If you‘re looking for an affordable prepaid wireless plan with great coverage and features, Metro by T-Mobile is definitely worth considering. Formerly known as MetroPCS, Metro is a wholly owned subsidiary of T-Mobile that provides low-cost, no-contract cell phone service to budget-conscious consumers across the United States.
But is Metro truly prepaid or actually postpaid? What plans and phones are available, and how do they compare to T-Mobile and other carriers? As a retail industry expert and discerning shopper myself, I‘ve thoroughly researched everything you need to know about Metro by T-Mobile. Let‘s dive in!
Prepaid vs Postpaid: Where Does Metro Fit In?
First, it‘s important to understand the difference between prepaid and postpaid wireless service. With prepaid plans like those offered by Metro, you pay for your service upfront at the beginning of each month. There‘s no contract, credit check, or monthly bill – once you‘ve used up the minutes, texts, or data you paid for, you‘ll need to "top up" or pay for another month of service.
Postpaid plans, on the other hand, bill you at the end of each month based on your usage. These often come with a 1-2 year contract, require a credit check, and may charge overage fees if you exceed your monthly allowances. T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon primarily offer postpaid plans, though they also have prepaid options.
So where does Metro fit in? Metro by T-Mobile is decidedly a prepaid carrier – you won‘t find any postpaid, contract-based plans here. Metro customers pay for their service upfront each month, with taxes and fees included in the plan price. You can bring your own unlocked GSM phone or buy one from Metro, but there‘s no device payment plans or long-term commitments required.
Verdict: Metro by T-Mobile is 100% prepaid. No ifs, ands, or buts about it!
Metro vs T-Mobile: Network, Plans, and Pricing
Network Coverage and Performance
Now that we‘ve established Metro‘s prepaid status, let‘s take a closer look at how it compares to parent company T-Mobile. One of the biggest advantages of choosing Metro is that it runs on T-Mobile‘s nationwide network, which covers over 99% of Americans. That means you can expect the same level of coverage and reliability as you‘d get with T-Mobile proper.
However, it‘s worth noting that Metro customers may experience slower data speeds in times of network congestion compared to T-Mobile postpaid subscribers. This is because T-Mobile prioritizes its direct postpaid customers over those on prepaid plans like Metro when the network is busy.
That being said, Metro customers can still take advantage of T-Mobile‘s growing 5G network, which is available in thousands of cities across the country. According to T-Mobile, its 5G network now covers over 200 million people and offers speeds up to 20% faster than 4G LTE on average. So if you have a 5G-capable phone, you may be able to enjoy even better performance on Metro.
Plans and Pricing
When it comes to plans, Metro keeps things simple with just a handful of options ranging from $30 to $60 per month for a single line. All plans include unlimited talk and text, with varying amounts of high-speed data (from 2GB up to unlimited). Mobile hotspot data is also included on most plans.
Here‘s a breakdown of Metro‘s current plan lineup as of September 2021:
| Plan | Price | High-Speed Data | Hotspot | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2GB | $30/month | 2GB | None | Scam Shield, Visual Voicemail |
| 10GB | $40/month | 10GB | None | Scam Shield, Visual Voicemail |
| Unlimited | $50/month | Unlimited | 5GB | Scam Shield, Visual Voicemail, Google One |
| Unlimited + 15GB Hotspot | $60/month | Unlimited | 15GB | Scam Shield, Visual Voicemail, Google One, Amazon Prime |
In comparison, T-Mobile‘s postpaid plans start at $60/month for a single line with unlimited talk, text, and data. They also offer premium features like Netflix subscriptions, in-flight texting, and international roaming. Here‘s a quick comparison of the base Essentials plans:
| Carrier | Plan | Price (1 line) | Data | Hotspot | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | Essentials | $60/month | Unlimited | Unlimited 3G | Scam Shield |
| Metro | $50 Unlimited | $50/month | Unlimited | 5GB | Scam Shield, Visual Voicemail, Google One |
As you can see, Metro‘s unlimited plan is $10 cheaper than T-Mobile Essentials, though you get less hotspot data and fewer extra perks. T-Mobile postpaid customers also get more priority on the network and premium customer support, which you won‘t get with Metro.
Where Metro really shines, though, is in multi-line discounts. For example, you can get 4 lines with unlimited data for just $120/month on Metro. On T-Mobile, that same 4-line unlimited plan would cost you $140/month (though you‘d get more premium features). So if you‘re looking for a family plan on a budget, Metro is hard to beat.
