Full Disclosure: The Mint Mobile affiliate links contained in this article may result in a commission awarded to TROYPOINT at no extra cost to you.
I’ve been operating the TROYPOINT Website since 2009. During that time, I’ve never promoted a mobile service because, in my opinion, they were all bad. Please note the word “were” in the previous sentence.
Over the years, I’ve received numerous affiliate offers from the big players in the mobile space but couldn’t promote something that I didn’t personally like. It’s hard to like any mobile service, in my opinion, as they all have their weaknesses.
My biggest pain points have been high prices, slow download speed, and bad coverage. Let’s face it, what else is important when searching for a mobile service provider?
I’ve been using Mint Mobile for the past six months, and I’ve finally found a service that I really like. I can recommend it to friends, family, and TROYPOINT fans. Yeah, it took me 14 years to find a service that I’m excited to promote, and I’m happy that I waited!
My Cell Phone Service Timeline
During the past 14 years, I’ve had the opportunity to test over a dozen cell phone services due to partnership offers. Some of them I personally used for a long period because I somewhat liked them and wanted to test further. However, with all of them, as time went on, I quickly became disgruntled.
US Cellular
My first phone carrier was US Cellular, but this was back in the day when roaming charges still existed. US Cellular served my needs, but the roaming charges ultimately made me cancel the service. The coverage wasn’t ideal either, and I encountered a lot of dead spots.
Verizon Wireless
I then moved onto Verizon Wireless because they offered unlimited calling and text with no roaming charges. However, the problem with Verizon was the high prices. I didn’t like how Verizon nickled and dimed me for every feature that I needed, such as mobile tethering. I saw lots of advertisements for the smaller carriers and the huge price savings that came along with them and was interested in trying them.
Cricket Wireless
I switched to Cricket Wireless after being presented with an affiliate partnership. I was extremely happy with their low prices, but I never promoted Cricket Wireless due to one big issue. The problem with Cricket is that I could never get download speeds higher than 2-5 Mbps. It was cheap, but there was no way I could promote a service that offered such slow speeds, especially since many TROYPOINT fans want to stream movies and TV shows on their mobile devices.
Services such as Cricket Wireless purchase cell access from bigger providers, and in this case, they use the AT&T network. They can sell these services for less money because they are de-prioritized. This means that speed will usually suffer, and when in an area of congestion, you will be on the lowest rung of the ladder to get service.
Besides TROYPOINT, here is a helpful tip for selecting the most suitable plan.
Overview of Mint Mobile Service Features
- Reasonable price
- 5G and 4G LTE coverage
- High-speed downloads
- Great coverage
- Options for individual and family plans
- Choice to bring your own device or purchase from Mint Mobile
- International calling and roaming
- WiFi calling and texting capabilities
- Mobile hotspot functionality
- eSIM and SIM card support
- Referral program available
Insight on Mint Mobile Download Speed
Upon transitioning from Cricket Wireless, I expected similar speed issues with Mint Mobile due to it being a discounted service on the T-Mobile Network. To my surprise, the download speed exceeded my expectations!
In my city, I experienced an average download speed of 60 Mbps, sufficient for streaming 4K content. This outcome was astonishing as previous discounted services I tested had unsatisfactory download speeds.
Questioning the download speed during travel led me to test speeds across various locations during a 4-hour trip through Wisconsin. The results are displayed below.
It’s important to note that while my phone lacks 5G support, Mint Mobile is equipped for 5G and 4G LTE, potentially yielding higher download speeds on compatible devices.
Speed Test #1
Speed Test #2
Speed Test #3
I’m genuinely delighted with Mint Mobile’s download speeds at home and when traveling.
Grab the Mint Mobile Unlimited Plan for $15/Mo
Insight into Mint Mobile Coverage
What suits me might not suit you based on our locations.
Prior to signing up, it is crucial to review Mint Mobile’s coverage map on their website.
Emphasizing the importance, make sure you reside in an area with coverage indicated on their map, available on the Mint Mobile website. Before making a purchase, ensure you conduct the necessary research to avoid dissatisfaction with slow speeds.
