Save 3X on your cell phone bill as we delve into the complexities of choosing the best cell phone plan by comparing two popular MVNOs: Mint Mobile and Visible. Explore factors like network coverage, pricing models, data speed, and customer service. Uncover Mint Mobile’s attractive bulk buying discounts and Visible’s unlimited data offerings alongside its unique perk of a free connected smartwatch plan. Highlights include the in-depth article at cellphoneplans.wiki and their unbiased, updated resources to help consumers navigate the crowded landscape of mobile plans.
Transcript
The MVNO Podcast S01 E03: Mint Mobile vs. Visible – The Ultimate Cell Phone Carrier Showdown
Michael: [00:00:00] Welcome to the MVNO podcast brought to you by cellphoneplans. wiki. Yes. Domain names now have a dot wiki. This is the site to help you get the cheapest cell phone service. They continuously monitor carriers and update their various plan finder tools, giving you. Access to the perfect plan based on price and features, coverage, anything you’re looking for.
Michael: Just need basic service or do you need multiple networks while traveling? Cellphoneplans. wiki has got you covered. Now let’s join Pat and Ben and kick off the MVNO podcast.
Pat: Okay. So cell phone plans, right? We all need them, but honestly, figuring out all the plans and deals out there, it’s like the hardest part. I don’t know, trying to read hieroglyphics or [00:01:00] something. Data caps. Throttling. Premium data. Enough to make your head spin.
Ben: Yeah. It’s a lot. It’s like, you’re not the only one feeling a little lost in the sea of cell phone plans, right?
Ben: Yeah. There are so many companies all vying for your attention. It can feel kind of risky. Like you’re taking a gamble with your money.
Pat: Totally. And no one wants to end up stuck with a plan that’s like, Not even what they need or way too expensive, you know, yeah, so that’s why today we are diving deep deep deep deep into this whole battle of the MVNOs.
Pat: Mint Mobile going head to head with Visible and we’ve got some awesome research from cellphoneplans. wiki to help us make sense of it all. So are you ready to cut through all that confusing jargon and figure out which one comes out on top?
Ben: Let’s do it. I’m ready.
Pat: All right, so Mint Mobile and Visible, they’re like the new kids on the block, right?
Pat: Yeah. Except they’re using the networks from the big players, but with their own little twists and turns. Mint Mobile uses T Mobile’s network, and Visible uses Verizon’s. And I know what you’re thinking, because I’m thinking it too. T [00:02:00] Mobile.
Ben: Yeah.
Pat: Really. But hold on. Because they’ve actually been stepping up their game lately.
Pat: Especially with the whole 5G thing.
Ben: That’s true. Yeah. T Mobile’s been on a roll. Seriously expanding their 5G coverage and putting a lot of work into making their network better.
Pat: Okay. So we’ve got two contenders. Both with decent networks backing them up. Bye. But I know what you’re thinking because I’m thinking it too.
Pat: What about the coverage where it actually matters, you know, in your day to day life, your daily grind?
Ben: That’s the million dollar question. And honestly, there’s no magic one size fits all answer. Our friends over at cellphoneplans. wiki, they really emphasize that your location, like where you live and use your phone every day, it plays a huge role in which carrier is going to give you the best service.
Pat: Right. Makes sense. So no clear winner in the coverage department yet. But let’s move on to the really important stuff. The stuff we all secretly care about the most price. So, is Mint Mobile the king of the budget friendly options, or does Visible steal the show with their whole unlimited [00:03:00] everything thing?
Ben: Well, in this corner, we’ve got Mint Mobile with their, well, it’s kind of a different approach. It’s a bulk buying model. They give you some pretty good discounts if you commit to a longer plan up front. Think of it like stocking up on groceries. You pay more at once, but you get a way lower price overall.
Pat: Like buying that giant tub of pretzels you just know you’re going to crush eventually. I see you, Mint Mobile. You know how to get me. So we’re talking about three, six, or twelve month plans, right?
Ben: Exactly. And the longer you commit, the lower your monthly bill. This is a great option for people trying to save money or who like to plan ahead, but there’s a catch.
Ben: You got to shell out more up front, which not everyone’s cool with.
Pat: Right. It’s definitely a trade off. But hey, if you’re happy with how it works and you know you’ll use it anyway, why not save a little cash, right? Okay, now let’s talk about Visible. They’re all about that unlimited life, am I right? No confusing tiers or data caps to worry about.
Ben: You got it. Visible keeps it super straightforward with two flat fee plans. Both give you unlimited talk, [00:04:00] text, and data. The whole shebang. This is perfect for anyone who uses a ton of data or just likes knowing they won’t get hit with any surprise fees. And hey, little bonus tip from the research. Visible has a killer deal right now if you’re switching from T Mobile.
