Is T-Mobile better than AT&T?
By
HuutiMoney
This blog post will answer the question: “is T mobile better than AT&T?”. We will compare both the network carriers based on several factors like mobile plans, coverage area, data rates, add-on, etc. At the end of each category, we will summarise which is a better choice, either T mobile or AT&T.
Is T-Mobile better than AT&T?
Yes, T- mobile is better than AT&T because it offers cheaper data plans and superior data speeds. On average, the T-Mobile network provides much faster 5G speeds compared to AT&T.
Network carrier used
There are two network carriers, namely GSM and CDMA.
Both T-mobiles and AT&T are GSM network carriers and not CDMA network carriers. GSM is second-generation cellular technology used for mobile voice and data services. CDMA is code division multiple access.
Which network carrier is better for you? T-Mobile or AT&T?
Both the network carriers have unlimited offerings which are impressive having some great features and add-ons. You should always keep in mind some essential factors while selecting a mobile phone provider. Some important considerations are as follows:
- Basics of network providers
- Mobile phone plans
- Network coverage
- 4G and 5G speed
- Availability of 5G
- Data plans
Basics of network providers
As far as the basics of network providers are considered, both these network providers have a strong solid foundation.
T-Mobile Network
T-Mobile is the third-largest wireless network provider in the United States. T-Mobile is a German telecommunication industry, and it has some investments in other mobile communication industries in Europe and the United States.
T-Mobile USA has a network sharing agreement with Cingular Wireless, an American mobile operator. Due to this, T- mobile has access to some top markets in the USA.
AT&T Network
AT&T is in the American Telephone and Telegraph industry. It is the second-largest telecom industry in the United States. It’s headquartered in Downtown Dallas, Texas.
Mobile phone plans
We will compare the mobile phone plans of the T-Mobile network provider with AT&T.
T-Mobile plans
Under this category, we will consider the following significant plans
- Unlimited plans
- Family plans
- Prepaid plans
Unlimited plans
It is a plan which gives unlimited text and voice for the entire month. It also includes unlimited data. But after reaching a specific data limit, the data speed is affected, and it is reduced.
Technically, these plans are unlimited, but the fact is that speed gets reduced as you go on using premium data.
What’s an unlimited plan?
It is a plan which gives unlimited text and voice for the entire month. It also includes unlimited data. But after reaching a specific data limit, the data speed is affected, and it is reduced. Comparing unlimited plans of both the network providers, T- mobile has an edge, some unlimited plans from T mobile are cheap, and you get more premium data.
What do you mean by premium data?
It is internet data that runs over 4G LTE and 5G networks. It provides data speed from 30 to 100 Mbps.
T-Mobile provides three unlimited data plans:
- Essential unlimited plan
- magenta unlimited plan
- magenta plus unlimited plan.
| Plan | Price per line | Unlimited text and talk | Premium data | Mobile hotspot data | Unlimited Video streaming | |
| Essential | $60 | Applicable | 50GB | Unlimited at 3GB speed | Sd streaming | |
| Magenta | $70 | Applicable | 100GB | 5GB high-speed data | Sd streaming | |
| Magenta plus | $85 | Applicable | Unlimited | 40GB high-speed data | Up to 4k UHD streaming |
Family plans.
T-Mobile network providers give reasonable offers for family plans. If you add lines, then the cost per line will get reduced. For the magenta max family plan, if you add one line, the cost per line will be reduced by $15. If you add more lines, you can bring the cost down to $40 per line. It’s a perfect offer for totally unlimited and high-speed data. Speed up to 30 Mbps or even more can be obtained.
Prepaid plans
T-Mobile offers its prepaid plans. The range of prepaid plans is from $45 to $75 per month. You can avail 4GB of LTE data for $45 and 10GB of data for $50. At the higher end, T-mobile offers unlimited data plans for $75.
AT&T phone plans
Under this category, we will consider the following significant plans
- Unlimited plans
- Family plans
- Prepaid plans
Unlimited plans
AT&T offers three unlimited plans:
- Unlimited starters
- Unlimited extra
- Unlimited Elite.
| Plan | Price per line | Unlimited text and talk | Premium data | Mobile hotspot data | Unlimited Video streaming |
| Unlimited Starter | $65 | Applicable | NA | NA | SD streaming |
| Unlimited Extra | $75 | Applicable | 50GB | 15GB per line per month | SD streaming |
| Unlimited Elite | $85 | Applicable | 100 GB | 30GB per line per month | HD streaming |
Comparing these three plans, the Unlimited Extra plan is better because it gives you a large amount of premium data at high speed. It also includes a good amount of hotspot data.
