T-Mobile says you can switch in just 15 minutes. I have tested this claim

Pink credit Pony Club. Until early October, I was happy with my prepaid phone service. I moved my cellular service to budget prepaid plans nearly a decade ago, and I’ve gone through six services since then, including Mint and Boost.

Then I took my 10 year old daughter to see Chapelle Rouen concert. My phone was Visible Wireless at the time, and my traffic was completely deprioritized at an event where what seemed like 30,000 people were posting stories and snaps in front of me at the same time. I ended up standing in the field for four hours without the internet dropping out.

T-Mobile recently announced a new service that lets you switch carrier in just 15 minutes, along with same-day delivery of your new smartphone. That was very appealing, as was the idea of ​​not being thrown at the end of the line the next time I wanted to use my phone at a crowded event. I was expecting better coverage and was optimistic about the easy switching, so I gave it a try.

Photography: Martin Cizmar

Switch in 15 minutes

As someone who uses several cheap prepaid carriers every few years, I’m used to fighting my cell provider. I’ve spent hours and hours trying to transfer my lines or get a device I paid cash for unlocked so I can use it abroad (there’s a reason we only recommend Buy unlocked smartphones). I was pushed over the edge of Karendom, and even resorted to filing a complaint with the FCC about one carrier’s practices. I’ve been constantly frustrated by the difficulty of switching carriers and have come to believe that this is a pain by design.

T-Mobile’s new 15-minute switching feature only works if you use the carrier’s app, and I wanted to discuss my options, so I called. The switching process took a little longer over the phone (27 minutes), but was painless. The T-Mobile sales representative wasn’t interested in upselling and was able to use the app’s screen mirroring function to direct me where to click or read. I found it helpful, and it’s the only way I would recommend for someone as old as my mom to interact with the cell carrier.

I chose middle class Experience more The plan, which for $85 per month, offers unlimited data and calling, plus 60GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data, and some free data in Canada, Mexico and several other countries. I can also text and use the internet on the plane. It comes with free Netflix too.

Next day delivery

for me iPhone 15 Pro Max I had a cracked screen for about a year after I dropped it in an NFL playoff game (it was in condition At the time, I hate cases), so I was ready for a new device. This is bright Orange iPhone 17 Pro My name has been called. I wasn’t eligible for a trade-in due to the condition of my old phone, so I looked into the promotions the carrier was offering.

T-Mobile currently offers the regular version iPhone 17 Free with a 2-year contract. I didn’t want the regular model, but I was happy to know that the carrier could take the same $35 per month and apply it to the Pro Max, meaning I got the device I wanted for $15 per month over the course of a two-year contract. I was facing a $32 increase when switching from Visible, but I got $35 in interest-free monthly device credits, which means I’m actually getting $3 back per month. Next time I’m at a concert, I’ll be able to scroll through the threads between sets like a normal person and maybe even post a few selfies.

The other big advantage of T-Mobile is same-day delivery on your device. Unfortunately, while I could have gotten this with a standard iPhone 17 or regular iPhone 17 Pro, same-day delivery wasn’t available for the orange Pro Max in my area (especially considering I finished my order around 6 p.m.). Instead, I arranged to pick it up the next day at a local T-Mobile store. By the time I checked my email the next morning, the phone was ready for pickup. I drove 1.2 miles to the T-Mobile store, showed them my driver’s license, and was home within 15 minutes. Then I had to set up my new phone and transfer my number. All told, I only had less than an hour of switching time.

Although the details of my situation made the entire process only take 15 minutes with same day delivery, I’m happy to report that the switching process was one of the most pain-free experiences I’ve ever had with a carrier. It also seems that Now I can get a Slurpee for free From 11/7 every month as part of the promotion.