t mobile go5g business plan

T-Mobile's New Go5G Plans Explained: DON'T Waste Your Money

On April 20th, 2023, T-Mobile announced three new cell phone plans: Essentials Savings, Go5G, and Go5G Plus.

If you're an existing T-Mobile customer or thinking about signing up as a new customer, you may have some quesitons:

• Are T-Mobile’s new Go5G plans worth your hard-earned money?
• Should you upgrade to these plans if you’re an existing customer?
• How do T-Mobile's new plans compare to the plans from Verizon and AT&T?

I don’t want you wasting your money, so in this article we’re answering these questions. 

We’re covering exactly what’s new with T-Mobile Essentials Savings, Go5G, and Go5G Plus and whether or not you should upgrade or switch to these new plans.

T-Mobile’s Confusing Plan Lineup

To start things off, it’s important to understand T-Mobile’s plan lineup.

Consumers now have six different unlimited plans to choose from when they go to sign up for T-Mobile service: 

• Essentials Savings
• Magenta MAX

If choosing between six different unlimited plans sounds confusing, don’t worry. 

I’m going to un-complicate things for you and tell you exactly which unlimited plan to get. 

To simplify the lineup, think of it this way – all of T-Mobile’s plans fit into one of three categories:

• Entry-level plans
• Mid-tier plans
• Top-tier plans

The entry-level plans are the most affordable options with the fewest features. The mid-tier plans have a balance of features and price. And the top-tier plans are the most expensive options, but they also include all the bells and whistles.

Entry-Level Plan Comparison: Essentials vs. Essentials Savings

Essentials and Esssentials Savings are the two entry-level plans from T-Mobile.

They are the most affordable plan options, starting at $60 and $50 per month respectively for a single line.

Essentials is $60 per month. It includes unlimited deprioritized data, 600kbps hotspot data, 480p video streaming, free international texting, and 128Kbps data in Canada and Mexico. International calling is available as a $15 per month add-on, and international data roaming is available for a $5 per month add-on.

The new Essentials Savings plan is exactly the same and makes 1 key change: it drops the price.

Essentials Savings drops the price per account by $10 for one line, $10 for two lines, $0 for three lines, $5 for four lines, and $10 for five lines. 

Here’s the full pricing breakdown:

Essentials pricing

• 1 line: $60
• 2 lines: $90 ($45 per line)
• 3 lines: $90 ($30 per line)
• 4 lines: $105 ($26.25 per line)
• 5 lines: $120 ($24 per line)

Essentials Savings pricing

• 1 line: $50
• 2 lines: $80 ($40 per line)
• 4 lines: $100 ($25 per line)
• 5 lines: $110 ($22 per line)

Is Essentials Savings Worth it for new or existing customers?

Essentials Savings is not worth it for new or existing customers.

If you’re a single-line user, you can get more features at a better price from Metro by T-Mobile. Metro’s $50 unlimited plan includes truly unlimited data, 8GB of high-speed hotspot data (compared to no hotspot data on the Essentials plans), and it’s even a bit cheaper thanks to the fact it includes all taxes and fees.

Single-line users could also save heaps of money by getting a low-cost prepaid plan.

Mint Mobile’s 15GB plan is just $20 per month, saving you $300+ per year, and Mint Mobile's unlimited plan is just $30 per month, saving you $200+ per year. 

Families will also save money by going with a different option.

T-Mobile’s Go5G Plus plan ends up being cheaper than Essentials for 3, 4, and 5 lines when you factor in its generous $800 off trade-in deals. 

And if you don’t want to finance your devices, then Metro by T-Mobile is the better option. 

You can get four lines of unlimited data for just $25 per line on Metro. Because all taxes and fees are included on Metro, your family would end up saving roughly $200+ per year. 

Mid-Tier Plans: Magenta vs. Go5G

Magenta and Go5G are the two mid-tier plans offered by T-Mobile.

On the surface, they appear to offer a good balance between price and features. 

But the truth is they end up becoming surprisingly expensive when you factor in the cost of purchasing a new device. But before we dive into price, let’s talk about what each of these plans includes.

T-Mobile Magenta is $70 per month.

It includes all taxes and fees.

It comes with 100GB of premium data, 5GB of high-speed hotspot data, 480p video streaming, free international texting, 5GB of high-speed data in Canada and Mexico before unlimited data at 256Kbps, 5GB of international data, and 4 full-flight streaming sessions per year. International calling is also available for a $15 per month add-on.

