Mint Mobile Phone Plan Review

What is Mint Mobile?

Mint Mobile is an MVNO in the U.S. that offers affordable prepaid wireless plans for mobile phones. MVNOs are carriers that don’t have their own wireless network; instead, they piggyback off of another carrier’s platform for coverage through their cell phone plans. In this case, Mint Mobile operates on the T-Mobile network.

Essentially, Mint Mobile is an alternative to major corporate wireless carriers that provides most of the same features, like unlimited talk and text, nationwide coverage, access to 5G and 4G LTE technology, multi-level data plans, free calling to Mexico and Canada, sim cards and the latest smartphone models.

The big difference is, they can do it without the costs of maintaining a mobile network, or the overhead costs of physical stores and in-store salespeople. Without those expenses, they can offer comparatively lower rates. They sell pre-paid services in three, six, and 12-month plans, and while they don’t require contracts, the longer the term of your Mint phone plan, the more you can save. 

Pros and Cons

Mint Mobile is a great option for those looking for flexible and affordable wireless phone service, without a lot of add-ons. 

Pros:

• Affordable multi-month plans: Mint Mobile offers some of the most competitively priced plans on the market. You can easily choose a term length and a data plan that fits your needs and budget.
• Short and long-term plans: If you don’t want to commit to a year-long plan at first you can easily try Mint Mobile for just three months at their lowest possible rate. 
• 5G available at no extra charge: With Mint Mobile, you can access 5G speeds via the T-Mobile network, at no extra charge. This means that you can enjoy faster download speeds and better performance where it’s available when streaming videos or playing online games.
• Easy activation: Activating your phone with Mint Mobile is fast and easy. All you have to do is enter your device’s International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number and follow the instructions provided by the website.
• Free mobile hotspots: Use your phone to connect to the internet, even where no Wi-Fi exists. 
• Money Back Guarantee: There is a 7-Day Money Back Guarantee for all purchases made on mintmobile.com or using the app. So you can cancel your plan for any reason within seven days of activation and get a 100 percent refund for the purchase price including any fees and taxes (but not including shipping). 
• Bring your own device (BYOD) or shop the latest phone models: Mint Mobile sells a number of the latest model phones so you can buy a new one or bring your own phone, provided it is unlocked and compatible. 
• Low single-line options: Many carriers require multiple lines on a plan to get the lowest prices. Mint Mobile’s prices do not change for multiple lines so the pricing is advantageous if you only want to pay for a single line.

Cons:

• Deprioritization during network congestion: Since Mint Mobile uses T-Mobile’s network, Mint wireless customers may experience deprioritization during times of high network congestion. This means that your data speeds may be slower than usual during peak hours or in busy areas.
• Phone compatibility: Most, but not all phones are compatible with Mint Mobile’s service. Before you buy a new phone, make sure that it is unlocked and compatible with Mint’s service.
• Taxes & fees: The cost of your plan is the subtotal of your price, there is an additional Recovery Fee, assessed to help recover Mint Mobile’s administrative costs to comply with various federal and state programs, and a Telecom Tax which includes any federal, state, county, city or district taxes that apply to the retail sale of prepaid wireless communications services in your zip code. Mint is transparent about taxes and fees but they are an extra cost on top of the base plan cost.

Special Features 

In addition to affordable plans and easy activation, Mint Mobile also offers a few special features that make the company stand out from the competition, including:

• Online-only: Mint Mobile has an online-only business model, so they’ve cut out retail stores and salespeople, passing those savings on to their customers. 
• Multi-month plans: Mint Mobile offers prepaid plans in three, six and 12-month packages, rather than multi-year contracts. 
• Affordable prices: Mint Mobile’s plans are priced competitively, with prices starting at just $15 per month and their most expensive plan costing $30 per month.
• High-speed data: Mint Mobile’s plans include high-speed data on the T-Mobile network, with speeds up to 5G where available. Your service will switch smoothly between 5G & 4G LTE, depending on which is strongest wherever you are. 
• Mobile hotspot usage: Mint Mobile’s plans include mobile hotspot usage, allowing customers to share their phone’s data connection with other devices anywhere.
• International roaming: Mint Mobile offers international roaming to over 160 countries, with options for data, talk and text. International calls to Canada and Mexico are included free in every plan. 
• Wi-Fi calling and texting: Mint Mobile supports Wi-Fi calling and texting, which can allow customers to continue to make calls or send texts when they are in areas with access to a Wi-Fi signal, but poor cell reception.
• BYOD and number: If you switch to Mint Mobile you can bring your current number and your own device provided it is a compatible unlocked GSM phone.
• Instant plan activation: Using an eSim, you can instantly activate your service online. Or they will send you a physical sim card. When you’ve purchased a new Mint plan you can contact a MINTech Advisor who can help talk you through the setup. 
• Mobile Account Management: Mint wireless has a mobile app available for both iOS and Android devices. Through the app, customers can manage their accounts, extend their contracts, view their usage, and purchase additional data or international roaming packages.