Aside from checking coverage in your area, consider coverage in your usual travel spots. Mint Mobile utilizes the T-Mobile network, known for its robust coverage.
Experience with Mint Mobile Onboarding
Initially, when I began using Mint Mobile, I tested it on my secondary phone instead of my primary device. Since my older phone lacked eSIM support, upon registration, I received a physical 3-in-1 SIM kit. Following the activation instructions took under 10 minutes, without requiring customer support assistance.
Despite Mint Mobile being an entirely online business, you can reach out to a human representative at 800-683-7392 for assistance.
Note that Mint Mobile operates solely online without physical stores, enabling them to offer competitive prices by reducing overhead costs. Their straightforward activation process allows for quick phone setup with clear instructions.
When I switched to my primary device, the Google Pixel 7 Pro, equipped with an eSIM, the transition was seamless without the need for a physical SIM card.
Pricing with Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile practices transparent pricing, a feature I appreciate.
They provide individual and family plans, with the option to save more with family bundles while I focus on individual plans for simplicity.
Unlimited Plan
Currently, they offer a special where you can access their unlimited plan for just $15 per month for the initial three months. After this period, renewal options are available at varying price points.
Unlimited Plan
First 3 Months = $15/month. Subtotal $45.
After the first 3 months
- 3 Month at $40 per month.
- 6 Month at $35 per month.
- 12 Month BEST VALUE at $30 per month.
Includes
- Unlimited Nationwide Talk & Text.
- Data speeds reduce after 40GB but data is unlimited.
- 3-in-1 SIM Card Kit or eSIM (for eligible devices).
- FREE international calls to Mexico and Canada.
- 10GB Mobile Hotspot.
- WiFi Calling & Text.
- With their BYOP program, bring your own unlocked 4G LTE and VoLTE-friendly phone (you love it, cracks and all).
For those people who only use their phones for calls and texting, they can save a lot of money compared to other carriers. Mint Mobile truly shines in this aspect.
Here’s a breakdown of pricing for their other three plans.
20GB/MO Plan
First 3 Months = $15/month. Subtotal $45.
After the first 3 months
- 3 Month at $45 per month.
- 6 Month at $35 per month.
- 12 Month BEST VALUE at $25 per month.
Includes
- Unlimited Nationwide Talk & Text.
- 20GB of 5G • 4G LTE per month.
- 3-in-1 SIM Card Kit or eSIM (for eligible devices).
- FREE international calls to Mexico and Canada.
- FREE Mobile HotSpot.
- WiFi Calling & Text.
- Data speeds reduce after 20GB but data is unlimited.
- With their BYOP program, bring your own unlocked 4G LTE and VoLTE-friendly phone (you love it, cracks and all).
15GB/MO Plan
First 3 Months = $15/month. Subtotal $45.
After the first 3 months
- 3 Month at $35 per month.
- 6 Month at $25 per month.
- 12 Month BEST VALUE at $20 per month.
Includes
- Unlimited Nationwide Talk & Text.
- 15GB of 5G • 4G LTE per month.
- 3-in-1 SIM Card Kit or eSIM (for eligible devices).
- FREE international calls to Mexico and Canada.
- FREE Mobile HotSpot.
- WiFi Calling & Text.
- Data speeds reduce after 15GB but data is unlimited.
- With their BYOP program, bring your own unlocked 4G LTE and VoLTE-friendly phone (you love it, cracks and all).
5GB/MO Plan
First 3 Months = $15/month. Subtotal $45.
After the first 3 months
- 3 Month at $25 per month.
- 6 Month at $20 per month.
- 12 Month BEST VALUE at $15 per month.
Includes
- Unlimited Nationwide Talk & Text.
- 5GB of 5G • 4G LTE per month.
- 3-in-1 SIM Card Kit or eSIM (for eligible devices).
- FREE international calls to Mexico and Canada.
- FREE Mobile HotSpot.
- WiFi Calling & Text.
- Data speeds reduce after 5GB but data is unlimited.
- With their BYOP program, bring your own unlocked 4G LTE and VoLTE-friendly phone (you love it, cracks and all).
