to the 5G Get More plan.
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Essentials 55+ For Light Mobile Users
The Essentials 55+ plan is the most budget-friendly T-Mobile package for older adults. Prices start at $40 per month for a single-line plan or $55 per month when you sign up for two lines . Just keep in mind that, unlike the Magenta plans , pricing for the Essentials 55+ package doesn’t include taxes or fees. Still, T-Mobile’s stripped-down, entry-level plan is quite a deal. For comparison, AT& T’s Unlimited 55+ plan costs $60 per line per month , so T-Mobile will definitely save you money.
Quick Tip: The account holder is the only person that needs to be 55 or older on your plan. That means you can include family members of any age on your plan, so everyone can save.
The Essentials 55+ plan comes with:
- Unlimited 3G mobile hotspot data
- Unlimited 2G in Mexico and Canada
Unsure if the Essentials 55+ plan is enough for you? Think about how often and where you’ll be using your phone. If streaming and picture quality are important to you or you’re on the go a lot, you might be better off with one of the Magenta plans. While your data is technically unlimited with your Essentials package, you may see slower-than-average speeds once you hit the 50 GB mark. We’d also recommend looking into the Magenta plans if you want to add the whole family to your plan. While you’re limited to two lines on the Essentials 55+ plan, you can add up to four lines on either Magenta plan. On the other hand, if you want to keep things simple and affordable, the Essentials 55+ is the way to go.
Magenta 55+ For Moderate Users
Cost
The Magenta 55+ plan costs $50 per month for a single line or $70 per month for two lines. You can have up to four lines on this plan, and each additional line after two lines will cost an extra $35 per month. You might be wondering: Is the higher price tag worth it when the streaming quality is the same as the Essentials 55+ plan, i.e., regular old SD?
That depends on how much data you use per month. If you travel, work on the go, or do a lot of uploading or downloading which plenty of older adults are doing these days I’d say investing in the Magenta 55+ plan would be a wise move. With this plan, you’ll have 100 GB of data before your speeds slow down, twice as much fast data as the Essentials 55+ plan.
Did You Know: If you want to add some youngsters to your T-Mobile 55+ plan, you can! Only the account holder needs to be 55 or older. There are no age restrictions for additional lines.
One, you don’t want to deal with a bad connection in the middle of a chat with the kids or grandkids because your data is moving at a glacial pace. Plus, you can always downgrade if you’re swimming in extra data at the end of the month. And drumroll the Magenta 55+ plan comes with a few other very nice upgrades I’ve saved for last.
Plan Features
Seniors Saving Tip: A Netflix Basic subscription runs $9.99 per month, so definitely consider a Magenta plan if you are a Netflix subscriber. You wouldn’t just be breaking even. Moving up to the next tier would save you $2.50 per month.
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How Much Data Do I Need
In this day and age, most people are using their cell phones to check social media, stream video content, or simply browse the internet. If you think you’ll be doing any of those, then it’s definitely worth paying a bit extra to get a data allowance on your cell phone plan.
If you need a bit of help determining how much data you’ll need, here’s a quick guide on how much data TechRadar recommends, based on common uses:
- Emailing and messaging – under 5GB of data a month
- Social media and web browsing – 5GB a month
- Streaming music – 10GB a month
- Streaming HD video – 10GB+ a month
Of course, if you see yourself simply calling and texting only, then you can forgo the data allowance altogether and opt for a cheaper plan – a few of which we’ve included on our best cell phone plans for seniors list above.
Love The Power Love The Price Iphone Se Only $30
The most affordable iPhone now with 5G. On the network with more 5G bars in more places. With 24 monthly bill credits when you trade in a qualifying device.
During congestion, the small fraction of customers using > 50GB/mo. may notice reduced speeds until next bill cycle due to data prioritization. Video typically streams on tablet at DVD quality . Unlimited data on our network.
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Unlimited Cell Phone Plans
For heavier cell phone users, particularly smartphone users, an unlimited plan is ideal. These plans put no limits on the monthly usage of talk, text, or data. Some of our favorite unlimited plans come from T-Mobile, Mint Mobile, and Cricket Wireless.
With that said, the name Unlimited is often a bit misleading, as most of these plans do place limits on data. However, you wont be charged with overage fees rather, your data speeds will be slowed or throttled.
Know Your Deals And Discounts
One other thing to keep in mind: discounts. All of the carriers offer additional discounts that you could be eligible for, depending on your employer, military status, student status or age.
First responders, military members, veterans, nurses and teachers can get discounts on every major carrier. Verizon has discounts for students, while T-Mobile’s Work perk could knock 15% off the monthly price of a Magenta Max plan, with AT& T offering a similar program for its Unlimited Elite plan that it calls Signature. AT& T has also rolled out a new promotion for teachers that offers 25% off its latest unlimited plans.
If you’re 55 or older, you may also be eligible for a discounted plan: T-Mobile offers discounted plans nationwide for as low as $55 a month for two lines, and Verizon and AT& T offer similar options — but only for Florida residents. Now onto the picks.
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The Best Cell Phone Plans For Seniors
If youre a senior whos wondered whats the best cell phone for seniors or is tired of paying too much for cell phone service, youll be pleased to learn there are several options for switching to a cheaper provider without sacrificing service. In fact, some major wireless providers offer affordable plans specifically for people who are 55 and older. But which service offers the best cell phone plan for seniors?
Ive researched more than 70 phone plans to find the best phone plans, prices, key features and discounts on reliable networks that offer talk, text and data. In this article, Ill share my picks for the best cell phone plans for seniors.
- Low prices on limited data plans
- Discounts available for AARP members
- Phones are specifically designed for seniors
- Health and safety packages are available for an additional charge
- Best price for high-speed data that never slows
- 40GB of hotspot data
- Unlimited talk, text and 1GB of high-speed data
- Cheapest pre-built plan available
- 35GB data cap before reduced speeds
- Prepay three months in advance when you sign up.
- Although the contract changes, the plan price stays the same after three months.
- Unlimited talk, text and data with 5-12 Mbps speeds
- Unlimited mobile hotspot with 5 Mbps speeds
- One of the cheapest prices for unlimited data
How To Pick The Best Cell Phone Plans For Seniors
We found the best cell phone plans for seniors during the course of our research for the best cell phone plans overall. As a result, we’ve learned that there are a few factors to consider when choosing a cell phone plan aimed at seniors. Most of these plans tend to be more affordable with lower data caps, more flexible, and often offer special benefits.
Some brands, such as AT& T and Verizon, offer discounted prices for seniors or packages specifically designed for people over a certain age. However, these can require you to live in the state of Florida. T-Mobile is unique among the major carriers in having no residency requirement for its best cell phone plan for seniors.
If you don’t live in Florida, your best bet is to focus on what you need. Do you need something with a minimal amount of data and low costs? One of the best cell plans for seniors from Mint Mobile, Tello, or Ultra Mobile should be a good fit for you.
Or, on the complete opposite end of the spectrum, T-Mobile offers up unlimited data plans. However, these are going to cost you a fair bit of cash to get. Consumer Cellular has an unlimited plan, too, but at $60 a month, it’s one of the pricier options.
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Senior Cell Phones: Do You Need One
A senior cell phone plan will give you extra discounts and savings from major wireless carriers if youre over the age of 55. And with an AARP membership, you can also save on phone plans if youre over 50 years old.
If youre unsure whether a senior cell phone plan is right for you or are too young to qualify, there are plenty of other affordable cell phone plans that can still give you the features you need at the price you wanteven if they arent designed specifically for seniors.
Understanding whats important to you and how you use your cell phone will get you one step closer to choosing the best phone plan for you.
Phone Plans With Senior Discounts
Some phone plans offer discounts specifically to people who are over a certain age and/or have an AARP membership. Unfortunately, these plans arent always the best choice, even with the discount. Many plans with senior discounts have very limited minutes, no texting and no data. Still, there is one plan that offers a great senior discount with truly unlimited data.
