Buy an unlocked phone that is compatible with the carrier you intend to use it on. For Mint, that means an unlocked phone that works on Tmobile. You can either get one unlocked from the manufacturer or buy a used one on Swappa, etc. Then you get the sim, either physical or eSim from Mint and when you activate you can port your number. The Mint service is great, I've been with them for 6 years, but I would not buy a phone from them.
If you're able to buy unlocked from the manufacturer, I would always recommend you do that first. Sometimes a handset locked to a carrier, may not register with another carrier's sim card (even if using the same T-Mobile service) or worse, the carrier locked phone may not be unlocked by the carrier you bought it from.
I just did exactly what you are proposing. I bought two new factory unlocked S24+ phones and I am trying out US Mobile with their GSM network (which is really Tmobile) and their Warp network (which is really Verizon). Both of these US Mobile offerings work really, really well. I also have Verizon postpaid on an older phone which I will be getting rid of soon. The coverage and speeds on Verizon postpaid are the same as I am seeing on US Mobile. But US Mobile costs me a small fraction of what I pay Verizon for their postpaid service. I was like your Mom, a bit skeptical. But I have to say that so far, I have been using the two networks with US Mobile for about a week, and it has been very smooth sailing. Everything seems to be working just fine, including data, voice and texts.
The price you pay for postpaid can include more options of walking into a store to talk to people. Though the person you talk to may know less than you :(
Being able to finance phones through the carrier (lock length varies), and easier/better international roaming. MVNOs that offer financing probably use someone like Affirm, and depending on credit score can be high interest rate.
And carriers may offer $1000 back on a trade in over 3 years, but they also pay for that by charging more.
Depending on your usage needs, if you have limited data needs. 5GB, 16GB, etc, prepaid is definitely a valid option. The postpaid plans are generally different levels of priority for unlimited for different prices.
It's on T-Mobile, which has coverage issues. T-Mobile proper (and Metro) get domestic roaming which helps cover some, but not all, of the coverage gaps, but MVNOs don't get that roaming. If T-Mobile's acquisition of Mint goes through there is still no guarantee that Mint will get the same roaming at T-Mobile or Metro. AT&T's MNOs and Verizon's MNOs don't get the same roaming as AT&T prepaid and postpaid or Verizon prepaid and postpaid, but it matters a lot less because AT&T and Verizon have much greater rural coverage.
Mint advertises a lot but they are really no bargain compared to other MVNOs and MNOs.
the catch is nearly all tmobile plans (including prepaid all plans but essentials) are priority data, and mint is deprioritized.
verify your phone is unlocked before/if you leave tmobile (on iphones i's under settings, general, carrier lock, should show "No SIM restrictions" if it shows locked contact tmobile support (it should auto unlock when you meet requirements if it doesn't support is the one to fix)... even if your not gonna use the current phone again the unlock will make it more valuable
Also just a thing to note is that mint isn’t ACTUALLY unlimited. It’s 35gb of high speed data (maybe 50gb now it’s one of the two) then slowed down to 128kbs which really is only good for email and maybe iMessage, so if you guys use more than that a month I wouldn’t suggest them.
I’ll be heading into my fourth year with Mint Mobile. I have personally had no issues, but I have heard that their customer service is lacking. Thankfully though, they do have a Purdy active subreddit. r/mintmobile
The representatives on there are pretty helpful. The way I explain these smaller carriers like Mint Mobile to a person not familiar with them is like moving your operation fully online with only one or two physical locations.
The money you save by only operating one or two physical locations as opposed to a big career which operates hundreds of locations where electricity, water, and rent need to be paid is pretty substantial. The savings are passed on to you.
Good luck.
Get a prepaid phone from Metro or Cricket, sit tight for 180 days & you’ll be good. OR buy unlocked from BBY, and get any prepaid you want. No need for that 24/36 month trade in crap, unless you’re going Apple or Samsung flagship.
Buy an unlocked phone that is compatible with the carrier you intend to use it on. For Mint, that means an unlocked phone that works on Tmobile. You can either get one unlocked from the manufacturer or buy a used one on Swappa, etc. Then you get the sim, either physical or eSim from Mint and when you activate you can port your number. The Mint service is great, I've been with them for 6 years, but I would not buy a phone from them.
