Updated March 17, 2021
T-Mobile 55 Plan Review
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T-Mobile is America's largest and fastest-growing 5G network.1 Dedicated to increasing data speeds, extending coverage areas, and providing award-winning customer service, T-Mobile is certainly customer-focused. This is great news for all, but especially for adults ages 55 and over embracing technology to stay connected with friends and family. That's where T-Mobile's Unlimited 55+ plans, designed for the needs and budgets of older adults, come into play.
In this review, I'll be taking a closer look at T-Mobile's three 55+ plans as well as select senior-friendly smartphone offerings. Based on my overall experience with T-Mobile, their affordable monthly rates, extra plan perks, and unlimited data, I'm awarding T-Mobile's Unlimited 55+ plans 4.5 out of 5 stars. Read on to learn about T-Mobile's pros and cons, plan pricing and features, and the sign-up process.
Photo credit – T-Mobile
The Pros and Cons
If you're short on time, here's a quick run-through of what I liked and didn't like about T-Mobile's services.
What We Like About T-Mobile 55 Plan
- Budget-friendly plans: T-Mobile offers three Unlimited 55+ plans to choose from. Prices are based on single-line or two-line plans. Starting at $40 per month for a single-line plan or $55 per month when you sign up for two lines ($27.50 per line) via auto-pay, T-Mobile delivers a competitive price point and plan benefits. Two of the three 55+ plans include taxes and fees, so there's no guesswork on your monthly bill.
- No contracts: T-Mobile has done away with contracts, so there's no need to worry about a locked-in, long-term relationship with your cell phone carrier. I'm able to pay for my plan on a month-to-month basis.
- Dedicated customer support: My interactions with T-Mobile's Team of Experts have been nothing short of amazing. Instead of listening to dreadful hold music, I was able to contact T-Mobile's customer service and receive a prompt response from a real person (not a bot). Contact options include phone, email, social media, and live chat.
- Available Nationwide: T-Mobile's 55+ plans are available to everyone 55 and over in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico.
Things to Keep in Mind About T-Mobile 55 Plan
- Maximum of two lines: While T-Mobile's regular unlimited plans can have up to eight lines, the Unlimited 55+ plans only allow two.
- Additional taxes and fees: The Essentials Unlimited 55 plan monthly price does not include taxes and fees.
- Assisted support charges: Higher level phone and plan support may come at a price. T-Mobile may charge extra fees to activate a new phone, make a payment, or upgrade your phone through customer service.
T-Mobile Unlimited 55+ Plan Options
Unlimited 55+ Plan Benefits
| T-Mobile | Essentials Unlimited 55 | Magenta Unlimited 55 | Magenta MAX Unlimited 55 |
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*Prices listed require AutoPay billing
Will I Be Charged Additional Fees?
T-Mobile's Essentials Unlimited 55 price does not include taxes and fees, so be sure to remember to factor the additional cost into your budget. The monthly price for Magenta Unlimited 55+ and Magenta MAX Unlimited 55+ plans include all regulatory fees and sales taxes that apply to your service plan. Always ask if you'll be charged additional fees before plan changes or upgrades occur.
For all three T-Mobile 55+ plans, if you utilize other T-Mobile offerings or features, separate taxes and/or fees may apply, including:
- Activities that aren't part of your monthly service, such as buying extra data passes, late or restore fees, device upgrade support charges, or calling from foreign countries.
- Purchases of devices, accessories, and SIM cards. They will continue to be taxed at the time of purchase.
- JUMP! On Demand customers will see taxes each month as those are associated with leasing the device and not the service plan cost.
- Customer service support fees (known as Assisted Support) may be charged, including a $20 per line activation fee, $10 payment support fee, $20 assisted upgrade fee, or $10 SIM card activation fee.
Pro Tip: Take advantage of T-Mobile Tuesdays, where you can win free items and save money on your favorite brands. Download the T-Mobile Tuesdays app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Then check out the app every Tuesday to claim your deals.
Which T-Mobile Unlimited 55+ Plan Works Best?
Choosing a 55+ plan that works best for you depends on your personal wants and needs. Ready to get started by comparing T-Mobile's three Unlimited 55+ plans? Let's jump right into the details!
I was impressed that all three plans include unlimited talk, text, and data on T-Mobile's 5G network with no annual service contracts. Remember, you cannot add more than two lines on any of the Unlimited 55+ plans. Also, the price per line will be higher if you only have one line; two lines come in at a lower price point.
