Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
AT&T has played second fiddle to Verizon for a while, and T-Mobile is steadily gaining ground. The magenta carrier continues to add new wrinkles in hopes of attracting subscribers, but does it work? If so, should you make the swap? Let’s put AT&T vs. T-Mobile in the spotlight to see which provider is right for you.
See also: AT&T Buyer’s Guide | T-Mobile buying guide
At first glance, T-Mobile and AT&T seem pretty similar. After all, they are both GSM networks, but we have to go through category by category to break down the differences. Ready for a new carrier? This guide is a great place to start.
AT&T vs. T-Mobile – Prices
The easiest place to start a comparison is pricing. Neither of these airlines dares to charge as much as Verizon, and it comes down to the per-line discounts to put one ahead of the other. See our table for a quick overview of the unlimited plans:
| AT&T costs | T-Mobile costs | |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited entry-level tariff | AT&T costs: Unlimited starter | T-Mobile costs: Basics |
| Unlimited middle class plan | AT&T costs: Unlimited extras | T-Mobile costs: magenta |
| Unlimited premium plan | AT&T costs: Unlimited elite | T-Mobile costs: Magenta max |
No matter how you cut it, T-Mobile is the cheaper of the two providers. It beats AT&T every step of the way and can be up to $ 15 cheaper on some plans. As usual, the best way to save is with a family discount, with T-Mobile Essentials dropping to just $ 27 per line if you have four lines. AT & T’s Unlimited Starter will cost you $ 35 per month for similar specs.
Big Blue fills the void a bit with its midrange plans, as Unlimited Extra is only $ 5 more than Magenta with one, two, or four service lines. One of the bigger differences at this point is that AT&T gives you 15 GB of hotspot, while T-Mobile keeps it slim at 5 GB. Both airlines are also introducing perks at this point, but we’ll come back to that later.
Do you need more hotspots? Here are the best hotspot plans
If you decide to go all out with the Magenta Max or Unlimited Elite plans, T-Mobile has a big head start if you hit three lines. The Un-Carrier beats Big Blue by $ 13 per line before the difference drops to $ 7 when you add a fourth line. T-Mobile also becomes an even better value as both wireless carriers are ready to give you 40GB of high-speed hotspot.
Should you decide that both providers cost more than you are willing to spend your wallet, it may be time for an MVNO. Here are guides on some of your best bets for both networks:
AT&T vs. T-Mobile coverage
Both AT&T and T-Mobile are pushing their 5G rollout as quickly as possible. Airlines continue to light new towers every week, but T-Mobile still seems to have an advantage. Unfortunately, the 5G race hasn’t reached all corners of the United States yet, so it’s easier to compare 4G LTE access.
See also: Where is 5G available in the US?
This comparison used to consist of some percentages for each airline and some vague maps, but now the FCC is stepping up to provide better information to consumers. We made a sliding comparison of AT&T and T-Mobile LTE maps above, or you can go to the interactive page to check out your forest edge. The government hasn’t gotten to a standardized 5G card yet, which means we’ll have to rely on percentages for the time being. According to WhistleOut, T-Mobile leads costs with 37% 5G coverage compared to a measly 16% coverage at AT&T.
Take a look at the carrier cards: AT&T | T-Mobile
AT&T vs. T-Mobile Benefits and Promotions
Reliable coverage should be your number one concern when it comes to a wireless carrier, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. The truth is that most major airlines offer similar services in many areas, so they have to do more to differentiate themselves. This is where streaming perks and discounts come into play. Here is a quick table to show you what to expect from both providers:
| AT&T | T-Mobile | |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited entry-level tariff | AT&T: Unlimited starter | T-Mobile: Basics |
| Unlimited middle class plan | AT&T: Unlimited extras | T-Mobile: magenta |
| Unlimited premium plan | AT&T: Unlimited elite | T-Mobile: Magenta max |
If you’re an avid gamer and haven’t tried Google’s Stadia Pro service, AT&T might be the one for you. All three unlimited plans currently offer six months of service at no extra charge. You can also sprinkle HBO Max into the mix if you sign up for AT & T’s Premium Unlimited Elite plan, but the other two plans don’t have a video streaming alternative.
Over at T-Mobile, the best choice for a streaming benefit is to sign up for Magenta or Magenta Max. Both plans offer a Netflix subscription, though it depends on how many lines you sign up for. If you choose magenta, you’ll need two lines in your account to get a single screen of Netflix Basic. You only need one line of Magenta Max to get Netflix Basic, but a second line grants you Netflix Standard instead.
On the plus side, both carriers love a good discount. You’ll likely need to trade in your current device for the best discounts, but AT&T has been offering up to $ 700 off the iPhone 12 practically since launch day. T-Mobile has a similar deal underway, but you can actually get the Apple flagship for free with your qualifying trade. The Magenta network also has several buy-one deals that you can put yourself in the shoes of as you upgrade your whole family. AT&T, on the other hand, tends towards inexpensive phones that do not require trade-ins.
See also: The best AT&T deals | The best T-Mobile offers
AT&T vs. T-Mobile – phone selection
Eric Zeman / Android Authority
Both T-Mobile and AT&T are considered GSM carriers, which means that they work on a slightly newer framework. The common framework also means they both support almost the same list of devices, including more options than rival Verizon can handle. One of the few big differences is that T-Mobile offers the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro without additional tires to jump through. If you want any of the devices from AT&T, you will have to buy it from a third party.
See also: The best AT&T phones | The best T cell phones
Outside of T-Mobile’s relationship with OnePlus, the other devices are generally the same. You can take advantage of the latest Galaxy S21 series, Apple’s iPhone 12 series, and even the latest Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 if you have the money. AT&T and T-Mobile also have some budget-friendly phones, but they don’t always have the same offerings.
Which carrier is right for you?
We’ve played through all of the major differences between AT&T and T-Mobile, and now it’s time for the million dollar question. Is one porter actually better for you than the other? Well it depends on your needs. You should first check your local coverage options to see if either option is more prevalent in your area. If so, this should help you choose. However, when the options are a wash, it’s time to move on to pricing. You can prioritize savings at T-Mobile or opt for AT&T. It costs more, but you also get more perks.
Ultimately, you might conclude that neither AT&T nor T-Mobile are a perfect fit for you, and that’s fine, too. If so, then you should try one of these alternatives instead:
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