Eventually, you become tired of the incremental price hikes cell phone providers assess. That's why it pays to shop around.
Recently, I made the switch from Verizon to T-Mobile. And since making the switch, I've saved around $40 per month. If you're looking to save on your cell phone plan, you're not alone. The average phone bill in the US is $157, according to WhistleOut.
Here's one T-Mobile deal for seniors I found offering plenty of cost-saving perks. I'll break down what you have to do to obtain these deals so you can decide if it's the right fit for you.
Here's how to get a free iPhone through T-Mobile
Let's start with devices. Most cell carriers offer incentives to upgrade your phone to a new one, provided you're willing to transfer your number over and stay on the plan for anywhere from two to three years.
T-Mobile offers a great deal, as you can receive a free iPhone 17 after 24 bill credits. To qualify for this deal, sign up for the Experience Beyond plan and pay the sales tax and activation fees of $35 per line.
Earn a plan discount if you're 55 or older
Another nice perk T-Mobile has that Verizon doesn't is that they offer 55+ plans. These come with all the features of regular plans at a discounted price.
To qualify for the free iPhone 17, you'll need to sign up for the Experience Beyond w/55+ Savings plan. This option is $130 per month for two lines.
It means you can upgrade to two free iPhone 17 devices and receive unlimited text, data and calling benefits for around $65 per month per line. This is a good deal for families who share a line and would like to upgrade their phones.
Here's how this compares to other providers:
Provider |
Plan name |
Plan costs for 2 lines |
|---|---|---|
T-Mobile |
Experience Beyond 55 |
$130 + taxes |
Verizon |
Unlimited Ultimate |
$160 + taxes |
AT&T |
AT&T Unlimited Premium PL |
$131.98 + taxes |
Mint Mobile |
Mint 55+ |
$15 per month per line, with 3 months prepaid |
Further, you gain streaming perks. Unlike Verizon, which offers discounts on bundled streaming services, with T-Mobile, you receive Apple TV Plus, Hulu with ads and Netflix's ad-supported plan for free. These streaming perks alone save you up to $28 monthly.
Alternatively, if you're looking to save money and don't need unlimited high-speed internet or streaming perks, then Mint Mobile offers an affordable alternative. You can buy an unlimited plan for $15 per month, with three months prepaid.
Is T-Mobile's incentive a good deal?
With T-Mobile’s latest promotion, customers on the Experience Beyond 55+ plan can get up to $900 off an iPhone 17 when they trade in an eligible device. The discount is applied through monthly bill credits over 24 months.
The Experience Beyond 55+ plan costs about $130 per month plus taxes for two lines, which is already about $40 less per month than standard plan pricing. The plan also includes streaming perks and other benefits that can add extra value if you already use those services.
Customers must pay sales tax on the phone’s full price upfront, along with a $35 connection charge per device. To receive the full discount, you’ll need to keep the qualifying plan and service active for two years.
For customers already planning to upgrade their phone, this promotion can be a strong way to offset the cost of a new device while locking in plan discounts and bundled perks. However, it may be less appealing for those who don’t need a new phone, only need a single line or prefer lower monthly plan costs without bundled extras.
Is there anything I should know before signing up?
If you owe a balance on your old device, make sure to set up an arrangement with your old carrier before you switch. Per T-Mobile, the prepaid Mastercard typically takes 15 days to arrive.
The other thing is that if you take advantage of the free iPhone deal, you'll need to maintain service for 24 months to receive the total discount via billing credits. If you cancel your service before the 24 months are up, you'll owe a balance on your device(s).
Overall, T-Mobile offers exceptional savings for seniors. With their 55+ plans, you'll gain all the same perks of a regular plan at a discounted rate. Furthermore, you can get a free iPhone 17 with billing credits and up to $900 to pay off your old device, making now a great time to consider switching providers if you're searching for all these perks.
