Mint Mobile Review And All You Need To Know

Mint Mobile was founded in 2016 in Costa Mesa, California, as an alternative to big wireless.

The company offers a refreshing alternative to contract-based carriers. You can buy coverage in three-month increments if you like, but you can also prepay for a full year of coverage.

With Mint Mobile, you have two choices: buy a phone through Mint or bring a device you already own.

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Although there are no physical locations, you can order your device or SIM card through the Mint Mobile website or pick up a starter kit at Target.

As long as your existing phone is compatible, you’ll merely need to replace the SIM card and follow the directions to activate it.

To join the Mint Mobile network, you’ll first need a compatible phone. If you go to the Mint Mobile website, you’ll see the option to either buy a new phone or bring your own device.

If you want to get a new phone to use on the Mint Mobile network, you can choose from a selection of iPhones and Android phones. You can pay full price for the phone or finance a phone at 0%-30% APR.

But you can save money by using your existing phone with a Mint Mobile plan. The phone will need to be both unlocked and compatible with Mint Mobile’s network.

Not sure? You can check your phone’s suitability here. Just input your phone’s IMEI number (available under “Settings”) or the brand and model to see if your phone will work on the service.

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You can even enter your zip code and get a feel for how good the coverage is in your area.

You’ll be prompted to enter a street address and phone type after you input your zip code, but this is optional.

It just will ensure you get the coverage data for your specific situation.

I have to admit, I half-expected the site to come back telling me that coverage is excellent for my area.

I’m just used to technology service providers promising the moon and delivering…well, less than the moon.

But Mint Mobile was 100% truthful with me in saying I could only expect fair coverage at my home.

To be fair, I live outside the city on a peninsula near the lake, and I get only one to two bars with my current big wireless provider when I’m home.

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You can also view a map that shows the coverage strength on your street and in your town, and zoom out to see how things will look as you get farther away from home.

Once you’ve determined you have a compatible phone and you’ll be covered in your area, you can request your SIM card.

Mint Mobile starts you out with a three-month introductory plan to let you try things out. That means you won’t be locked into a one- or two-year contract as you will with other plans.

Once the three months are up, you can continue by choosing a 3-, 6-, or 12-month plan.

You can choose a plan and get a SIM card shipped to your house in two to three days with free shipping.

If you have a Target nearby, you may instead opt to head there, where you can buy a Mint Mobile starter kit for a couple of dollars.

Once you get your SIM, you’ll just pop it into your unlocked phone, download the Mint Mobile app, and follow the instructions to activate.

Like many discount cellular providers, Mint Mobile specializes in undercutting big carrier pricing while also eliminating the burden of a contract.

But while many mobile providers offer month-to-month pricing, Mint sells its services in “bundles,” which means you’ll need to purchase at least three months of service.

The more months you buy, the more you save.

Mint Mobile starts subscribers off with a three-month package. Once you reach the end of that three-month trial, you can sign up for another three months, six months, or a year.

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One thing to know about Mint Mobile is that you have to pay for your package in advance. That means you won’t have the option of paying monthly.

Here are the current rates. Although the rates include the monthly cost, Mint Mobile requires you to pay the entire term in advance.

Term length	Data per month	Monthly cost	Total cost
3 months	4GB	$15	$45
3 months	10GB	$20	$60
3 months	15GB	$25	$75
3 months	Unlimited	$30	$90
6 months	4GB	$20	$120
6 months	10GB	$25	$150
6 months	15GB	$35	$210
6 months	Unlimited	$35	$210
12 months	4GB	$15	$180
12 months	10GB	$20	$240
12 months	15GB	$25	$300
12 months	Unlimited	$30	$360

The discount mobile market has a few great options. Here are a few things that make Mint Mobile stand out.

1. Unlimited Plans Available

Although you’ll save by going with a 4GB, 10GB, or 15GB plan, the unlimited plan lets you use as much data as you want.

As with other carriers, you can use your phone as a hotspot to get data access on devices like laptops and tablets when Wi-Fi isn’t available.

2. Mobile Hotspot

Like many wireless carriers, Mint Mobile will let you use your phone as a mobile hotspot, but Mint doesn’t charge extra for that.

That means when you’re out and about, you can connect your laptop, tablet, or other WiFi-capable device and connect.

If you have the unlimited plan, you’ll be capped at 5GB of hotspot data use a month.

3. Mint Family

Chances are, you won’t be the only cell phone user in your house. Mint Family lets you manage up to five lines through one handy portal.

It will show monthly data usage for each line and even let you add data to a line. The members don’t even have to be in your household.

Add friends, long-distance relatives, or anyone else who wants a Mint account.

4. Transparency

A top concern when switching to discount cellular service is coverage. Mint Mobile is upfront about that, letting you check coverage in your area before you sign up.

There are also no mysteries concerning pricing. Since you’re paying in advance, you don’t have to worry about fluctuating monthly bills.

5. No Contracts Required

You can commit to a full year if you want, but there’s nothing preventing you from sticking to three-month plans.

You could continue to pay in three-month blocks for years, at rates that are competitive with what you’d pay every month with the two biggest mobile providers.

6. Free Calls to Canada and Mexico

If you have loved ones in Canada or Mexico, Mint Mobile’s free calls to those two countries will come in handy. You’ll also get reduced rates to more than 160 other countries.

You can buy credits for those international calls directly in the Mint Mobile app.