- Best Unlimited Data Plan for Seniors:T-Mobile Magenta Max 55+
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How To Find The Best Senior Cell Phone Plan For You
As you consider the best plans, ask yourself:
- Do you enjoy chatting on the phone for hours or prefer brief check-ins with your family and friends?
- Do you like to travel or do you have family living abroad?
- Do you have a smartphone and like to watch videos or play games?
- Do you video chat frequently with your family?
- How important is cost?
Based on your answers, you can narrow down the type of cell phone plan that will best match whats important to you. For example, if you have a smartphone and you video chat often with your family and play games on your mobile device, an unlimited data plan would likely be a good match.
At& t’s Alternative Unlimited Plan
AT& T | Value Plus Plan | $50/month | Best AT& T plan for seniors outside of Florida If you live outside of Florida, you’ve still got options for a low-cost unlimited data plan from AT& T. The carrier’s Value Plus Plan costs just $50 a month, but offers unlimited data on top of unlimited talk and text. The catch is that AT& T only offers this option with one line of data couples are out of luck. There are some other restrictions as well namely no hotspot data but you do get 5G coverage with this plan.Pros: Unlimited data for just $50 No residency requirementCons: Limited to just one line Limited perks
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Essentials 55+ For Basic Users
Cost
T-Mobile’s basic senior plan is a great choice for budget-conscious older adults on a fixed income. At $40 per month for a single-line plan or $55 per month for two lines, the Essentials 55+ plan’s price point is substantially cheaper than close competitors like AT& T, whose basic seniors service starts at $60 per line.
FYI: T-Mobile’s Essentials 55+ plan comes with access to 5G data, so if you do opt for a 5G-ready phone like the REVVL or iPhone 11, you’ll be good to go.
A quick heads-up here because this may get lost in the fine print. If you go with the Essentials 55+ plan, taxes and fees aren’t included, remember to factor the additional cost into your budget. Separate taxes and fees may apply for certain T-Mobile offerings and features on all three T-Mobile 55+ plans.
Plan Features
As with all of T-Mobile’s 55+ plans, you’ll also get unlimited talk, text, and data with the Essentials 55+ plan, so you can chat with your friends and grandkids all day long. One caveat on the data with this plan: After you use 50 GB of data in a month, you may experience slower speeds during high-traffic times. If you’re a light internet user, 50 GB of monthly data should be plenty. While T-Mobile can’t match the 19 million Wi-Fi hotspots of an Xfinity prepaid plan, you can turn your phone into a mobile hotspot to power your laptop if you’re on the go and need Wi-Fi in a pinch.
What Is The Best Phone Plan For 1 Line On T
Do you love the T-Mobile network but are fed up with the cost of their single line plans? At MoneySavingPro we’re here to help you save money.
A single line plan with T-Mobile doesn’t have to come with an expensive monthly bill, with T-Mobile MVNOs you could save up to $600 a year.
MVNOs are low-cost carriers that operate on the main US networks, so you don’t have to give up quality coverage. Plus they offer all the same features like unlimited data, international calls, mobile hotspot allowance, and more, depending on the plan you choose.
We’ve broken down the deals for you below from carriers like Mint Mobile, to help you find the best plan to suit your needs.
Tello 1GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 1GB data for only $10 per month. Tello plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro’s Tello review
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No contract. No bulk buying.
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24/7 friendly customer support
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Free international calls to 60+ countries
Cons
- $15/mo** Only $45 for 3 Months Service
Mint Mobile 4GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 4GB data for only $15 per month. Mint Mobile plans offer wireless coverage on the T-Mobile 5G and 4G LTE network. To learn more about why this is one of the best cell phone plans, check out MoneySavingPro’s Mint Mobile review
Cons
- $20/mo* Free 10 Day Trial
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US Mobile Unlimited Talk & Text |
Benefits
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