- Essentials Unlimited 55: The Essentials Unlimited 55 plan, T-Mobile's basic senior plan, is great for budget-conscious older adults on a fixed income. At $40 per month for a single-line plan or $55 per month for two lines, the Essentials Unlimited 55 price point is 50 percent less than leading competitors' basic unlimited plans. Standard definition (SD) streaming, 3G of mobile hotspot data, and 2G of data in Mexico and Canada are included.
- Magenta Unlimited 55: The Magenta Unlimited 55 plan offers a few extra upgrades compared to the Essentials' features: 5GB 4G LTE of mobile hotspot data, 5GB of 4G data in Mexico and Canada, and one hour of in-flight Wi-Fi. Customers with two lines also receive free Netflix Basic. At $50 per month for a single-line plan or $70 per month for two lines, the Magenta Unlimited 55 offers faster download speeds and access to the data. I recommend this plan for those who prefer 4G data over 3G or anything slower.
- Magenta MAX Unlimited 55: Ripe with benefits, the Magenta MAX Unlimited 55 is a premium plan. Enjoy 40GB of 4G LTE mobile hotspot data, unlimited in-flight texting and Wi-Fi, free Netflix (Netflix Basic for one-line plans or Netflix Standard for two-line plans), name ID, and voicemail to text feature. Say goodbye to SD streaming and hello to high definition (HD) streaming with this plan. The Magenta MAX Unlimited is a great choice for those who enjoy streaming and travel frequently.
Wondering what I ended up choosing? After careful review of the three T-Mobile plans, I chose the Magenta MAX Unlimited 55 plan (the two-line option). I wanted a plan with a competitive price point for two lines and free unlimited in-flight Wi-Fi as I like to travel. The big bonus was free Netflix! Nearly 90 percent of older adults in a recent survey said they watch Netflix,2 so getting Netflix for free plus HD streaming was fantastic. All of these features for $90 per month ticked my boxes.
FYI: Don't forget your ID! You'll need to provide proof of age (such as a driver's license or passport) when signing up for a 55+ plan.
Becoming a New T-Mobile Customer
Since I was a new customer, I had to visit a T-Mobile store to sign up. As a new customer, it helped to talk with a T-Mobile representative in person. I was able to get the answers and assistance I needed from Greg, the T-Mobile sales representative. Greg helped explain T-Mobile's 55+ plan and cell phone options.
Pro Tip: Avoid the stress of cell phone shopping when stores are busiest (typically at night or on the weekend). If your schedule allows it, do your cell phone shopping midmorning on a weekday.
Existing Customers
While new customers such as myself need to visit a T-Mobile store, existing customers can easily log into their account online to switch plans, upgrade their phone, or order a new phone. If you're unsure how to set up your new phone, T-Mobile's customer support is just a phone call away to walk you through the setup.
Pro Tip: Being persistent pays off! Ask your T-Mobile representative about special promotions. Often, they will offer incentives that you won't find on their website. From retail and grocery shopping to phone and internet, there are plenty of senior discounts to take advantage of!
What Types of Smartphones Does T-Mobile Have?
T-Mobile has a wide variety of phone brands and models in various colors. I was excited to see that T-Mobile carries the Apple iPhone 11 and Alcatel GO FLIP 3, two of our top-ranked phones for seniors with hearing loss.
While I was at the T-Mobile store, I browsed T-Mobile's smartphone offerings. Their in-stock phones are on display, so you get a feel for how they look and work. If you'd prefer to shop from the comfort of your home, check out the T-Mobile website for cell phone brands, pricing, and models.
Choosing the Right Smartphone: My Experience
Now that Greg had finished signing me up as a T-Mobile customer, it was time to choose my phones. After careful research, I chose T-Mobile's REVVL 4+ and the Apple iPhone 11. Here's more about my personal experience with these two smartphones.
T-Mobile REVVL 4+
For less than $200, T-Mobile's very own REVVL line could certainly give iPhones and Samsung Galaxies a run for their money. As one of the more affordable options among T-Mobile's cell phone offerings, the REVVL 4+ delivers the latest tech at an affordable price ($192 for 64GB).
By the age of 65, one-in-three older adults have some form of vision-reducing eye disease,3 so I appreciate the large screen of the REVVL 4+. This standout feature helps reduce eye fatigue and strain in older adults.