Mint Mobile is making it easier than ever to get great wireless service without breaking the bank. With their simple online setup and flexible plans, customers can enjoy many of the benefits of premium wireless without the costs, and the multi-year contracts that often come with using traditional carriers.

Mint Mobile Plans and Pricing

Mint Mobile plans start at just $15/month per line, making them one of the most affordable options on the market, especially if you’re not looking to have multiple phones on your account. 

The main differences in price depend on how much data you want per month. Here is a basic breakdown of their plans (note these prices are accurate at the present time but are subject to change anytime). 

3-Month & 6-Month Plans :

$15/Month

5GB /Month

Unlimited talk & text

Nationwide coverage

Uses 5G or 4G LTE

$20/Month

15GB /Month

Unlimited talk & text

Nationwide coverage

Uses 5G or 4G LTE

$25/Month

20GB /Month

Unlimited talk & text

Nationwide coverage

Uses 5G or 4G LTE

$30/Month

Unlimited data

Unlimited talk & text

Nationwide coverage

Uses 5G or 4G LTE

6 Month Plans:

$20/Month

5GB /Month

Unlimited talk & text

Nationwide coverage

Uses 5G or 4G LTE

$25/Month

Unlimited talk & text

Nationwide coverage

Uses 5G or 4G LTE,

whichever is strongest

$35/Month

20GB /Month

Unlimited talk & text

Nationwide coverage

Uses 5G or 4G LTE

$35/Month

Unlimited data

Unlimited talk & text

Nationwide coverage

40GB of 5G • 4G LTE Data

Prices are slightly more favorable for the introductory three-month plan and the longest option, the 12-month plan. But overall, Mint Mobile is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an affordable wireless plan. There are additional taxes and fees in addition to your plan cost, but Mint is very upfront about them. With their introductory pricing and prepaid coverage options, they make it easy to find a plan that fits your budget and needs without breaking the bank.

Mint Mobile Network Coverage and Speed

Mint Mobile runs on T-Mobile’s network and utilizes its cell phone towers for its service. Currently, T-Mobile’s network offers more 5G coverage compared to other big networks, although it is mostly low-band 5G internet speeds. Fortunately, they also use 4G LTE which exists pretty much everywhere. 

Using the T-Mobile network, Mint Mobile offers reliable coverage and speed across the nation with both 5G and 4G LTE networks. Their 5G network covers 200 million people in more than 6,000 cities. But 5G isn’t everywhere yet, so when you’re in an area that isn’t currently covered by 5G, your device will seamlessly switch to 4G LTE speeds. 

With Mint Mobile’s plans, unlimited data gives you up to 40GB of high-speed data per month. After 40GB, your data remains unlimited but speeds will be reduced. 

Overall, Mint Mobile provides great prices and network coverage with their plans and offers reliable service with both 5G and 4G LTE speeds nationwide at no extra cost. However, in order to take advantage of 5G, you’ll need a compatible phone that supports the technology.

Mint Mobile Phones: Which Are Compatible?

Most GSM-network phones, with SIM cards that have been made in the last few years, are compatible with Mint Mobile as long as they’re unlocked. And you can also keep your phone number. You will need either eSIM or a physical SIM card for any phone to work. 

You can check if your current phone is compatible with Mint Mobile by visiting their website, going to their BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) page, and using their quick check by brand & model or entering your phone’s specific IMEI. As long as your phone is 5G, 4G LTE and VoLTE friendly, you’ll only need to ensure it’s unlocked. 