Additionally, T-Mobile Magenta comes with a few perks.

It includes 1 year of AAA, 6 months of Apple TV+, and a free Netflix Basic subscription when you have two or more lines on your account.

So what’s new with Go5G?

T-Mobile Go5G makes four key changes. It increases the price to $75 per month. It triples the hotspot data to 15GB. It increases the video streaming quality to 1080p (5Mbps). And it doubles the Canada and Mexico data to 5GB.

Are those new changes worth the price hike?

For most people, probably not.

Especially since prices are higher across the board for the new Go5G plan. 

Magenta pricing (legacy pricing, includes 3rd line free)

• 1 line: $70
• 2 lines: $120 ($60 per line)
• 3 lines: $120 ($40 per line)
• 4 lines: $140 ($35 per line)
• 5 lines: $160 ($32 per line)

Go5G pricing (current pricing, includes 3rd line free)

• 1 line: $75
• 2 lines: $130 ($65 per line)
• 3 lines: $130 ($43 per line)
• 4 lines: $155 ($39 per line)
• 5 lines: $180 ($36 per line)

Magenta pricing (current pricing, 3rd line free removed)

• 3 lines: $140 ($47 per line)
• 4 lines: $160 ($40 per line)

Are Magenta or Go5G worth it for new or existing customers?

Not at all. 

While having 100GB of premium data, 5GB or 15GB of high-speed hotspot data, and free data roaming in Canada, Mexico, and 11 European countries are nice perks over the entry-level Essentials plans, the truth is neither Magenta nor Go5G are worth it for most consumers.

The main reason is that Magenta and Go5G include around half of the device trade-in credit as the new Go5G Plus plan.

When Go5G and Go5G Plus launched on April 23, 2023, Go5G customers could only get $350 off a new iPhone 14. Meanwhile, Go5G Plus customers could get up to $830 off an iPhone 14. You would end up paying $500 extra per device you finance on Magenta and Go5G.

That extra cost makes the plans more expensive than the Go5G Plus plan for two lines, three lines, four lines, and five lines.

So families with two or more lines would end up saving money (and getting a better plan) by going with T-Mobile Go5G Plus. 

And single-line users, or anyone looking to save extra money, could get a better deal from a prepaid carrier.

Mint Mobile’s unlimited plan would save single-line users around $350 per year. 

For more options, you can compare all unlimited plans here . 

Top-Tier Plans: Magenta MAX vs. Go5G Plus

Magenta MAX and Go5G Plus are T-Mobile’s top-tier plans.

They include the best of the best of what T-Mobile offers.

Magenta MAX is $85 per month. It includes unlimited premium data, 40G of hotspot data, 4K video streaming, free international texting, 5GB of high-speed data in Canada and Mexico, 5GB of high-speed international data in over 215 supported destinations, and full-flight streaming where available. International calling is available for a $15 add-on.

The Magenta MAX plan also includes perks like Netflix Basic with one line, Netflix Standard with two or more lines, one year of AAA, Apple TV+, and $20 off T-Mobile Home Internet.

The new Go5G Plus plan makes three key changes.

It increases the hotspot data by 10GB, bringing the new total to 50GB. It triples the Canada and Mexico data to 15GB. And, yes, it increases the price by $5 to $90 per month.

There is also one more key change.

Go5G Plus is the first plan T-Mobile has offered that guarantees existing customers will always get the same promos as new customers. 

T-Mobile calls this “ New In Two ” because it means you will always be able to trade in your old device for a new one every two years. This effectively saves you around $800 every two years. 

For example, today you could trade in an iPhone 7 and get a free iPhone 14 on Go5G Plus.

Then, in 2025, you could trade in your iPhone 14 and get a free iPhone 16. 

And in 2027, you could trade in your iPhone 16 for a free iPhone 18. 

Sure, it’s possible Apple will raise prices on their entry-model iPhones. But no matter the price, you’d still be saving $830 every two years on Go5G Plus. And that’s a really good deal. 

Here’s how prices compare between Magenta MAX and Go5G Plus:

Magenta MAX pricing (legacy pricing, includes 3rd line free)

• 1 line: $85
• 2 lines: $140 ($70 per line)
• 4 lines: $170 ($43 per line)
• 5 lines: $200 ($40 per line)

Go5G Plus pricing (current pricing, includes 3rd line free)

• 1 line: $90
• 2 lines: $150 ($75 per line)
• 3 lines: $150 ($50 per line)
• 4 lines: $185 ($46 per line)
• 5 lines: $220 ($44 per line)

Magenta MAX pricing (current pricing, 3rd line free removed)

• 3 lines: $170 ($57 per line)
• 4 lines: $200 ($50 per line)
• 5 lines: $230 ($46 per line)

Is Magenta MAX worth it for new or existing customers?

