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Phone plans are complicated and confusing, so it's OK if you're feeling overwhelmed or intimidated about looking for a new plan. Carriers are trying to find a combination of features and prices that appeal to everyone. That turns out to be a huge bonus, because when it comes to picking the best cellphone plan, you have a lot of great options from major carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon, as well as smaller services such as Google Fi Wireless and Mint Mobile. When looking at the following recommendations, consider data limits, travel limits, hotspot availability and access to streaming services. For most of our picks, we've included both types of plans: postpaid plans, where you pay at the end of the month for the data and any other additional charges such as a day of international roaming, and prepaid plans, where you pay a fixed amount at the beginning of a monthly period and no more.
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- Best Cellphone Plans of 2025: Our Top Picks
- What is the best phone plan overall?
- Best value phone plans for a single line
- Best value for a single line (postpaid)
- Best value for a single line (prepaid)
- Best value phone plans for a family of four
- Best value for a family of four (postpaid)
- Best value for a family of four (prepaid)
- Best phone plan for 15GB of data or less
- Best budget plan without data
- Best phone plan for perks
- Best phone plan for seniors
- Best phone plan for international travel
- Switch your family to T-Mobile and save 20%
- Recent updates
- Factors to consider
- How we test
- Phone plan FAQs
What is the best phone plan overall?
If only it were so simple. People have all sorts of needs for talk, text and data usage on their phones, which is why we've made recommendations in multiple categories.
As you evaluate phone plans, think about how you use your phone. Are you mostly at home or in another location where there's plentiful Wi-Fi? You may be fine with an inexpensive plan with a small amount of cellular high-speed data. Or, if you frequently travel or are out and about all day, having unlimited, unrestricted data and high-speed is likely more important.
For this guide, we're leaning more toward value than seeing how many features we can pack into an expensive plan. You can always look at our picks and then move up the list of what the companies offer to find the mix of features and monthly cost that's the most comfortable for you.
Best value phone plans for a single line
Pros
- T-Mobile's 5G network is generally robust
- Plan includes 50GB of high-speed data in the US
- Phone can be used as a hotspot
- Unlimited calls, texts and data in Canada and Mexico
Cons
- Data in Canada and Mexico limited to very slow 2G speeds
- Hotspot is limited to 3G speeds
- No T-Satellite access
- No five-year price guarantee
- Everyone must be on the same plan
- Taxes and fees aren't included in monthly cost
The T-Mobile Essentials Saver plan offers unlimited data usage and includes 50GB of "Premium" data, which is the fastest-capable 5G rate available in your area. After 50GB, speeds are reduced to 3G levels for the remainder of the month. However, that Premium may not always be so premium: T-Mobile notes in the fine print that "Essentials customers may notice speeds lower than other customers and further reduction if using >50GB/month, due to data prioritization."
You can use your phone as a mobile hotspot, also with unlimited data, but at 3G speeds. High-speed hotspot access is available as an add-on. Internationally, calls, text and data are unlimited while in Canada and Mexico, but the data is restricted to 2G speeds. Elsewhere, calls cost 25 cents per minute and texts are unlimited at no extra charge when you're in roughly 215 countries.
As for other T-Mobile features, you'll have to look further up the plan menu. Essentials Saver and Essentials don't carry the 5-year price guarantee found in the Experience plans, nor does it include T-Satellite texting access (currently in beta). Perks are also reserved for the costlier plans, which means no included Netflix, Apple TV Plus or Hulu streaming thrown in.
The Essentials Saver plan costs $50 a month for a single line, $80 for two lines and $100 for three lines, the maximum number allowed on this plan. If you need three or more lines, the Essentials plan is a better value.
Why we like it
Providers want to push you toward their more expensive offerings, but they also know there's a place for cost-conscious people who want just the basics. Essentials Saver includes 50GB of fast data before the data rate slows down. And even though the hotspot feature is especially pokey at 3G speeds, it's still there in a pinch if needed.
Who it's best for
The Essentials Saver plan is great for individuals or pairs who don't want to spend much for a cellular plan and aren't looking for perks or fast data.