If you’re currently on a prepaid or pay-as-you-go plan, your phone is likely unlocked; however, if you’re on a carrier contract plan your phone may be locked by your carrier until it is fully paid for. The most reliable way to find out if your phone is unlocked is by calling your carrier and asking them. 

You can also buy a phone when you enroll if you need a new one. Mint Mobile phones include recent and popular models from brands like Samsung, Google and iPhone. You can pay for the phone in installments, if you choose, using Affirm. 

To bring your phone number, just choose the option to ‘Transfer My Number’ when you’re activating your plan. You’ll need your current account number, the PIN, passcode or Transfer Number Pin, and your billing address. 

Overall, Mint Mobile’s phone compatibility makes them a great choice for anyone looking to keep their existing phone or purchase a new one.

Mint Mobile: The Company

Mint Mobile was founded in 2016 by David Glickman and Rizwan Kassim. Its headquarters are located in Costa Mesa, Calif.  Mint Mobile has differentiated itself in the MVNO space by reimagining the wireless shopping experience with a low-cost, online-only service option with excellent coverage.

In 2019, Ryan Reynolds acquired an ownership stake in the company and became its spokesperson. By 2021, Mint Mobile was named the fastest-growing company in America by American City Business Journals.  

Mint Mobile Customer Service

Mint Mobile prides itself on stellar customer service and support. They have an app available on iOS and Android, as well as a Facebook page where customers can get help with their accounts and ask questions about their plans. 

The Mint Mobile website also offers several resources for customers to find more information including an extensive FAQ and help section, a 24/7 chat function (it’s a bot, but it can help), and in-person representatives you can call seven days a week from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. PST.

Mint Mobile vs. Other Brands

Now that we’ve covered all the basics, let’s look at how Mint Mobile compares to other brands like it:

Google Fi vs. Mint Mobile

There are a lot of similarities between Mint Mobile and Google Fi. They’re both MVNOs, they both offer Wi-Fi calling, hotspots and they both utilize the T-Mobile network to provide nationwide 4G LTE and 5G coverage. 

Mint Mobile offers four straightforward plans differentiated by data allowances. Google Fi has three different plans called Simply Unlimited, Unlimited Plus and Flexible, which all have a number of different benefits.The Simply Unlimited plan is basic and affordable, Unlimited Plus provides more international benefits and a year of YouTube Premium. Flexible is best for those who prefer to pay only for the data they use. 

If you travel often, Google Fi has more features for international calls, texts and data included while Mint Mobile only includes free international calls to Canada and Mexico with the option to buy additional credits for travel. Google-Fi also states that they are not subject to data traffic deprioritization, which means you won’t experience slowed data speeds during times of high network usage

Price is another big difference, Google Fi’s lowest-price option for a single line is the $20 per month Flexible plan, but that goes up based on data usage at $10/GB. The Simply Unlimited Plan is $50 per month for one phone but drops to $20 per month with four phones. 

Mint Mobile’s lowest price is $15 per month per phone for 5GB of data, but even their top-priced Unlimited plan has a lower base cost for one line than Google Fi. If you have multiple phones on the plan you may get a better deal at Google Fi but for two phones or fewer, Mint Mobile will likely be cheaper. In both companies, Unlimited plans have a data cap after which data will be slower. 

Mint Mobile vs. Verizon

When comparing Mint Mobile to Verizon, it’s important to remember it’s not apples to apples. Mint Mobile is an MVNO using the T-Mobile network while Verizon is a major carrier with its own network. Verizon is credited with having the largest nationwide 4G LTE network in the country but T-Mobile has the edge on 5G. 

In addition to more 4G LTE coverage, Verizon also has more plan options, with perks like unlimited talk & text, Verizon Up rewards, Mexico & Canada talk, text, & data, international texting, and a call filter spam blocker. They also have features like packages for Disney+, Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass, Apple Music, and internet service. 

All of Verizon’s plans include some level of premium mobile hotspot data, (ranging from 5GB to 50GB) and then unlimited lower-speed data. Their most expensive plan provides all the bells and whistles and unlimited premium mobile hotspot data for $100 per month for a single-line plan. Verizon’s lowest-cost single-line option is their Welcome Unlimited, noted as “just the basics” for $75 per month. However, the same plan drops to $30 per month with four lines. 

