Mint Mobile Review: An In-Depth Look at This Budget Cell Phone Carrier

7 min readAug 29, 2023

Mint Mobile has become one of the most popular budget cell phone carriers in recent years. By offering affordable unlimited talk and text plus data plans, Mint Mobile provides significant savings compared to major carriers like Verizon and AT&T.

In this in-depth Mint Mobile review, we’ll cover everything you need to know about this discount wireless provider. We’ll look at Mint Mobile’s plans, network coverage, customer service, and more to help you decide if it’s the right cheap cell phone plan for you.

Overview of Mint Mobile

Mint Mobile is an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) that launched in 2016. The company sells mobile phone plans predominantly online and via its mobile app.

Mint Mobile does not operate its own wireless network. Instead, it purchases network access wholesale from T-Mobile and then resells it under its own brand. So Mint Mobile customers are actually using the T-Mobile network when making calls, sending texts, and surfing the web.

The advantage of Mint Mobile’s business model is it avoids the high costs of building and maintaining a nationwide wireless network. By keeping its overhead low, Mint Mobile can offer cheap phone plans and pass the savings on to you.

Mint Mobile was founded by technology entrepreneur David Glickman. Ryan Reynolds purchased an ownership stake in 2019 and serves as a brand spokesperson. The company has grown rapidly thanks to its low pricing and clever marketing.

Mint Mobile Phone Plans Overview

One of the biggest draws of Mint Mobile is affordability. Mint Mobile offers four main plans for new customers:

Unlimited Talk & Text: $15/month (3-month plan)
4GB Data: $15/month (3-month plan)
10GB Data: $20/month (3-month plan)
15GB Data: $25/month (3-month plan)

Prices reflect first 3 months then increase

The cheaper plans throttle speeds to 128 Kbps once the data limit is reached. The Unlimited plan may also be throttled after 35GB of usage.

All plans include unlimited talk & text, free international calling to Mexico and Canada, mobile hotspot, and free 5G/4G LTE (when available).

Existing customers can also choose between 1, 3, 6 or 12-month plans. The longer your commitment, the lower the monthly cost. For example, the 10GB plan is just $15/month on a 12-month plan.

Compared to major carriers, you’ll save around 50% or more each month with Mint Mobile. If you don’t need unlimited data, it provides excellent value.

One limitation is Mint Mobile only allows one plan per account. So families may need to open separate accounts to get plans tailored to each user.

Mint Mobile Network Coverage

Mobile network coverage is essential for any wireless carrier. Since Mint Mobile uses T-Mobile’s cellular network, its coverage map is identical.

T-Mobile has rolled out 5G nationwide, providing next-gen speeds in thousands of cities. The carrier boasts its 5G network covers 308 million Americans. So you should have a 5G-capable phone to maximize Mint Mobile’s speeds and performance.

For 4G LTE, T-Mobile’s coverage footprint rivals the big three (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile). Independent testing by RootMetrics found T-Mobile 4G LTE accessible across 93% of the US. With speeds averaging 36.6 Mbps down, it was the fastest network tested.

T-Mobile still lags in rural coverage compared to Verizon and AT&T. But for most suburbs and urban areas, you should enjoy robust 4G LTE and growing 5G on Mint.

Before you switch, it’s always smart to check the coverage in your neighborhood. You can use T-Mobile’s coverage map and run your address through Mint Mobile’s checker. For existing phones, download the T-Mobile Test Drive app to sample local reception.

Mint Mobile Phones & Devices

Since it’s an MVNO, Mint Mobile doesn’t manufacture its own phones or devices. But it sells a decent variety of popular phones on its website.

You can purchase an unlocked phone outright or pay monthly with 0% APR financing. Current phones available from Mint Mobile include:

Apple iPhone 14, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max, SE
Samsung Galaxy S22, S22+, S22 Ultra
Google Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 6a
OnePlus Nord N20 5G

If you want to save money, Mint Mobile also sells refurbished iPhones and Galaxy phones starting around $199. Refurbs come with a 90-day warranty.

Alternatively, you can bring your existing unlocked phone to Mint Mobile. As long as it’s compatible with T-Mobile bands, you can transfer your device during activation.

To check compatibility, enter your IMEI or model number on Mint’s BYOP page. You can also reference this list of supported LTE bands for the T-Mobile network.

For 5G access, you’ll need a newer device with 5G support. Popular 5G-capable phones include:

iPhone 12 or newer
Samsung Galaxy S20 series or newer
Google Pixel 4a 5G and above
OnePlus 8 and above
LG Velvet, Wing, V60

With eSIM compatibility rolled out, you can easily transfer Mint service to eSIM-capable phones like newer iPhones. Otherwise, you’ll receive a physical SIM card to place in your phone during activation.

