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April 2, 2024
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Using T-Mobile’s network, Ultra Mobile offers prepaid plans starting at $15 per month for unlimited talk and text. It doesn’t offer a plan specifically for seniors, but Ultra Mobile’s pay-as-you-go service with no long-term contracts or added fees could be a great choice for people looking to save on their wireless bills.
FYI: To learn more about our favorite cellular providers, check out our rundown of the best senior phone plans.
Ultra Mobile Pros and Cons
Pros
- Low-cost unlimited plans: Ultra Mobile offers unlimited talk and text plans for $15 per month, and unlimited data costs $49 per month.
- International service: By piggybacking off T-Mobile, Ultra is able to offer talk and text in over 80 countries for no additional charges.
- Bring your own phone: Ultra allows you to keep your own phone and phone number with its plans.
- No-hassle sign-up: Signing up for Ultra Mobile is easy and doesn’t come with any extra fees or long-term contracts.
Cons
- Variable data speeds: Despite offering unlimited data, Ultra is deprioritized on T-Mobile’s network, making it slow to process large amounts of data.
- Customer service: User response to Ultra’s customer service varies, with some people citing long wait times and inconsistent responses.
Pro Tip: For people looking to stream video frequently, we recommend checking out T-Mobile senior plans.
Ultra Mobile Plans and Pricing
Ultra Mobile offers three plans, all of which include unlimited talk, text, and data usage, as well as international calling. The primary differentiator is the amount of high-speed 5G data.
| Plan | Monthly price | Talk and text allowance | Data allowance |
| 250 MB | $15 per month | Unlimited | 250 MB |
| 3 GB | $19 per month | Unlimited | 3 GB |
| 5 GB | $24 per month | Unlimited | 5 GB |
| 10 GB | $29 per month | Unlimited | 10 GB |
| 15 GB | $39 per month | Unlimited | 15 GB |
| Unlimited plan | $49 per month | Unlimited | 40 GB |
Ultra Mobile Plans for Seniors
Ultra Mobile doesn’t offer any plans specifically for seniors, but the 250 MB plan is the best option for seniors who want a phone plan that includes unlimited talk, text, and data without paying for unnecessary data.
The three pricing tiers are inflexible, but Ultra Mobile offers them without long-term contracts or added fees. You know exactly what you’re paying for with Ultra Mobile, and you can cancel or change your plan from month to month.
Did You Know: If you don’t need data, then you may consider one of the affordable talk and text plans from Consumer Cellular.
How to Purchase Ultra Mobile
Unlike some smaller carriers, Ultra Mobile has in-person retail options to discuss plans, buy phones, and get everything squared away. If you prefer to buy in person, look up a map of the company’s outlets to see if there is one in your area. Otherwise the Ultra Mobile website is the main way to purchase a plan.
From the company’s homepage, the first thing you should do is enter your ZIP code to check Ultra Mobile’s coverage in your area. Since it shares T-Mobile’s network, you should be able to use one provider if you can use the other. You will then be asked you to check your device’s compatibility with Ultra by inputting the brand and model or the IMEI number, which is a 15- to 17-digit number that can be found by dialing *#06# on your phone. (You need to do this only if you want to keep your old phone with your new plan.)
Otherwise you’ll be able to choose one of Ultra’s three plans and then browse the available devices. Ultra offers expensive phones, such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G and Google Pixel 6 Pro, as well as comparatively cheap options like the Alcatel 3V and Motorola G Pure. It also has many Apple devices, including the iPhone 11, 12, 13, SE, and the mini versions.
After selecting an option, you can proceed to checkout with your selections and get estimates on your delivery times and setup instructions for your new Ultra Mobile device or plan.
Ultra Mobile Pricing
Ultra Mobile’s plans are priced inflexibly at $15, $19, and $49 per month. You pay for each month at the chosen price, but there are no long-term contracts or fees so you can cancel anytime.
Unlike some carriers, Ultra Mobile does not offer the option to buy more or less data than its plans have by default. All plans on the 4G LTE network come with unlimited data, but access to the faster 5G network comes only with the more expensive tiers.
That means you never have to worry about overages with Ultra, but you also don’t have a lot of room to customize your monthly bills either.
Ultra Mobile Network Coverage
Ultra Mobile piggybacks off T-Mobile’s network to provide access to one of the most comprehensive service networks in the country. The plans’ unlimited data comes from T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network with only limited access to the 5G network.
Access to the fast download speeds of the 5G network determines the plans’ prices. If accessing the network isn’t a priority, the lower plans don’t make you pay for it.
One of Ultra Mobile’s issues is that it is deprioritized on T-Mobile’s network, which users say becomes an issue with the service’s data speeds at about 20 GB. That would affect you only if you plan to use a lot of data each month.
Ultra Mobile vs. T-Mobile
Ultra Mobile’s plans start at a lower monthly price than T-Mobile’s for the same network coverage, but Ultra doesn’t have as much 5G access due to its data restrictions on T-Mobile’s network.
Ultra Mobile also doesn’t offer a plan for seniors, but its starting plan is cheaper than T-Mobile Essentials 55+ and may be even more practical for some people.
| Ultra Mobile 250MB | T-Mobile Essentials 55+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $15 per month | $27.50 per month |
| Price increases | Never | Never |
| 5G access | Limited | Yes |
| Long-term contracts | None | None |
| Age requirement | None | Must be 55+ |
Bottom Line
Ultra Mobile offers a quick and painless way to get unlimited talk, text, and data at a competitive price. It shares T-Mobile’s network, so it should cover most areas in the U.S.
Customers looking for the most comprehensive 5G coverage may need to use a more established carrier, but those looking for a practical unlimited plan despite some slowdown could try Ultra Mobile’s pay-as-you-go plans with relatively little hassle — especially if they bring their own device.
To learn more about our favorite phones and providers for seniors, check out our helpful guides.
Ultra Mobile Frequently Asked Questions
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Does Ultra Mobile have a senior plan?
Ultra Mobile does not have a plan designed for seniors, but its $15-per-month plan should match the needs of most older adults looking for an affordable unlimited data plan.
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Is Ultra Mobile trustworthy?
Ultra Mobile uses T-Mobile’s network coverage to offer trustworthy service to its users. The company doesn’t charge hidden fees or lock its users into long-term contracts.
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What are the downsides of Ultra Mobile?
Ultra Mobile has variable data download speeds on the high end, which could be an issue for some users. Its customer service has also received a mixed reception.