As with most phone companies, the more lines you have on your plan, the lower the base monthly cost will be. Verizon offers an immediate $10 per month discount for any number of lines if you enroll in auto-pay with paper-free billing. There are also additional discounts available for active military, veterans, first responders, educators and students. 

When getting a phone with Verizon, some phones will be free as a part of an enrollment promotion, and for other phones, you may also have the option to pay for the device in installments, incorporated into your regular billing. They may also have more phone models available than Mint Mobile. 

While Verizon does offer month-to-month contracts, if you’re buying a phone when you sign-up, you are likely going to be enrolled in a 24- to 36-month contract. 

Which company you prefer largely depends on what you want in terms of opinions and budget. Mint Mobile has single-line options that are significantly cheaper than Verizon’s single-line options. If you want a lot of perks and the most coast-to-coast 4G LTE coverage, for multiple lines, and don’t mind a contract, Verizon may work for you. If you just want a low-cost single line with shorter commitments and a strong 5G network, that gives you the essentials, Mint Mobile is probably your better bet. 

Mint Mobile vs Visible

Visible is an MVNO owned by Verizon, which functions as an app-based phone service that runs on Verizon’s 4G LTE Network. They offer unlimited talk, text and data, built-in fees, full access to Verizon’s 4G LTE and 5G network, unlimited hotspot data, and 24/7 human assistance. With no physical stores and no annual contracts, Visible is a close comparison to Mint Mobile. You can also shop the same wide selection of phones that Verizon carriers, only instead of paying in installments in your phone bill, you’d use Affirm. Visible also offers the option to add a smartwatch to your plan as a $5 per month add-on.

Visible offers $25 per month and $35 per month (premium) unlimited plan intro plans. This means they offer an unlimited plan that is a little cheaper than Mint’s unlimited plan. However, Visible has no offer comparable to Mint’s lowest cost $15 per month plan. 

Visible’s ability to offer 24/7 human-based customer service, unlimited hotspot data, a smartwatch add-on, and a low-cost basic unlimited plan may give them a slight edge against Mint’s $30 Unlimited plan. But if you want the absolute lowest cost monthly plan, Mint is likely the better choice.

Bottom Line: Why We Love It

Mint Mobile is an exciting option in the wireless market. With flexible options ranging from 5GB to Unlimited data and the addition of hotspots, a free sim card, free calls to Canada and Mexico, and Wi-Fi calling, all on T-Mobile’s expansive and reliable network, Mint Mobile is an excellent alternative to traditional carrier contract models. 

You get all of the essentials online with no frills for a low price. If you don’t use much data, their $15 per month plan is one of the cheapest deals available. If you’d rather pre-pay for service instead of receiving monthly bills and you aren’t interested in entertainment add-ons, Mint Mobile may be everything you need.

FAQ

What is Mint Mobile?

Mint Mobile is a no-contract, MVNO wireless service provider that offers affordable and convenient phone plans. Mint Mobile operates on a top-tier network, provides fast data speeds, reliable coverage, and most importantly great value. 

They use a pre-paid service model instead of a contract-based one, with options to pre-pay in three, six, or 12-month increments. Their plans are extremely competitive and come in four main options: Pay $15 per month for 5GB of data; $20 per month for 15GB of data; or $25 per month for 20GB of data and $30 per month for unlimited data. All the plans come with unlimited talk and text plus nationwide 4G LTE/5G coverage, free hotspot and WI-Fi calling, and free calls to Canada and Mexico. 

They offer 24/7 technical support via bot chat as well as free phone support during business hours. It’s also online only so you can easily manage your account through an app. You can bring your own phone or buy a new one from them, including recent models. 

In short, they are a wireless option with basic service and entry-level price points that are very accessible. 

Who owns Mint Mobile?

The company was co-founded in 2016 by David Glickman and Brian McAndrews, with Rogers Communications investing $25 million into the business shortly afterward. But most people are much more familiar with their celebrity stock owner, Canadian-American actor, Ryan Reynolds. 

What network does Mint Mobile use?

Mint Mobile runs on T-Mobile’s nationwide network, which is the nation’s largest 5G networks with a 4G LTE network that connects to 99 percent of Americans. This allows Mint Mobile customers to stay connected, no matter where they are located. In addition, the new 5G capacity provides faster download speeds that can help boost a customer’s experience with streaming video or audio content.