T-Mobile 55+ Cell Phone Plans Review

Pros and Cons

The Buying Experience With T-Mobile

New T-Mobile Customers

Since I was a new customer, a visit to a brick-and-mortar T-Mobile store was in the cards. Unlike some of the newer cellular providers that have web-only presences (check out our Mint Mobile review for the lowdown on that), signing up for a T-Mobile plan requires an in-person visit. A little weird after so many months cooped up in the house? Not really. It helped to talk with a T-Mobile representative in person — in my case, Greg.

Greg was really helpful at explaining T-Mobile’s Unlimited 55+ plans and cell phone options. He alerted me to the new four-line allowance for two of T-Mobile’s seniors-only plans (I’ll get to that below). Setting up my line in-store also made transferring my number to T-Mobile totally stress-free. If you fudge this online, you may be in for some trouble!

Since I was already at the T-Mobile store, I figured I’d stick around and let Greg help set up my phone for me, too. (With the in-store setup, I could use my phone as soon as I stepped out the door!)

This turned out to be a wise choice. Within 15 minutes, I’d created my new T-Mobile account and had my new SIM card in my phone and activated. But what if I already had a T-Mobile account and didn’t want to leave my house?

Actually, I wouldn’t have to. I could have done everything online, which I’m sure is good news for those with mobility issues who may not be able to shop in-store. Here’s how to do it.

Existing T-Mobile Customers

If you’re already a T-Mobile subscriber and want to take advantage of one of T-Mobile’s Unlimited 55+ plans, you can do that online. It’s actually pretty easy. Just log into your account with your T-Mobile ID to switch plans, upgrade your phone, or even order a new phone. If you’re not sure how to set up your new phone, T-Mobile’s customer support is only a phone call away to walk you through the whole process.

Being persistent pays off! Don’t be afraid to ask representatives about special promotions if you're in a store. You’d be surprised at how many in-store incentives there are that you won’t find on websites. And not just deals on cellular services, but seniors-only discounts on groceries, restaurants, and even cruises.

Choosing a Cell Phone

With T-Mobile, you can either bring your own phone or purchase a new one. Below, I’ll walk you through the process for both options and give some recommendations if you’re looking for a phone upgrade.

Bringing Your Current Phone

One of the first things I checked with Greg was that my current phone, my trusty iPhone 7, was compatible with my new T-Mobile plan. Fortunately, it was. If you have an AT&T phone plan or a Verizon 55+ package and you’re switching to T-Mobile, and you want to bring your phone along, you’ll have to do the same.

My advice? Before heading into a store, visit the T-Mobile website and use their phone compatibility checker. It couldn’t be easier. Plus, with this info handy, you’ll know from the get-go whether you’ll have to budget in a new phone for your new T-Mobile plan.

To check whether your phone is T-Mobile compatible, you’ll need your phone’s unique ID, or International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI). It’s not tough to find at all! Here’s how:

• For iPhones: Go to Settings > General > About.
• For Android phones: Go to Settings > About Phone > Status.
• For Windows phones: Go to Settings > About > More information.

Buying a New Phone

If you are shopping for a new phone for your new T-Mobile Unlimited 55+ plan, you’ll have plenty of options, including the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max and REVVL 6 5G.

After careful research, I decided to test T-Mobile's REVVL 6 5G and the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max. Here’s what I found.

Photo Credit – T-Mobile. REVVL V+ 5G

 T-Mobile REVVL 6 5G

Actually, I was surprised here. T-Mobile’s own REVVL line could definitely give iPhones and Samsung Galaxies a run for their money. The REVVL 6 5G is one of T-Mobile's more affordable cell phone options, offering great tech and storage (64 GB) for its sleek $169.99 price tag. Right now, you can even get one free when you trade in any eligible phone or add on a new line, slashing that price down to $0.

For older adults, the latest REVVL may be a particularly good fit. The REVVL 6 5G has a TalkBack feature that converts text to speech. It’s M3/T4 hearing aid compatible, and for seniors prone to tired eyes or with eye issues, the REVVL 6 5G’s pretty massive 6.5-inch screen is virtually squint-proof.

Our favorite features for seniors:

• Big 6.5-inch HD+ display
• M3/T4 hearing aid compatible
• 30 hours talk time and 26 days standby time
• 5G speeds where available
• Fingerprint and Face ID unlock
• Fast charge
• Front camera (5MP)
• High-resolution triple rear cameras (13 MP)

Photo Credit – T-Mobile. Apple iPhone 13

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

For older adults looking for a smartphone with a little more style and chutzpah, I’d recommend the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Even with its many advanced features, I found that the iPhone was still a cinch to use. And when I say the iPhone 14 Pro Max was easy to use, I’m talking about more than finding my way around its many cool apps and settings.

The iPhone was designed for easy swiping with minimal hand pressure. For the one-in-four adult Americans suffering from arthritis2 — about 15 million people — pain-free messaging will be as useful as the iPhone 14’s other well-known senior-friendly accessibility features, such as hearing aid compatibility (M3,T4 rating), emergency SOS features, and a water- and dust-resistant design.

iPhone 14 Pro Max

Benefits for seniors:

• 29 hours talk time 
• 6.1-inch super retina display
• 48 MP main camera
• Long-lasting battery life
• Water-, dust-, and splash-resistant 
• 5G coverage
• Emergency SOS

Nationwide Coverage

T-Mobile can’t quite nudge Verizon off the 4G/LTE throne, but with 62 percent coverage of the lower 48 states,3 it takes second place, right above AT&T. But what it lacks in spread, T-Mobile makes up for in speed and affordability. T-Mobile has faster upload speeds than its competitors, which is great for all you family photographers out there, with lower-priced plans on average.

