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If it feels like T-Mobile's plans have been getting pricier and pricier over the last few years and you expected the "Un-carrier" to return to its old Un-carrier ways with a new entry-level option or at least a cheaper unlimited everything service tier, we're afraid today's announcement is not really for you.
Instead, we're bringing good news right now for folks who looked at the decidedly expensive Go5G and Go5G Plus plans Magenta unveiled just four months ago and wanted to pay even more for the privilege of upgrading their phones even more frequently.
Enter Go5G Next!
Remember when T-Mo used to advertise "ONE" plan to rule them all... only to break said plan into several different price tiers with different perks and benefits? Well, now we have three Go5G-branded options alone (with annoyingly similar names), as well as an entry point very simply and clearly dubbed Essentials.
Fortunately, there's a neat little chart that explains and illustrates all the distinctions between these four current "value-packed" plans, although we imagine it's still going to be pretty easy to get the Go5G, Go5G Plus, and Go5G Next features and limitations mixed up by both new customers and existing ones looking for a change for some reason.
Of course, if that reason happens to be to obtain more flexibility over your smartphone upgrading process, the newly introduced Go5G Next option is definitely right for you. This is pretty much identical to the "old" Go5G Plus option in every single aspect apart from one small but potentially crucial detail.
With Go5G Next, you'll be able to switch from an old handset to a new one every 12 months instead of 24 without paying a dime. Obviously, nothing's ever as simple as that, so you will need to trade in your existing device to qualify for your free yearly upgrade and said device will have to be paid off in half (not in full) at the time of the upgrade.
Those are certainly not the most difficult requirements to meet, but the cost of your new Go5G Next plan might be a bit hard to swallow, at $100 for your first line, $70 for your second one, $10 (!!!) for a third, and $225 for a fourth.
T-Mobile vs the competition
In a separate chart, the "Un-carrier" is doing everyone a favor by comparing the prices and benefits of its freshly unveiled top-tier plan with Verizon's Unlimited Plus and AT&T's Unlimited Premium options.
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As you can imagine, T-Mobile is making sure the comparison is as flattering as possible for its Go5G Next plan, but at the end of the day, you simply can't hide the fact that this is costlier than the competition's best plans pretty much across the board, from one to four lines.
Is there a reason to snub the competition's elite unlimited offers and go with T-Mo? Absolutely. But there's also very clearly a key reason why this new plan was not announced at a glamorous dedicated "Un-carrier" event, getting instead a super-low-key unveiling via a simple press release on a random Monday near the end of the summer.
Only a small portion of wireless users care about upgrading to the newest and greatest phones on the market every... single... year, and this offer is of interest solely to that group of people. But diversity is definitely always a good thing, so there's no reason to get angry at T-Mobile today just because you're not part of the new plan's target audience. For that, there's plenty of other stuff to focus on.
Top 3 T-Mobile phone deals right now:
(T-Mobile) Galaxy S24 Ultra: up to $800 off with a trade-in
Your ultimate Galaxy experience is now available at deeply reduced prices. The Galaxy S24 Ultra with T-Mobile now arrives for up to $800 off. The deal requires eligible device trade-ins and a Go5G Plus or a Go5G Next plan. At the time of writing, you also receive a $100 Instant Samsung Credit on the phone (available with select carriers).
Galaxy S24 FE: up to $800 off with T-Mobile and trade-in
Trade in an eligible device and save up to $800 on the Galaxy S24 FE. The just-released smartphone arrives with a plan by T-Mobile at the Samsung Store. You'll receive your $800 over 24 monthly bill credits, provided you select a Go5G Plus or Go5G next plan.
Galaxy S24+: up to $800 off with T-Mobile at Samsung
If you get the Galaxy S24+ with a T-Mobile plan from the official store, you can get up to $800 off over 24 monthly bill credits. The offer requires you to trade in an eligible device, switch to, have, or activate a Go5G Plus or Go5G Next plan. Additional $100 Instant Samsung Credits are also available with select carriers.
Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.
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