If you’re an existing customer on Magenta MAX, odds are you’re probably getting a pretty good deal on cell service. 

Maybe you’ve taken advantage of one of T-Mobile’s many free line promotions, or you were able to get a 20% off insider discount. 

Odds are you’ll be really happy sticking with your current Magenta MAX plan.

That said, there are three reasons you may want to consider upgrading to Go5G Plus:

• You need more hotspot data
• You need more data in Canada or Mexico
• You want the best device deals

The device deals point is probably the most important factor here. 

You see, T-Mobile always reserves its best $830 off trade-in deals for its most expensive plan, which is now Go5G Plus.

This means Magenta MAX customers have been relegated to getting the $350 to $400 of trade-in credit you get on the mid-tier plans. When Magenta MAX customers go to upgrade their devices this fall to the new iPhone 15, they’ll be getting roughly half the trade-in credit as Go5G Plus customers and spending around $500 extra.

Meanwhile, Go5G Plus customers would be able to get a free iPhone 15 with trade-in. 

The extra savings you get from the device deals on the Go5G Plus plan offset its slightly higher price tag.

I mean, it’s not crazy to spend $60 extra per year to save $830 off your phone every two years, right?

Is Go5G Plus worth it for new or existing customers?

In my opinion, Go5G Plus is the only plan T-Mobile offers that’s actually worth it.

Why is this?

One simple reason: you get a FREE new phone every two years with a trade-in.

When T-Mobile launched Go5G Plus, they announced it was the first plan where existing customers were guaranteed to get the same device promos as new customers. And T-Mobile is promising existing customers on Go5G Plus will be able to get a free new phone every two years with what they call “New In Two.”

You could trade in an iPhone 7 today and get a free iPhone 14 on Go5G Plus.

Then in two years, you could trade in your iPhone 14 and get a free iPhone 16. 

And two years later, in 2027, you could trade in your iPhone 16 for a free iPhone 18. 

Getting a free phone on Go5G Plus saves you $830 every two years. And it’s the savings on the smartphones that really make this plan a good value. 

You see, when you add everything up––the monthly cost of the plan, the trade-in credit you get for your old device, the monthly payments on your new device, and taxes and fees–– G5G Plus ends up being the cheapest plan for consumers with three lines, four lines, and five lines.

And for two lines, Go5G Plus is just $2 extra per line compared to T-Mobile Essentials. 

Considering Go5G Plus includes many extra perks and benefits over T-Mobile Essentials, like the ability to save $240 per year on T-Mobile Home Internet, I think it’s easily a better overall value. 

The only situation where Go5G Plus isn’t worth it is for single-line users.

Individuals can still save heaps of money by getting a cell phone plan from a prepaid carrier.

But otherwise, I think you’re losing money if you go with any other plan that’s not Go5G Plus. 

T-Mobile vs. Verizon vs. AT&T

We’ve covered how T-Mobile’s plans compare to each other.

But how do T-Mobile’s new plans compare to the options from Verizon and AT&T?

This may surprise you.

Single Line Comparison

For single-line users, Go5G Plus is in the middle of the pack, while Go5G is more expensive. AT&T’s plans offer the best overall value.

And a big reason for this is all three of AT&T’s unlimited plans, even their entry-level Unlimited Starter plan, are eligible for the $800 off device promos. 

Keep your eye on AT&T Unlimited Starter throughout the comparison.

2 Line Comparison

For two lines, T-Mobile Essentials and Go5G Plus actually bump up and become more affordable. Meanwhile the regular Go5G Plan is even closer towards the bottom.

The most affordable plans continue to be from AT&T.

3 Line Comparison

For three lines, all of T-Mobile’s plans suddenly become super affordable. This is thanks ot their third-line free promotion.

Now Go5G Plus is second in the list, and it’s just around $0.50 more than AT&T Unlimited Starter. Considering how Go5G Plus is a top-tier plan, it’s a really good value here. 

4 Line Comparison

For four lines, AT&T reclaims it’s position in the top two spots, but T-Mobile Go5G Plus is still a great value. 

Shockingly, Go5G and Essentials plummet to the middle of the Verizon plans, which are much more expensive.

