Ultra Mobile Pros and Cons: What to Expect Before You Sign Up

T-Mobile's Ultra Mobile is a prepaid brand that provides all of its coverage through its network. It offers international plans and other perks, similar to what T-Mobile's other prepaid brand Mint Mobile provides.

If you're a fan of Mint Mobile, then you can expect similar features with Ultra Mobile, including a variety of plans, including three-month, six-month, or a year contracts. In addition, it gives customers a choice of one-month plans.

T-Mobile's support for 5G makes Ultra Mobile an ideal choice for those who are looking for fast mobile internet connectivity. The company has made significant progress with its 5G mobile network, and it's available in most areas across the U.S.

For a low monthly fee, you can get a cell phone from Ultra Mobile with plans starting at $15 which offer high-speed data plans for as little as $19. Customers can also opt for a multi-month contract.

All of the company's plans come with unlimited talk and text. Its most popular plans, which are called Ultra Unlimited and Unlimited plus, offer unlimited 4G and 5G connectivity. Unfortunately, the company's limited plans tend to slow down after reaching their monthly allotment.

Ultra Mobile Pros and Cons

Pro – Preferable International Rates

All of the plans from Ultra Mobile come with unlimited calling to over 60 countries. However, calls to other numbers are charged at regular rates. This is done using the company's monthly call credit of $1.25.

To top up their credit, users can do so by depositing a minimum of $2.50 into their Ultra Wallet. The free call credit that's included with the plans will not last past the end of their contract. In addition, the company doesn't charge extra for international messaging.

Through its roaming services, Ultra Mobile can reach over a hundred countries. Domestic calls to Canada and Mexico are 6 cents each, while those to other regions are 25 cents. On the other hand, outgoing text messages from Canada and Mexico are 2 cents each, while those sent from other countries are 5 cents. Incoming messages are free if they come from nations that are covered by the company's roaming plans.

Con – No Data Roaming

Although it doesn't offer data roaming, Ultra Mobile plans to give customers a one-time $15 to $15 international roaming credit. The credit doesn't expire, and users can buy additional $5 increments.

Pro – All Plans Come With Unlimited Talk, Text, and More

The seven different plans offered by Ultra Mobile come with unlimited text and talk with the cheapest plan offering 250MB of data per month. If you run out of data, you can either upgrade your plan or buy more. The 1GB data plan costs $10, while the 3GB option is available for $20.

The company's various plans follow this format, with varying amounts of data. They include a monthly credit for international calling, and one-time roaming allotment. The plans also come with hotspot support and shareable data.

• The company's smallest plan is ideal for people who prefer to text and call. It comes with 250MB of data which is useful if you want to use a messenger app such as WhatsApp while you're away from Wi-Fi. In addition, this plan includes international calling and roaming to 90+ countries. The Talk & Text Plan costs $15 a month, $13 for three, $11 for six, and $10 for one year.

• The company's Ultra Unlimited plan comes with 10GB of data and completely unlimited talk and text. Prior to this, it had a 40GB cap, but the company has removed this restriction from its plans. It's a great option for families, but it can be a bit overkill for some users.
• The Ultra Unlimited plan is a great value at just $49 a month and $40 a month if you subscribe annually. For $10 more, the Ultra Unlimited Plus comes with 20GB of data.

Con – Not the Cheapest Plans on the Entire Market

Unlike other providers that use T-Mobile's network, Ultra Mobile doesn't offer the most cheap plans out there. For instance, if you want 1GB of data, Tello Mobile offers a $10 monthly plan that is better than Ultra Mobile's cheapest plan, which is $15 for 250GB of data.

Pro – Unlimited High Speed Data

When it comes to switching to a prepaid cellular service provider, one of the biggest concerns that people have is the slower data speeds. If you're currently on an unlimited data plan with one of the major wireless carriers, you might be worried that Ultra Mobile can meet your needs.Only Ultra Mobile offers true unlimited high-speed data through its two plans. The rest of the company's plans have a set amount of data that's included before it's throttled. 

Con – Slow Speeds During High Traffic Periods

The actual data speeds that you experience depend on various factors. Some of these include your location, coverage area, and device. As an MVNO, it's not all that uncommon for speed to get so slow at times that it's frustrating in certain locations.

Ultra Mobile Compatibility 

Although it’s a discount carrier, Ultra Mobile uses T-Mobile’s network. Its call quality is high, and its data speeds are fast. Unfortunately, its network may be throttled for certain applications, such as video streaming, which can affect the video quality and speed.

You need an unlocked phone to use Ultra Mobile. Many of the devices from other networks, such as T-Mobile, MetroPCS, Cricket Wireless, Straight Talk, and AT&T, work seamlessly with this service.

When you sign up for Ultra Mobile, you have the choice of porting your existing phone to the carrier or purchasing a new device from one of its participating stores. The best way to ensure that your device will work seamlessly with the network is to buy a new phone from Ultra Mobile.

The Competition 

Ultra Mobile boasts plenty of desirable features, but how does it compare to some of the other top mobile brands out there? Take a look at some comparisons between Ultra Mobile and other popular mobile brands. 

Ultra Mobile vs. Mint Mobile

Like Ultra Mobile, Mint Mobile provides various mobile plans with data, messaging, and talk services through T-Mobile's networks. Unlike Ultra Mobile, which lets you pay for your plan throughout the month, Mint Mobile requires a pre-paid balance of at least three months.