Who shouldn't get it
The plan isn't for people seeking features such as larger amounts of premium data, regular hotspot access or included perks, or folks who need to set up a family or group with three or more lines.
Customer service options
• Online: T-Mobile
• Phone: 1-855-315-6244
• Store: Store locator
• App: T-Life app
Pros
- Runs on Verizon's network for "Warp" service, AT&T's for its "Dark Star" or T-Mobile's for "Light Speed"
- 10GB high-speed data, then unlimited at slower speed
- Taxes and fees are included in the sticker price
- 10GB of hotspot data
Cons
- Limited times you can switch networks for free
- The Multi-Network add-on is available only in the Unlimited Premium plan
- Phone data slows to 1Mbps after high-speed data is used up
- Cheapest rate requires annual purchase
With the three major carriers in the US, you’re using their infrastructure, and if there aren’t any high-speed towers in your area, you’re out of luck. By contrast, US Mobile calls itself a Super Carrier because, without a network of its own, it rides those three networks. They’re given special names -- no doubt to avoid advertising for the competition -- and they break down like this: Dark Star is AT&T, Warp is Verizon and Light Speed is T-Mobile.
That sounds convoluted, but it means you can switch to a better network for your area if needed without transitioning to an entirely new carrier. You still need to choose one, but you get two free network transfers and then pay $2 per transfer if you want to switch again after that -- it’s a good way to see which one works best in your area.
OK, to be fair, it can get more convoluted, depending on the network. Dark Star data speeds are at a reduced priority (dubbed QCI 9) in times of network congestion; for an additional $12 a month you can bump that up to a higher priority (QCI 8). With the Warp plan, data speeds are at that QCI 8 higher priority regardless of congestion. And the Light Speed level is even higher (QCI 7).
The Unlimited Flex plan gives you 10GB of high-speed data, then unlimited at 1Mbps, for just $17.50 a month if you purchase an annual plan (otherwise it’s $25 a month). Hotspot data is 5GB and then unlimited but throttled to 8Mbps and then 600Kbps if you use more than 200GB within a month. International calls and texts from inside the US are included, but if you’re traveling you’ll need to buy add-on roaming packages costing either $15 (1GB, 150 minutes, 150 texts) or $45 (5GB, 500 minutes, 500 texts).
Why we like it
It’s an inexpensive plan with taxes and fees rolled into the price, plus you get the ability to surf among the major carrier networks to find the one that works best for your area.
Who it’s best for
Someone looking for a simple phone line who doesn’t expect to use much data.
Who shouldn’t get it
If you’re frequently away from Wi-Fi, that data could go by in a hurry. It’s also not a great option if you need consistently high speeds, or you don’t want the complexity of choosing one of the three networks.
Customer service options
• Online: US Mobile
• Phone: 878-205-0088
• Store: n/a
• App: US Mobile iOS, Android
Pros
- T-Mobile's 5G network is generally robust
- Plan includes 50GB of high-speed data in the US
- Phone can be used as a hotspot
- Unlimited calls, texts and data in Canada and Mexico
- Can have up to six lines on an account
- Third line free is a better deal than Essentials Saver
Cons
- Data in Canada and Mexico limited to very slow 2G speeds
- Hotspot is limited to 3G speeds
- No T-Satellite access
- No five-year price guarantee
- Everyone must be on the same plan
- Taxes and fees aren't included in monthly cost
If you compare the specifics of T-Mobile's Essentials and Essentials Saver plans, you might think the company forgot to update one or the other -- they're Essential-ly the same. With both, you get 50GB of fast Premium 5G data (depending on the network capabilities in your area), which drops to 3G speeds of still-unlimited data after that allotment is used up. You can use your phone as a mobile hotspot with unlimited data, but only at 3G speeds and restricted to paltry 2G speeds when you're in Canada or Mexico. In those two countries, calls, text and data are unlimited, while calls made from around 215 other countries are charged at 25 cents a minute.
The Essentials plan also doesn't include T-Satellite service (not even as an add-on cost), perks such as streaming video from Netflix or Apple TV Plus, nor the five-year price guarantee found on the Experience More and Experience Beyond plans.
