Consumer Cellular vs. T-Mobile

Phone Plans and Prices

Consumer Cellular Plans

Consumer Cellular runs on AT&T’s network and other networks, and plan prices range between $20 and $50 per month. Your network is assigned depending on the strongest signal available in your geographic area. Customers have a selection of four mobile phone plans that range in data from 1 GB to unlimited. Plans have no contracts, no hidden fees, no data overage charges, and free activation. Here’s a look at Consumer Cellular’s plans:

*Price includes a $5 discount for opting in to AutoPay and paperless billing.
**Single-line unlimited data plan offer is only for customers age 50+. Age validation required.All four plans include the following features:

• Unlimited talk and text
• 5G access at no added cost
• Cellular data
• Mobile hot spot
• Premium nationwide coverage
• Automatic bill payment
• Paperless billing
• Customer service by phone and live chat (6 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT)

With Consumer Cellular, there are no overage fees. Subscribers that surpass their monthly usage will be automatically upgraded to the next plan level. Speeds will decrease once you reach 20 GB for those on the highest data plan. The only way to get unlimited data under the age of 50 is through a two-line plan.

Looking for a family plan? Consumer Cellular lets you add up to seven lines, and each line costs $15 extra a month. Consumer Cellular's plans share data, texts, and minutes, and you can change plans at any time without incurring a fee. The more lines you get, the more the cost per line will drop. Selecting a plan was easy. We visited the carrier’s website, and chose the number of lines we needed, and then chose the data. Next, we clicked on the box showing that I am an AARP member and got a 5% discount.

Consumer Cellular doesn’t have a devoted “senior” plan, since the carrier is already geared toward the needs of older adults. You get bonus points if you are one of the proud 38 million1  AARP members. AARP members can score two lines of unlimited talk, text, and data for $55 per month. But the savings don’t end there. AARP members also get a 5 percent discount on their monthly service. And, if they’re not happy with Consumer Cellular, they have 45 days to change their mind. And don’t worry, if you’re not an AARP member, you can join at checkout. Just keep in mind: While AARP members have great benefits through Consumer Cellular, the carrier doesn’t offer free giveaways and perks via an app like T-Mobile.

With plans starting at $20 a month, Consumer Cellular is a great option. Their 10 GB plan for $35 per month is one of our favorite options for older adults. It offers a solid amount of data at a reasonable price. If you're unhappy within a month of activation, you can cancel and get your money back.

Expert Insights

From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert

One more thing to mention about Consumer Cellular is that it has a referral program. Who doesn’t like free money? So, if you have your cousin, neighbor, or friend sign up, you’ll both instantly get a $20 credit (or if you masterfully get all three to sign up, you get $60!).

All things considered, Consumer Cellular has great month-to-month plans for budget-conscious subscribers and those who want to add multiple lines. Plus, you can’t beat their money-back guarantee policy and discounts for AARP members. Consumer Cellular is best for aging adults looking for straightforward, affordable plans without the need for unlimited data.

For comparison, T-Mobile has three 55+ plans that don’t require contracts. All three plans come with unlimited talk, text, and data. The more lines you add, the more you save. Plus, you get a ton of perks and giveaways.

Consumer Cellular’s customer service is available for online chat between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. PST, or you can call them for a U.S.-based agent. Our experience with their customer service was positive. We called to ask about their bring your own phone policy. After a minute or two, we were connected to a friendly representative who answered all our questions.

Visit our 2024 Consumer Cellular review to learn more about this carrier.

T-Mobile Plans

In this year’s T-Mobile review, we found that the carrier has affordable unlimited plans for seniors. They have no contracts, no overage fees, discounts for multiple lines, 5G speeds, and solid customer support. The plans also include extra perks like in-flight Wi-Fi and service abroad.

The Unlimited 55+ plans include a price lock guarantee, so you won’t ever get that dreaded surprise bill. Here’s a breakdown of T-Mobile prices and plans:

*Only new subscribers on the first three-month plan. They require a minimum upfront payment of $45 for a three-month plan. Taxes and fees are not calculated in the above costs.

All three plan prices require AutoPay billing. The plans all come with:

• Unlimited talk, text, and data
• Premium scam shield, which gives customers control over calls and voicemails
• No annual service contracts
• Dedicated customer care team
• Free stuff every week through T-Mobile Tuesdays

T-Mobile’s Essentials 55 plan is $45 per month for one line, so you're better off getting two lines for $60 per month to save more. The Essentials plan isaffordable for older adults who want to stay in touch with family or for emergencies. It’s worth noting that the Essentials plan may reduce speeds if you use over 50 GB of data in a month. The Essentials 55 plan is $17 cheaper than Verizon’s 55+ plan and $15 cheaper than AT&T’s. On top of that, unlike Verizon and AT&T, T-Mobile’s 55+ plans are available throughout the U.S.

While the Essentials Choice 55 plan can only be used with one or two lines, both the Go5G Plus and Go5G Next can accommodate up to four lines. We think the Go5G Plus is the best value, starting at $75 per month for one line or $110 for two lines, especially for its flexibility and perks. It even has a two-year renewal offer not found at most companies. Regardless of the plan you choose, you’ll qualify for free stuff, special offers, and prices with T-Mobile Tuesdays. T-Mobile, however, does not offer discounts to AARP members as Consumer Cellular does.