The cheapest plan from Mint Mobile is $15 per month, while its Unlimited option is $30. However, if you pre-pay for a year's worth of service, the Unlimited plan is cheaper at around $30. While Mint offers free texts and calls to Mexico and Canada, Ultra Mobile has many countries with free roaming.

Ultra Mobile vs. Lycamobile 

Similar to Ultra Mobile, LycaMobile offers prepaid plans that include data, text, and talk services through T-Mobile's networks. Ultra Mobile, on the other hand, provides international coverage for its customers, who may need to keep in touch with loved ones in over 80 countries.

Although Lyca Mobile and Ultra Mobile both offer slightly higher prices, the former's most expensive plan is only $60 a month. On the other hand, Ultra Mobile's plans come with 40GB of data.

Ultra Mobile vs. T-Mobile 

T-Mobile provides various mobile plans and services, such as text, data, and talk, which has acquired Ultra Mobile. Both of these services operate on the same network, and their quality of service is similar. However, users of Ultra Mobile may experience slower data usage than those of T-Mobile. The main difference between Ultra Mobile and T-Mobile is the pricing and plans, as Ultra Mobile offers more affordable plans than its parent company.

Ultra Mobile vs. MobileX

Although the network of MobileX is slower than T-Mobile, it should still be fast enough for most users. The network's overall performance has significantly improved since the beginning of 2023 or 2024.

The Family Plan from MobileX is a great value for people who have multiple lines, which includes unlimited data for everyone, and it doesn't require you to estimate how much data your family might need. Also, each line gets 10GB of data, which can be used to connect their phones to the internet while they're driving.

Additionally, all of Ultra Mobile's plans come with text and international calling, which makes it an ideal option for those who have relatives or friends in other nations.

What About REALLY?

Unlike Ultra Mobile, REALLY runs on decentralized wireless networks or "DeWi" networks. The main difference between a DeWi network and a traditional network is that while a traditional one is usually associated with a communications hub, a decentralized one is created by selling the network's antennas to customers. This allows them to create a decentralized network that's similar to what 4G LTE uses and can provide faster speeds in certain areas where Ultra Mobile might be congested and slow. 

Answering Your FAQs

Here are some questions frequently asked according to Ultra Mobile’s website. 

Can you bring your current phone over to Ultra Mobile?

All major cell phone brands will work on Ultra Mobile networks as long as they support 4G LTE or 5G, and they need a SIM card. Existing compatible phones will work just fine, and you only need to buy an Ultra Mobile kit.

When you sign up for Ultra Mobile, your device will likely say "Restricted" or "Contact Service Provider," which means it won't let you make calls or access your device's book. You can get an unlock for your old phone by contacting your previous carrier.

What happens in areas with poor coverage?

High-speed data will always try to reach 5G • 4G LTE speeds, but in some areas, network conditions or the location will prevent this from happening. Your network speed will be affected by your device's location, coverage, and other factors. Once the allocated 4G / 5G LTE data has run out, your data speeds will be slowed down.

How can you get in contact with a representative?

The company's care team is available to help during the day, Monday through Friday, from 6 am to 6 p.m. You can reach them through their chatbot, or you can call them directly at 1-888-777-0446.

Is eSim supported by Ultra Mobile?

You can activate a eSIM-enabled Ultra Mobile plan through an authorized retailer or online. If you would like to change your eSIM, you can do so through the app or by calling the support team at (888) 777-0446.

Can the same eSim be used in different devices?

If you have an eSIM on one device, but you would like to switch it to another one, you must first order a new one. This is because you cannot install the same eSIM on both devices. You can also transfer your eSIM between your two iPhones, but only one device will be able to use it at a time.

The Bottom Line: Is Ultra Mobile Really Worth It?

T-Mobile's standard unlimited plans start at $50 for one line. On the other hand, Ultra Mobile offers a $49 data plan that doesn't have a high-speed data limit. Prepay for several months and you can get the same plan for as little as $40 a month. If you don't need to have an unlimited data plan, you can get T-Mobile's network for as little as $15 a month.

Unlike the other providers that use the T-Mobile network, Ultra Mobile does not offer the cheapest plans. For instance, if you want 1GB of data, you can get a plan from Tello Mobile for $10 a month. That's a better deal than the $15 plan that Ultra Mobile offers.

At the other end, Mint Mobile's 40GB unlimited plan costs $30 a month when you pre-pay for a year. This is $10 cheaper than the yearly plan offered by Ultra Mobile. New customers can get a similar plan for $15 a month with a limited time. Ultra Mobile's plan doesn't limit your data usage.

For people who are looking for a low-cost cell phone plan with coverage in Canada and the U.S, Ultra Mobile is an excellent choice overall. Its plans come with no contracts and are very easy to switch from one service to another, especially if you have a compatible device. In addition, it offers international calling to over 80 countries which makes it an ideal option for people who have relatives and friends in different countries. Ultra Mobile is a great choice for people overall who wish to experience the reliability and coverage of T-Mobile with a reasonable monthly fee.

The Good

• Affordable plans that are hard to come by from other carriers
• No contracts
• Fast 5G available in most areas
• Unlimited calls and texts to over 80 countries

The Bad

• Data speeds will significantly decrease in any congested area
• Limited amount of phones available online
• Not as ideal for family plans 

Make sure to wrap everything up and include the REALLY blurb with a link