Sprint was the smallest of the big four carriers in the U.S. in terms of coverage before their merger with T-Mobile in April 2020. Sprint plans now roam onto T-Mobile networks - but, in places where both Sprint and T-Mobile have coverage, Sprint's network will continue to be chosen - even if T-Mobile has faster speeds or a stronger signal.
Last Update: November 18, 2020
Sprint is now part of T-Mobile, as per the merger that closed on April 1, 2020.
New Sprint customers are directed to T-Mobile to sign up for their plans, however, some of Sprint's legacy plans are still available in-store or over the phone. Customers on existing direct Sprint plans will be able to retain those plans for the next three years without price increases or changes to features.
The two networks still operate mostly independently with their own towers and frequency bands. Some Sprint customers can have their Sprint phones coded to make the T-Mobile network the primary network for their phones instead of Sprint. Sprint customers with recent 5G phones such as the Galaxy S10 automatically use T-Mobile as the primary network since the combined company is shutting down Sprint's 5G service.
As of October, T-Mobile is offering most Sprint smartphone customers that use the Sprint cellular network the ability to choose the "T-Mobile Network Experience". In short, TNX allows Sprint network customers with compatible devices to trade in their Sprint SIM card for a T-Mobile SIM card and move their plan to the T-Mobile network while retaining the features, billing, and terms of their original Sprint plan. You can read more about what this means here.
Starting in late November, non-profit Sprint based plans have T-mobile roaming enabled via a PRL update pushed to devices.
At present time - aside from Boost being sold to Dish Network - there are no changes to 3rd party, reseller or MVNO plans sold on the Sprint network. However, we are continuing to monitor the situation and will update as appropriate.
Sprint Plans
Sprint was acquired by T-Mobile in April 2020. Existing Sprint customers can currently remain on their plans, but the legacy Sprint plans will eventually be phased out over time. While it is still possible to sign up for new Sprint plan by visiting a store or calling on the phone, new customers are being encouraged to sign up on T-Mobile plans.
**TOP PICKS**
Top Pick Notes: Sprint direct, via T-Mobile's alternative plans, offer a few plans that we consider top picks that are worth focusing your research on:
Data Only
- Device: Hotspots, Routers
- Data: 50GB Hotspot
- Price: $50/mo
- Notes: Can be used with most data only devices, however T-Mobile direct offers a 100GB version of this plan for the same price.
- More Info: View the 'Data Only Plans' Tab On this Page
Unlimited Premium
- Device: Smartphones, Tablets
- Data: Unlimited On Device, 50GB Network Management, 100GB high speed hotspot use
- Price: $80/mo
- Notes: As the T-Mobile merger progresses, this plan should become a T-Mobile plan - getting it locked in now can be advantageous as similar limits on T-Mobile are $120/mo.
- More Info: View the 'Smartphones Plans' Tab On this Page
Tablet Add-On
- Device: Tablets
- Data: Unlimited On Device, 10GB hotspot
- Price: $25/mo
- Notes: Pricing available when added on to a smartphone plan, single lines may have a surcharge.
- More Info: View the 'Data Only Plans' Tab On this Page
For more plans that provide lots of data: Top Pick Data Plans Guide
T-Mobile Network Experience
T-Mobile Network Experience
If you are currently on a Sprint plan, you have the option to retain them for three years after the merger. However you now also have the option to choose the "T-Mobile Network Experience" - aka TNX. TNX allows Sprint network customers with compatible devices to trade in their Sprint SIM card for a T-Mobile SIM card and move their plan to the T-Mobile network while retaining the features, billing, and terms of their original Sprint plan.
The T-Mobile Network Experience is the current next step in the process of combining the T-Mobile and Sprint networks following their merger in April 2020 and in moving all Sprint's customers to use a single network - the T-Mobile network. There are however certain requirements that need to be met in order for Sprint customers to take advantage of this. Customers should visit a Sprint store or Sprint.com to determine their plan, device, and location eligibility.
Video Overview:
Smartphone Plans
As part of the migration to the T-Mobile network, there are some small changes occurring with these plans in early 2021.
The pricing will change slightly as they are moved to a Tax Inclusive model, and there will be some increases to amount of available mobile hotspot data on some plans. While these changes will happen automatically, customers will have the option to opt-out. You can get more information on these changes on T-Mobile's website.
Current Plans
- Unlimited Basic - $60/Single Line
- Unlimited Plus - $70/Single Line
- Unlimited Premium - $80/Single Line **TOP PICK**
**Pricing for these plans may change slightly in early 2021 as T-Mobile moves them to a Tax Inclusive structure.**
Sprint's three unlimited plans can be mixed-and-matched while retaining multi-line discounts. For example, you could get 2 lines of Unlimited Premium for $160 and two lines of Unlimited Plus (the mid-tier option) for only another $40/month.