5 Line Comparison

And for five lines, it’s the same story. Go5G Plus is a great option, but it just can’t beat AT&T’s value.

It’s worth mentioning that I am doing my best job to estimate taxes & fees for AT&T, but they could be off by a couple of dollars, and in your area taxes and fees could be way higher.

This could make the price difference between AT&T and T-Mobile Go5G Plus much less.

I’m disappointed T-Mobile raised prices for consumers, especially considering they called out AT&T and Verizon for raising prices during their announcement.

But for me, the truth is that Go5G Plus doesn’t seem that unreasonable when you factor in the device deals and the perks it includes.

My name is Stetson and my goal is to help 1 million people save $10 per month or more on their cell phone bill. 

Share this post with one friend if you found it helpful. 🙂

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Overview: Business Plans by T-Mobile (Cellular Data Plans)

Released Around: March, 2019 / Last Updated: May 17, 2024

T-Mobile Business is a potential option for RVers, cruisers, and nomads because of they are the easiest carrier to get a business account and offer several easily obtainable plans for sole proprietors and small business customers.

Plan Information

T-Mobile offers various plans for business customers that are generally very similar to consumer postpaid plans but with some different features & benefits.

To sign up for a business plan, you must have a "qualifying" business account and approved credit. Plan eligibility, the number of lines on an account, and other factors can vary depending on your credit rating.

Typically, a business account will get tax-inclusive pricing for accounts with five or fewer lines.  More than five lines may get the account (and associated plans) switched to tax-exclusive.

**TOP PICKS**

Top Pick Notes : T-Mobile Business offers a few plans that we consider Top Picks worth focusing your research on. Here are the highlights of the plans we recommend and why we consider them top picks:

Business Unlimited Edge

• Device: Smartphones, Tablets
• Data: Unlimited On Device
• No network deprioritization and 200GB of high-speed hotspot data. This plan is priced like the consumer Go5G Plus  plan , which only offers 50GB of high-speed data (with add-ons for up to 100GB). 
• Price:  $90/month for Unlimited Edge
• Top Pick Notes:
• More Info: View the 'Smartphones Plans' tab

Business Internet

• Device: Routers and Hotspots
• Data: Unlimited
• Price: $60/month
• Top Pick Notes: These plans are eligible for BYOD, including most mobile routers. These plans are intended for fixed business use, but T-Mobile advertises them as options for remote and "popup" locations. T-Mobile has not enforced any geo-location restrictions. The Unlimited plan is available only in limited areas, but capped data plans are also available in other locations. Often confused with the Home/Small Business Internet plans. Additionally, a clone of the Home/Small Business internet plan can be ordered from the Business Internet website - avoid this and call Business Sales to get access to the BYOD plans.
• More Info: View the 'Business Internet' tab 

Business Tablet Promo Plans

• Device: Tablets
• Price: $10-15/month
• Top Pick Notes: These plans are promotional and tend to come and go without warning. They can generally be purchased BYOD, standalone, or with a tablet from T-Mobile, depending on the promo details and restrictions.
• More Info: View the 'Data Plans' tab 

Smartphone Plans

All of the T-Mobile Business Unlimited plans have language in the fine print that states: For the small fraction of customers using >50GB/mo., primary data usage must be on smartphone or tablet.  However they do not have provide any information on what happens to customers if they use more than 50GB of hotspot data, nor have we heard any reports of people running into an issue. But if you are going to use these plans and plan on using a lot of hotspot data, this is something to be aware of.

Plan Specifications:

