At the moment, Mint Mobile looks like one of the best options for people who want a cheap cell phone plan with a lot of data. The new Mint Mobile unlimited data plan, which costs only $30 a month, looks especially appealing.
But how good is the unlimited data plan from Mint Mobile? Is it really unlimited, and is the money worth it? Tweaknology is always looking for the best cell phone plans for our readers, so let's take a look at this prepaid plan to see if it really is as good as Mint Mobile says it is.
The Mint Mobile unlimited data plan was added to the prepaid carrier's website in September of last year. Before, the carrier only offered plans with limited amounts of data, which helped it become one of the best-valued prepaid carriers out there.
As with all Mint Mobile plans, the most affordable way to get the unlimited data plan is to buy a whole year of service at once. At $360, that can be a big investment for some people, but it also means that they won't have to pay those bills every month for a long time.
It's also pretty much the cheapest unlimited data plan on the market right now, with an average price of $30 per month.
In a Nutshell
Mint Mobile is a prepaid mobile virtual network operator that is only available online. It uses T-nationwide Mobile's 5G and 4G LTE network. It is best known for its unique way of marketing, which includes selling plans in bundles of 3, 6, or 12 months. The bigger the bundle, the more money you save.
Mint Mobile Specifications
Best for: Low prices and flexible plans.
Price: $15-$30/month for first three months, $25-$40/month thereafter unless you upgrade to a 12-month plan.
Plan: Includes unlimited talk and text as well as high-speed data.
Network: T-Mobile
Phone purchase required: No
Which Services and Features Does Mint Mobile Offer?
Mint Mobile plans include the following features:
- In the U.S., you can talk and text unlimited.
- Mexico and Canada are free to call
- Coverage of more than 99% of the American population
- You can use 5G or 4G LTE up to your monthly data limit, whichever is strongest
- 480p video streaming
- Hotspot for mobile devices for free
- Bring your own device or purchase one from Mint Mobile
- If you need your order by the same day or overnight, we offer free 2-3 day shipping (California only) or paid same-day shipping (nationwide)
- If you exceed your data limit, you will be slowed down (but not charged).
- View family data usage through a mobile app
Prices, Plans and Value for Money
Mint Mobile has four different data plans to choose from. The only difference between the plans is the amount of high-speed data you can use at once. Calls and texts are free with all plans. Each plan comes with a discount for the first three months. After that, the plan automatically renews for another three months at full price unless you buy a 12-month plan to lock in the same low rate you got for the first three months. To get the introductory offer, you must sign a contract for 3 months.
If you're not sure which plan to choose, you can use some helpful tools on the Mint Mobile home page to help you decide. Just tell Mint Mobile how much you spend with your current provider and how many lines you need.
If you don't know how much data you usually use, you can choose the features you use for an hour or more every day when you're not connected to Wi-Fi, like YouTube, web browsing, and Google Maps. Send in the information, and Mint Mobile will tell you what plan is best for you.
Add-ons include
- UpRoam credit: You can add $5, $10, or $20 to your international roaming balance.
- You can add credit by logging into your Mint Mobile account, clicking “load wallet” and adding money.
- Data add-ons: 10 GB for $10 or 4 GB for $20, whenever you need them.
Mint Mobile Pros and Cons
Affordable Pricing: Mint Mobile offers some of the most competitive prices in the market, making it an excellent option for budget-conscious consumers. Their plans, including the unlimited data plan, are priced significantly lower than many other carriers, allowing users to save on their monthly bills.
Generous Data Allowances: Mint Mobile's unlimited data plan, as well as their limited data plans, come with generous data allowances, providing users with ample data for browsing, streaming, and other online activities.
Prepaid Flexibility: Mint Mobile operates on a prepaid model, which means there are no contracts, credit checks, or hidden fees. Users can pay for their plans upfront, avoiding surprises in their bills and having the flexibility to switch plans or carriers without any penalty.
Multiple Plan Options: Mint Mobile offers a range of plans to suit different needs, including unlimited data plans as well as plans with limited data allowances for users who may not require as much data. This allows users to choose a plan that best fits their usage and budget.
Good Network Coverage: Mint Mobile uses the T-Mobile network, which provides extensive coverage across the United States. Users can expect reliable service in most areas, including urban and rural locations.
Cons
Upfront Payment Requirement: Mint Mobile's plans require upfront payment for several months or even a year, which may not be feasible for everyone. This could be a disadvantage for users who prefer the flexibility of monthly billing or have budget constraints.
Limited Customer Support: Mint Mobile primarily operates online, which means customer support is mostly offered through email or chat. Users who prefer phone-based customer support may find this limitation inconvenient.
Data Speed Throttling: Mint Mobile's unlimited data plan includes a fair usage policy, which may result in data speed throttling after a certain amount of usage. This could impact users who rely heavily on high-speed data for activities like video streaming or online gaming.
Limited International Features: Mint Mobile's plans may have limited international features, such as international calling or roaming. Users who frequently travel internationally or require extensive international calling may need to consider additional options or add-ons.
Device Compatibility: Mint Mobile uses GSM technology, which means it may not be compatible with all devices, especially older or CDMA-based devices. Users should check their device compatibility before switching to Mint Mobile.
Mint Mobile Unlimited Plan
The best thing about Mint Mobile, besides Ryan Reynolds, is that it has an unlimited data plan for only $30 a month.
Now, just to be clear, almost no cell phone company or MVNO offers truly unlimited data, and Mint Mobile is the same. Mint will slow your speeds to 2G after you've used 35 GB in the same month (the first digital connectivity speed type, which comes in around 0.1 Mbps). That's still enough to browse slowly or check your email, but you won't be able to stream TV.
All Mint Mobile plans, including the unlimited plan, offer both 5G and 4G LTE speeds. Which speed you get depends on which one is most common where you are and which one is the fastest right now. Most of the time, 5G will be faster than 4G LTE, but if a lot of people are using that connection, 4G LTE will probably still be faster and better for you.
Mint Mobile Family Cell Phone Plans
Family plans from Mint Mobile don't come with any extra discounts, but you can have up to 5 lines on one account. So you can have everyone in your family sign up for the service, but you won't get any discounts or other perks for doing so.
Even so, the price for unlimited data per month is already pretty low. But if we could get a family plan, that price would be even better.
Mint Mobile Coverage
Mint Mobile uses T-network, Mobile's so you'll get the same coverage and data options as with T-Mobile. And phone users all over the country are lucky that T-Mobile has one of the best networks in the country.
T-Mobile has service in about 94% of the country, so you shouldn't have to worry about it. Chances are you'll have coverage, but there are a few spots where signals can be spotty, especially in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West.
What kind of download speeds can I expect with Mint Mobile?
Due to deprioritization, it's hard to know how fast your data will be on Mint Mobile. At 21.1 Mbps, T-Mobile has the fastest wireless download speeds, but that doesn't always mean you'll get that speed. At times, you might slow down a lot.
Data Plan and Netflix
A while ago, Mint Mobile's unlimited data plan didn't let you use Netflix. This was likely because streaming services can use a lot of data. But Mint Mobile has removed that limit, so you can now watch Stranger Things while you're on the go. But your resolution will still be limited to 480p, and remember that your “unlimited” data isn't really unlimited, as we've already said.
Streaming TV shows is still best when you have a Wi-Fi connection.
Mint Mobile Activation Process
When you sign up for Mint Mobile, you can choose whether to use your own device or get a new one. If you're bringing your own device, use the free tool on the Mint Mobile page to make sure it will work.
After you order your SIM kit, it should come within two to three days, or even sooner if you pay extra for express shipping. Download the Mint Mobile app (for iOS or Android) and enter the 11-digit ACT code on the back of your SIM card. This will activate your SIM card.
Lastly, every new order comes with a second SIM kit called the “Share the Love Kit,” which you can give to a friend for a 7-day free trial with 250 minutes, 250 texts, and 250 MB of data. If your friend buys a full plan, you will both get $15 off the next time you renew your plan.
Selection of Phones Available
When you join Mint Mobile, you can buy or finance any of the most recent iPhones or Samsung Galaxy smartphones. You can get the iPhone SE for $15 a month, the iPhone 12 Mini for $30 a month (if you choose the Unlimited data plan), and $50 off certain Android phones if you sign up for a 12-month plan.
Call and Text Performance
Mint Mobile uses the T-Mobile network, which is one of the three largest wireless networks in the United States and covers more than 99% of Americans. Based on a study of the IHS Markit RootMetrics map of the T-Mobile network, call performance is good in most places in the United States. Only a few outlying areas have fair or bad call performance.
Data Speeds
When you use Mint Mobile, you get high-speed data through T-Mobile's 5G or 4G LTE network, depending on which is faster at the time where you are. You can keep getting high speeds until you reach your data limit. After that, you can either settle for slower speeds until the next pay month or buy more data. More than 80% of Americans are covered by T-Mobile's 5G network, which is the biggest of the three big wireless networks.
Customer Service
With a 4.6-star rating from about 5,000 customer reviews on Trustpilot, Mint Mobile has one of the best customer ratings of any mobile plan company. Customers say they like Mint Mobile because its prices are better than the big three carriers', its service is stable, and its website and app are easy to use.
If you have any problems, the FAQ area on Mint Mobile should have the answer. On the Mint Mobile website, the “Fox Bot” is available 24/7, and you can call 800-683-7392 from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. PST, seven days a week to talk to a real person.
Does Mint Mobile Have a Hotspot?
Yes! You can use your Mint Mobile internet to turn your phone into a mobile hotspot.
All deals from Mint Mobile come with the ability to use a hotspot. But the 4G LTE or 5G data you use will come out of the normal amount of data you have, so be careful how you use the hotspot. (It won't be good for things like online play.)
Mint Mobile's unlimited data plans have a 5 GB limit on how much data can be used in a hotspot. That should be enough for some relaxed web surfing, streaming in standard definition, or doing research for that last term paper you've been putting off.
How to Set Up Mint Mobile Hotspots?
Your Mint Mobile smartphone's settings will have the appropriate section for setting up your mobile hotspot.
Apple Devices
- Open the Settings app.
- At the top, select Cellular Data.
- Choose a Personal Hotspot.
- (The bar will be green when the switch is in the on position).
Android Devices
- Open the Settings app.
- Select Network & Internet.
- Select Hotspot & Tethering.
- On the Wi-Fi Hotspot toggle switch, turn it on.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Mint Mobile's unlimited data plan offers an incredibly affordable option for those seeking an affordable cell phone plan with ample data. With a price of only $30 per month when purchased annually, it stands out as one of the most cost-effective plans in the market.
While it may require a larger upfront investment for a year's worth of service, it eliminates the hassle of monthly bills and offers great value in the long run. The addition of unlimited data to Mint Mobile's offerings has made it even more competitive among prepaid carriers. If you're looking for a budget-friendly plan with plenty of data, Mint Mobile's unlimited data plan is definitely worth considering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mint Mobile owned by Ryan Renolds?
Ryan Reynolds held between 20% and 25%1 of Mint Mobile, but as of March 15, he and other owners are selling the company to T-Mobile, whose network Mint Mobile used anyway.
Is Mint owned by ATT?
The Mint app is not owned by AT&T, nor does it use AT&T's network. David Glickman founded another MVNO, Ultra Mobile, from which Mint Mobile grew.