That’s 4G. T-Mobile’s 5G coverage is a different story. T-Mobile has quickly shot up to the top of the pack here, covering 41 percent of the U.S. Compare that to 18 percent 5G nationwide coverage with AT&T and 11 percent coverage with Verizon. Combine your T-Mobile plan with a 5G-compatible phone, like a REVVL or iPhone, and you can expect some serious speed.

Contracts and Warranty

Contracts

Like Lively cell phone packages for older adults, T-Mobile plans are month-to-month, so you won’t need to sign a contract of any kind. But that doesn’t mean T-Mobile doesn’t give you incentives to save. We’ll take a closer look at T-Mobile plan savings opportunities in just a second.

Warranty

If you purchase your phone through T-Mobile, you’re covered with a standard 12-month warranty. To take your device protection to the next level, enroll in T-Mobile’s Protection 360, which gives you perks like cheap screen repair, AppleCare (for iPhone users), and, for the time being, McAfee Security for T-Mobile with ID Theft Protection. Protection 360 starts at $7 per month.

T-Mobile 55+ Senior Phone Plans at a Glance

Choosing the right T-Mobile 55+ plan boils down to your personal needs. Since most cellular carriers offer unlimited talk and text these days, the basic factors you’ll want to be aware of are data allowances (and caps), streaming quality, and price per line.

Of course, if you have family in Canada or Mexico (or anywhere else outside the U.S.), you’ll want to see what types of allowances and restrictions your cellular carrier has on international calls and data.

Finally, as you read through your T-Mobile pricing options below, you’ll notice that the more lines you purchase, the cheaper each line will be. So, if you’re a 2+ household, you’ll definitely want to consider becoming a “T-Mobile family.”

* Prices listed require AutoPay billing.

Essentials 55+ for Basic Users

Cost

T-Mobile’s basic senior plan is a great choice for budget-conscious older adults on a fixed income. At $45 per month for a single-line plan or $55 per month for two lines, the Essentials 55 plan’s price point is substantially cheaper than close competitors like AT&T, whose basic seniors service starts at $60 per line.

A quick heads-up here because this may get lost in the fine print. If you go with the Essentials 55 plan, taxes and fees aren’t included, remember to factor the additional cost into your budget. Separate taxes and fees may apply for certain T-Mobile offerings and features on all three T-Mobile 55+ plans.

Plan Features

As with all of T-Mobile’s 55+ plans, you’ll also get unlimited talk, text, and data with the Essentials 55 plan, so you can chat with your friends and grandkids all day long. One caveat on the data with this plan: After you use 50 GB of data in a month, you may experience slower speeds during high-traffic times. If you’re a light internet user, 50 GB of monthly data should be plenty. While T-Mobile can’t match the 19 million Wi-Fi hotspots of an Xfinity prepaid plan, you can turn your phone into a mobile hotspot to power your laptop if you’re on the go and need Wi-Fi in a pinch.

This plan also comes with unlimited texting in over 210 countries, perfect for older adults who love to travel. We don’t see this rare perk with many providers, so take advantage!

Go5G 55 Plan for Existing Customers

Cost

T-Mobile’s Go5G is the middle-tier 55+ plan. Starting at $55 per month for one line and $80 for two lines, the Go5G 55 plan is nearly 40 percent more expensive than the Essentials plan and comes with some impressive upgrades. On top of several data and usage limit increases, it has a unique two-year renewal offer that most phone companies do not provide.

Plan Features

The most unique selling point of the new Go5G plans is T-Mobile’s new phone device renewal policy. Here’s how it works:

1. Go5G 55 subscribers can switch out devices every two years, as opposed to three (three years is the standard for competitors).
2. When selecting your new phone, you’ll have access to all the same deals that new customers get. Rather than having to add an extra line or fulfill some other requirement to upgrade to a new phone, the Go5G 55 plan allows you to receive a new device as if you were a new customer.

The Go5G 55 plan has several upgrades from the Essentials 55 plan, especially if you plan on traveling. The Go5G plans comes with more high speed data options while traveling, unlimited in-flight texting, high-speed mobile hotspot data, and extra perks (like a free Netflix subscription).

Go5G Plus 55 Plan for Existing Customers and Heavy Mobile Users

Cost

The Go5G Plus 55 plan is the best of the best when it comes to T-Mobile’s 55+ plans. That also means it’s the most expensive plan by a pretty large margin. The Go5G plan starts at $70 per month for one line and goes up to $200 for four lines. If you’re a heavy mobile user, the high cost could be worth the features and services you’ll get.

Plan Features

Similar to the Go5G 55 plan, the Go5G Plus 55’s most unique selling point is the fact that you can renew your device every two years as if you were a new customer (with no additional requirements or strings attached). On top of that, the Go5G Plus 55 plan has some big upgrades from the regular Go5G plan. The Plus plan offers unlimited Wi-Fi on flights, data usage in over 200 countries (instead of just 11), 4K UHD video quality, and more mobile hotspot data. If you love being on your phone and want to get a new phone more often, this is the plan for you.

Check out our YouTube review to learn more about T-Mobile’s senior plans.