• Business Unlimited Ultimate+ for iPhone  (Not available online.)
• Business Unlimited Edge **TOP PICK**
• Business Unlimited Ultimate 
• Business Unlimited Advanced 
• Go5G Business Next
• Go5G Business Plus
• Go5G Business
• Note: Go5G Business plans are only available in stores.
• Carrier Networks Used: T-Mobile
• Carrier Relationship: Direct
• Plan Types Available: Phone
• Device Types Permitted: Phone
• Unlimited: Yes
• Business Unlimited Ultimate+ for iPhone: 200GB
• Business Unlimited Edge: 200GB
• Business Unlimited Ultimate: 100GB
• Business Unlimited Advanced: 50GB
• Go5G Business Next and Plus: 100GB
• Go5G Business: 50GB
• All hotspot data is prioritized behind smartphone data.
• Throttling: None 
• Business Unlimited Ultimate+ for iPhone: None 
• Business Unlimited Edge: None
• Business Unlimited Ultimate: None 
• Business Unlimited Advanced: 100GB
• Go5G Business Next and Plus: None
• Business Unlimited Ultimate+ for iPhone: 4K UHD
• Business Unlimited Edge: 4K UHD
• Business Unlimited Ultimate: 4K UHD
• Business Unlimited Advanced: 1080p
• Go5G Business Next and Plus: 4K UHD
• Go5G Business: 480p (Can enable 720p)
• 5G Access: Yes, with a compatible device and in an area where 5G service is available
• Device Purchase Required: No
• Plan Period: Monthly
• Business Unlimited Edge: 15GB in Canada and Mexico. 5GB in 215+ countries; then 256Kb after 5GB
• Business Unlimited Plans: 5GB in Canada and Mexico and 5GB in 215+ other countries; then 256Kb after 5GB
• Go5G Business Next and Plus Plans: 15GB in Canada/Mexico; unlimited at 256Kb in 215+ countries
• Go5G Business: 10GB in Canada/Mexico; unlimited at 256Kb in 215+ countries
• Domestic Roaming: 200MB
• Data Roll Over: No
• Overage Charges: None
• Lines permitted per account:  Up to 20
• Business Unlimited Ultimate+ for iPhone: Apple Business Essentials and AppleCare+ 
• Business Unlimited Edge/Advanced: Microsoft 365; Apple TV+; ViX Premium
• Business Unlimited Ultimate: Microsoft 365 OR Netflix; Apple TV+; ViX Premium
• Business Unlimited Select: ViX Premium
• Go5G Plans: Microsoft 365
• Business Unlimited Ultimate+ for iPhone - $95/month
• Business Unlimited Edge - $90/month 
• Business Unlimited Ultimate - $85/month 
• Business Unlimited Advanced - $70/month
• Go5G Business Next: $100/month
• Go5G Business Plus: $90/month
• Go5G Business: $75/month
• Pricing reflects autopay and paperless billing discounts.

We only track smartphone plans that meet our criteria for mobile internet, which is having at least 50GB of mobile hotspot data. Other smartphone plans may be available from the carrier other than those listed here. If you want information on other available smartphone plans, our friend Stetson Doggett manages the website Best Phone Plans , which provides comprehensive information on all plans provided by each carrier.

Business Internet Plans

Currently available plans.

• Business Internet Unlimited BYOD - $50/month **TOP PICK**
• Business Internet Unlimited - $60/month (clone of TMHI/Small Business Internet - locked to provided router)
• Business Internet 300GB - $70 (deprioritized)  or $150 (no deprioritization) /month 
• Business Internet 100GB - $50/month 
• Business Internet 25GB - $45/month
• Business Internet 10GB - $25/month
• Business Internet Backup Plan 130 GB- $20/month (7 days only per month)
• Carrier Networks Used:  T-Mobile
• Carrier Relationship:  Direct
• Plan Types Available:  Data
• Device Types Permitted: Data Devices
• Unlimited:  Yes
• High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Use:  Yes - all
• 600 Kbps after cap. Can purchase more for $2/GB.
• Always Deprioritized - after 1.2TB of use in a month, priority drops to last on the network.
• 300GB $150/month plan - Normal priority
• Video Streaming Resolution:  Up to 4k
• 5G Access:  Yes
• Plan Period:  Monthly
• International Roaming:  None
• Domestic Roaming:  None
• Data Roll Over:  N/A
• Overage Charges:  None
• Lines per account: Not specified
• Static IP addresses are available.  Some plans come with Business Internet Filtering , which can be removed by calling T-Mobile.
• Backup plan comes with 3x 130GB data passes per month. If the initial 130GB data allotment is used up, customers can choose to activate one of the passes if they need more data. The pass lasts for three days or until the 130GB of data is used up, whichever comes first.
• Note that these promos frequently come and go without warning but are often available. Specific terms and conditions depend on the promo.
• Magenta+ Business Tablet 20GB hotspot - $75/month, or $25/month if added to an unlimited phone plan
• Magenta+ Business Tablet 10GB hotspot - $70/month, or $20/month if added to an unlimited phone plan
• Magenta Business Tablet - $60/month, or $20/month if added to an unlimited phone plan
• 100GB - $55/month (5G devices only)
• 22 GB - $90
• 18 GB - $75
• 14 GB - $60
• 10 GB - $45
• 500 MB - $5

*All plans with "Magenta" in the name include taxes. All other plans, taxes are extra.