But if you need heavy data, the Unlimited Elite plan will be more efficient. For an Unlimited Starter plan, you will not get any fixed amount of high-speed data. It may slow down internet speeds.
Family plans
The Unlimited Starter plan is the cheapest AT&T family plan. It will cost you $30 per month per line. An unlimited Elite plan will be the most expensive; it will cost you $150 per month. If you add more lines, then in an AT&T plan, you will get more options to upgrade to a better plan.
If you add one line, you will get $10 off per month per line for the Unlimited Elite plan.
Prepaid plans
AT&T offers a wide range of prepaid plans starting from $30 to $50. It offers some unlimited prepaid plans but with fewer perks.
Is T-Mobile’s phone plans better than AT&T?
As far as unlimited data plans are concerned, T mobile Magenta and Magenta Plus plans are cheaper than corresponding AT&T plans. You can save $5 per month by choosing any of these plans compared to corresponding AT&T plans.
Both network providers give reasonable offers on family plans. If you add lines, then the cost per line will get reduced. All family plans from T mobile are cheaper than AT&T family plans.
In the case of both service providers, AT&T and T-Mobile, you will get prepaid plans which are less expensive than the corresponding postpaid plans.
NETWORK COVERAGE
Presently, AT&T has significantly improved its coverage area. For the 4G network, AT&T covers almost 68% of the country whereas T mobile covers 62%. AT&T provides good network convergence for rural areas. While T mobile provides a good coverage network in city areas and suburbs.
Network coverage is one of the prime factors when choosing a particular network provider.
There is not a significant difference as far as network coverage is concerned, but AT&T has more network coverage areas. If you are thinking of only coverage area and comparing the two network providers, then depending on your location, you need to make the decision.
4G and 5G speed
If you think of 4G LTE speed, AT&T has an edge compared to the T mobile. For 4G phones, having an AT&T network, average speeds around 35 Mbps can be expected. But the T mobile network average speed is only about 31 Mbps. Even if it is not a huge difference, if you are talking about 4G LTE speed, then AT&T should be preferred.
But if it is 5G, then the scenario is different. On average, the T-Mobile network provides much faster 5G speeds compared to AT&T. If you have a 5G mobile with a T mobile network, you can expect internet speeds of about 85 Mbps. While having 5G on AT&T network internet speed over just 52 Mbps. So, for 5G mobile phones, the T-Mobile network is much faster than AT&T mobile network.
Availability of 5G
For 5G connectivity, both T-Mobile and AT&T regularly set up new towers. However, T-Mobile has an edge compared to AT&T & T. Unfortunately the 5G network has not yet reached every corner of the country.
Data plans
T-Mobile offers better deals for data plans, But AT&T’s unlimited data plans are a genuine cost saver. Taxes and additional fees are not included in the AT&T plans, whereas T-Mobile includes all the fees and taxes. One plan of T-Mobile offers up to 50 GB of data for each month, which is significantly more than AT&T.
Recap: Is T-Mobile better than AT&T?
There is a neck-to-neck battle between T-Mobile and AT&T.We will prefer T-Mobile for its unlimited plans and good data speeds. AT&T provides better coverage, but its plans will cost you more. Even though we would always prefer T-Mobile over AT&T because of its cost, you may prefer AT&T for superior performance. Comparing unlimited plans of both the network providers, T- mobile has an Edge. Some unlimited plans from T mobile are cheap, and you get more premium data.
As far as unlimited data plans are concerned, T mobile Magenta and Magenta Plus plans are cheaper than corresponding AT&T plans. You can save $5 per month by choosing any of these plans compared to corresponding AT&T plans. If you are concerned only about family plans, then almost all family plans of T – mobile are cheaper and more flexible than corresponding AT&T plans.
For a T mobile prepaid plan, you have to pay $40 per month for 10 GB of data. While for the similar plan in AT&T, you need to pay $40 per month for 8 GB of data. Presently, AT&T has significantly improved its coverage area. For the 4G network,the AT&T covers 68% of the country, whereas T mobile covers 62%.