Where Essentials comes out ahead of Essentials Saver is the number of lines you can have on your account. Essentials Saver is limited to just three, but Essentials can accommodate six lines. In fact, a trio of people will save money going with Essentials due to a free third-line deal, paying $90 a month (plus taxes and fees) for a $10 savings over Essentials Saver.
However, if you need just one or two lines, Essentials Saver is still the better deal. A single line on Saver is still the better offer at $50 a month compared with $60 for the same features on Essentials, and two lines on Saver costs $80 a month compared with $90 for Essentials.
Why we like it
You get a solid level of basic phone service, with unlimited calls, texts and data, 50GB of premium higher-speed data and better pricing than the Essentials Saver plan for three or more lines (up to six).
Who it's best for
Essentials is great for a cost-conscious family of three or more that wants unlimited everything, even at some slower speeds.
Who shouldn't get it
This plan isn’t for people who want features such as larger amounts of premium data, regular hotspot access or included perks, or folks who need to set up a family or group with three or more lines.
Customer service options
- Online: T-Mobile
- Phone: 1-855-315-6244
- Store: Store locator
- App: T-Life app
Pros
- Runs on T-Mobile's network
- Can add Samsung or Google cellular smartwatches at no extra charge
- Includes hotspot data
- Free international calls to Mexico and Canada
Cons
- High-speed hotspot data counts toward monthly high-speed data usage
- Taxes and fees not included
- No international data
Looking at the Google Fi Wireless plans, the Ultimate Essentials stands out for a group of four lines by coming in at $90, or just $23 per person for a month (plus taxes and fees). That’s the inexpensive pick, but not necessarily the value choice. For just $10 more at $100 for four lines, the Unlimited Standard plan includes 50GB of high-speed data, 25GB of hotspot tethering and free calls to Canada and Mexico for each line. On compatible phones, you get 5G access for unlimited talk and text, which is largely carried by T-Mobile’s network.
Not so great is the drop-off of data speeds after you’ve exhausted the 50GB of high-speed data, which crawls at 256kbps for the rest of the month. You can pony up $10 per gigabyte to get back into the fast lane if needed, but that can get expensive real quick. Also, that 25GB of high-speed hotspot data counts toward the 50GB of fast data.
Why we like it
Compared to similarly priced prepaid plans by Metro or Cricket, Google Fi Wireless comes out ahead at the same price point with its 50GB of high-speed data and hotspot feature.
Who it’s best for
It’s an affordable plan for a family with average data needs.
Who shouldn’t get it
People who frequently stream video or primarily use cellular data instead of local Wi-Fi.
Customer service options
• Online: Google Fi Wireless
• Phone: 844-825-5234
• Store: n/a
• App: Google Fi
Pros
- Runs on T-Mobile's network
- More data than some comparably priced plans from other prepaid rivals
- Free calling to Canada, Mexico and the UK
Cons
- Best pricing often requires a full year commitment or is limited to new customers
- Hotspot data comes out of monthly allotment
Despite the fact that we think most everyone can benefit from having an unlimited data plan, sometimes that’s just too much data, and too much expense. When you aren’t streaming movies or checking social media frequently (away from Wi-Fi), a limited amount of data on a plan can be just the right amount.
Mint Mobile’s 15GB Plan costs as little as $20 a month when you pay upfront for a year or take advantage of a 3-month new customer offer. For that price you get unlimited talk and text using T-Mobile’s 5G/4G LTE network and the 15GB of high-speed data (then slower unlimited data if you blow past that allotment). It also includes free calling to Canada, Mexico and the UK, as well as 10GB of hotspot data (which comes out of the 15GB total).
Why we like it
With T-Mobile’s network as the backbone, Mint Mobile’s plan offers many of the same features as the larger carrier, but at a reduced, affordable prepaid scale.
Who it’s best for
People who want the features of most mobile plans but won’t use much data.
Who shouldn’t get it
Someone who obsesses over data usage or is concerned about hitting the 15GB limit.