All prices reflect autopay discounts.

• Plan Types Available: Tablet 
• Device Types Permitted:  Tablet
• Tablet Promo plans - 10GB, then unlimited 3G
• Magenta Business Tablet - Unlimited but all data capped at 3G speed
• Magenta+ Business Tablet 20 GB hotspot - 20GB, then unlimited 3G
• Magenta+ Business Tablet 10GB hotspot - 10GB, then unlimited 3G
• Hotspot Plan - 100GB, then unlimited 3G
• All hotspot data is prioritized behind on-device data.
• Throttling: None for on-device data usage
• Network Management : 50GB 
• Video Streaming Resolution: 480p
• 5G Access: Yes
• eSIM:  No
• Device Purchase Required: Varies by plan and business account status
• Promo Plans: Usually 5GB in Canada/Mexico
• Magenta Business Plan: 5GB high speed data in 11 European countries; Unlimited data at 256 Kbps in 215+ countries; Unlimited 2G data in Canada and Mexico
• Magenta+ Business Tablet plans: Unlimited data at 256 Kbps in 215+ countries; Unlimited 2G data in Canada and Mexico
• Hotspot Plan: 5GB in Canada/Mexico. 5GB in 215+ countries.
• Magenta Tablet Plans: 200MB
• Hotspot Plan: 200MB
• Extras : None

News, Videos & Status

We keep a variety of T-Mobile plans active amongst our staff and are constantly testing them. 

Video Stories

Related news stories.

• T-Mobile Announces Beta Test For Starlink Direct-to-Cellular Satellite Service Posted on: December 18, 2024
• T-Mobile Revamps Fixed-Location Home And Small Business Internet Plans Posted on: December 5, 2024
• T-Mobile Launches First 5G "RedCap" Device - The TCL Linkport IK511 USB Modem Posted on: November 1, 2024
• Hurricane Milton Alert: Keep Connected When Cell Towers Go Down with Starlink and Apple! Posted on: October 9, 2024
• Mobile Internet Resource Center Tenth Anniversary - Retrospective Posted on: September 3, 2024

Alternatives to Consider

Also consider some of our other top pick data plans:

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Shopping for Cellular Data Plans

Finding the right plans for your needs is no easy task - quite simply mobile travelers using cellular data as their primary way online is not how most carriers have designed their plans. Many of us want plans that provide copious amounts of data.

Here's our video going over ways to get LOTS of data for use in your travels:

But a data plan alone will not keep you online. You also need the right gear, signal enhancing strategy and planning your travels around the options you carry with you. Head on over to our collection of guides:

Top Data Plan Picks

Our constantly updated list of the BEST data plans. 

Which Carrier is Best?

Is Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile or Dish best for your travels?

Selecting Data Plans

Our deep dive into understanding data plans and shopping for them. 

Data Plan Pricing Grid

Our always updated spreadsheet comparing all data plans suitable for mobile internet. 

Getting LOTS of the Data

Learn how to get lots of cellular data in your mobile internet arsenal. 

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T-Mobile now offers the cheapest plan for your smartwatch, tablet, and laptop

Published on October 10, 2024

• T-Mobile will start offering a $5/month per device plan for connected devices like smartwatches, laptops, and tablets.
• Tablets and laptops get up to 30GB of high-speed data each month, followed by unlimited data at 600 kbps.
• Smartwatches get unlimited talk, text, and data.

T-Mobile is undercutting competition when it comes to wireless plans for smartwatches, laptops, and tablets. Starting October 17, the Un-carrier will offer its Go5G Next and Go5G Business Next plans for connected devices at just $5/month per device. This is the cheapest plan you can get for your smartwatch, tablet, or laptop anywhere. Verizon and AT&T both offer plans starting at $10.

T-Mobile $5/month plan inclusions

T-Mobile’s $5/month Go5G Next and Go5G Business Next plans offer different perks depending on the device for which you are subscribing. Tablets and laptops get up to 30GB of high-speed data each month, followed by unlimited 600 kbps data for the remainder of the month once you reach the high-speed data cap.

Smartwatches get unlimited talk, text, and >512kbps data. They are also covered when traveling abroad outside of T-Mobile’s network.

The carrier points out that a family of three on Go5G Next with a smartwatch and a tablet can save more than $50 every single month compared to similar plans offered by AT&T and Verizon.

