Is Mint Mobile Good? A Comprehensive Review

Picking a new mobile carrier is a big deal, considering there’s just so many options out there. If you have heard of Mint Mobile and you haven’t quite been able to tell whether it is any good, then good for you; you are in luck. From the type of coverage that you’ll get all the way to the price you pay for it, we will break it all down so you may decide if Mint Mobile is right for you.

What Carrier Is Mint Mobile Using?

There really isn’t a Mint Mobile network, per se, like a Verizon or an AT&T. It piggybacks on one of the biggest U.S. carriers—the T-Mobile network. So, yes, you generally do get reliable coverage in most places. In fact, it consistently gets rave reviews with excellent 5G availability, particularly within urban and suburban areas.

But yeah, if you’re already in a place where T-Mobile does a good service, then Mint Mobile should just be able to work equally as well. That would be like switching stores but still getting the same brand of cereal—same product, just different box.

Does Mint Mobile Have Good Data Coverage?

Quick answer: yes, for the most part. Mint rents space on T-Mobile’s network, meaning you’ll have the same coverage, including 5G and 4G LTE data. But what does that actually mean for you? Here’s what you need to know:

Urban Areas: If you live in a city or large town, you are most likely to have good to excellent coverage. Overall, T-Mobile does great with metros across the United States.

Suburban areas: Coverage is generally good for most suburban areas; Mint’s speed should also be adequate for most needs, whether you stream YouTube videos, play video games, or simply browse through social media.

Rural areas: The most obvious problem that you could envision would be with people living in rural areas, relative to the country as a whole. Of course, this is not peculiar to Mint; most carriers can be spotty if you’re driving through truly rural areas.

It’s worth checking out Mint’s coverage map, available on their website, before decisions are made.

Again, think of it like going on a long road trip: there are some areas in which you’ll be driving without service, but most of you will. 

Does Mint Mobile Have High Speed Data?

Yes, Mint Mobile does offer high-speed data, including 5G, provided your phone is able to support it. Here’s what you can look out for:

5G: If you happen to be possessing a 5G-enabled phone and you also happen to live in an area where 5G is covered, then the blistering speeds are all yours for the taking. What this means, in simpler terms, is that video calls are going to be smooth, downloads quicker, and browsing faster in general. It is like the difference between riding an ordinary bicycle and an electric one: everything seems to get done quicker!

4G LTE: So, where 5G is not available, or on a phone that doesn’t support 5G, along comes 4G LTE—instantly quick enough for HD video streaming, seamless browsing of the web, and yes, gaming.

Data Caps: The one thing to watch out for, though, is Mint’s data limits. Once you’ve reached your monthly data limit—for example, if you’re on a 10GB plan and use it all up—your speeds will slow down. You won’t get cut off completely, but it’ll feel more like you’re walking instead of running.

Does Mint Mobile Work Internationally?

If you are a travel enthusiast, this is related to your favorite topic. Now, here is how Mint Mobile provides international calls and roaming:

Calls to Canada & Mexico: Mint lets you make calls and send texts to Mexico and Canada for free, which again is great in case you have friends or family there. No extra charges, no hassles.

Traveling Abroad: Mint Mobile does have international roaming, but here it is—their offered plan does not include it. Instead, you will need to buy what they call an “UpRoam” credit. You can use that to make calls, send texts, or use data when you are abroad. Just think about it like how you would get extra snacks for a long trip. Sure, you can get some, but you are going to have to fork over just a little bit more cash.

Using Wi-Fi Calling: The other alternative, should you not want to purchase roaming credits, is always to use Wi-Fi calling. So long as you’re connected to a network, you’ll have the ability to make calls and send texts just as you were at home. It’s a pretty handy feature if you stay in hotels or places with robust Wi-Fi.

How Many People Use Mint Mobile?

Since its founding, Mint Mobile has become one of the fastest-growing wireless carriers in the United States.

With millions of board members, much of the hype surrounding Mint can be attributed to lower prices, for which the company is responsible in part, but mostly because it’s backed by Deadpool himself, aka actor Ryan Reynolds. Indeed, one of the noisiest at the helm of its success is Deadpool himself, starring in humorous commercials and even being the being the partial owner of the company. Here’s why people are moving to Mint:

1. Cheap Plans: Especially for those on a shoestring budget, the cheap plans offered by Mint are the big attractions.
2. No Long-Term Contracts: Does not keep you hostage to long contracts per several other carriers; hence, higher flexibility
3. Same Coverage, Lower Price: The fact that Mint operates on the T-Mobile network means you get the same coverage at considerably lower pricing.