Customer service options
• Online: Mint Mobile Help Center
• Phone: 800-683-7392
• Store: n/a
• App: Mint Mobile
Pros
- Runs on T-Mobile's network
- Free talk and text
Cons
- Need to use the TextNow app to call and text
- App has ads
- Minimal cellular data
- No access to services like WhatsApp, iMessage or FaceTime over cellular
- Adding data is pricey
Today’s phones are so data-consuming that it’s hard to imagine not using any data at all. And yet that’s nearly the case with TextNow’s Essential Data plan, which includes just 350MB (yes, megabytes) and costs… nothing. Well, there’s a $5 fee for purchasing a SIM, but otherwise the service is free.
The catch is that calls and texts happen inside the TextNow app, not in the Phone, Messages, WhatsApp or other communications app that uses data. And because you’re locked into the app, you’re also served ads. TextNow uses T-Mobile’s network for wireless access. If you do need data access, TextNow has “passes” you can purchase, like a 99 cents Hour Pass that includes 300MB of high-speed data and then unlimited at 2G speeds, or a $5 Day Pass with 2GB of high-speed data and then unlimited 2G data. There’s also a $40 Month Pass with 10GB of high-speed data and no ads, but if you’re spending that much it makes sense to go with a cheaper plan from another provider with more options.
Why we like it
Aside from the fee for purchasing a SIM and putting up with ads, it’s hard to beat free.
Who it’s best for
Someone who rarely needs to use a phone, or has a basic phone as a backup or burner.
Who shouldn’t get it
In reality, most people will avoid this plan because much of how we use phones these days centers around data.
Customer service options
• Online: TextNow Help
• Phone: n/a
• Store: n/a
• App: TextNow app
Pros
- Verizon's 4G LTE network is a strong backbone
- Can still get perks
- Can mix and match plans
- Three-year price guarantee
Cons
- No access to Verizon's fastest 5G networks
- No hotspot data included
Verizon's Unlimited Welcome sounds like the happiest greeter at your favorite store or restaurant. And if you're looking for a bare-bones plan with just the basics, it has some compelling features. At the top of that pros list is just how modular Verizon's plans are. Each person on an account can pick a different plan that suits them (unlike T-Mobile and AT&T, which require everyone to share the same plan at this comparative entry level).
Whereas other providers reserve perks such as streaming services for the higher-tier plans, you can add them piecemeal to customize what you need -- typically for $10 a month for each, depending on the service. That includes a Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN Plus bundle (with Ads); Netflix and Max bundle (with Ads); and a family subscription to Apple One (for $20). Although it feels like annoying upselling, you get to pick and choose which ones you want. All perks can be turned on or off at will, or you could forgo them entirely. You can even go with multiple perks on a single line if you want.
That add-on approach applies to mobile hotspot data, too. By itself, the plan offers no way to wirelessly share your cellular connection from your phone, but for an additional $10 you can add 100GB of data.
International options include unlimited talk and text in Canada and Mexico and 2GB of high-speed data before ratcheting down to unlimited data at 3G speeds.
However, the Unlimited Welcome plan isn't as welcome when it comes to 5G data speeds. It can only tap into regular low-band 5G. Even if you had a capable device and were within range of a midband or millimeter wave 5G signal, you wouldn't be able to take advantage of Verizon's fastest 5G Ultra Wideband ("5G UW" or "5G UWB") speeds.
Why we like it
There's no set amount of high-speed data before a line is throttled, so you don't need to keep an eye on your data usage -- but at the same time, this plan only supports 5G, not 5G Ultra Wideband. We also like that each person on a Verizon account can have their own plan with different perks. In a family, for example, an adult could add hotspot data (for an extra $10), but it can be left off for a child who doesn’t need it.
Who it's best for
Families who want to keep costs low but still have options for some perks.
Who shouldn't get it
Anyone who wants to connect at higher 5G speeds and take advantage of the 5G connectivity capabilities they paid for when buying a phone.