Plan Specifications
- Carrier Networks Used: Sprint
- Carrier Relationship: Direct
- Plan Types Available: Smartphone
- Device Types Permitted: Smartphones
- Unlimited: Yes
- High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Use:
- Unlimited Basic - 500MB, then 3G (will change to 5GB in early 2021 as part of migration to T-Mobile network)
- Unlimited Plus - 50GB, then 3G (will change to 60GB in early 2021 as part of migration to T-Mobile network)
- Unlimited Premium - 100GB, then 3G (will change to 120GB in early 2021 as part of migration to T-Mobile network)
- Additional high-speed data can be added on any plan for $15 per GB.
- Throttling: Full speed on device. Mobile hotspot throttle as noted above.
- Network Management: Unlimited plans are subject to network management after 50GB of usage in a month per line.
- Video Streaming Resolution:
- Unlimited Basic - 480p
- Unlimited Plus - 1080p (Music & gaming may be restricted in speed.)
- Unlimited Premium - 1080p
- 5G Access: Yes
- Device Purchase Required: No, but can purchase a device
- Plan Period: 30 days
- International Roaming:
- Unlimited Basic - Free voice/text roaming in Canada and Mexico with 5GB LTE data use per month.
- Unlimited Plus - Free voice/text roaming in Canada and Mexico with 10GB LTE data use per month.
- Unlimited Premium - (Premium International Experience): Free voice/text roaming in Canada and Mexico with unlimited 4G LTE data.
- For other countries, Sprint offers free texts, $0.25 voice calls, and free "basic" (2g) data.
- Data day passes are available - for most locations, a 1-day data pass is $5 and a 7-day pass is $25 and provides 4G speeds.
- Domestic Roaming: There is a 100-300MB roaming cap per month on unlimited data plans - data roaming will be suspended for the rest of the month if the cap is exceeded. These plans now roam onto T-Mobile's network (without counting towards roaming cap) but, in places where both Sprint and T-Mobile have coverage, Sprint's network will continue to be chosen - even if T-Mobile has faster speeds or a stronger signal.
- Data Roll Over: None
- Overage Charges: None
- Lines permitted per account: 10
- Extras:
- All plans include Hulu
- Unlimited Plus also includes Tidal
- Unlimited Premium also includes Tidal, Amazon Prime, LookOut, and UBER Credits
- Discounts available for customers who switch to Sprint and are military or 55+.
Data Only Plans
Data Only Plans
Currently Available Plans
- Hotspot Plans:
- 10GB - $30/month
- 50GB - $50/month **TOP PICK**
- Tablet Plan - $25/month **TOP PICK**
- Must have an active phone line, or there will be a monthly upcharge.
Plan Specifications
- Carrier Networks Used: Sprint
- Carrier Relationship: Direct
- Plan Types Available: Data only
- Device Types Permitted:
- Hotspot Plans: Hotspot, router
- Tablet Plans: Tablet
- Unlimited:
- Hotspot Plans: No
- Tablet Plan: Yes
- High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Use:
- Hotspot Plans: All data
- Tablet Plan: 10GB
- Throttling:
- Hotspot Plans: 2G after data caps noted above
- Tablet: None on device; 2G after 10GB on hotspot data
- Network Management: After 50GB
- Video Streaming Resolution:
- Hotspot Plans: Not specified
- Tablet Plan: 480p.
- 5G Access: Yes
- Device Purchase Required: No, but can purchase a device
- Plan Period: 30 days
- International Roaming: Not specified
- Domestic Roaming: Not specified
- Data Roll Over: None
- Overage Charges:
- Lines permitted per account: 10
- Extras: Additional high-speed data can be purchased in 2GB buckets for $10.
Other Data Plans:
- Sprint Drive Wi-Fi Unlimited - $25/month, for use with Sprint 'Drive' device.
- Unlimited for Apple and Galaxy Watches - $10/month. Requires an active phone line with Sprint.
News, Videos & Status
Potential Alternatives to Consider:
Some of our TOP PICK Cellular Data Plans to also consider:
Learn More About Selecting Cellular Data Plans Explore Our Comparative Pricing Grid
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Sprint Legacy Plans on T-Mobile
Shopping for Cellular Data Plans
Finding the right plans for your needs is no easy task - quite simply mobile travelers using cellular data as their primary way online is not how most carriers have designed their plans. Many of us want plans that provide copious amounts of data.
Understanding the different plan terms (like network management, throttling, hotspot data, video resolution) is key to determining if a plan will meet your needs or not. You also need plans that are suitable for use in the device you want to use them in - such as smartphone, mobile hotspot device or cellular embedded router.
To learn more about shopping for dataplans, check out these key guides:
As heavily as the carriers push their "Unlimited' data plans - you'll quickly discover that most have limits. Here's a video going over what you need to know about unlimited plans, including 3rd party resellers plans that you might find on the internet:
But a data plan alone will not keep you online - it's only one part of the equation. You also need the right gear and signal enhancing strategy.
For more education on assembling a cellular centric mobile internet setup, head on over to our collection of guides:
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