Cheaper connected devices on offer

T-Mobile is also now covering the price difference between cellular-enabled and Wi-Fi-enabled smartwatches , tablets , and select laptops. Cellular-enabled devices are usually costlier than Wi-Fi-only versions. So, if you are a new or existing T-Mobile customer, not only will you pay less for a cellular plan, but you can also get a cellular version of a device like a smartwatch, tablet, or laptop at the same price as the Wi-Fi version. The carrier will also fund the price difference for laptops not sold on T-Mobile. Customers bringing their own laptops can get up to $200 back on their cellular-enabled laptop if they get the $5/month plan from T-Mobile.

If you don’t have a cellular-enabled laptop, T-Mobile is offering a TCL LINKPORT IK511 USB dongle at $50 for a limited time. The portable device can be attached to your laptop for 5G connectivity.

Moreover, T-Mobile’s device protection plan — Protection 360 — is also getting an upgrade. It now offers unlimited claims for accidental damages and includes unlimited $0 screen repairs. This upgrade also extends to smartphones apart from smartwatches, laptops, and tablets.

$200 off Samsung smartwatches and tablets

For a limited time, T-Mobile will offer a $200 discount on Samsung Galaxy smartwatches and tablets when adding them to Go5G Next and Go5G Business Next for $5/month. Eligible smartwatches include the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, Watch 7, Watch FE, and more. Eligible tablets include the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus, Tab A9 Plus, Tab S9 FE 5G, and more. All these deals start on October 17.

T-Mobile launches new Go5G unlimited plans — what you need to know

Go5G makes it easy to upgrade your phone every two years

T-Mobile is expanding its lineup of unlimited data plans, with an eye toward tweaking its phone carrier rivals while also giving customers the chance to upgrade their phone every two years.

Announced today (April 20), the Go5G and Go5G Plus offerings cost $5 more than T-Mobile's current Magenta and Magenta Max unlimited plans. The biggest difference is that latest plans offer what T-Mobile is calling "upgrade flexibility," building in the ability to get a new phone after two years.

"The promise that we're making customers is that they can get the very best device deals every two years," said Jon Freier, president of T-Mobile's consumer division.

T-Mobile says it's responding to three-year agreements offered by AT&T and Verizon , its biggest rivals when it comes to the best phone carriers competition. Not only does that lock people into using the same device for three years, the carrier says it leaves them subject to rate hikes.

The new Go5G plans weren't the only T-Mobile announcements at the company's latest Uncarrier event today. T-Mobile also unveiled new incentives for leaving behind your current carrier, while also introducing a way to simplify returning to your old wireless provider if you end up not caring for T-Mobile's service. In addition, the company is dropping the price of its lower-cost Essentials unlimited plan as part of a limited-time promotion.

Here's a closer look at all the T-Mobile announcements from today's Uncarrier event and how the new offers compare to some of the best unlimited data plans out there.

T-Mobile's new Go5G and Go5G Plus plans

The Go5G and Go5G Plus monthly plans start at $75 and $90, respectively, for a single line of data. That's $5 more each month than the existing Magenta and Magenta Max options, which had been among the best T-Mobile plans .

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A second line of data for Go5G costs $55 while additional lines cost $25 each. That means a family of four would pay $180 each month compared to $160 for four lines under the Magenta plan. Similarly, four lines of Go5G Plus costs $220 per month, which is $20 more than what Magenta Max customers would pay.

Go5G accounts receive 15GB of high-speed hotspot data while Go5G Plus subscribers get 50GB. That's 10GB more than what comes with either Magenta plan.

The extra money gives you the ability to upgrade your phone every two years under the Go5G plans. The plans are also subject to Price Lock, which is T-Mobile's guarantee that it won't raise rates if you keep your plan.

The Go5G plans enjoy the same benefits as Magenta and Magenta Max customers, including picking up the coast of a Netflix subscription for accounts with two or more lines. The Go5G plans also enjoy the same travel perks as their Magenta counterparts, and Go5G Plus customers get the same complimentary Apple TV Plus subscription that Magenta Max subscribers receive.

One of the noteworthy changes involves hotspot data, as Go5G customers get more of it. Specifically, Go5G accounts receive 15GB of high-speed hotspot data while Go5G Plus subscribers get 50GB. That's 10GB more than what comes with either Magenta plan.

The Go5G plans also get 5GB more high-speed data for use when traveling in Canada and Mexico — 10GB for Go5G customers and 15GB if you get Go5G Plus.

If you do switch to T-Mobile and find the new service wanting, a new Go Back Guarantee takes some of the complications out of switching back.