Customer service options
- Online: Verizon
- Phone: 800-922-0204
- Store: Store locator
- App: My Verizon
Pros
- The most affordable option among the three carriers
- 5G connectivity and 50GB of high-speed data in the US
- An affordable plan for seniors who just want to use their phone for basic apps and tasks without watching much video
Cons
- The plan only allows a maximum of two lines
- The 480p video quality is very low
- The 3G tethering speed is too slow for much more than checking email
- The plan lacks bundled extras like streaming service subscriptions
For one or two people who just want to stay connected at reasonable speeds but don't need a lot of extra features (or don't want to pay too much), T-Mobile offers a significantly cheaper plan for older adults than competitors with Essentials Choice 55. This plan includes 5G access and is $45 per month for one line or $60 per month for two lines if you sign up with autopay. It's the best value for one or two people, though they won't be able to expand to three or four lines.
The tradeoff is in the fine print. With Essentials Choice 55 customers will get lower speeds when they use over 50GB of data in a month or when T-Mobile's network is congested from extensive customer activity, suggesting these customers are less prioritized than others. Video quality also "typically" streams at 480p, and tethering maxes out at 3G speeds (or 2G speeds in Mexico and Canada). The plan does give users access to T-Mobile's Scam Shield, an app service that can auto-block suspected scam calls and let you change your number once a year if the calls get overwhelming. On the other hand, its mobile hotspot data is limited to T-Mobile's older, slower 3G network.
Why we like it
It's an affordable plan for one or two seniors with a good balance of features. The Scam Shield app is a good perk.
Who it’s best for
Someone who wants fast access to data in their apps, but isn't concerned about speedy hotspot tethering.
Who shouldn’t get it
Folks who need more than two lines on an account or who want more overall performance.
Customer service options
• Online: T-Mobile
• Phone: 1-855-315-6244
• Store: Store locator
• App: T-Life app
Pros
- Access to Verizon's fastest 5G networks
- More hotspot data
- Can get perks like the streaming bundles as paid add-ons
- Better trade-in offers
- Can mix and match plans on the same account
Cons
- Plans are pricier than Welcome
- Verizon makes the pricing complicated on its website
If you’re going to call a plan Unlimited Ultimate, it had better deliver on everything. Verizon’s most expensive plan is also the one that will not make you worry about data limits or international roaming charges.
It provides access to the highest 5G Ultra Wideband (5G UW/5G UWB) data speeds -- assuming your phone is capable -- with no high-speed limit as on many other value plans. At that data rate, movies can stream at up to 4K resolution, or 1080p when connected to a regular 5G or 4G LTE network. Hotspot data flows at its highest speed for 200GB, and then drops to 6Mbps for unlimited data the rest of the month. The Unlimited Ultimate plan also carries Verizon’s three-year price lock guarantee.
For international travel, you get unlimited talk, text and data while in Canada and Mexico at the top speeds available up to 2GB a day, and then 3G speeds thereafter. In more than 210 other countries, calls and texts are unlimited, with 15GB of high-speed data followed by unlimited data at 1.5Mbps. The plan includes unlimited texting from the US to over 200 countries and territories. If you frequently call friends or family in one of 140 countries, the plan includes up to 300 minutes a month.
Why we like it
We like that there are extra benefits when you’re in a 5G Ultra Wideband network area, such as higher streaming resolution and optimized video calling.
Who it’s best for
Verizon customers who want all of the data and speeds, and are willing to pay for it. It’s also a great choice for frequent international travelers.
Who shouldn’t get it
Customers who are trying to save money, or who don’t own a recent phone that can fully take advantage of the 5G Ultra Wideband network areas.
Customer service options
• Online: Verizon
• Phone: 800-922-0204
• Store: Store Locator
• App: My Verizon
| Essentials Saver | $50 | n/a | 50GB | Unlimited 3G | n/a | 3 | 480p (SD) |
| Essentials | $60 | $105 | 50GB | Unlimited 3G | n/a | 6 | 480p (SD) |
| Essentials Choice 55 | $45 | n/a | 50GB | Unlimited 3G | n/a | 2 | 480p (SD) |
| Unlimited Flex | $17.50 | n/a | 10GB | 5GB | n/a | Unlimited | 480p (SD) |
| Unlimited Standard | $50 | $100 | 50GB | 25GB | n/a | 6 | 480p (SD) |
| 15GB | $20 | n/a | 15GB | 10GB | n/a | n/a | 480p (SD) |
| Essential Data | Free | n/a | 350MB | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Unlimited Welcome | $65 | $120 | Unlimited 5G (but no access to 5G UW/5G UWB) | Not included; 100GB can be added as a perk for $10 per month | Three years | 12 | 480p (SD) |
| Unlimited Ultimate | $90 | $220 | Unlimited | 200GB | Three years | 12 | Up to 4K |
T-Mobile shook up its plans (again) in early 2025, replacing its Go5G Plus and Go5G Next plans with Experience More and Experience Beyond. And yet, the stalwart Essentials and Essentials Saver plans are still in the lineup as lower-cost alternatives to the bells-and-whistles Experience plans.
