Mint Mobile vs. Connect by T-Mobile: Which carrier is better?

Mint Mobile and Connect by T-Mobile are popular prepaid brands that offer good deals on their services. Each carrier has its positives and negatives, but which offers better phone plans? Let’s compare them and see which is better.

In this article, we plan to discuss the details of both carriers and what they offer. We’ll also cover:

• What the coverage of both carriers looks like
• How prices of their plans compare to how much data you get
• The features each carrier offers for their plans 

Coverage & Reception

Mint Mobile is on the T-Mobile network, while Connect by T-Mobile is a part of a big 3 network. 

Mint Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO. This means that they purchase service access wholesale from one of the three major networks that own infrastructure across the country – AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile – giving customers service at a much cheaper price. Mint Mobile is an MVNO of T-Mobile, while Connect by T-Mobile is a section of their prepaid plans offered directly on the T-Mobile network. 

Often, the quality of coverage comes down to your area. One carrier’s coverage may be better in New York, while another’s coverage may be better in California. It’s important to compare between providers on a coverage map of your specific city. Ookla’s coverage map allows you to see where cellular towers are located and which company owns them. This coverage map provides information about coverage from 2G to 5G for several providers.

However, T-Mobile’s 5G coverage and access is hailed as the best coverage overall. 

Plan Options

Mint Mobile offers unlimited talk and text with all plans, while Connect by T-Mobile offers limited and unlimited options.

Both carriers give you unlimited talk and texting options, but Connect by T-Mobile also offers a plan with limited talking minutes and texts. Mint Mobile deprioritizes data, meaning you’ll have slower connection speeds in high traffic areas like concerts venues and shopping centers. Connect by T-Mobile offers premium data, which doesn’t slow down even in high network traffic environments. 

Mint Mobile Plans

Mint Mobile offers 4 plans, each with multiple options for lengths of service.

Mint Mobile offers plans ranging from 5GB to Unlimited (40GB) data, giving customers more options to meet their needs. Mint Mobile only offers 3, 6, or 12 month plans to sign up for. However, your data is reset every month. Their current New Customer Offer allows you to purchase a 3 month plan at the best deal. Mint Mobile also offers a deal where you can get 6 months of free service if you purchase a phone and a 6 month plan. Mint Mobile allows up to 5 lines on one account, each with their own customizable plan data to draw from.

As a T-Mobile MVNO, Mint Mobile is on tier 7 of 9 Quality of Service Class Identifiers (QCIs).

This indicates the priority level of the carrier on T-Mobile’s network compared to T-Mobile specific plans. This means they’re at a higher priority compared to MVNOs on Verizon or AT&T’s networks. As such, you may experience higher speeds while being deprioritized than other MVNOs.

Mint Mobile keeps your phone locked for the first year after purchase. After, you must request to have your phone unlocked. Taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

5GB

5GB of full speed data is included before you get unlimited data at slow speeds. 

This plan gives you 5GB of data and mobile hotspot access. The plan is again deprioritized, then slows down to 2G speeds after the 5GB allotment. With 2G speeds, users can expect to send text messages and emails or scroll the internet, but streaming video or playing games will be difficult. Hotspot data comes from the 5GB and stops after hitting that amount. The plan costs $15 per month and $45 for the first 3 months. To get the same deal afterwards, you need to purchase 12 months of service. At this rate, you get 5GB for $3 per GB.

15GB 

You get 15GB of full speed data, then unlimited slow data. 

This plan gets you 15GB of full speed data and mobile hotspot data. This plan is also deprioritized and slowed down to 2G speeds after 15GB. Your hotspot data comes from the 15GB allotment and stops after 15GB. The plan costs $20 per month and $80 for the first 3 months. To get the same deal afterwards, you need to purchase 12 months of service. At this rate, you get 15GB at $1.33 per GB. 

20GB

This plan also gives you unlimited slow data after 20GB. 

As it says in the name, you get 20GB of full speed data. This plan is deprioritized, however, and it slows down to 2G speeds after you reach the 20GB cap. The plan also includes mobile hotspot capabilities. Data comes from the 20GB allotment and stops after hitting that amount. The plan costs $25 per month and $75 for the first 3 months. To get the same deal afterwards, you need to purchase 12 months of service. At this rate, you get 20GB at $1.25 per GB. 

Unlimited

Mint Mobile’s Unlimited plan gives you 40GB before slowing down speeds. 

With Mint Mobile’s Unlimited plan, you get 40GB of data. Your data is deprioritized, and it slows down to 3G speeds (512 kbps) after 40GB. At 3G, you can still send texts, send emails, and scroll through social media without too many issues. Streaming video might be a bit slower. While this may be a negative for those who use large amounts of data, most users use about 20GB of data per month or less, according to Ericsson Mobility. This plan also gives you 10GB of mobile hotspot data, allowing your phone to become a WiFi connection for other devices. Data stops after 10GB. 

