If you’ve seen the Ryan Reynolds-starring advertising for Mint Mobile, you might be wondering if the cost-effective cellphone service provider is really worth the savings.
Yes, it’s a good service, but not everyone will find it useful, is the quick response.
A Real Customer’s Review of Mint Mobile 2023
I’ve tried more than a dozen cheap phone deals over the past few years. Mint Mobile offers some of the best plans, prices, features, and app experiences in the wireless business.
In this article, I’ll talk about the pros and cons of the service to help you decide if you should sign up.
1. What Is Mint Mobile?
Mint Mobile is a low-cost service that offers prepaid deals for cell phones. The service runs on T-Mobile’s network and uses its cell phone towers, including 5G at no extra cost.
In March 2023, T-Mobile stated that it was buying Mint Mobile for up to $1.35 billion.
In an email to users, Mint Mobile said they have no plans to change the $15 per month price. The email said that users will get the same reliable and affordable service.
If the deal is approved by the government, Mint Mobile owner Ryan Reynolds will stay on in a creative role to market Mint.
2. Does Mint Mobile have good service?
Since T-Mobile is responsible for network access for Mint Mobile, your experience with the service will depend a lot on how well T-Mobile works in your area.
So, you should check Mint’s website to make sure you have voice and data service where you live, work, and travel.
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Map of Mobile Coverage from Mint
On Mint Mobile’s coverage map, you can zoom in on a specific area to find out if 5G service is available on T-Mobile’s network where you are.
You can also use the minus sign on the right to make the map bigger and look for dead spots in your area.
If you’re happy with your current network (Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile), I suggest looking for a low-cost cell phone service company that uses the same network.
This is T-Mobile in the case of Mint Mobile.
Coverage maps aren’t always correct. If you’re not sure if T-Mobile works where you live, you can ask people you know or use the Nextdoor app to post a question. If people in your area say good things about T-Mobile, you should look into Mint Mobile.
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My Personal Experience
I’ve tried the service in four places where T-Mobile’s network is strong. During my four different tests of Mint Mobile going back to 2018, I only remember one call being dropped.
Even though data speeds aren’t always the same, I’ve always been able to use them.
Now, Mint Mobile works with 5G. During my last test of 5G data speeds in South Florida, I used the Speedtest app and my iPhone 12 to get download speeds of more than 300 Mbps.
During past tests, I got an average download speed of 20 to 25 Mbps when I used the 4G LTE network.
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Results of the Mint Mobile 5G Speed Test
| Date | Download Speed | Upload Speed |
| 2/15/2023, 10:00 AM | 251 Mbps | 24.3 Mbps |
| 2/15/2023, 11:00 AM | 287 Mbps | 17.1 Mbps |
| 2/15/2023, 12:00 PM | 308 Mbps | 19.8 Mbps |
| 2/15/2023, 1:00 PM | 169 Mbps | 17.5 Mbps |
| 2/15/2023, 2:00 PM | 315 Mbps | 18.7 Mbps |
When you sign up for a low-cost provider like Mint, you can expect your data speeds to slow down when the network is busy.
But even when my speeds dropped briefly to 5 to 10 Mbps, I could still stream video on my phone.
3. How much does it cost to use Mint Mobile?
Mint Mobile has four main plans that start at $15 per month, but there isn’t a plan that costs $15 per month. You can only buy plans for 3, 6, or 12 months at a time.
The three-month New Customer Offer gives you the lowest price:
- 5GB Plan: $45 ($15/month)
- 15GB Plan: $60 ($20/month)
- 20GB Plan: $75 ($25/month)
- Unlimited Plan (40GB): $90 ($30/month)
Deal alert: For a short time, new customers can choose any Mint Mobile 3-month introductory plan for $45, which works out to $15 per month. This deal gives you a 50% discount on the endless plan. People who read Michael Saves can get this deal by using my secret link. The planned end date for this deal was July 14, 2023. MichaelSaves.com has heard from Mint Mobile that the offer is being extended, but there is no set date for when it will stop. When I learn more, I’ll add to this piece.
As of April 14, 2023, both new and current customers of Mint Mobile could get more high-speed data each month as part of their plans. The price did not go up.
| OLD | NEW |
| 4GB per month | 5GB per month |
| 10GB per month | 15GB per month |
| 15GB per month | 20GB per month |
| Unlimited (35GB per month) | Unlimited (40GB per month) |
After taking advantage of the New Customer Offer for three months, single-line members can lock in the lowest price by picking a 12-month plan when they renew.