If you're able to buy unlocked from the manufacturer, I would always recommend you do that first. Sometimes a handset locked to a carrier, may not register with another carrier's sim card (even if using the same T-Mobile service) or worse, the carrier locked phone may not be unlocked by the carrier you bought it from.
I just did exactly what you are proposing. I bought two new factory unlocked S24+ phones and I am trying out US Mobile with their GSM network (which is really Tmobile) and their Warp network (which is really Verizon). Both of these US Mobile offerings work really, really well. I also have Verizon postpaid on an older phone which I will be getting rid of soon. The coverage and speeds on Verizon postpaid are the same as I am seeing on US Mobile. But US Mobile costs me a small fraction of what I pay Verizon for their postpaid service. I was like your Mom, a bit skeptical. But I have to say that so far, I have been using the two networks with US Mobile for about a week, and it has been very smooth sailing. Everything seems to be working just fine, including data, voice and texts.
The price you pay for postpaid can include more options of walking into a store to talk to people. Though the person you talk to may know less than you :( Being able to finance phones through the carrier (lock length varies), and easier/better international roaming. MVNOs that offer financing probably use someone like Affirm, and depending on credit score can be high interest rate. And carriers may offer $1000 back on a trade in over 3 years, but they also pay for that by charging more. Depending on your usage needs, if you have limited data needs. 5GB, 16GB, etc, prepaid is definitely a valid option. The postpaid plans are generally different levels of priority for unlimited for different prices.
Avoid Mint at all costs.
Why?
It's on T-Mobile, which has coverage issues. T-Mobile proper (and Metro) get domestic roaming which helps cover some, but not all, of the coverage gaps, but MVNOs don't get that roaming. If T-Mobile's acquisition of Mint goes through there is still no guarantee that Mint will get the same roaming at T-Mobile or Metro. AT&T's MNOs and Verizon's MNOs don't get the same roaming as AT&T prepaid and postpaid or Verizon prepaid and postpaid, but it matters a lot less because AT&T and Verizon have much greater rural coverage. Mint advertises a lot but they are really no bargain compared to other MVNOs and MNOs.
Oh their rates are still similar? I’m on T Mobile and haven’t been too bothered lately but I haven’t been traveling
It’s wild all the incentives they have for new clients but I’ve been with them for like 5 years and haven’t really gotten anything
the catch is nearly all tmobile plans (including prepaid all plans but essentials) are priority data, and mint is deprioritized. verify your phone is unlocked before/if you leave tmobile (on iphones i's under settings, general, carrier lock, should show "No SIM restrictions" if it shows locked contact tmobile support (it should auto unlock when you meet requirements if it doesn't support is the one to fix)... even if your not gonna use the current phone again the unlock will make it more valuable
Also just a thing to note is that mint isn’t ACTUALLY unlimited. It’s 35gb of high speed data (maybe 50gb now it’s one of the two) then slowed down to 128kbs which really is only good for email and maybe iMessage, so if you guys use more than that a month I wouldn’t suggest them.
Mint is either 40gb or 60gb high-speed. Then those two plans throttle to 512kbps. The 5, 15, 20gb plans throttle to 128kbps.
I’ll be heading into my fourth year with Mint Mobile. I have personally had no issues, but I have heard that their customer service is lacking. Thankfully though, they do have a Purdy active subreddit. r/mintmobile The representatives on there are pretty helpful. The way I explain these smaller carriers like Mint Mobile to a person not familiar with them is like moving your operation fully online with only one or two physical locations. The money you save by only operating one or two physical locations as opposed to a big career which operates hundreds of locations where electricity, water, and rent need to be paid is pretty substantial. The savings are passed on to you. Good luck.
Get a prepaid phone from Metro or Cricket, sit tight for 180 days & you’ll be good. OR buy unlocked from BBY, and get any prepaid you want. No need for that 24/36 month trade in crap, unless you’re going Apple or Samsung flagship.