The plan costs $30 per month, or $90 for the first 3 months. After that, the price is $40 per month. To get the same $30 per month deal, you need to buy 12 months worth of service. At this rate, you get 50GB at $0.60 per GB. 

Connect by T-Mobile Plans

Connect by T-Mobile plans offer premium data. 

Connect by T-Mobile consists of 4 plans, each with a different amount of limited premium data. You can have up to 5 lines on these plans. Every plan offers unlimited talk and text except for the 1GB plan, which gives you 1000 minutes of talk and 1000 texts per month. 

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If you purchase your phone from T-Mobile, your device will be locked for 12 months after activation. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

1GB 

This plan has limited minutes and texts. 

This plan gives you 1GB of premium data, as well as 1000 minutes of talk and 1000 text messages. Access stops once you hit these limits. You can use all plan data as mobile hotspot data. 

The plan costs $10 per month.

3.5GB 

This plan gives you more data each year until 2025. 

The 3.5GB gives you premium data, but stops data access once you reach the cap. You have unlimited talk and text as well as mobile hotspot access. All plan data can be used for hotspot access.  

It’s important to note that T-Mobile plans to increase data on this plan by 500MB, or 0.5GB, every year until March 2025. 

The plan costs $15 per month. At this rate, you get 3.5GB at $4.29 per GB. 

6.5GB 

This plan gives you a data increase each year until 2025. 

This plan gives users 6.5GB of premium data to use, as well as mobile hotspot access. Network access stops after you use the 6.5GB. This plan also offers unlimited talk and text.

It’s important to note that T-Mobile plans to increase data on this plan by 500MB, or 0.5GB, every year until March 2025. 

The plan costs $25 per month. At this rate, you get 6.5GB at $3.85 per GB. 

12GB Plan 

This plan gives you 12GB of premium access. 

This plan gives you 12GB of premium data you can also use as mobile hotspot access. Access stops once you reach the cap. You also get unlimited talk and text. 

The plan costs $35 per month. At this rate, you get 12GB at $2.92 per GB. 

Features

Mint Mobile offers international connection, while Connect by T-Mobile offers spam protection. 

If you’re looking for a plan with more included features, such as international connection or domestic roaming data, it’s best to compare carriers with what they offer. Mint Mobile offers more features than Connect by T-Mobile, but Connect offers call filtering and spam protection.

Domestic Roaming Data

Mint Mobile does not include this feature. Connect by T-Mobile offers 100MB of domestic roaming capabilities on all plans. 

Mexico & Canada Connection

Mint Mobile offers talk and text in Mexico and Canada included and roaming data at $0.06 per MB. Connect by T-Mobile does not offer this feature. 

International Connection

Mint Mobile gives you international text included, while international talk and data are pay-per-use. International talk is $0.25 per minute, while international data is $0.20 per MB. Connect by T-Mobile does not offer this feature. 

Video Streaming Quality

Mint Mobile’s Unlimited plan streams at 480p Standard Definition, while their limited data plans stream at 4k Ultra High Definition. All Connect by T-Mobile plans stream at 480p SD resolution. 

Streaming Services

Mint Mobile and Connect by T-Mobile do not offer this feature. 

Cloud Storage

Mint Mobile and Connect by T-Mobile do not offer this feature. 

Device Financing

If you buy a phone from either carrier, the carrier allows you to pay for your device in installments over time. 

WiFi Calling

Both carriers offer WiFi calling, which allows you to send and receive phone calls over a WiFi connection rather than cellular reception. 

Spam Protection

Mint Mobile does not offer this feature. Connect by T-Mobile offers call filtering and spam protection on all plans through Scam Shield.

Free Trial

Mint Mobile offers a 7 day free trial. Connect by T-Mobile does not offer this feature. 

Customer Service 

Mint Mobile does not have physical stores, leaving all of their customer service to online support, while T-Mobile offers stores across the country. 

Mint Mobile is a digital-only carrier, meaning they only offer customer support online and over the phone. Mint Mobile offers chat support 24/7 and support over the phone at (800)-683-7392 from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. PST every day of the week. T-Mobile offers several stores across the country, and users can find the closest one with their store locator. They also offer customer support online with their website live chat, their support website for common questions, and over the phone at 1-800-937-8997. 

The Verdict

Mint Mobile is the better deal. 

With both the price per GB and features included with your plan, Mint Mobile offers better deals than Connect by T-Mobile. Whether you’re a heavy data user or a light data user, Mint Mobile is the better choice to get the best deal. 

We’d recommend checking your data usage before committing to a plan.

Want to compare other carriers?

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