7. Largest 5G Network

Mint Mobile operates on the T-Mobile network, which currently bills itself as the nation’s “fastest and largest 5G network.” T-Mobile achieved this status when it merged with Sprint.

If you don’t have a 5G-compatible device yet, you’ll still get a fast connection with T-Mobile’s robust 4G LTE network.

8. Wi-Fi Calling

You don’t need a phone connection to make calls and texts. Simply enable Wi-Fi calling in Settings and your phone will use Wi-Fi for those features.

This comes in handy if your cell signal is weak or if cell service isn’t available for a period of time.

9. Bring Your Own Device

You don’t have to purchase your phone through Mint Mobile. You can use your existing phone or buy one anywhere you want, as long as it’s compatible.

With the compatibility checker, you could even input a device’s IMEI number and check before you buy the phone.

10. Data add-ons

If you don’t routinely use more than 15GB of data a month, you may want to opt for a lower-tier plan rather than unlimited data.

If there’s a month you’re going over, you can always purchase data add-ons, which allow you to easily add 1GB of extra data for $10 or 3GB for $20.

You can check your current data usage at any time by texting “DATA” to 6700, then add extra data directly in the app.

11. Data Plan Recommendations

Unlimited may not be the best plan for you, but how will you know? UnliMINTed will help.

This feature monitors your data usage during your introductory period, which is those first three months, and lets you know whether you really need an unlimited plan.

I don’t have an unlocked phone, so I have to stick with my current carrier for now. But I have to admit, Mint Mobile’s affordable rates are enticing.

Mint Mobile’s coverage is pretty bad around my house, but AT&T’s coverage is pretty bad, too. I find when I’m at home, I’m on Wi-Fi anyway.

I haven’t had issues with dropped calls or missed texts, but if you rely on talking on your phone for business, it’s probably wise to look at Mint Mobile’s coverage map.

If the coverage is good in your area, it’s tough to beat the deal. No contracts, and in my case, the price for three months is still less than what I’m paying every month with AT&T.

You just have to either buy your phone through Mint Mobile or get your phone unlocked. You can also buy a phone that’s unlocked.

Unlocking an existing phone is a little complicated, so make sure you can do it before you commit to three months with Mint Mobile.

For those thinking of switching cell providers, Mint Mobile provides a much more affordable alternative to contract-based phone plans. You just need to work out the phone compatibility before you get started.

1. Those in Transition

Being able to purchase your cell service in three-month blocks can be a huge benefit if you’re between carriers.

With an unlocked phone, you can use Mint Mobile for a while, then sign up for a contract-based carrier once you’re settled (or just stick with Mint!)

2. First-Time Cell Phone Owners

If someone’s never owned a cell phone, compatibility won’t be as big an issue. You can shop specifically for compatible phones.

Look for a phone that works with the T-Mobile network for best results, and make sure it’s 5G compatible if you want to take advantage of the faster speeds.

3. Wi-Fi-Heavy Users

Although Mint Mobile’s pricing beats what you’ll pay with many other carriers, the best rates come with the lower-tier plans.

If you’re on Wi-Fi most of the time, you can save money by going with a plan that has lower data caps.

1. Those Needing Customer Service

If you go with a major carrier, you can visit a physical location and talk to a sales consultant. You can even get onsite troubleshooting if you need it.

Mint Mobile sells starter packs at some retailers, but you can’t hand your phone over to an associate to set up for you, as you can with other providers.

2. International Travelers

While Mint Mobile’s U.S. network is fairly robust, once you leave international borders, you can run into some roaming costs.

You’ll need to purchase UpRoam credits if you’re traveling internationally. You can buy the credits directly to your phone, and they’re available for as little as USD5.

3. Compatibility-Challenged Customers

The first thing you should do, if you’re considering Mint Mobile, is check your phone’s compatibility. Mint makes it easy to see the quality of coverage where you live.

Also, check your workplace and any other area where you spend time.

If you plan to bring your current smartphone, check compatibility for that, as well, and make sure you can get your phone unlocked with your current carrier.

Mint Mobile Review Vs The Competition

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Mint Mobile 10GB Cell Phone Plan Review

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Mint Mobile 10GB Cell Phone Plan Cost

FAQ – Mint Mobile Review

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What Phones Can You Use With Mint Mobile?

As Mint operates on T-Mobile’s GSM-based network, you’re going to want a GSM-based phone to use it.

Unlocked phones are typically geared for GSM networks, like AT&T and T-Mobile, rather than CDMA-based networks, like Verizon.

Some phones can run on both, but you should be aware that CDMA-only devices will have difficulty connecting to all of the bands Mint and T-Mobile employ for service.

LTE and 5G connectivity may be fine, for example, but the base-level infrastructure for calls, texts and 3G data won’t be accessible to a CDMA handset.

Mint Mobile Review: Verdict

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Like most prepaid wireless networks, Mint does sacrifice some comforts. Such as readily available customer support and the best possible data speeds. For a lower monthly cost.

Still, Mint’s bulk sales model helps it achieve some of the lowest prices in the industry.

And if you can put up with occasionally slowed-down data and having to go to community forums to solve some problems on your own, Mint shouldn’t let you down.

Conversely, less savvy users, or those in search of more perks, would be better-advised to take a look at Metro by T-Mobile. Republic Wireless or Boost Mobile. Prepaid carriers that charge more for the same data, but provide more consistent performance as well as premium features.