AT&T provides a good network for rural areas. While T mobile provides a good network coverage in city areas and suburbs. If you think of 4G LTE speed, AT&T has an edge compared to the T mobile. For 4G phones, having an AT&T network, average speeds around 35 Mbps can be expected. But the T mobile network average speed is only about 31 Mbps. T-Mobile offers better deals for data plans, But AT&T’s unlimited data plans are a genuine cost saver.
The following table shows a comparative analysis of T-mobile and AT&T.
| Parameter | T-mobile | AT & T | ||
| Ranking | It is the third-largest network provider in the USA | It is the second-largest network provider in the USA | ||
| Highest data limit | The highest data deprioritization point is 50 GB per month | For an unlimited plan, the highest data limit is 22 GB per month | ||
| Network coverage | Excellent network coverage, especially for rural area | Excellent network coverage in the city area and suburbs | ||
| Taxes and fees | All plans are inclusive of taxes and fees | Taxes and fees are noninclusive | ||
| Scam ID and blocking | Available for all phones and it is free | HD voice capable device is required | ||
| Autopay discount | $5 per month | $10 per month | ||
| Data overages | No overages | Overages applicable after 10GB | ||
| Music | Unlimited | Data rates applicable |
Below are other T-Mobile articles you may be interested in:
Does T-Mobile take a cracked phone?
Is T-mobile and Boost mobile the same?
Is T-mobile available in Canada?
Conclusion
This article helps us to answer the question “Is T mobile better than AT&T?” This article outlines the importance of various factors like the Basics of network providers, Mobile phone plans, Network coverage, 4G and 5G speed, Availability of 5G and Data plans.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs): Is T-mobile better than AT&T?
Is T-Mobile’s phone plans better than AT&T?
As far as unlimited data plans are concerned, T mobile Magenta and Magenta Plus plans are cheaper than corresponding AT&T plans. You can save $5 per month by choosing any of these plans compared to corresponding AT&T plans.
Both network providers give reasonable offers on family plans. If you add lines, then the cost per line will get reduced. All family plans from T mobile are cheaper than AT&T family plans.
In the case of both service providers, AT&T and T-Mobile, you will get prepaid plans which are less expensive than the corresponding postpaid plans.
Which network provider is better for network coverage?
Presently AT&T has significantly improved its coverage area. For the 4G network, AT&T covers 68% of the country, whereas T mobile covers 62%. AT&T provides a good network for rural areas. In comparison, T mobile provides a good coverage network in city areas and suburbs.
Which network provider gives 5G connectivity?
For 5G connectivity, both T-Mobile and AT&T regularly set up new towers. However, T-Mobile has a strong edge compared to AT&T.
What are the factors affecting the choice between T mobile and AT&T?
- Basics of network providers
- Mobile phone plans
- Network coverage
- 4G and 5G speed
- Availability of 5G
- Data plans
Is it worth switching from AT&T to T-Mobile?
Yes, T- mobile is better than AT&T. Because it offers cheaper data plans and superior data speeds. On average, the T-Mobile network provides much faster 5G speeds compared to AT&T.
What’s an unlimited plan?
It is a plan which gives unlimited text and voice for the entire month. It also includes unlimited data.
But after reaching a certain data limit, the speed of data is affected and it is reduced.
References
AT&T Wireless vs. T-Mobile Review 2021
See which cell phone company is victorious and which one’s down for the count as AT&T and T-Mobile go head-to-head.
Data from Open signal’s Mobile Network Experience Report
July 2021, and 5G User Experience Report, July 2021.
AT&T vs. T-Mobile: Which carrier is better for you?
It’s time to see whether Big Blue or the Un-Carrier has your perfect plan.
By Ryan Haines, December 4, 2021,
T-Mobile Cell Phone Plans vs. AT&T Cell Phone Plans
U.S. News 360 Reviews takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission, but that in no way affects our editorial independence.
By Chazz Mair, May 11, 2021,
AT&T Wireless vs. T-Mobile: Which Cellular Provider Is Best for You?
Pricing, data, 5G—oh my! Here’s how to decide between AT&T and T-Mobile.
by Peter Holslin, Edited by Rebecca Lee Armstrong