Since we updated this guide, Verizon has added a three-year price guarantee to its plans.
Also since the the last update, the Google Fi Wireless Unlimited Standard plan replaced Simply Unlimited, boosting the high-speed data from 35GB to 50GB and the hotspot data from 5GB to 25GB before the speed is throttled.
A wireless carrier saying it offers 5G is like me saying I have a car. Good for me -- but what make and model is it? Does it run reliably? Can it actually get up to the top speed on the speedometer or will it sputter when I try to merge onto the freeway? And could I have gotten the same performance if I'd paid less for a model without extras like heated seats and a TruCoat sealant?
As you're evaluating carriers, keep the following things in mind.
Emergency SOS might be one of the most important features to come out on any phone this year.
Kevin Heinz/CNETKnow your area
Wireless coverage can make or break a plan. If you aren't getting reliably fast connections, or if calls often drop or aren't picked up, then you could be paying for more than you're getting. Fortunately, most areas of the US are blanketed by some type of cellular coverage, so there aren't as many dead zones as there used to be. (And now satellite service is starting to fill those holes.) The major companies are also putting a lot of money and effort into broadening their coverage.
On the other hand, even in a dense area, one carrier's network may be stronger than another's, or signals could be reduced due to interference. So the best approach is to ask friends or family members which services they use and if the quality is acceptable. You can also test-drive services to see how your devices work in your area. (See the FAQ below for more on how reliable coverage maps can be.)
Know your deals and discounts
One other thing to keep in mind: discounts. All the carriers offer additional discounts 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 an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan, with AT&T offering a similar program for its Unlimited Premium PL plan. AT&T also has a 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. Verizon and AT&T offer similar options, but only for Florida residents.
It's also worth noting that some carriers may advertise different rates geared toward switchers on their websites, for example if you bring your own phone (not trade in and finance a new one on an installment plan). Our recommendations reflect the actual rate outside of these very specific promotions.
Picking a wireless plan and carrier is a highly personal process. What works for you and your family's needs may be vastly different from what your friends or neighbors are looking for. Even geographically, some areas have better AT&T coverage, while others work best on Verizon or T-Mobile. The picks we make are based on more than a decade of covering and evaluating wireless carriers, their offerings and overall performance.
Specifically, we take into account coverage, price/value, and perks.
Coverage
Since all three major providers cover most of the country with reliable 4G LTE or 5G, this is largely a toss-up on a macro level. It's why we recommend a variety of eSIM options for figuring out what works best for you in your particular location, so you can best decide what's right for you. Looking at coverage maps on each provider's website will likely show that you get good coverage even if your experience isn't full bars or the fastest speeds.
Price/Value
Value is factoring in the total experience you might get, such as how much high-speed data you get and what's included in the sticker price. We also take into account whether a plan includes typical taxes and fees, or whether those are charged separately, inching your monthly bill up higher.
Perks
Perks are add-ons beyond the core components of wireless service (talk, text and data). This could range from bundling in or discounting streaming services, to extra hotspot data, or the ability to use your phone internationally.
How reliable are coverage maps?
The three major companies in the US -- AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon -- offer services directly and have robust nationwide networks that offer 4G LTE (fast) and 5G (even faster) data. They all promise coverage that blankets most of the US, and they're actively trying to build up 5G coverage everywhere they can.
But maps are one thing and experience is another. That’s why it's impossible to say that one carrier is objectively better than another. For example, T-Mobile's service in New York may be excellent, but Verizon is more reliable in rural Iowa. Or you may have basic 5G coverage but not faster millimeter wave 5G.