Photo Credit – T-Mobile. REVVL 4+
Top Tech Specs
- 6.52-inch HD+ display
- 20 hours talk time
- 25.5 days standby time
- Fingerprint and Face ID unlock
- Fast-charge capability
- Front camera (16MP)
- High-resolution dual rear cameras (16MP and 5MP)
Apple iPhone 11
For older adults looking for that little extra “umph” for smartphone features, I'd recommend the iPhone 11. While advanced in its technological features, the iPhone still delivers an easy-to-use experience. The Apple iPhone 11 (128 GB) is priced at $649.99.
About one-in-four adults with arthritis — 15 million people in the US — experience severe joint pain,4 so minimizing joint movements when using smartphones was a point of concern for me. I was impressed that the iPhone 11's screen didn't require heavy-handed pressure or strength to swipe or tap.
Photo Credit – T-Mobile. Apple iPhone 11
Top Tech Specs
- 6.1-inch liquid retina display
- 10 hours of talk time
- 2.5 days of standby time
- Face ID unlock for secure authentication and Apple Pay
- Wireless charging
- Fast-charge capability
- Dual rear cameras ultra-wide and wide cameras (12MP)
- A13 bionic for gaming, augmented reality (AR), and photography
- 4K video recording
The Setup Process
Since I was already at the T-Mobile store, it was convenient to have Greg set everything up for me. With in-store setup, I could use my phones as soon as I stepped out the door! Greg was patient as he guided me through the process and answered all of my questions.
Greg's first step in helping me was to create my online account. With my T-Mobile online account, I can quickly and easily manage my plans and payments. Then Greg inserted the SIM cards (used to store data and connect with your phone carrier) into each smartphone to activate the new phone numbers.
From there, he turned on both phones, and I followed the on-screen instructions to complete the setup. The entire process took about 15 minutes (and that's with Greg stepping away to help another customer).
By doing everything at the T-Mobile store, I didn't have to wait for my SIM cards and smartphones to be mailed to me. However, if I were an existing customer and couldn't make it into the store, T-Mobile could have shipped the phones to me and walked me through the activation. This is an excellent option for older adults with mobility challenges who may not be able to shop in-store.
Pro Tip: Don't forget to back up your old phone! Backing up your phone ensures no data is lost, including contacts, photos, and apps linked to medical alert devices. This is an important step before turning on your new phone.
The Takeaway
If you're looking for an affordable plan for yourself (or for you and your partner), T-Mobile's Unlimited 55+ plans are a great option. Their plans are impressive, especially considering the monthly rates are cheapest when an additional voice line is added. Contracts are a thing of the past, at least for T-Mobile, but there are additional fees to be wary of. All in all, T-Mobile keeps their customers happy through plenty of benefits and affordable plans.
FAQs About T-Mobile and Their Unlimited 55+ Plans
- Can I keep my existing phone number when I switch over to T-Mobile?
Yes, it’s possible for your existing phone number to transfer over to T-Mobile. First, you want to check online if your phone number is eligible for transfer. If so, all you need to do is follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. If your phone number is non-transferable, it’s most likely because T-Mobile does not have a transfer agreement with your current service provider.
- Can I add more than two lines to any of the Unlimited 55+ plans?
No, Unlimited 55+ plans are designed for accounts with a maximum of two voice lines. If you need more than two, you can choose any of the regular Magenta or Magenta Plus plans.
- Will I automatically be enrolled in one of the Unlimited 55+ plans if I’m aged 55 or older?
No, the Un-carrier promise is that T-Mobile customers can change what they pay for their plan. You must choose to switch to one of the Unlimited 55+ plans.
- Can I bring my own phone or device instead of buying a new one?
Yes. Just like transferring your existing phone number, you can keep your current phone or device as long as it’s unlocked. Check to see if your phone’s IMEI number (a unique 15-digit number to identify your phone’s make and model) is compatible with T-Mobile’s network on their website. Once you purchase and receive a T-Mobile SIM card, just give T-Mobile a call and they will help you make the transfer.
- Who’s eligible for the Unlimited 55+ plans?
New and existing T-Mobile customers aged 55 or older are eligible for the Unlimited 55+ plans. Proof of age is required through a government-issued ID such as a driver’s license or passport.
Citations
Open Signal. (2021). 5G User Experience ReportJanuary 2021.
Cordcutting.com. (2021). Subscription Mooching and Streaming Media.
American Academy of Family Physicians. (1999). Common Causes of Vision Loss in Elderly Patients.
CDC. (2020). Joint Pain and Arthritis.