Expert Insights

From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert

T-Mobile only requires the primary subscriber to be aged 55 or older to qualify for the plans. That’s great news for big families! To get a T-Mobile’s 55+ plan, you must contact a customer service representative since you will need to verify your age. This can be done in person with a driver’s license or passport or via chat using a Social Security number or banking information.

We found that T-Mobile’s customer service is excellent. Representatives can be contacted via live chat or by phone. You can also text or chat on the T-Mobile app. Getting in touch with customer service can at times take up to 20 minutes or so, but we always received friendly assistance.

Contacting T-Mobile's customer service via the chat feature

All in all, T-Mobile lives up to its brand reputation. It offers 5G coverage and competitive plans for older adults that are hard to beat. Plus, the Go5G Next 55 plan has no data throttling. For comparison, Consumer Cellular throttles speed on its unlimited plan after you use 50 GB. T-Mobile might be a better fit for very heavy data users. T-Mobile is best for tech-savvy seniors who use social media, apps, and streaming services and who want unlimited data and extra perks like entertainment and discounts.

Nationwide Coverage

Consumer Cellular

Consumer Cellular offers 5G and 4G data speeds throughout most of the country. The company says customers get the exact coverage as the major carriers. As an MVNO it uses AT&T and other networks to offer coverage. Being an MVNO means it can offer customers more cost-effective plans and flexibility. We had reliable 4G LTE coverage when texting, browsing the internet, and sending texts.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile has the largest and fastest-growing 5G network in the U.S. The company states that 98 percent of Americans have T-Mobile’s 5G coverage, and its 4G LTE network covers 99 percent of Americans. T-Mobile has a coverage map on its website to check coverage in your area or anywhere you are traveling to. Unlike Consumer Cellular, T-Mobile uses its own cellular network, which means customers can get faster data speeds. However, when using T-Mobile, we did experience slower data during peak traffic times, which is pretty typical with all carriers.

Testing out T-Mobile's coverage and service on an iPhone

Consumer Cellular vs. T-Mobile Phones

Consumer Cellular

Whether you are in the market for flip phones or smartphones, Consumer Cellular has got you covered. There are plenty of options, ranging from Apple to Android to Samsung phones and more. Consumer Cellular also has a line of its own phones, including the IRIS Connect smartphone and a flip phone called the IRIS Flip.

We tested the IRIS Easy Flip, which costs just $59 and is featured on our list of the best flip phones for seniors. We like its large keypad, and its two internal and external screens are bright. Both the screen and keypad are larger than the previous Verve Snap model, which is great for aging eyes and hands. Most hearing aids are compatible with the Easy Flip. It has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatibility. The phone’s one-touch, easy-click button for favorite contacts is a major convenience for those ever-important contacts like doctors and family members. Unlike many flip phones on the market, it offers internet access, so you can browse the web, get GPS directions, and use social media. However, one major disadvantage is its low battery life of about seven hours of talk time, but it is one of the most affordable flip phones on the market.

Testing out the IRIS Easy Flip from Consumer Cellular

Consumer Cellular also offers a unique tablet called the GrandPad, designed just for seniors. You won’t find a product like this from T-Mobile. Check out our video review below to learn about our hands-on experience.

You can find discounts and promotions for various phones on Consumer Cellular’s website. These deals vary and may be offered for a limited time. Not interested in buying a new phone? You can bring your own phone to Consumer Cellular. You’ll just have to give the carrier a call to sign up.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile lets customers bring their own phone or buy a new one. You can use T-Mobile’s compatibility checker to see if your phone is compatible. T-Mobile sells a variety of smartphones from brands like Apple, Samsung, and Google. As a large and traditional carrier, T-Mobile can offer customers a bigger selection of plans and phones than MVNOs like Consumer Cellular.

Our team tested T-Mobile’s senior-friendly smartphones, and two that stand out are the iPhone SE (starting at $429.99) and T-Mobile’s in-house REVVL 7 5G ($199.99). We like the SE’s ease of use, particularly its low-impact swiping for arthritis sufferers and accessibility features like zoom, magnification, text-to-speech, and Touch ID. We like the REVVL 7 5G for its large 6.5-inch FHD+ display, strong battery life (about 37 hours of talk time), enough storage (128 GB), and fingerprint and face ID unlock.

Using an iPhone on T-Mobile's service

T-Mobile is the king of promotions and constantly offers deals and perks for customers. The T-Mobile website even has a tab at the top just for deals. Under this tab, you’ll find deals on phones, plans, bundling, and more.

To compare all of your options, check out our guide to the best cell phones for seniors.

Our Final Thoughts on Consumer Cellular vs. T-Mobile

Both Consumer Cellular and T-Mobile have discounted plans for older adults with unlimited talk, text, and data. Consumer Cellular and T-Mobile offer month-to-month plans for those who don’t want a long-term contract.

T-Mobile is a very recognizable name, has strong coverage, and offers three plans for older adults. Plus, they have a lot of nice extras like free Netflix, in-flight Wi-Fi, and T-Mobile Tuesdays. Consumer Cellular caters to the older adult crowd and values AARP members, who can score great discounts. Even if you’re not an AARP member, Consumer Cellular’s plans are still quite affordable.

Whether you choose Consumer Cellular or T-Mobile, your final decision should be based on your budget and coverage needs. Consider asking friends or family what their experience with their provider is like for comparison. It’s all part of the research process!