Ben: It’s only 15 a month for five years. You heard that right.
Pat: Wow. Okay, now that is a serious contender in this whole price war, especially if you’re already with T Mobile and thinking about making a change, that’s tempting. But before we just hand over the trophy to Visible, we gotta talk speed. Because what good is unlimited data if it takes forever to even load a simple web page?
Pat: You know what I’m saying?
Ben: Oh, absolutely. That’s so true. The good news is both Mint Mobile and Visible offer 5G But there’s always a catch, isn’t there? While Mint Mobile doesn’t have those hard data caps, your speeds can slow down after you hit a certain amount. They don’t, you know, make it super clear what that limit is.
Pat: So it’s like a mystery data limit, kind of sneaky. Mint Mobile.
Ben: It’s one of those things where you got to do your homework based on how much data you usually use. It might not be a deal breaker, but it’s good to know for [00:05:00] sure.
Pat: Okay. So what you’re saying is if I’m on Mint Mobile and I’m trying to stream the big game in HD during like prime time, I might see some buffering.
Ben: It’s possible. Yeah. Especially because Mint Mobile uses T Mobile’s prioritization rules. Basically, that just means that when the network gets super busy, T Mobile prioritizes their main customers, you know, the ones who are paying full price, over MVNO customers like those on Mint Mobile.
Pat: So it’s like being stuck in the slow lane while everyone else is just cruising on by, and now I’m kind of worried.
Pat: What about Visible? Any speed bumps we should look out for there?
Ben: With Visible, you get truly unlimited data. No limits, no ifs, ands, or buts. However, their basic plan, it can get a little slow when the network’s jammed up.
Pat: Ah, so even with unlimited data, I still might run into that dreaded buffering.
Ben: Yeah, it’s possible, especially during peak hours, or if you’re in a really crowded area.
Ben: It’s like having a super fast car, but being stuck in bumper to bumper traffic. Frustrating. To deal with this, Visible offers their Visible Plan, [00:06:00] which gives you priority data. Basically, even when it’s super busy, you’re less likely to experience slowdowns because you get bumped up in line, so to speak.
So it’s like having a VIP pass to the data superhighway.
You get to zoom past all the traffic.
Ben: That’s a perfect way to put it, but keep in mind that Visible does cost a bit more. So it comes down to like is it worth it to you to pay extra for that priority data? You got to weigh that against your budget and how much those slowdowns would actually bug you right for sure
Pat: Okay, so speed is super important, but we can’t forget about all those little extras that can make or break a plan You know those perks and quirks that sweeten the deal.
Pat: What do Mint Mobile and Visible So, uh, we’re going to talk a little bit more about that in a minute,
Ben: but first, we’re going to talk a little bit more about what does Mint Mobile have up their sleeves? Well, both of them actually offer a pretty good set of standard features. We’re talking about, you know, mobile hotspot, Wi Fi calling and free calls and texts to Mexico and Canada.
Ben: That’s pretty much expected from any decent carrier these days.
Pat: It’s like the bare minimum, right? They got to have that stuff just to compete. But then each carrier adds [00:07:00] their own little something special to the mix. So what does Mint Mobile offer that makes them stand out?
Ben: Well, one thing that might be a big deal for families or, you know, even just groups is Mint Mobile’s new family plans.
Ben: They didn’t used to have that, but now they’ve got a pretty good option if you want to bundle multiple lines and save some money.
Pat: So if you’re trying to get the whole family on board with a budget friendly plan, Mint Mobile might be worth checking out. What about Visible? Any cool perks over there?
Ben: Visible’s got this interesting thing on their Visible plan. They’re throwing in a free smartwatch plan. And it’s not just any smartwatch plan. It’s one of those connected smartwatch plans. So you can actually make and receive calls and texts even if you don’t have your phone with you.
Pat: Wait, hold on. A connected smartwatch plan?
Pat: That’s a game changer. Especially for people who are always on the go or, like, want to be connected even when they can’t be glued to their phones.
Ben: Exactly. For runners, parents who are always running around, anyone who values that extra bit of freedom and being connected all the time, it’s a [00:08:00] big deal.
Pat: Okay, now I’m seriously thinking about ditching my old smartwatch plan.
Pat: But before I get too excited about free stuff, we gotta talk customer service. Because, like, what’s the point of having a cool phone plan if you can’t get any help when you need it, right? How’s the customer service with these two?