Mint Mobile Signing Up Process

Signing up for Mint Mobile is quick and convenient thanks to easy online ordering. You can choose between purchasing online only or with help from live sales agents.

Here is an overview of the steps to get started with Mint Mobile phone service:

1. Select Your Plan

Choose your preferred plan based on how much monthly data you need. You can mix-and-match between unlimited talk & text with 4, 10, or 15GB data.

Mint Mobile plans start at just $15 for the first three months. The price goes up slightly after the introductory period.

2. Pick Your Preferred Phone

If you need a new device, Mint Mobile sells popular new and refurbished phones for use with its service. You can also bring your existing unlocked device.

3. Confirm Your Address

Double check Mint’s coverage map to ensure your residence and frequent locations are within the service area. Enter a shipping address for your SIM card kit or new phone.

4. Make Your Payment

Choose your plan length and enter payment details. Options include major credit cards and PayPal.

5. Activate Your SIM Card

Once your starter kit arrives, activate your Mint Mobile phone service using the provided SIM card. You’ll need the SIM card number and your account info.

The entire sign-up process can be completed online in around 10–15 minutes. Within 2 days, your SIM kit or phone will arrive so you can start using Mint Mobile service. It’s quick, easy, and painless!

Mint Mobile Customer Service Experience

When you sign up for a new wireless carrier, customer support is crucial in case issues arise with your service. How does Mint Mobile’s customer service measure up?

Overall, customer service reviews are mixed for Mint Mobile. On the positive side, they offer phone, email, live chat, and social media support. The major options include:

Phone support: Available 7 days per week from 5 am — 10 pm PST
Email support: Typically responds within 24 hours
Live chat: Available daily from 5 am — 8 pm PST
Social media: Responsive on Facebook, Twitter
Self-help options: FAQ site, community forum, and account management portal

However, Mint Mobile’s customer service lacks compared to major carriers. You’ll speak with outsourced reps, many of whom provide scripted responses and have trouble handling complex issues. Hold times can also be lengthy.

The Better Business Bureau gives Mint Mobile an NR (No Rating) due to unresolved complaints. On TrustPilot, Mint Mobile has 2.5 out of 5 stars based on 600+ reviews.

For simple account management needs, Mint Mobile’s self-service options work fine. But for dealing with complex technical issues, their support may leave you unsatisfied. Just be aware the support won’t match more premium carriers.

Mint Mobile Review: Pros vs Cons

Let’s recap some of the best reasons to choose Mint Mobile:

Pros

Low monthly rates starting at $15 for talk, text & 4GB data
Multi-month discounts save you more the longer your plan
T-Mobile network provides excellent 4G LTE & 5G coverage
Wi-Fi calling & texting improves connectivity
Mobile hotspot included on all plans
Free calls to Mexico & Canada on all plans
Flexible plan lengths from 1 to 12 months
Compatible with unlocked phones including iPhone and Galaxy

The biggest downsides and caveats to consider:

Cons

Customer service needs improvement especially for technical issues
Rural coverage still lags Verizon & AT&T
No family plans each line needs a separate account
Speeds may be throttled after 35GB of high-speed data used
Must pay in advance for 1, 3, 6, or 12-month plans

So in summary, Mint Mobile delivers outstanding value if you just need the basics like talk, text and 4G/5G data. But customer support and rural coverage remain limitations to factor into your decision.

Is Mint Mobile Right for You?

Here are a few of the best user profiles who can benefit from Mint Mobile’s cheap cell phone plans:

Light data users who only need 4GB per month
Anyone on a budget looking to save 50% off postpaid plans
Urban residents who spend most time in well-covered areas
International travelers taking advantage of free calls to Mexico & Canada
Tech-savvy users who are comfortable self-serving issues
Individuals or couples since family plans aren’t available

Conversely, Mint Mobile may not be the best fit if:

You need strong rural coverage
You are a heavy data user requiring unlimited data
You want comprehensive customer support for issues
You need a family plan with multiple lines
You prefer contract options over pre-paid service

Carefully weigh these factors against your wireless needs and preferences. This will determine if Mint Mobile’s discount phone plans are right for you.

BOTTOM LINE: Is Mint Mobile Worth It?

In the end, our Mint Mobile review finds this budget MVNO delivers outstanding value compared to major carriers. Despite some corners cut on customer support and rural coverage, you can save hundreds per year without sacrificing talk, text or essential data.

For rates starting as low as $15 monthly, what Mint Mobile offers is extremely hard to beat. As long as you don’t require unlimited data or live in poor coverage zones, it provides a stellar wireless service option. With Mint Mobile, you get premium T-Mobile network access at a fraction of the price.

Overall, the pros certainly appear to outweigh the cons, especially if you are a savvy shopper. For most individuals and couples wanting an affordable solution for cell phone service, we can confidently recommend choosing Mint Mobile.