Phone Selection and Deals
As a prepaid carrier, Metro offers a solid selection of phones to choose from at competitive prices. You‘ll find the latest models from top brands like Apple, Samsung, and Google, as well as more affordable options from the likes of Motorola and LG.
One advantage of Metro is that you can often score great deals on phones when you switch from another carrier. New customers who port their number to Metro can get discounts of up to $650 on select phones, with some models available for free after rebate.
Metro also frequently offers promotions like waived activation fees, bonus data, or free phone upgrades. For example, as of September 2021, new customers can get a free Samsung Galaxy A22 5G when they switch to Metro‘s $60 unlimited plan.
However, one downside of Metro is that it doesn‘t offer device financing options like many postpaid carriers do. You‘ll need to pay for your phone upfront or use a third-party financing service like Affirm. And while Metro does have a decent selection of phones, it may not always carry the latest high-end models right away.
Who is Metro Best For?
With its affordable plans, multi-line discounts, and wide coverage on T-Mobile‘s network, Metro tends to appeal to several types of customers:
- Budget-conscious consumers looking to save on their cell phone bill
- Families who want to get multiple lines for a lower cost than postpaid carriers
- Prepaid fans who want a reliable network without contracts or credit checks
- Deal hunters who like to take advantage of phone discounts and promotional offers
However, Metro may not be the best fit for everyone. Here are some potential downsides to consider:
- Slower data speeds and lower priority than T-Mobile postpaid during congestion
- No device financing options (must pay for phone upfront or use 3rd party)
- More limited phone selection, especially for the latest high-end models
- Fewer premium features and perks compared to T-Mobile postpaid plans
Metro‘s Place in the Prepaid Market
To really understand Metro‘s competitive positioning, let‘s take a look at some key stats and insights on the prepaid wireless market:
- There are over 76 million prepaid cell phone users in the US as of 2021 (Source)
- The prepaid market is expected to grow to over $33 billion in revenue by 2025 (Source)
- Metro had over 20 million subscribers in 2020, making it one of the largest prepaid carriers in the US (Source)
- Other major prepaid competitors include Cricket (AT&T), Boost Mobile (DISH), and Straight Talk (Tracfone/Verizon)
So how does Metro stack up against these other prepaid heavyweights? Here‘s a quick comparison of unlimited plans for a single line:
| Carrier | Plan | Network | Price | Data | Hotspot | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro | Unlimited | T-Mobile | $50/month | Unlimited | 5GB | Google One, Scam Shield |
| Cricket | Unlimited | AT&T | $55/month | Unlimited | Add-on | Scam Shield |
| Boost | Unlimited | T-Mobile & AT&T | $50/month | 35GB 4G LTE | 12GB | Free Streaming Services |
| Straight Talk | Platinum Unlimited | Verizon & T-Mobile | $65/month | 60GB 4G LTE | 20GB | Scam Shield |
As you can see, Metro‘s $50 unlimited plan is very competitive, with a lower price than Cricket and Straight Talk for similar features. Boost matches Metro‘s price with its newly revamped plans, but offers a lower data cap. And many users report better coverage and speeds with Metro thanks to T-Mobile‘s network.
Bottom Line: Is Metro Worth It?
After thoroughly researching the topic and analyzing the offerings, I can confidently conclude that Metro by T-Mobile is one of the best prepaid wireless options on the market today, especially for those looking to save on family plans.
While you won‘t get all the bells and whistles of T-Mobile‘s postpaid offerings, Metro delivers unprecedented value with its affordable plans and access to a fast, reliable nationwide 5G network. The multi-line discounts are where Metro really shines, making it possible to get 4+ lines with unlimited data for a fraction of the price you‘d pay at a traditional carrier.
Of course, there are some trade-offs to consider. Metro customers may experience slower speeds during busy times and have a more limited phone selection than T-Mobile. There‘s also no device financing options, so you‘ll need to pay for your phone upfront.
But if your top priorities are price and overall value, Metro is hard to beat. I highly recommend comparing Metro‘s plans and promotions to your current provider to see how much you could save. And don‘t forget to check for deals – you may be able to score a new phone for free or at a deep discount when you switch.
The bottom line? If you‘re looking for a cheap cell phone plan with great coverage on a leading 5G network, Metro by T-Mobile should absolutely be on your shortlist. Just be sure to read the fine print and understand the limitations before making the switch!
