ZDNET’s key takeaways
- T-Mobile’s new T-Mix plans allow customers to customize the benefits of their phone plan.
- T-Mix plans to launch in November, but no date has been announced
- Customers can choose from Netflix, Apple TV, ESPN, and more, spending their “picks” every 90 days.
T-Mobile’s phone plans just got a facelift, and now it’s easier than ever to pick and choose the benefits you want. Announced on October 26, T-Mobile’s T-Mix replaces the old Mobile Experience plans. The three new T-Mix plans are postpaid phone contracts with a core set of features and various “picks” options that can be exchanged to add benefits, streaming services, game subscriptions and device financing.
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These new plans are not yet available (they will start in early November, although T-Mobile has not confirmed a specific date). Existing T-Mobile Experience 2.0 plans will not be available to new customers, but current customers on those plans will be able to maintain them.
T-Mobile’s new offerings let customers pick and choose which benefits they want, rather than having specific benefits at certain plan levels. T-Mobile’s previous experience plan options provided fixed benefits, as did plans from Verizon and other carriers. This meant that some customers had to level up (and pay more) to get exactly the benefits they wanted, like Hulu or Netflix access, while other customers had no option to choose a benefit that best suited them if they didn’t want the full tier of services.
To compete in today’s market, carriers must be more adaptable than ever to retain their customer base. It’s not just about phone discounts, pre-orders or the coolest family plans anymore. Customers want to customize carrier services in ways that save them the most, and T-Mobile delivers.
T-Mobile says T-Mix doesn’t offer fixed bundles or wasted benefits, and offers customers the freedom to choose how the value built into a wireless plan works for them.
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The new T-Mix plans include a basic set of high-speed data, hotspot data, video streaming speed and international options. There is also a selection of choices that allow customers to choose benefits such as streaming services, Game Pass or services such as DoorDash or T-Satellite. Picks can also finance your new phone.
Compare the T-Mix plans
The T-Mobile plans will maintain a one-plan-fits-all policy for accounts with multiple lines. Individual family members cannot maintain their own plan; Rather, everyone must agree on a T-Mix base plan to start with. Customers can choose from Standard, Plus and Loaded plans.
The plans still offer clear differences.
The standard plan offers 50GB of high-speed 5G data, unlimited hotspot data at 3G speeds, unlimited international data when traveling to Canada and Mexico at 2G speeds, unlimited texting in more than 215 countries, and up to 480p streaming resolution.
The More plan offers unlimited data, 60GB of high-speed hotspot data, 15GB of high-speed data in Canada and Mexico, up to 5GB of high-speed data when traveling internationally, and up to 4K streaming resolution.
The Loaded plan includes data, up to 250GB of hotspot data, 30GB of high-speed data in Canada and Mexico, up to 15GB of high-speed data when traveling, and up to 4K streaming resolution. The Loaded plan also allows customers to connect a mobile-enabled device (add a smartwatch or tablet) for just $5 per item.
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Generally, all plans include unlimited texting in more than 215 countries, long distance calls at $0.50 per minute, and T-Mobile’s Basic Scam Shield service. Funding is also comparable across plans. You can choose to finance a new phone with the T-Mobile Classic 24 month term or the recently introduced Flex 36 month commitment.
Pricing for the standard plan, without fees or taxes, starts at $55 for a single line or $85 for two lines. Three lines cost $100, and each additional line costs $15. There is a maximum of 12 lines for each T-Mobile account. The more and loaded plans will cost more per line, which you can compare in the chart above.
How to get free streaming benefits
T-Mobile’s new Picks option gives you the ability to activate benefits you actually use, but there are a few things to note. There is a certain number of choices you get on your account, and a strict timeline for changing them.
Picks work like a form of currency, with different benefits assigned to a pick’s value. Two choices can get you an Apple Music subscription or Google AI Pro, while one choice can get you Netflix with ads. Most premium benefits cost three or four choices and are for services like ESPN Unlimited and Netflix without ads.
It is important to note that you are at the mercy of T-Mobile’s business partners, and these benefits may change over time.
Fortunately, you can also choose internal T-Mobile picks. T-Satellite can be activated with a pick, for example. You can also skip your benefits to get a discount on a new device, which can cost between one and three choices, although this option automatically puts you on the Flex 36-month financing terms.
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Here’s how to use my only choice when I enrolled in the $55 one-line standard plan. According to T-Mobile, I can use a choice as a benefit every 90 days. Until June 2027, Apple TV will be only one choice. That’s what I spent it on first, so I could enjoy shows like The Servant, Ted Lasso, The Morning Show, and more, without paying more than $55 for my single line.
The number of picks you get depends on the plan and how many lines it contains, although the picks can be combined for everyone’s benefit. Not using your choice doesn’t lower your plan’s sticker price, nor can you pay to add benefits. Your choices will still remain separate from other T-Mobile promotions.
The warning
As mentioned above, using your choices will not result in a discount on your plan. It’s just a missed opportunity. Picks can only be changed every 90 calendar days. That’s when customers change their benefits to match their next three months. However, if you want to change your choice before the next selection window opens, you can add selected picks, such as streaming, for a fee.
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You also always have the option to upgrade your plan at any time with more choices. T-Mobile-specific picks, such as activating T-Satellite, are also not subject to the 90-day time limits and can be activated at any time, as long as it is available in your plan.
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