Most major wireless service providers are extremely expensive, especially if you only need service for one device. Signing up for a plan from Verizon or AT&T can easily cost you $50/month or more, even without unlimited data.
That’s why a lot of people have switched to MVNOs. And Mint Mobile is a wireless provider that you should consider if you’re looking to save. Let’s see how it works.
What Is Mint Mobile?
Mint Mobile is an MVNO, or mobile virtual network operator. This is a wireless service provider that uses another company’s infrastructure to provide service instead of running its own. In this case, Mint Mobile uses T-Mobile’s network for its service, and is online-only, so there are no physical Mint stores.
Even if you’ve never heard the term, you’re probably familiar with other popular MVNOs, such as Republic Wireless and Consumer Cellular. There are many of them, but they aren’t commonly advertised by that name.
A company called Ultra Mobile used to own Mint Mobile, but since October 2019 it has been its own company. Notably, Ryan Reynolds purchased an ownership stake in the company in 2019, which led to some viral advertising.
Like other MVNOs, Mint places a focus on lower costs than major carriers like Verizon and AT&T. Let’s take a closer look at that.
How Much Does Mint Mobile Cost?
Mint Mobile is built around pre-paying for your mobile service. The company offers 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month plans. No matter which length you choose, you can pick from 3GB, 8GB, 12GB, or unlimited data (which is slowed after 35GB) per month.
New customers can sign up to a special intro plan, which gives you three months of service at the lower 12-month rate. After that, you must switch to whichever full priced plan is right for you.
Here’s how the pricing breaks down for the 3-month plans:
- 3GB: $25/month ($75 total for three months)
- 8GB: $35/month ($105 total for three months)
- 12GB: $45/month ($135 total for three months)
- Unlimited data: $40/month ($120 total for three months)
For the 6-month plans, Mint’s pricing is as follows:
- 3GB: $20/month ($120 total for six months)
- 8GB: $25/month ($150 total for six months)
- 12GB: $35/month ($210 total for six months)
- Unlimited data: $35/month ($210 total for six months)
And if you go for the 12-month plan, here’s what you’ll pay:
- 3GB: $15/month ($180 total for 12 months)
- 8GB: $20/month ($240 total for 12 months)
- 12GB: $25/month ($300 total for 12 months)
- Unlimited data: $30/month ($360 total for 12 months)
Keep in mind that these prices do not include taxes and fees. To give you an idea of the full cost, the $180 3GB, 12-month plan cost me $203.38 in total.
What Phones Work With Mint Mobile?
Mint Mobile allows you to bring your existing phone, as long as it fits a few conditions.
First, it must be a GSM device, as Mint Mobile does not support CDMA. Verizon and Sprint are both CDMA networks, while T-Mobile and AT&T are GSM. If you have a phone from a CDMA carrier, it won’t work with Mint Mobile.
To check if your phone will work on Mint, visit Mint’s phone compatibility page to check. You’ll need your phone’s IMEI number for best results.
In addition, to work on Mint, your phone must be unlocked. An unlocked phone is one that you can take to any carrier—see our explanation of unlocked phones to find out if yours falls into this category.
If your phone won’t work on Mint, or you want a new device, visit Mint Mobile’s store to buy a new phone that will work with the service. You can pay for a device in full or pay for it over time with financing.
What Features Does Mint Mobile Offer?
Every Mint Mobile plan includes unlimited talk and text, which includes free calls to Canada and Mexico. You also get a Mint SIM card at no additional charge.
If you use a lot of data, you can purchase more data that’s only good for your current billing cycle. 1GB of data is $10, while an extra 3GB is $20.
Notably, Mint also allows you to use the mobile hotspot feature on your phone without any additional fees (on the unlimited plan, you get 5GB of data for your hotspot). This is a convenient way to get other devices online when there’s no Wi-Fi around. Having it for free is a nice perk, as a lot of carriers charge for this service.
You can also enable Wi-Fi calling and texting on Mint Mobile. This allows you to use traditional phone features on a Wi-Fi network, even if your mobile signal is weak.
Finally, as 5G rolls out to the world, Mint supports both 5G and 4G LTE. Your service will automatically switch to whichever one is stronger (as long as you have a 5G-compatible phone).
As a low-cost carrier, Mint Mobile doesn’t have some of the bundled extras of other carriers, like unlimited music streaming. However, the low cost should make up for that.
A Mint Mobile Review: How Well Does It Work?
I switched to Mint Mobile in April 2020 and have been quite happy with it so far. For several years, I was a Google Fi (formerly Project Fi) subscriber. The service worked well for me because you only pay for the data you use (at $10/GB). And typically, I didn’t use more than 1GB of data per month.
However, when traveling, I would often use more data than usual. And since Fi charges $20/month for calling and texting, spending $35 or more in a month when I used more data than average started to make the service feel like less of a value.
With Mint, you get more data for less money. For $15/month, I get 3GB of data and have never come close to running out. Service has been fine in my area, and since I’m at home most of the time, Wi-Fi calling makes for more reliable performance.
I haven’t had to use Mint’s customer service; switching my service and phone number was a breeze. The main drawback compared to Google Fi is that Fi lets you use your phone internationally at the same cost, while Mint charges separately for international use. Also, Mint doesn’t let you order a free data-only SIM card for another device like Fi does.
How to Get Started With Mint Mobile
If Mint Mobile sounds like something you want to use, it’s easy to get started. For an added bonus, use our Mint Mobile referral link and you’ll get a $15 credit on your account after you sign up.
In addition to checking your device compatibility as mentioned earlier, you may want to check Mint Mobile’s coverage map before ordering to see if it’s widely available in your area.
Then, you can order a Mint Mobile Starter Kit to try the service for seven days before you switch. This includes a SIM card and enough minutes, texts, and data to make sure it works well on your device and in your area. If you decide to join, the app will guide you through porting your number over and signing up for service.
As a special intro offer, after your trial, Mint Mobile lets you sign up for your first three-month plan at the 12-month plan price. For example, this lets you try the 3GB plan for three months at just $15/month, instead of the usual $25/month.
You can manage your account through the Mint Mobile app or Mint’s web app. This lets you check how much data you have left, purchase a new plan, order more data, change your password, and more.
If you’re looking to switch multiple accounts to Mint, you can set up a Mint Family. This allows you to manage up to five Mint Mobile plans under your account. It’s not a “family plan” per se (there’s no discount and everyone can be on their own plan) but it’s a fair substitute for family use.
Download: Mint Mobile for Android | iOS (Free)
Is Mint Mobile Right for You?
Now you know what Mint Mobile offers and whether it’s right for you. Like most MVNOs, it offers fewer features than the big providers in exchange for a lower cost. You might not experience data speeds as fast as T-Mobile itself offers, but if price is your top concern, Mint Mobile is definitely worth your time.
Meanwhile, there are other phone providers that might fit your needs better if you’re looking for an unlimited plan.
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