How Much Does Mint Mobile Cost?

Mint Mobile is known for its budget-friendly price. Here is a quick summary of what you could expect:

3-Month Intro Plans: New customers with Mint are receiving a promotional offer to get their plans down to $15 per month if you pay upfront for three months. That includes unlimited talk and text, plus a set amount of data, like 5GB, 10GB, or even unlimited.

Renewal Pricing: You just pay for three months up front, then you renew. You want to keep those low prices? OK, cool—you stick with Mint, and you pay for 12 months up front. If you pay for three or six months upfront, it costs a bit more per month.

Overview of Mint Mobile Pricing:

• If you choose the Small plan, you’ll get 5 GB of data each month for $15 per month. This price is available to new customers who pay for three months upfront, and you can keep this rate if you commit to a 12-month plan after that.
• The Medium plan offers 15 GB of data for $20 per month. Again, this price is available to new customers who pay for three months upfront, and it stays the same if you decide to pay for a year.
• With the Large plan, you’ll get 20GB of data for $25 per month, with the same terms—three months upfront for new customers, and the price remains if you switch to a 12-month plan.
• For those who need Unlimited data, the cost is $30 per month. Like the other plans, you pay three months upfront at first and can keep the same rate if you renew for 12 months.

These prices really make Mint one of the more budget-friendly options on the market. At the same time, you most likely want to pay a few months in advance just to lock that rate in.

Is Mint Mobile Going Under?

No, Mint Mobile isn’t going anywhere; in fact, it has actually gained some popularity. You may also have heard that T-Mobile bought out Mint, and though it did, that isn’t something that would make Mint disappear. Rather, Mint will most likely continue right on functioning as it has been all along—just under the umbrella of T-Mobile. Rest assured: Mint is here to stay!

Does Ryan Reynolds Still Own Mint Mobile?

Ryan Reynolds certainly had a lot to do with the popularity of Mint Mobile.

He was a partial owner as early as 2019, helping that company along with his hilarious commercials and his social media presence. But in 2023, it was announced T-Mobile would be buying the company, and he wouldn’t be a majority owner anymore—albeit he is expected to still be involved with the brand moving forward. In many ways, it’s a little like if your favorite restaurant got new owners but kept the same menu—you can still count on that same fun feeling you get from Mint.

Is It Worth Switching to Mint?

Ah, the million-dollar question! So, let’s break down the pros and cons:

Pros:

1. Cheaper Plans: The plans with Mint are some of the most budget-friendly options around. That’s particularly true if you pay the upfront for 12 months.
2. Good Coverage: Since Mint takes advantage of T-Mobile’s network, you get solid coverage in most areas, including 5G access.
3. No Long Contracts: You are not bound by long-term contracts, so it is free to switch if you feel that the service isn’t to your liking.

Cons:

1. Data Caps: Mint’s lower-tier plans have data limits. In addition to this, if you happen to exceed the limits, your speed will slow down. If you happen to use a great deal of data, you will need to track the amount of data being used.
2. International Roaming Fees: If you’re one of those people who seems to be out of the country more often than in it, you may find yourself running into some roaming fees courtesy of Mint. You’ll have to buy additional credit to use your phone internationally outside of the US.
3. Advance Payment: The best price is available for more than a few months in advance, and that does not sound so appealing to everyone.

So, is it worth switching? If you’re looking for a cheaper phone plan and live in an area with good T-Mobile coverage, Mint Mobile is a solid choice. The savings can be huge compared to the big carriers, and the service is reliable for most people. Just make sure you’re okay with the data limits and upfront payments before diving in.

Conclusion

Mint Mobile is one of those budget, no-frills cellular carriers that offers solid coverage and fast data speeds at some of the cheapest rates around. It might not be for everyone—frequent travelers or customers with high data use, mainly—but it’s undoubtedly one of the best for frugal customers without cutting corners on quality service. With Ryan Reynolds still attached and T-Mobile continuing to back the network, it’s probable that Mint Mobile will only continue to grow, making them a smart choice for anyone on a budget.