Mint Mobile’s flagship unlimited plan has reached its best price point in years, and time is running out. The carrier is winding down a half-off deal on its annual unlimited offering, reducing the price to $180 for 12 months of service — or, as it’s broken out monthly, $15. That price is cheaper than just about every major single-line unlimited plan in the U.S., but with one huge catch: you’re required to pay for the whole year up front.
How the $15 monthly fee on Mint’s unlimited plan works
This deal is valid for Mint’s yearly unlimited plan, which costs a one-time charge of $180 at checkout (plus taxes and fees that vary by location). There is no monthly billing over the term, so it’s suitable for buyers who like a set-it-and-forget-it price. And because it’s an annual commitment, you will want to check coverage and performance in your area before you pay. Mint supports eSIM for most newer iPhone and Android models, so trying the service is easy if you have an unlocked phone.
It doesn’t offer streaming bundles, in-store service or device subsidies as many postpaid plans do — Mint’s model is to cut other extras so the base price of the plan can be minimal. You bring your own phone, pop in an eSIM or physical SIM, and you’re away.
What unlimited means on Mint Mobile’s network and plan
Mint runs on T-Mobile’s network and comes with unlimited talk, text and data (with high-speed browsing up to 35GB monthly). Beyond that point, your data could be deprioritized in the event of network congestion rather than hard-throttled for the duration of your cycle. What that means in practice: slower speeds at crowded cell sites during peak hours, with performance back to normal away from the mob.
That’s a welcome change from the old MVNO approach of dropping your speeds to 0.5 to 1 Mbps after you hit a hard cap. That matches how many carriers already treat “unlimited” on modern 5G networks: access runs at high speeds, then switches to congestion-sensitive deprioritization if required to keep the network operating responsively for everyone using it. Mobile hotspot is included and uses your data; video optimization may be applied depending on network availability and device capabilities.
On coverage and performance, third-party testers have consistently put T-Mobile at or near the top ranks for 5G availability and median download speeds. Opensignal’s latest U.S. reports have seen T-Mobile win 5G availability and download speed awards, while Ookla’s Speedtest Intelligence has consistently measured T-Mobile median 5G downloads over 200 Mbps nationally. Your mileage will vary by neighborhood, but the basic network foundation is solid.
How it compares with budget rivals and prepaid alternatives
Mint’s annual unlimited, which breaks down to $15 a month, blows past many prepaid and MVNO rivals — if you can stand the upfront cost. Visible’s foundational unlimited plan goes for around $25 a month on Verizon’s network and comes with hotspot (along with always-on deprioritization); from there, its tiering options involve enhanced or prioritized data as well as various perks. US Mobile tends to range from the low $20s to the mid $30s, depending on perks, priority data and line count, with flexible annual options. Metro by T-Mobile and Cricket tend to price single-line unlimited a bit higher, from around $40 to $55, in exchange for storefront support and occasional streaming add-ons.
It’s a clear trade-off: Mint is hard to beat if you’re a single line who doesn’t mind paying yearly and not getting any extras. Keep in mind, though, that it’s practically useless when it comes to multi-line plans.
If you require continuous priority data during congested times such as rush hour, frequent international add-ons or bundled services, a more expensive option would be appropriate.
Who should get this deal and who should pass on it
Good fits: budget-strict users in areas with reliable T-Mobile coverage, remote and hybrid workers who primarily use Wi-Fi and want a low base for their cellular costs, families adding a spare line and students not needing streaming perks. If your location exhibits mild network congestion, you probably won’t notice much of a difference from day to day compared with postpaid plans — just the satisfaction of a punitively lower bill.
Who should skip: users in densely packed, high-traffic areas who require unlimited data for regular use (and have access to Wi-Fi); heavy hotspot users who want laptop-quality internet; people looking to finance a new phone through the carrier. If either Verizon or AT&T offer markedly better coverage where you live, the sort-of pay-as-you-go no-contract options like Visible and Cricket, or carrier sub-brands are probably safer bets.
Smart checks to make before you switch to Mint Mobile
Test first. Use Mint’s eSIM trial or a temporary SIM to test signal quality, call quality and typical speeds in your home, at work and on your commute. Cross-reference with FCC coverage maps and third-party testers like Opensignal and Ookla for a second opinion.
Confirm compatibility. To do that, you want your phone to be unlocked and support T-Mobile’s 5G bands (including its midband) for the best balance of speed and coverage. Before you buy, make sure to check your IMEI with Mint.
Know the fine print. Taxes and fees are different in each state and municipality. Number porting might require a day or two; keep your old service running until the transfer is ready to go. Mint has a 7-day satisfaction window for plan refunds on new activations, but that gets smaller once service begins, so time your trial wisely.
Bottom line: If T-Mobile’s network performs well where you live, this is one of the cheapest and most solid unlimited offers you’ll come across.
The deal closes out today, and after it’s gone, you’d be hard-pressed to find comparable performance for anywhere near the equivalent $15 a month.
