T-Mobile Essentials Plan

T-Mobile Essentials is T-Mobile’s entry-level unlimited data plan.

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T-Mobile Essentials Plan Details

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T-Mobile Essentials: Who is It Good For?

T-Mobile Essentials caters to users who are comfortable having their cellular data deprioritized (i.e., temporarily slowed down) when the network is busy, rarely need to use their device as a mobile hotspot, and aren’t looking to bundle their wireless plan with any add-ons like video streaming services other perks.

T-Mobile Essentials Plan Price

T-Mobile Essentials boasts an attractive price point, particularly for the generous allocation of deprioritized data compared to industry competitors offering similar plans, such as AT&T and Verizon. For those interested in multiple lines, T-Mobile includes multi-line discounts with this plan.

However, unlike more premium unlimited T-Mobile plans, T-Mobile Essentials doesn't include taxes and fees in its upfront price, which can add between 10-12% to the total cost.

T-Mobile Essentials Data

As the name suggests, T-Mobile Essentials doesn’t offer a lot of extras. But what it lacks in bells and whistles, it makes up for with its generous deprioritized data. While deprioritized data is subject to slowdowns during high-traffic times, average users who don’t engage in heavy-data activities don’t tend to even notice the difference between deprioritized and premium data.

Where T-Mobile Essentials is more true to its name is in its limited hotspot data allocation.

T-Mobile Essentials Add-Ons and Perks

T-Mobile Essentials doesn’t include perks or add-ons like video streaming services or other subscriptions.

T-Mobile Coverage

One of the big three wireless carriers in the U.S., T-Mobile offers coverage nationwide. T-Mobile’s 4G network is smaller than AT&T's and Verizon's, but its 5G is the largest of the Big Three, with high-speed service that covers 29% of the map. T-Mobile’s 5G includes standard 5G and 5G UC, or Ultra Capacity, which offers even faster speeds.

To check T-Mobile coverage near you, enter your address in the map below.

Pros and Cons of T-Mobile Essentials

Pros

• Competitive features for its price
• Good for unlimited talk and text
• 5G and 4G LTE coverage on T-Mobile's own network

Cons

• At 3G speeds, your data will be noticeably slower than normal Wi-Fi
• Multi-line pricing is more attractive than single-line, meaning single-line users may get less value

Where It Fits in the T-Mobile Lineup

T-Mobile Essentials is T-Mobile’s entry-level unlimited data plan offering, just one step up from T-Mobile Essentials Saver. It sits below T-Mobile Go5G, T-Mobile Go5G Plus, and T-Mobile Go5G Next plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the T-Mobile Essentials plan?

T-Mobile Essentials is T-Mobile's entry-level unlimited plan, offering a generous allocation of deprioritized data for those who don’t need a lot of hotspot data or extra perks.

Is the T-Mobile Essentials plan worth it?

The T-Mobile Essentials plan is worth it if you want to save money on your plan by opting for deprioritized data instead of premium data and limiting your hotspot usage.

What is the T-Mobile Essentials Saver plan?

For a slightly lower cost, T-Mobile Essentials Saver provides users with everything that T-Mobile Essentials does except for phone device promotions.