Get Mint Mobile Unlimited Plan for $15/Mo
Data Speeds Reduce After Meeting Quota But Data Is Unlimited
You will notice that all three plans include unlimited data. For example, the 5GB plan advertises that data speeds are reduced after 5GB but data is unlimited. Even though it is unlimited, the speed diminishes to a level that makes the service unusable.
When I spoke with Mint Mobile support and inquired about typical download/upload speeds after reaching the quotas, they provided the following response:
Download speeds: Typically between 9 – 47 Mbps, with minimum expected speeds of less than 0.1 Mbps.
Upload speeds: Typically between 4 – 20 Mbps, with minimum expected speeds of less than 0.1 Mbps.
Latency: Typically between 30 – 50 ms.
As shown, download speeds drop to less than 0.1 Mbps post-quota, which is practically unusable.
It’s important to note that exceeding your quota does not incur overage charges, but rather slows down the service.
You also have the option to instantly upgrade your account for additional data allowance.
TROYPOINT Tip: Start with Mint Mobile Unlimited Plan
I recommend beginning with the Unlimited Mint Mobile Unlimited Plan to later switch to a lower tier after the initial three months. The introductory price for the first 3 months remains the same for all three plans due to the ongoing promotion.
By doing this, you can easily monitor your regular data usage within your Mint Mobile account or app. Watch your data usage for the first three months, then switch to a lower tier and save money!
Mint Mobile allows for easy service plan changes with just a few clicks.
Mint Mobile’s mobile app and online account user interface are user-friendly, with no hidden complexities.
Get Mint Mobile Unlimited Plan for $15/Mo
Bring Your Own Phone
While some wireless carriers necessitate purchasing a phone from them, Mint Mobile does not follow this practice!
The Mint Mobile Website provides a phone compatibility tool to confirm your current phone’s compatibility with their network.
It’s straightforward to use. Enter your phone and model or input your phone’s IMEI number to swiftly check if your phone is compatible.
Refer a Friend Program
I’ve highlighted the low prices that Mint Mobile offers. It gets even cheaper with the Refer a Friend Program. Once you’re a Mint Mobile subscriber, you can invite your family and friends to join and earn service credit.
When you refer a friend by sending them your referral link, both of you benefit. You receive your credit, and your friend gets $15 in credit. After your friend activates their plan, you receive Mint Mobile Credit based on their chosen plan: $45 for the 5GB plan, $60 for the 15GB plan, $75 for the 20GB plan, and $90 for the Unlimited plan. This credit can only be applied to plan renewal.
If you want more details on the Refer a Friend Program, you can visit this link.
Get the Mint Mobile Unlimited Plan for $15/Mo
How Can Mint Mobile Charge So Much Less?
Watch the video featuring popular actor Ryan Reynolds, where he explains how Mint Mobile can offer such competitive prices. Please note that although Ryan has sold his stake in Mint Mobile, he remains the company’s spokesperson.
What I Dislike About Mint Mobile
As discussed earlier, discounted cell providers like Mint Mobile purchase service from major carriers at a lower rate. In Mint Mobile’s case, they obtain their service from T-Mobile, which results in de-prioritization for Mint Mobile users during network congestion.
De-prioritization means that your data speeds may slow down temporarily in high-traffic situations, with priority given to T-Mobile customers. While this hasn’t been a major issue for me during my six months with Mint Mobile, experiences may vary depending on where you use the service.
If you’re considering Mint Mobile, be sure to check their coverage map on the Mint Mobile Website before making a decision.
My Positive Experience with Mint Mobile
In conclusion, I am very satisfied with Mint Mobile. Despite being a budget-friendly option, I haven’t encountered slow download speeds or service interruptions as I did with other providers.
Compared to Verizon, I’ve noticed better speeds and coverage in the places I frequent. Remember that individual experiences may vary, so it’s essential to assess your specific needs and preferences. One of Mint Mobile’s advantages is the flexibility to switch plans easily and monitor your data usage to save money if needed.
Many individuals pay excessive prices for unlimited mobile services they don’t fully utilize. Mint Mobile allows you to customize a data plan that suits your requirements, potentially saving you money. I hope your experience with Mint Mobile is as positive as mine, providing savings, faster speeds, and improved coverage.