You’ll find quite a few different options when searching for a new wireless carrier. There are the major carriers, as well as numerous MVNO carriers to choose from, and then once you decide on a carrier — the second decision will need to be made — which plan should you choose?
One of the more popular options is choosing to go with an unlimited plan. An unlimited plan takes away some of the worries and allows you to use your phone without having to worry about exceeding your plan limit, which in some cases, can mean an additional cost. But not all unlimited plans are created equal, and in cases like T-Mobile — there are multiple unlimited plans to choose from — so where do you begin in the search.
We’ll be taking a look at the different unlimited family plans offered by the major carriers, AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. Up today is T-Mobile.
Is a T-Mobile unlimited family plan really unlimited?
T-Mobile does offer unlimited plans. In fact, the carrier has a few unlimited plans to choose from; Essentials, Magenta, and Magenta Plus. Each of these plans includes unlimited talk, text, and data, including mobile hotspot data.
This means you will not have to worry about any overage charges or running out of data, however, T-Mobile may make use of a soft-data cap if you reach a certain data level. According to T-Mobile — that limit is 50 GB (per line). T-Mobile defines this by saying that customers who use more than 50 GB in a month (billing cycle) “may notice reduced speeds” during times of congestion.
The key here is that you may experience slower speeds, as opposed to automatically having your data speeds slowed once you cross the 50 GB mark. The carrier sends a text message when you reach 48 GB as a warning, and if you continue using data after that and end up crossing the 50 GB mark — your data may be slowed during times of network congestion.
Along with the text message at 48 GB — T-Mobile users can monitor their data usage from the T-Mobile website, the mobile apps for Android and iOS, or by dialing #web# on your T-Mobile phone.
How much is a T-Mobile unlimited family plan?
T-Mobile has three unlimited plans, which are available for all users. The family aspect comes in when you add multiple lines to any of those three plans. And nicely, the price per line decreases as you add additional lines to your account. Pricing for the Essentials, Magenta, and Magenta Plus plans are detailed below:
Essentials
- 2 Lines: $90 per month ($45 per month per line)
- 3 Lines: $105 per month ($35 per month per line)
- 4 Lines: $120 per month ($30 per month per line)
- 5 Lines: $135 per month ($27 per month per line)
*Plus taxes and fees. Prices shown include an Auto-Pay discount of $5 per line, per month.
Magenta
- 2 Lines: $120 per month ($60 per month per line)
- 3 Lines: $120 per month ($40 per month per line)
- 4 Lines: $140 per month ($35 per month per line)
- 5 Lines: $160 per month ($32 per month per line)
*Taxes and fees are included in the listed price. Prices shown include an Auto-Pay discount of $5 per line, per month.
Magenta Plus
- 2 Lines: $140 per month ($70 per month per line)
- 3 Lines: $141 per month ($47 per month per line)
- 4 Lines: $172 per month ($43 per month per line)
- 5 Lines: $200 per month ($40 per month per line)
*Taxes and fees are included in the listed price. Prices shown include an Auto-Pay discount of $5 per line, per month.
T-Mobile unlimited family plan features
Essentials | Magenta | Magenta Plus | |
---|---|---|---|
Unlimited Talk & Text | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Unlimited 4G LTE / 5G Data | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Mobile Hotspot | Yes (Unlimited 3G data) | Yes (3 GB of 4G LTE then unlimited 3G data) | Yes (20 GB of 4G LTE then unlimited 3G data) |
International Texting | Yes | Yes | Yes |
International Data | No | Yes (2G data speeds) | Yes (2G at 2x data speeds, up to 256 kbps) |
Unlimited Talk, Text & Data (Mexico & Canada) | Yes (2G data) | Yes (5 GB of 4G LTE then unlimited 2G data) | Yes (5 GB of 4G LTE then unlimited 2G data) |
Gogo In-Flight Texting & WiFi | Yes | Yes (Unlimited texting, 1 hour of WiFi) | Yes (Unlimited texting and WiFi) |
Video Streaming | Yes (SD streaming) | Yes (SD streaming) | Yes (HD streaming) |
Voicemail to Text | No | No | Yes |
Name ID Call Blocker | No | No | Yes |
Netflix on Us | No | Yes (Basic, 1 SD screen) | Yes (Standard, 2 HD screens) |
T-Mobile Tuesdays | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Taxes & Fees Included | No | Yes | Yes |
T-Mobile unlimited family plan discounts
T-Mobile has a few options in terms of discounts. One of these discounts is available for all users, with the remaining three discounts being available for those who qualify. Up first is the discount that is available for all users — AutoPay.
Auto-Pay
The Auto-Pay discount is easy to set up, and pretty straight forward. Once you are enrolled in Auto-Pay you will see a discount of $5 per-line per-month. It also appears that T-Mobile expects most users will go with Auto-Pay as all the prices listed on the T-Mobile website reflect this discount.
Unlimited Age 55+
T-Mobile offers a discount for those 55 and over. This discount is available on the Essentials and Magenta plan options, which T-Mobile has dubbed as the Essentials Unlimited 55+, and Magenta Unlimited 55+ plans. The features of the Unlimited 55+ plans remain the same as the standard plans — the difference is in the prices.
- Essentials Unlimited 55+ – 2 lines – $55 per month ($27.50 per line), plus taxes and fees
- Magenta Unlimited 55+ – 2 lines – $70 per month ($35 per line), Taxes and fees included
*Prices shown include an Auto-Pay discount of $5 per line, per month.
Military and Veterans
The Military and Veterans discount is available for active-duty service members, as well as honorably discharged veterans. The military member must be the primary account holder in order to qualify for this discount, and verification must be submitted within 45 days. T-Mobile offers this discount on the Magenta plan, and the discount will vary based on the number of lines you have on your account.
Magenta Military
- 1 Line: $55 per month
- 2 Lines: $80 per month ($40 per month per line)
- 3 Lines: $90 per month ($30 per month per line)
- 4 Lines: $100 per month ($25 per month per line)
- 5 Lines: $110 per month ($22 per month per line)
*Taxes and fees are included in the listed price. Prices shown include an Auto-Pay discount of $5 per line, per month.
First Responder
The First Responder discount is available for all state and local first responders and is similar to the Military and Veterans discount. The offer is valid on the Magenta plan, and the primary account holder must be the first responder in order to qualify for the discounted rate. The first responder status must also be confirmed within the first 45 days to remain qualified for these rates.
Magenta First Responder
- 1 Line: $55 per month
- 2 Lines: $80 per month ($40 per month per line)
- 3 Lines: $90 per month ($30 per month per line)
- 4 Lines: $100 per month ($25 per month per line)
- 5 Lines: $110 per month ($22 per month per line)
*Taxes and fees are included in the listed price. Prices shown include an Auto-Pay discount of $5 per line, per month.
Looking to buy a T-Mobile phone?
The major wireless carriers have all moved away from the standard two-year contracts and device subsidies. Not having to make a two-year commitment to your wireless carrier is a good thing, however, the move away from device subsidies shed some light on the true cost of your phone.
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