The cost of a single line Go5G Plus is comparable to what Verizon charges for its $90 Get More plan as well as AT&T's $85 Unlimited Premium Plan. Both of those plans offer extensive perks. Verizon's Get More includes the Disney Plus bundle with ESPN Plus and Hulu while also letting you accrue Travel Passes that cover using your cell phone plan overseas. AT&T's top unlimited plan lets you use your data in 19 Latin American countries. Neither of those plans includes the ability to easily upgrade phones, though, and T-Mobile also bakes the cost of taxes and fees into its rates.

To mark the launch of the Go5G plans, T-Mobile is letting Go5G Plus customers get a free 5G phone with an eligible trade-in. Phones released in the last six years are eligible for a trade-in value, with T-Mobile offering up to $800 to cover the cost of the new phone.

T-Mobile's Go5G plans go live on April 23.

T-Mobile's Easy Unlock and Go Back Guarantee

T-Mobile already offers to pay off early termination fees when you switch to its phone service from your current carrier, covering up to $650 of your costs. That's not changing under T-Mobile's Easy Unlock program, but now you'll be able to trade in your existing phone for a new device. The offer is good for up to two lines, T-Mobile's Freier said.

Easy Unlock is a limited time promotion.

If you do switch to T-Mobile and find the new service wanting, a new Go Back Guarantee takes some of the complications out of switching back. Drop T-Mobile as your carrier within 30 days of switching, and the carrier will give you $50 back for each line of data to pay off your bill — essentially waiving the cost of your first month of service should you decide to switch back.

T-Mobile Essentials pricing

T-Mobile Essentials, the carrier's least expensive unlimited data plan, is getting a temporary discount to mark all of T-Mobile's other promotions. Normally $60 a month for one line, Essentials will now cost $50.

The discounts also extend to multiple lines of T-Mobile Essentials, where a family of four would now pay $100 per month instead of the usual $120. Those prices are covered by Price Lock as well.

More from Tom's Guide

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• How to save money on your cell phone bill

Philip Michaels is a Managing Editor at Tom's Guide. He's been covering personal technology since 1999 and was in the building when Steve Jobs showed off the iPhone for the first time. He's been evaluating smartphones since that first iPhone debuted in 2007, and he's been following phone carriers and smartphone plans since 2015. He has strong opinions about Apple, the Oakland Athletics, old movies and proper butchery techniques. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.

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• kep55 Why would anyone with any sense want to replace something that is working perfectly fine every two years? :??: It's just a profit booster for T-Mobile.💲 Reply
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T-Mobile's $5 Device Plan Could Save Your Family Hundreds: Here's What You Need to Know

That means tablets, smartwatches, and laptops can all have 30GB of mobile data for less than anywhere else

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T-Mobile customers can stay connected via any of their mobile devices and spend less doing it than with other carriers.

These days, you need to be connected no matter where you go or what device you're using, and T-Mobile understands that's what its customers need. Now, it's offering up an addition on some plans that could save you a chunk of change.

A press release announced the T-Mobile new plan add-on, which lets you connect your mobile devices—smartwatches, tablets, or phones—to mobile data plans for just $5 per month per device. Other companies offer additional data lines, but they run anywhere from $10-$30 per month, depending on the mobile carrier you're with.

Westend61 / Getty Images

The T-Mobile upgrade can be accessed with Go5G Next and Go5G Business Next Plans and delivers 30GB of high-speed data per device. After you reach the 30GB limit, your data will be throlled to 600 kbps, but it's unlimited for the remainder of the month.

To sweeten the deal, the company is also offering to cover the difference (up to $200) between a device's Wi-Fi version and the cellular version for people who take advantage of T-Mobile's new plan. That means if you're a T-Mobile Go5G Next customer but have a Wi-Fi tablet, T-Mobile will pay the difference for you to upgrade to a cellular-enabled tablet and add a line for it. This also extends to "select laptops not sold at T-Mobile," according to the announcement.

If you happen to have a laptop that's not cellular-connected and you want to keep it, T-Mobile also has the TCL LINKPORT IK511 mobile dongle available for less than $50 for a limited time.

T-Mobile estimates that a family of three can save as much as $600 per year (compared to similar plans from other mobile carriers) using this new connection plan.

You can learn more about T-Mobile's Go5G Next plans on its website, and if you're already a T-Mobile customer and want to take advantage of the new plan add-on, you can do that through your T-Mobile account or by visiting a T-Mobile store in person.

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