T-Mobile's New Go5G Plans Explained: DON'T Waste Your Money

On April 20th, 2023, T-Mobile announced three new cell phone plans: Essentials Savings, Go5G, and Go5G Plus.

If you're an existing T-Mobile customer or thinking about signing up as a new customer, you may have some quesitons:

• Are T-Mobile’s new Go5G plans worth your hard-earned money?
• Should you upgrade to these plans if you’re an existing customer?
• How do T-Mobile's new plans compare to the plans from Verizon and AT&T?

I don’t want you wasting your money, so in this article we’re answering these questions. 

We’re covering exactly what’s new with T-Mobile Essentials Savings, Go5G, and Go5G Plus and whether or not you should upgrade or switch to these new plans.

T-Mobile’s Confusing Plan Lineup

To start things off, it’s important to understand T-Mobile’s plan lineup.

Consumers now have six different unlimited plans to choose from when they go to sign up for T-Mobile service: 

1. Essentials
2. Essentials Savings
3. Magenta
4. Go5G
5. Magenta MAX
6. Go5G Plus

If choosing between six different unlimited plans sounds confusing, don’t worry. 

I’m going to un-complicate things for you and tell you exactly which unlimited plan to get. 

To simplify the lineup, think of it this way – all of T-Mobile’s plans fit into one of three categories:

1. Entry-level plans
2. Mid-tier plans
3. Top-tier plans

The entry-level plans are the most affordable options with the fewest features. The mid-tier plans have a balance of features and price. And the top-tier plans are the most expensive options, but they also include all the bells and whistles.

Entry-Level Plan Comparison: Essentials vs. Essentials Savings

Essentials and Esssentials Savings are the two entry-level plans from T-Mobile.

They are the most affordable plan options, starting at $60 and $50 per month respectively for a single line.

Essentials is $60 per month. It includes unlimited deprioritized data, 600kbps hotspot data, 480p video streaming, free international texting, and 128Kbps data in Canada and Mexico. International calling is available as a $15 per month add-on, and international data roaming is available for a $5 per month add-on.

The new Essentials Savings plan is exactly the same and makes 1 key change: it drops the price.

Essentials Savings drops the price per account by $10 for one line, $10 for two lines, $0 for three lines, $5 for four lines, and $10 for five lines. 

Here’s the full pricing breakdown:

Essentials pricing

• 1 line: $60
• 2 lines: $90 ($45 per line)
• 3 lines: $90 ($30 per line)
• 4 lines: $105 ($26.25 per line)
• 5 lines: $120 ($24 per line)

Essentials Savings pricing

• 1 line: $50
• 2 lines: $80 ($40 per line)
• 3 lines: $90 ($30 per line)
• 4 lines: $100 ($25 per line)
• 5 lines: $110 ($22 per line)

Is Essentials Savings Worth it for new or existing customers?

Nope.

Essentials Savings is not worth it for new or existing customers.

If you’re a single-line user, you can get more features at a better price from Metro by T-Mobile. Metro’s $50 unlimited plan includes truly unlimited data, 8GB of high-speed hotspot data (compared to no hotspot data on the Essentials plans), and it’s even a bit cheaper thanks to the fact it includes all taxes and fees.

Single-line users could also save heaps of money by getting a low-cost prepaid plan.

Mint Mobile’s 15GB plan is just $20 per month, saving you $300+ per year, and Mint Mobile's unlimited plan is just $30 per month, saving you $200+ per year. 

Families will also save money by going with a different option.

T-Mobile’s Go5G Plus plan ends up being cheaper than Essentials for 3, 4, and 5 lines when you factor in its generous $800 off trade-in deals. 

And if you don’t want to finance your devices, then Metro by T-Mobile is the better option. 

You can get four lines of unlimited data for just $25 per line on Metro. Because all taxes and fees are included on Metro, your family would end up saving roughly $200+ per year. 

Mid-Tier Plans: Magenta vs. Go5G

Magenta and Go5G are the two mid-tier plans offered by T-Mobile.

On the surface, they appear to offer a good balance between price and features. 

But the truth is they end up becoming surprisingly expensive when you factor in the cost of purchasing a new device. But before we dive into price, let’s talk about what each of these plans includes.

T-Mobile Magenta is $70 per month.

It includes all taxes and fees.

It comes with 100GB of premium data, 5GB of high-speed hotspot data, 480p video streaming, free international texting, 5GB of high-speed data in Canada and Mexico before unlimited data at 256Kbps, 5GB of international data, and 4 full-flight streaming sessions per year. International calling is also available for a $15 per month add-on.

Additionally, T-Mobile Magenta comes with a few perks.

It includes 1 year of AAA, 6 months of Apple TV+, and a free Netflix Basic subscription when you have two or more lines on your account.

So what’s new with Go5G?

T-Mobile Go5G makes four key changes. It increases the price to $75 per month. It triples the hotspot data to 15GB. It increases the video streaming quality to 1080p (5Mbps). And it doubles the Canada and Mexico data to 5GB.

Are those new changes worth the price hike?

For most people, probably not.

Especially since prices are higher across the board for the new Go5G plan. 

Magenta pricing (legacy pricing, includes 3rd line free)

• 1 line: $70
• 2 lines: $120 ($60 per line)
• 3 lines: $120 ($40 per line)
• 4 lines: $140 ($35 per line)
• 5 lines: $160 ($32 per line)

Go5G pricing (current pricing, includes 3rd line free)

• 1 line: $75
• 2 lines: $130 ($65 per line)
• 3 lines: $130 ($43 per line)
• 4 lines: $155 ($39 per line)
• 5 lines: $180 ($36 per line)

Magenta pricing (current pricing, 3rd line free removed)

• 1 line: $70
• 2 lines: $120 ($60 per line)
• 3 lines: $140 ($47 per line)
• 4 lines: $160 ($40 per line)
• 5 lines: $180 ($36 per line)

Are Magenta or Go5G worth it for new or existing customers?

Nope.

Not at all. 

While having 100GB of premium data, 5GB or 15GB of high-speed hotspot data, and free data roaming in Canada, Mexico, and 11 European countries are nice perks over the entry-level Essentials plans, the truth is neither Magenta nor Go5G are worth it for most consumers.

Why not?

The main reason is that Magenta and Go5G include around half of the device trade-in credit as the new Go5G Plus plan.

When Go5G and Go5G Plus launched on April 23, 2023, Go5G customers could only get $350 off a new iPhone 14. Meanwhile, Go5G Plus customers could get up to $830 off an iPhone 14. You would end up paying $500 extra per device you finance on Magenta and Go5G.

That extra cost makes the plans more expensive than the Go5G Plus plan for two lines, three lines, four lines, and five lines.

So families with two or more lines would end up saving money (and getting a better plan) by going with T-Mobile Go5G Plus. 

And single-line users, or anyone looking to save extra money, could get a better deal from a prepaid carrier.

Mint Mobile’s unlimited plan would save single-line users around $350 per year. 

For more options, you can compare all unlimited plans here. 

Top-Tier Plans: Magenta MAX vs. Go5G Plus

Magenta MAX and Go5G Plus are T-Mobile’s top-tier plans.

They include the best of the best of what T-Mobile offers.

Magenta MAX is $85 per month. It includes unlimited premium data, 40G of hotspot data, 4K video streaming, free international texting, 5GB of high-speed data in Canada and Mexico, 5GB of high-speed international data in over 215 supported destinations, and full-flight streaming where available. International calling is available for a $15 add-on.

The Magenta MAX plan also includes perks like Netflix Basic with one line, Netflix Standard with two or more lines, one year of AAA, Apple TV+, and $20 off T-Mobile Home Internet.

The new Go5G Plus plan makes three key changes.

It increases the hotspot data by 10GB, bringing the new total to 50GB. It triples the Canada and Mexico data to 15GB. And, yes, it increases the price by $5 to $90 per month.

There is also one more key change.

Go5G Plus is the first plan T-Mobile has offered that guarantees existing customers will always get the same promos as new customers. 

T-Mobile calls this “New In Two” because it means you will always be able to trade in your old device for a new one every two years. This effectively saves you around $800 every two years. 

For example, today you could trade in an iPhone 7 and get a free iPhone 14 on Go5G Plus.

Then, in 2025, you could trade in your iPhone 14 and get a free iPhone 16. 

And in 2027, you could trade in your iPhone 16 for a free iPhone 18. 

Sure, it’s possible Apple will raise prices on their entry-model iPhones. But no matter the price, you’d still be saving $830 every two years on Go5G Plus. And that’s a really good deal. 

Here’s how prices compare between Magenta MAX and Go5G Plus:

Magenta MAX pricing (legacy pricing, includes 3rd line free)

• 1 line: $85
• 2 lines: $140 ($70 per line)
• 3 lines: $140 ($47 per line)
• 4 lines: $170 ($43 per line)
• 5 lines: $200 ($40 per line)

Go5G Plus pricing (current pricing, includes 3rd line free)

• 1 line: $90
• 2 lines: $150 ($75 per line)
• 3 lines: $150 ($50 per line)
• 4 lines: $185 ($46 per line)
• 5 lines: $220 ($44 per line)

Magenta MAX pricing (current pricing, 3rd line free removed)

• 1 line: $85
• 2 lines: $140 ($70 per line)
• 3 lines: $170 ($57 per line)
• 4 lines: $200 ($50 per line)
• 5 lines: $230 ($46 per line)

Is Magenta MAX worth it for new or existing customers?

If you’re an existing customer on Magenta MAX, odds are you’re probably getting a pretty good deal on cell service. 

Maybe you’ve taken advantage of one of T-Mobile’s many free line promotions, or you were able to get a 20% off insider discount. 

Odds are you’ll be really happy sticking with your current Magenta MAX plan.

That said, there are three reasons you may want to consider upgrading to Go5G Plus:

1. You need more hotspot data
2. You need more data in Canada or Mexico
3. You want the best device deals

The device deals point is probably the most important factor here. 

You see, T-Mobile always reserves its best $830 off trade-in deals for its most expensive plan, which is now Go5G Plus.

This means Magenta MAX customers have been relegated to getting the $350 to $400 of trade-in credit you get on the mid-tier plans. When Magenta MAX customers go to upgrade their devices this fall to the new iPhone 15, they’ll be getting roughly half the trade-in credit as Go5G Plus customers and spending around $500 extra.

Meanwhile, Go5G Plus customers would be able to get a free iPhone 15 with trade-in. 

The extra savings you get from the device deals on the Go5G Plus plan offset its slightly higher price tag.

I mean, it’s not crazy to spend $60 extra per year to save $830 off your phone every two years, right?

Is Go5G Plus worth it for new or existing customers?

Yes.

In my opinion, Go5G Plus is the only plan T-Mobile offers that’s actually worth it.

Why is this?

One simple reason: you get a FREE new phone every two years with a trade-in.

When T-Mobile launched Go5G Plus, they announced it was the first plan where existing customers were guaranteed to get the same device promos as new customers. And T-Mobile is promising existing customers on Go5G Plus will be able to get a free new phone every two years with what they call “New In Two.”

You could trade in an iPhone 7 today and get a free iPhone 14 on Go5G Plus.

Then in two years, you could trade in your iPhone 14 and get a free iPhone 16. 

And two years later, in 2027, you could trade in your iPhone 16 for a free iPhone 18. 

Getting a free phone on Go5G Plus saves you $830 every two years. And it’s the savings on the smartphones that really make this plan a good value. 

You see, when you add everything up––the monthly cost of the plan, the trade-in credit you get for your old device, the monthly payments on your new device, and taxes and fees––G5G Plus ends up being the cheapest plan for consumers with three lines, four lines, and five lines.

And for two lines, Go5G Plus is just $2 extra per line compared to T-Mobile Essentials. 

Considering Go5G Plus includes many extra perks and benefits over T-Mobile Essentials, like the ability to save $240 per year on T-Mobile Home Internet, I think it’s easily a better overall value. 

The only situation where Go5G Plus isn’t worth it is for single-line users.

Individuals can still save heaps of money by getting a cell phone plan from a prepaid carrier.

But otherwise, I think you’re losing money if you go with any other plan that’s not Go5G Plus. 

T-Mobile vs. Verizon vs. AT&T

We’ve covered how T-Mobile’s plans compare to each other.

But how do T-Mobile’s new plans compare to the options from Verizon and AT&T?

This may surprise you.

Single Line Comparison

For single-line users, Go5G Plus is in the middle of the pack, while Go5G is more expensive. AT&T’s plans offer the best overall value.

And a big reason for this is all three of AT&T’s unlimited plans, even their entry-level Unlimited Starter plan, are eligible for the $800 off device promos. 

Keep your eye on AT&T Unlimited Starter throughout the comparison.

2 Line Comparison

For two lines, T-Mobile Essentials and Go5G Plus actually bump up and become more affordable. Meanwhile the regular Go5G Plan is even closer towards the bottom.

The most affordable plans continue to be from AT&T.

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3 Line Comparison

For three lines, all of T-Mobile’s plans suddenly become super affordable. This is thanks ot their third-line free promotion.

Now Go5G Plus is second in the list, and it’s just around $0.50 more than AT&T Unlimited Starter. Considering how Go5G Plus is a top-tier plan, it’s a really good value here. 

4 Line Comparison

For four lines, AT&T reclaims it’s position in the top two spots, but T-Mobile Go5G Plus is still a great value. 

Shockingly, Go5G and Essentials plummet to the middle of the Verizon plans, which are much more expensive.

5 Line Comparison

And for five lines, it’s the same story. Go5G Plus is a great option, but it just can’t beat AT&T’s value.

It’s worth mentioning that I am doing my best job to estimate taxes & fees for AT&T, but they could be off by a couple of dollars, and in your area taxes and fees could be way higher.

This could make the price difference between AT&T and T-Mobile Go5G Plus much less.

Conclusion

I’m disappointed T-Mobile raised prices for consumers, especially considering they called out AT&T and Verizon for raising prices during their announcement.

But for me, the truth is that Go5G Plus doesn’t seem that unreasonable when you factor in the device deals and the perks it includes.

My name is Stetson and my goal is to help 1 million people save $10 per month or more on their cell phone bill. 

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