Members with only one line shouldn’t renew for only three months, since that’s the worst deal.
5GB Plan
| New Customer Offer | $45 for 3 months |
| 3-Month Plan | $75 for 3 months |
| 6-Month Plan | $120 for 6 months |
| 12-Month Plan (Best value) | $180 for 12 months |
15GB Plan
| New Customer Offer | $60 for 3 months DEAL: $45 for 3 months |
| 3-Month Plan | $105 for 3 months |
| 6-Month Plan | $150 for 6 months |
| 12-Month Plan (Best value) | $240 for 12 months |
20GB Plan
| New Customer Offer | $75 for 3 months DEAL: $45 for 3 months |
| 3-Month Plan | $135 for 3 months |
| 6-Month Plan | $210 for 6 months |
| 12-Month Plan (Best value) | $300 for 12 months |
Family plan accounts with two or more people get the best prices and only have to pay for three months of service in advance, not a whole year. In May 2022, Mint started its family plan.
Mint Mobile doesn’t offer any extra savings or perks for family plans.
4. What Features Are Offered With Mint Mobile?
All Mint Mobile plans include unlimited talk and text. Your high-speed data limit (4G LTE and 5G) varies depending on the plan that you choose.
With the service, your data is never cut off completely.
If you go over your high-speed data for the month, speeds will be reduced until the next month. You can also purchase add-on high-speed data from Mint’s app.
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To learn more, visit Mint Mobile Hotspot.
With each plan from Mint Mobile, a free mobile hotspot is included. This enables you to access the internet even if Wi-Fi is not available.
I used my Mint hotspot to connect my laptop, and Speedtest.net indicated a download speed of 35 Mbps:
I was able to view a YouTube movie and browse the internet at this speed while sitting in a coffee shop with a strong T-Mobile signal but no free Wi-Fi.
Because any data used when using Mint’s mobile hotspot would go towards your plan limit, I often minimise my use of it.
Hotspot usage is limited even if you have Mint’s unlimited subscription. Only 10GB of high-speed data can be used per month for mobile hotspot.
5. What Kinds of Phones Does Mint Mobile Offer?
Over time, Mint Mobile has enhanced its selection of phones. At the time of my last check, the company’s website offered more than 60 phones for sale, including models from Apple, Samsung, and Google.
I’ve noticed that Mint Mobile has begun to group together its plans and phones. For instance, Mint is currently giving away six months of service for free when you buy a new Apple iPhone and a 6-month plan.
With Mint, you may either keep your current phone or purchase a new one elsewhere and bring it to the service.
Verify that your phone is unlocked and suitable for use with Mint Mobile before enrolling. To do this, go to this link on the Mint website and input the IMEI of your phone.
6. How Is Customer Support at Mint Mobile?
Because it doesn’t have any physical stores, Mint Mobile is able to keep its costs low. That will be a disadvantage for those who depend on in-person customer service.
However, individuals who require it can contact customer service by phone, chat, or email.
Even if it’s your first time moving to a budget carrier, Mint Mobile’s setup is quite straightforward. A vibrant activation kit with instructions will be sent to you after you sign up.
To assist you activate your service and either transfer your number or get a new one, Mint also provides video instructions.
A actual SIM card will be part of your activation kit. However, if you have a device that is suitable, you can also begin using eSIM.
The updated Mint app is where you should go if you need further help. From there, you can access chat assistance or discover the phone number for customer service.
The app is the ideal tool for keeping an eye on your data usage. Look at this:
Since the high-speed data included in Mint Mobile’s plans has a monthly cap, using the app will allow you to check how much data is left for the month and when your data renewal is scheduled.
You can carry out operations in the app, including paying for something and switching your payment method, elsewhere.
The MINTech Advisors service might be a good addition to your plan if you lack technological proficiency. A dedicated call-in phone number for priority tech help is available to you for $15 per year.
7. Which Mint Mobile Advantages and Disadvantages?
While Mint Mobile does not provide all of the exclusive benefits that T-Mobile is renowned for, it does offer affordable phone plans that can significantly reduce your monthly cell phone expense.
Mint Mobile is a fantastic option if you want T-Mobile’s network at a lesser cost.
Pros
- Low-cost multi-month plans
- Available for free over 5G
- simple to activate and set up
- Excellent app experience
Cons
- No option for a monthly plan
- Deprioritization in times of network congestion
- no physical shops
The postpaid plans offered by T-Mobile can be replaced by other options. If you prefer to pay monthly, you might want to think about Metro by T-Mobile and Tello as two prepaid possibilities.
