AT&T and T-Mobile: Which carrier is more suitable for you?

For some time, AT&T has been in the secondary position of Verizon, and T-Mobile is developing steadily. Magenta operators continue to add new wrinkles to attract subscribers, but is it effective? If so, should you exchange it? Let’s put AT&T and T-Mobile in the center of the stage and see which carrier is right for you.

You can also take a look: AT&T Buyer’s Guide | T-Mobile Buyer’s Guide

At first, T-Mobile and AT&T may look very similar. After all, they are both GSM networks, but we must classify them by category to break down the differences. Are you ready for a new operator? This guide is a good starting point.

AT&T and T-Mobile-Pricing

The easiest place to start any comparison is pricing. None of these operators dared to charge as much as Verizon, and it all boils down to discounts for each line, putting one before the other. Check our table for a quick understanding of unlimited plans:

No matter which way you slice, T-Mobile is the more affordable of the two operators. It beats AT&T everywhere, and can be $15 cheaper in some plans. As always, the best way to save money is to enjoy a family discount. When you have four lines, T-Mobile Essentials is only $27 per line. AT&T’s Unlimited Starter will provide you with similar specifications for $35 per month.

Big Blue narrowed the gap slightly with its mid-range plan, because Unlimited Extra is only $5 more expensive than Magenta with one, two, or four service lines. One of the biggest differences at this point is that AT&T will provide you with a 15GB hotspot for you to use, while T-Mobile keeps it slim at 5GB. The two operators also introduced additional benefits at this time, but we will discuss them later.

Need more hot spots? This is the best hotspot plan

If you decide to go all out to use the Magenta Max or Unlimited Elite plan, when you click on the three lines, T-Mobile will take the lead. Un-Carrier is $13 higher per line than Big Blue, and then when you add the fourth line, the difference drops to $7. T-Mobile has also become more valuable because both operators are willing to provide you with a 40GB high-speed hotspot for you to use.

If you think that the costs of these two operators are higher than what you are willing to pay, then it may be time to use MVNO. Here are some guidelines for the best choices for the two networks:

AT&T and T-Mobile — Coverage

Both AT&T and T-Mobile are pushing their 5G deployment as fast as possible. Operators will continue to build new towers every week, but T-Mobile still seems to have an advantage. Unfortunately, the 5G race has not reached every corner of the United States, so it is easier to compare 4G LTE access.

You can also take a look: Where is 5G available in the United States?

This comparison used to include a few percentages of each operator and some vague maps, but now the FCC is stepping up to provide consumers with better information.We created a sliding comparison of AT&T and T-Mobile LTE maps above, or you can go to Interactive page Check the neck of your woods. The government has not developed a standardized 5G map, which means we must now rely on percentages. According to WhistleOut, T-Mobile leads with 37% 5G coverage, while AT&T’s coverage is only 16%.

View operator map: American Telephone and Telegraph Company | T mobile

AT&T and T-Mobile — Benefits and Promotions

For mobile operators, reliable coverage should be your top priority, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. The fact is that most major operators provide similar services in many areas, so they have to do more to stand out. This is where streaming benefits and discounts come in. This is a quick form that shows you what you expect from the two operators:

If you are an avid gamer and have not tested Google’s Stadia Pro service, then AT&T may be for you. All three unlimited plans currently provide six months of service at no additional cost. If you sign up for AT&T’s premium Unlimited Elite plan, you can also add HBO Max to it, but the other two plans don’t have any video streaming alternatives.

At T-Mobile, the best option to obtain streaming privileges is to register for Magenta or Magenta Max. Both plans offer Netflix subscriptions, but this depends on the number of lines you have registered. If you choose magenta, you need two lines of content in your account to get a single screen of Netflix Basic. You only need one line of Magenta Max to get Netflix Basic, but the second line can grant you Netflix Standard.

On the bright side, both operators like discounts.You may need to trade with your current equipment to get the best discount, but AT&T always offers up to iPhone 12 save $700 Almost from the day it was launched. T-Mobile is doing a similar deal, but you can actually get Apple flagship free Eligible transactions with you. There are also several buy-one-get-one deals on the Magenta network. If you want to upgrade your entire family, you can enjoy it. On the other hand, AT&T prefers cheap phones that do not require discounts.

You can also take a look: AT&T Best Deals | Best T-Mobile Deals

AT&T and T-Mobile — Phone Selection

Both T-Mobile and AT&T are considered GSM operators, which means they operate on slightly updated frameworks. The shared framework also means that both support almost the same list of devices, including more options than rival Verizon can handle.One of the few major differences is that T-Mobile offers OnePlus 9 with OnePlus 9 Pro There is no extra hoop to jump over. If you want any device on AT&T, you must purchase it from a third party.

You can also take a look: The best AT&T phone | The best T-Mobile phone

Except for the relationship between T-Mobile and OnePlus, other devices are largely the same. If you have money, you can use the latest Galaxy S21 series, Apple’s iPhone 12 series, and even the latest Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3. AT&T and T-Mobile also offer some budget-friendly phones, but they don’t always offer the same discounts.

Which operator is right for you?

We have understood all the major differences between AT&T and T-Mobile, and now it’s time to discuss the million-dollar issue. Is one operator actually better for you than the other? Well, it depends on your needs. You should first check your local coverage options to see if one of them has a stronger influence in your area. If so, it should help guide your choice. However, if choice is an option, then it’s time to turn to pricing. You can save money first through T-Mobile, or you can choose AT&T. It costs more, but you will also get more benefits.

In the end, you may conclude that neither AT&T nor T-Mobile is your perfect partner, and that’s okay. If this turns out to be the case, you may want to try one of the following alternatives: