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Best Cell Phone Plans for College Students in 2023

Mint Mobile 5GB
1 Line
1 Line
T-Mobile
$
15
/mo.
+tax
tax included
5GB
high-speed, then data stops
high-speed
high-speed, then 128Kbps
Deprioritized
Deprioritized
Included Hotspot
No Hotspot
Add-on Hotspot
No hotspot
4K UHD Streaming
Unlimited Minutes
Unlimited Texts
US Mobile 5GB
1 Line
1 Line
T-Mobile or Verizon
$
15
/mo.
+tax
tax included
5GB
high-speed, then data stops
high-speed
high-speed, then None
5GB premium
5GB premium
Included Hotspot
No Hotspot
Add-on Hotspot
No hotspot
720p HD Streaming
Unlimited Minutes
Unlimited Texts
Xfinity Mobile 1GB
1 Line
1 Line
Verizon
$
15
/mo.
+tax
tax included
1GB
high-speed, then data stops
high-speed
high-speed, then None
1GB premium
1GB premium
Included Hotspot
No Hotspot
Add-on Hotspot
No hotspot
720p HD Streaming
Unlimited Minutes
Unlimited Texts
Red Pocket 10GB Annual
1 Line
1 Line
AT&T
$
23
/mo.
+tax
tax included
10GB
high-speed, then data stops
high-speed
high-speed, then 64Kbps
Deprioritized
Deprioritized
Included Hotspot
No Hotspot
Add-on Hotspot
No hotspot
720p HD Streaming
Unlimited Minutes
Unlimited Texts
Visible Base
1 Line
1 Line
Verizon
$
25
/mo.
+tax
tax included
Unlimited
high-speed, then data stops
high-speed
high-speed, then None
Deprioritized
Deprioritized
Included Hotspot
5Mbps Hotspot
Add-on Hotspot
5Mbps hotspot
480p SD Streaming
Unlimited Minutes
Unlimited Texts
T-Mobile Prepaid Unlimited
1 Line
1 Line
T-Mobile
$
50
/mo.
+tax
tax included
Unlimited
high-speed, then data stops
high-speed
high-speed, then None
50GB premium
50GB premium
Included Hotspot
600Kbps Hotspot
Add-on Hotspot
600Kbps hotspot
720p HD Streaming
Unlimited Minutes
Unlimited Texts
Cricket Unlimited + 15GB Hotspot
1 Line
1 Line
AT&T
$
55
/mo.
+tax
tax included
Unlimited
high-speed, then data stops
high-speed
high-speed, then None
Unlimited premium
Unlimited premium
Included Hotspot
15GB Hotspot
Add-on Hotspot
15GB hotspot
480p SD Streaming
Unlimited Minutes
Unlimited Texts
T-Mobile Magenta MAX
1 Line
1 Line
T-Mobile
$
65
/mo.
+tax
tax included
Unlimited
high-speed, then data stops
high-speed
high-speed, then None
Unlimited premium
Unlimited premium
Included Hotspot
40GB Hotspot
Add-on Hotspot
40GB hotspot
4K UHD Streaming
Unlimited Minutes
Unlimited Texts
T-Mobile Magenta MAX
1 Line
1 Line
T-Mobile
$
70
/mo.
+tax
tax included
Unlimited
high-speed, then data stops
high-speed
high-speed, then None
Unlimited premium
Unlimited premium
Included Hotspot
40GB Hotspot
Add-on Hotspot
40GB hotspot
4K UHD Streaming
Unlimited Minutes
Unlimited Texts
T-Mobile Magenta MAX
1 Line
1 Line
T-Mobile
$
85
/mo.
+tax
tax included
Unlimited
high-speed, then data stops
high-speed
high-speed, then None
Unlimited premium
Unlimited premium
Included Hotspot
40GB Hotspot
Add-on Hotspot
40GB hotspot
4K UHD Streaming
Unlimited Minutes
Unlimited Texts
US Mobile 5GB
AT&T
Dish
T-Mobile
Verizon
$
15
/mo
+ tax
tax included
5GB
Unlimited
Minutes
Unlimited
Texts
Included Hotspot
Add-on
Hotspot
No
Hotspot
No Hotspot
5GB premium
5GB premium
Unlimited slow data (
None
)
Unlimited
slow data
720p HD
video streaming
International calling
International calling add-on
International calling
International data
International data add-on
International data
Domestic roaming
Domestic roaming
Visual VM
Visual VM
VoLTE
VoLTE
Wi-Fi calling
Wi-Fi calling
MMS
MMS
5G
5G add-on
5G
eSIM
eSIM
$
15
/mo
+ tax
tax included
Mint Mobile 5GB
AT&T
Dish
T-Mobile
Verizon
$
15
/mo
+ tax
tax included
5GB
Unlimited
Minutes
Unlimited
Texts
Included Hotspot
Add-on
Hotspot
No
Hotspot
No Hotspot
Deprioritized
Deprioritized
Unlimited slow data (
128Kbps
)
Unlimited
slow data
4K UHD
video streaming
International calling
International calling add-on
International calling
International data
International data add-on
International data
Domestic roaming
Domestic roaming
Visual VM
Visual VM
VoLTE
VoLTE
Wi-Fi calling
Wi-Fi calling
MMS
MMS
5G
5G add-on
5G
eSIM
eSIM
$
15
/mo
+ tax
tax included
Xfinity Mobile 1GB
$
15
per month
Network:
Verizon
Data:
1GB
Priority:
1GB premium
priority data
(data speeds may temporarily slow when the network is busy; speeds resume to full speed when the network is not busy)
Hotspot:
Included
Add-on available
,
No
allowance
Minutes:
Unlimited
Texts:
Unlimited
International Calling:
Add-on available
International Data Roaming:
Add-on available
Cost:
$
15
per month
Cost for 4 Lines:
$
4
per line
Network:
AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon
Data:
10GB
Priority:
Deprioritized
priority data
(data speeds may temporarily slow when the network is busy; speeds resume to full speed when the network is not busy)
Hotspot:
Included
Add-on available
,
No
allowance
Minutes:
Unlimited
Texts:
Unlimited
International Calling:
Included
International Data Roaming:
Not supported
Cost:
$
23
per month
Cost for 4 Lines:
$
23
per line
Visible Base
$
25
per month
Network:
Verizon
Data:
Unlimited
Priority:
Deprioritized
priority data
(data speeds may temporarily slow when the network is busy; speeds resume to full speed when the network is not busy)
Hotspot:
Included
Add-on available
,
5Mbps
allowance
Minutes:
Unlimited
Texts:
Unlimited
International Calling:
Included
International Data Roaming:
Not supported
Cost:
$
25
per month
Cost for 4 Lines:
$
30
per line
Network:
T-Mobile
Data:
Unlimited
Priority:
50GB premium
priority data
(data speeds may temporarily slow when the network is busy; speeds resume to full speed when the network is not busy)
Hotspot:
Included
Add-on available
,
600Kbps
allowance
Minutes:
Unlimited
Texts:
Unlimited
International Calling:
Not supported
International Data Roaming:
Not supported
Cost:
$
50
per month
Cost for 4 Lines:
$
35
per line
Network:
AT&T
Data:
Unlimited
Priority:
Unlimited premium
priority data
(data speeds may temporarily slow when the network is busy; speeds resume to full speed when the network is not busy)
Hotspot:
Included
Add-on available
,
15GB
allowance
Minutes:
Unlimited
Texts:
Unlimited
International Calling:
Included
International Data Roaming:
Included
Cost:
$
55
per month
Cost for 4 Lines:
$
33
per line
Network:
T-Mobile
Data:
Unlimited
Priority:
Unlimited premium
priority data
(data speeds may temporarily slow when the network is busy; speeds resume to full speed when the network is not busy)
Hotspot:
Included
Add-on available
,
40GB
allowance
Minutes:
Unlimited
Texts:
Unlimited
International Calling:
Included
International Data Roaming:
Included
Cost:
$
85
per month
Cost for 4 Lines:
$
43
per line
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US Mobile 5GB

Plan

US Mobile's 5GB plan is $15 per month.

It includes unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and 5GB of data per month. The data is shut off after you reach your high-speed allotment. The mobile hotspot feature is also available as an add-on. You can use up to up to your entire high-speed data allowance as hotspot data.

US Mobile uses the T-Mobile or Verizon networks to provide coverage.

This plan has premium data.

Premium data gives you slightly faster data speeds during times when the network is busy. This includes being at sports games, stadiums, concerts, airports, or other crowded areas where a lot of people are on their phones. Keep in mind that a lot of people using the network at the same time will still slow down data speeds for everyone, regardless if you have premium data or not.

Video streams at full speed on T-Mobile, 4Mbps on Verizon on this plan.

That's fast enough for watching videos at about 720p HD resolution.

US Mobile's 5GB plan also supports:

  • VoLTE
  • Wi-Fi calling
  • Visual voicemail
  • Group and picture messaging
  • Domestic roaming
  • eSIM
  • 5G access

You cannot add a smartwatch or tablet line to this plan.

Overall, I recommend US Mobile's 5GB plan. I think it is a great overall value in terms of its price, its features, and how much high-speed data is included.

US Mobile 5GB
AT&T
Dish
T-Mobile
Verizon
$
15
/mo
+ tax
tax included
5GB
Unlimited
Minutes
Unlimited
Texts
Included Hotspot
Add-on
Hotspot
No
Hotspot
No Hotspot
5GB premium
5GB premium
Unlimited slow data (
None
)
Unlimited
slow data
720p HD
video streaming
International calling
International calling add-on
International calling
International data
International data add-on
International data
Domestic roaming
Domestic roaming
Visual VM
Visual VM
VoLTE
VoLTE
Wi-Fi calling
Wi-Fi calling
MMS
MMS
5G
5G add-on
5G
eSIM
eSIM
$
15
/mo
+ tax
tax included

Mint Mobile 5GB

Plan

Mint Mobile's 5GB plan is $15 per month.

It includes unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and 5GB of data per month. After you reach your high-speed data allotment, you get unlimited data at slow speeds (128Kbps). You can use up to up to your entire high-speed data allowance as hotspot data.

Mint Mobile uses the T-Mobile networks to provide coverage.

This plan is also deprioritized.

A deprioritized plan means you may notice temporarily slightly slower data speeds during times when the network is busy. This can include being at a sports game, stadium, concert, airport, or other crowded area where a lot of people are on their phones. When the network is no longer busy, you’ll resume getting the fastest speeds available.

Video streams at Full Speed on this plan.

That's fast enough for watching videos at about 4K UHD resolution.

Mint Mobile's 5GB plan also supports:

  • VoLTE
  • Wi-Fi calling
  • Visual voicemail
  • Group and picture messaging
  • eSIM
  • 5G access
  • Device financing

You cannot add a smartwatch or tablet line to this plan.

Overall, I recommend Mint Mobile's 5GB plan. I think it is a great overall value in terms of its price, its features, and how much high-speed data is included.

Mint Mobile 5GB
AT&T
Dish
T-Mobile
Verizon
$
15
/mo
+ tax
tax included
5GB
Unlimited
Minutes
Unlimited
Texts
Included Hotspot
Add-on
Hotspot
No
Hotspot
No Hotspot
Deprioritized
Deprioritized
Unlimited slow data (
128Kbps
)
Unlimited
slow data
4K UHD
video streaming
International calling
International calling add-on
International calling
International data
International data add-on
International data
Domestic roaming
Domestic roaming
Visual VM
Visual VM
VoLTE
VoLTE
Wi-Fi calling
Wi-Fi calling
MMS
MMS
5G
5G add-on
5G
eSIM
eSIM
$
15
/mo
+ tax
tax included

Xfinity Mobile 1GB

Plan

Xfinity Mobile's 1GB plan is $15 per month.

It includes unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and 1GB of data per month. The data is shut off after you reach your high-speed allotment. You can use up to up to your entire high-speed data allowance as hotspot data.

Xfinity Mobile uses the Verizon networks to provide coverage.

This plan has premium data.

Premium data gives you slightly faster data speeds during times when the network is busy. This includes being at sports games, stadiums, concerts, airports, or other crowded areas where a lot of people are on their phones. Keep in mind that a lot of people using the network at the same time will still slow down data speeds for everyone, regardless if you have premium data or not.

Video streams at 4Mbps, full speed on 5G UW on this plan.

That's fast enough for watching videos at about 720p HD resolution.

Xfinity Mobile's 1GB plan also supports:

  • VoLTE
  • Wi-Fi calling
  • Visual voicemail
  • Group and picture messaging
  • Domestic roaming
  • eSIM
  • 5G access
  • Device financing

You can add a smartwatch to this plan for $10 per month.

You can add a tablet line to this plan for $10 per month.

Overall, I recommend Xfinity Mobile's 1GB plan. I think it is a great overall value in terms of its price, its features, and how much high-speed data is included.

Xfinity Mobile 1GB
AT&T
Dish
T-Mobile
Verizon
$
15
/mo
+ tax
tax included
1GB
Unlimited
Minutes
Unlimited
Texts
Included Hotspot
Add-on
Hotspot
No
Hotspot
No Hotspot
1GB premium
1GB premium
Unlimited slow data (
None
)
Unlimited
slow data
720p HD
video streaming
International calling
International calling add-on
International calling
International data
International data add-on
International data
Domestic roaming
Domestic roaming
Visual VM
Visual VM
VoLTE
VoLTE
Wi-Fi calling
Wi-Fi calling
MMS
MMS
5G
5G add-on
5G
eSIM
eSIM
$
15
/mo
+ tax
tax included

Red Pocket 10GB Annual

Plan

Red Pocket's 10GB plan is $23 per month.

It includes unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and 10GB of data per month. After you reach your high-speed data allotment, you get unlimited data at slow speeds (64Kbps). You can use up to up to your entire high-speed data allowance as hotspot data.

Red Pocket uses the AT&T networks to provide coverage.

This plan is also deprioritized.

A deprioritized plan means you may notice temporarily slightly slower data speeds during times when the network is busy. This can include being at a sports game, stadium, concert, airport, or other crowded area where a lot of people are on their phones. When the network is no longer busy, you’ll resume getting the fastest speeds available.

Video streams at 4.5Mbps on this plan.

That's fast enough for watching videos at about 720p HD resolution.

Red Pocket's 10GB plan also supports:

  • VoLTE
  • Wi-Fi calling
  • Visual voicemail
  • Group and picture messaging
  • eSIM
  • 5G access

You can add a tablet line to this plan for $10 per month.

Overall, I do not recommend Red Pocket's 10GB plan. I think it’s too expensive for the features and the data you get. I suggest you to consider other options.

Red Pocket 10GB Annual
AT&T
Dish
T-Mobile
Verizon
$
23
/mo
+ tax
tax included
10GB
Unlimited
Minutes
Unlimited
Texts
Included Hotspot
Add-on
Hotspot
No
Hotspot
No Hotspot
Deprioritized
Deprioritized
Unlimited slow data (
64Kbps
)
Unlimited
slow data
720p HD
video streaming
International calling
International calling add-on
International calling
International data
International data add-on
International data
Domestic roaming
Domestic roaming
Visual VM
Visual VM
VoLTE
VoLTE
Wi-Fi calling
Wi-Fi calling
MMS
MMS
5G
5G add-on
5G
eSIM
eSIM
$
23
/mo
+ tax
tax included

Visible Base

Plan

Visible's Unlimited plan is $25 per month.

It includes unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and unlimited of data per month. You also get unlimited hotspot data at speeds of 5Mbps.

Visible uses the Verizon networks to provide coverage.

This plan is also deprioritized.

A deprioritized plan means you may notice temporarily slightly slower data speeds during times when the network is busy. This can include being at a sports game, stadium, concert, airport, or other crowded area where a lot of people are on their phones. When the network is no longer busy, you’ll resume getting the fastest speeds available.

Video streams at 2Mbps on this plan.

That's fast enough for watching videos at about 480p SD resolution.

Visible's Unlimited plan also supports:

  • VoLTE
  • Wi-Fi calling
  • Visual voicemail
  • Group and picture messaging
  • Domestic roaming
  • eSIM
  • 5G access
  • Device financing

You can add a smartwatch to this plan for $5 per month.

Overall, I recommend Visible's Unlimited plan. I think it is a great overall value in terms of its price, its features, and how much high-speed data is included.

Visible Base
AT&T
Dish
T-Mobile
Verizon
$
25
/mo
+ tax
tax included
Unlimited
Unlimited
Minutes
Unlimited
Texts
Included Hotspot
Add-on
Hotspot
5Mbps
Hotspot
No Hotspot
Deprioritized
Deprioritized
Unlimited slow data (
None
)
Unlimited
slow data
480p SD
video streaming
International calling
International calling add-on
International calling
International data
International data add-on
International data
Domestic roaming
Domestic roaming
Visual VM
Visual VM
VoLTE
VoLTE
Wi-Fi calling
Wi-Fi calling
MMS
MMS
5G
5G add-on
5G
eSIM
eSIM
$
25
/mo
+ tax
tax included

T-Mobile Prepaid Unlimited

Plan

T-Mobile Prepaid's Unlimited plan is $50 per month.

It includes unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and unlimited of data per month. You also get unlimited hotspot data at speeds of 600Kbps.

T-Mobile Prepaid uses the T-Mobile networks to provide coverage.

This plan has premium data.

Premium data gives you slightly faster data speeds during times when the network is busy. This includes being at sports games, stadiums, concerts, airports, or other crowded areas where a lot of people are on their phones. Keep in mind that a lot of people using the network at the same time will still slow down data speeds for everyone, regardless if you have premium data or not.

Video streams at 2.5Mbps on this plan.

That's fast enough for watching videos at about 720p HD resolution.

T-Mobile Prepaid's Unlimited plan also supports:

  • VoLTE
  • Wi-Fi calling
  • Visual voicemail
  • Group and picture messaging
  • Domestic roaming
  • eSIM
  • 5G access

You cannot add a smartwatch or tablet line to this plan.

Overall, I recommend T-Mobile Prepaid's Unlimited plan. I think it is a great overall value in terms of its price, its features, and how much high-speed data is included.

T-Mobile Prepaid Unlimited
AT&T
Dish
T-Mobile
Verizon
$
50
/mo
+ tax
tax included
Unlimited
Unlimited
Minutes
Unlimited
Texts
Included Hotspot
Add-on
Hotspot
600Kbps
Hotspot
No Hotspot
50GB premium
50GB premium
Unlimited slow data (
None
)
Unlimited
slow data
720p HD
video streaming
International calling
International calling add-on
International calling
International data
International data add-on
International data
Domestic roaming
Domestic roaming
Visual VM
Visual VM
VoLTE
VoLTE
Wi-Fi calling
Wi-Fi calling
MMS
MMS
5G
5G add-on
5G
eSIM
eSIM
$
50
/mo
+ tax
tax included

Cricket Unlimited + 15GB Hotspot

Plan

Cricket Wireless's Unlimited plan is $55 per month.

It includes unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and unlimited of data per month. You get truly unlimited data that will not slow down based on how much data you use. You can use up to 15GB as hotspot data.

Cricket Wireless uses the AT&T networks to provide coverage.

This plan has premium data.

Premium data gives you slightly faster data speeds during times when the network is busy. This includes being at sports games, stadiums, concerts, airports, or other crowded areas where a lot of people are on their phones. Keep in mind that a lot of people using the network at the same time will still slow down data speeds for everyone, regardless if you have premium data or not.

Video streams at 1.5Mbps on this plan.

That's fast enough for watching videos at about 480p SD resolution.

Cricket Wireless's Unlimited plan also supports:

  • VoLTE
  • Wi-Fi calling
  • Visual voicemail
  • Group and picture messaging
  • Domestic roaming
  • eSIM
  • 5G access
  • Device financing

You can add a tablet line to this plan for $35 per month.

Overall, I recommend Cricket Wireless's Unlimited plan. I think it is a great overall value in terms of its price, its features, and how much high-speed data is included.

Cricket Unlimited + 15GB Hotspot
AT&T
Dish
T-Mobile
Verizon
$
55
/mo
+ tax
tax included
Unlimited
Unlimited
Minutes
Unlimited
Texts
Included Hotspot
Add-on
Hotspot
15GB
Hotspot
No Hotspot
Unlimited premium
Unlimited premium
Unlimited slow data (
None
)
Unlimited
slow data
480p SD
video streaming
International calling
International calling add-on
International calling
International data
International data add-on
International data
Domestic roaming
Domestic roaming
Visual VM
Visual VM
VoLTE
VoLTE
Wi-Fi calling
Wi-Fi calling
MMS
MMS
5G
5G add-on
5G
eSIM
eSIM
$
55
/mo
+ tax
tax included

T-Mobile Magenta MAX

Plan

T-Mobile's Unlimited plan is $85 per month.

It includes unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and unlimited of data per month. You get truly unlimited data that will not slow down based on how much data you use. You can use up to 40GB as hotspot data.

T-Mobile uses the T-Mobile networks to provide coverage.

This plan has premium data.

Premium data gives you slightly faster data speeds during times when the network is busy. This includes being at sports games, stadiums, concerts, airports, or other crowded areas where a lot of people are on their phones. Keep in mind that a lot of people using the network at the same time will still slow down data speeds for everyone, regardless if you have premium data or not.

Video streams at Full Speed on this plan.

That's fast enough for watching videos at about 4K UHD resolution.

T-Mobile's Unlimited plan also supports:

  • VoLTE
  • Wi-Fi calling
  • Visual voicemail
  • Group and picture messaging
  • Domestic roaming
  • eSIM
  • 5G access
  • Device financing

You can add a smartwatch to this plan for $10 per month.

You can add a tablet line to this plan for $20 per month.

Overall, I recommend T-Mobile's Unlimited plan. I think it is a great overall value in terms of its price, its features, and how much high-speed data is included.

T-Mobile Magenta MAX
AT&T
Dish
T-Mobile
Verizon
$
85
/mo
+ tax
tax included
Unlimited
Unlimited
Minutes
Unlimited
Texts
Included Hotspot
Add-on
Hotspot
40GB
Hotspot
No Hotspot
Unlimited premium
Unlimited premium
Unlimited slow data (
None
)
Unlimited
slow data
4K UHD
video streaming
International calling
International calling add-on
International calling
International data
International data add-on
International data
Domestic roaming
Domestic roaming
Visual VM
Visual VM
VoLTE
VoLTE
Wi-Fi calling
Wi-Fi calling
MMS
MMS
5G
5G add-on
5G
eSIM
eSIM
$
85
/mo
+ tax
tax included
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