▼ Summary
– Trump Mobile launched a prepaid wireless plan for $47.45/month, offering unlimited talk, texting, international calling, and 20GB of 5G data.
– The plan’s price is not competitive, as major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile offer cheaper unlimited 5G prepaid options.
– Smaller providers like Google Fi, Boost Mobile, and Tello provide better pricing with more data or lower monthly costs.
– Trump Mobile includes unique perks like roadside assistance and device protection, but the reliability of these services is unclear.
– The cellphone service market is crowded, allowing niche brands like Trump Mobile to operate without offering superior service or infrastructure.
Trump Mobile has entered the wireless market with a patriotic-themed prepaid plan priced at $47.45 per month, but consumers should think twice before signing up. The service promises unlimited talk, text, international calling, and 20GB of high-speed 5G data with hotspot capabilities. While the price appears tailored to appeal to supporters of the 45th and 47th U.S. president, it falls short when compared to nearly every major competitor.
Prepaid wireless plans typically prioritize affordability and flexibility, yet Trump Mobile’s offering misses the mark on both fronts. Major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile all provide better deals through their prepaid subsidiaries. Visible, Cricket, and Metro by T-Mobile each offer unlimited 5G data for just $40 per month, nearly $8 cheaper than Trump Mobile’s plan. Visible even includes smartwatch support at that price.
Smaller providers deliver even more competitive pricing. Google Fi provides 30GB of 5G data for $35, while Walmart Family Mobile offers 20GB for $33.88. Boost Mobile undercuts them all with 30GB for $25, and Tello matches that price for unlimited data. Even among patriotically branded alternatives, US Mobile beats Trump Mobile with unlimited 5G at $35 per month.
The plan does include some unusual perks, but their real-world value remains questionable. Subscribers get roadside assistance through Drive America Motor Club, including a $100 towing credit, and device protection via Omega Mobile Care. However, Omega appears to specialize in auto services, and its reliability as a phone insurer is unclear, especially since it seems to exist solely on Trump Mobile’s website.
The prepaid wireless market is crowded, with countless MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) leveraging major carrier networks. This low barrier to entry has led to niche offerings, like the recent SmartLess podcast-branded plan at $30 per month. Trump Mobile’s existence highlights how easily a service can launch without needing its own infrastructure, just strong branding.
Ultimately, consumers looking for value should steer clear of Trump Mobile. Better deals abound, whether through major carriers, budget-friendly MVNOs, or even other politically themed providers. Unless roadside assistance and vague device protection justify the premium, there’s little reason to choose this plan over cheaper, more established alternatives.
(Source: The Verge)