If possible, ask neighbors, friends or family near you about which carriers they use and how fast or reliable the wireless service is. And don't forget to take into consideration not just where you live, but the places you frequent: Your house might get a clear connection, but your workplace could be in a cellular black hole.
You may also be able to test-drive a network -- go to a carrier's store and ask if there are free ways to try out the company's service. T-Mobile offers a free three-month Network Pass, Verizon has a 30-day "trial" program, and AT&T has its own 30-day eSIM free trial program.
"5G" is an umbrella term that encompasses the current fifth-generation cellular wireless network technologies. All the major carriers and phones support 5G connections, which can offer faster data speeds than older technologies such as 4G LTE or 3G.
Essentially there are three types of 5G: Millimeter-wave (mmWave), which can be fast but has limited range; low-band 5G, which has slower speeds but works on a broader range; and midband, which is a balance between the two that's faster than low-band but also covers a larger range than millimeter-wave. Midband also incorporates C-band, a batch of spectrum auctioned off by the Federal Communications Commission in 2021.
Your phone's 5G connection depends on which type blankets the area you're in, as well as other factors, such as population density and infrastructure. For instance, mmWave is super fast, but its signals can be thwarted by buildings, glass, leaves, or by being inside of a structure.
When your device is connected to a 5G network, it can show up as several variations such as 5G, 5G Plus, 5G UW or others, depending on the carrier. Here’s a list of icons you see at the top of your phone for the major services:
AT&T: 5GE (which isn't actually 5G, but rather a sly marketing name for 4G LTE), 5G (low band), 5G Plus (mmWave, midband)
Verizon: 5G (low band, also called "Nationwide 5G"), 5G UW/5G UWB (midband and mmWave, also called "5G Ultra Wideband")
T-Mobile: 5G (low band), 5G UC (midband and mmWave, also called "Ultra Capacity 5G")
What's the difference between 'prepaid' and 'postpaid' plans?
When choosing a phone plan, there are generally two main options: a postpaid carrier like AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile (plus cable options like Spectrum Mobile and Xfinity Mobile) and prepaid providers such as Mint Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Google Fi Wireless and Cricket.
The difference boils down to this: With postpaid, you're paying for your plan after you've used your service, while prepaid lets you buy that allotment in advance.
Prepaid providers are generally cheaper than postpaid options, though they are also often (but not always) more limited when it comes to additional streaming perks, hotspot data or device discounts. To get a several hundred dollar trade-in credit toward a new iPhone, Pixel or Galaxy, you often will need to commit to a postpaid plan from one of the big three carriers and be willing to stay with that provider for 24 to 36 months.
All three of the major wireless carriers also offer various discounts on the plan pricing depending on age, employment, military or veteran status or if you or someone on your family plan is a nurse, teacher or first responder. You can find details here for AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon.
Why consider an unlimited plan?
Unlimited plans were once rarities, but now nearly all plans -- especially postpaid plans -- offer unlimited data. If you're on T-Mobile, all your plans are unlimited, and Verizon no longer lets new users sign up for a shared data plan. Only AT&T still offers some tiered data plans where the flow of data stops when you've reached the limit.
Though everyone's wireless needs are different, we think unlimited plans are the best option for most phone users, especially when it comes to choosing a new plan.
For example, the AT&T 4GB plan isn't great. It has a 4GB per line plan that runs $50 a month for one line ($160 for four lines). Each line here gets 4GB of data, but if you go over that threshold in a month, you're paying $10 for every 2GB. AT&T's plan also doesn't include access to its 5G networks.
The company's basic unlimited plan, Unlimited Starter, is $65 a month for one line or $140 for four lines.
If you have one or two lines and don't use a lot of data, you may be fine with one of these plans, though if you have just one line, we'd recommend switching over to AT&T's $51 per month Value Plus VL or T-Mobile's Essentials Saver. Two lines of that T-Mobile plan run $80 a month, which is still $10 cheaper than two lines of AT&T's 4GB plan and you won't have to worry about how much data you're using.
For most people, we really do believe, unlimited is the best choice when choosing a new plan.