Ben: Well, it seems like both companies are all about embracing technology because they’ve both moved away from traditional phone support.
Ben: You’ll mostly be talking to them through online chat.
Pat: So, say goodbye to those hours spent on hold listening to that elevator music. While I’m all for modernizing things, I know some people really like talking to a real person, especially when it’s about something as important as their phone service.
Ben: Yeah, for sure. It’s all about personal preference. And there is one key difference. Mint Mobile still offers phone support, but only during certain hours. Visible, on the other hand, they’ve gone fully digital.
Pat: That’s a pretty important difference. It might not be a deal breaker for everyone, but for those who really prefer talking to a human, that [00:09:00] option is priceless.
Ben: Absolutely. You gotta find what works for you.
Pat: Okay, so we’ve covered a lot. Network coverage, pricing, all those little data speed details, the cool perks, even customer service. We’ve basically gone on a full blown expedition through the worlds of Mint Mobile Invisible. But before we make our final decision, I’m turning to you, the expert for your wisdom.
Pat: What are the biggest strengths and weaknesses we’ve seen with these carriers?
Ben: All right, let’s break it down. Mint Mobile’s biggest strength is definitely their flexibility. They give you the control to, like, customize your plan based on how much data you need in your budget. And those bulk discounts are really tempting.
Ben: Plus, they haven’t totally abandoned those people who still like phone support, which is awesome.
Pat: It’s like they’re trying to appeal to both the budget conscious and those who like a more old school customer service experience. Pretty smart if you ask me.
Ben: For sure. On the other hand, Visible’s strong points are definitely simplicity and convenience.
Ben: Unlimited everything. And they use Verizon’s network. That’s [00:10:00] a pretty sweet deal. And don’t forget that Visible plan with the priority data and free smartwatch. That’s tough to beat, especially for tech savvy folks, but they lose points for not having phone support and having fewer plan options.
Pat: So it sounds like both carriers bring something good to the table.
Pat: It really all boils down to your priorities, right? Like, do you value saving money and having lots of choices? Or are you all about simplicity, having unlimited data, and just a smooth digital experience?
Ben: You got it. That’s the key. There’s no right or wrong answer. And what works perfectly for one person might not work for another.
Ben: But hey, that’s a good thing, right? Having choices is good.
Pat: Yeah, for sure. It’s all about finding that perfect plan. The one that just fits, you know? But with so many options, it can be tough to even know where to start. How do you navigate this whole maze of plans and deals?
Ben: Well, that’s where our friends over at cellphoneplans.
Ben: wiki come in. They’re like that friend who always knows about the best deals and can explain things in a way that actually makes sense.
Pat: [00:11:00] No more deciphering confusing jargon or squinting at the fine print. I like it. And it’s worth mentioning that Self and Plans dot wiki, they’re independent, right? So they’re giving you the straight facts, no hidden agenda.
Ben: Exactly. They don’t play favorites or push any specific carrier. It makes their insights super valuable. Plus, they keep their info updated on all the newest deals, so you know you’re getting the best value.
Pat: Okay, so we’ve got cellphoneplans. wiki in our corner, helping us sort through all the details. But before we wrap up, we always like to leave you with something to think about.
Pat: A
Ben: little food for thought. I like it.
Pat: Right, so we’ve been talking about Mint Mobile and visible as MVNOs. Right, those
Ben: smaller carriers that don’t have their own networks. They use the bigger companies networks.
Pat: So it got me thinking, how are they able to offer such good prices compared to the big guys like Verizon and T Mobile?
Pat: What’s the secret?
Ben: That’s a great question. It all comes down to their business model. They’re basically buying network space in bulk from the big [00:12:00] carriers at a lower price. Thanks.
Pat: So like the Costco of cell phone plans. Buy in bulk, get a better deal.
Ben: Exactly. And because they don’t have as many expenses, like they don’t have as many stores or spend as much on advertising, they can charge customers less.
Pat: Makes sense. It’s kind of cool. They’ve found a way to shake things up and make the big companies up their game.
Ben: They’re definitely giving them a run for their money. And in the end. That’s good for us, the customers. More competition means better prices and more options to choose from.
Pat: Can’t argue with that.
Pat: I love a little healthy competition. Keeps things interesting.
Ben: For sure. So next time you’re shopping for a new cell phone plan, don’t count out those MVNOs. They might just surprise you.
Pat: They just might be the hidden gem you’ve been looking for. Well, there you have it. We’ve explored the wild world of cell phone plans, dug deep into Mint Mobile Invisible, and even learned a thing or two about MVNOs.
We’ve given you the knowledge, the tools, to go out there and make the best decision for you.
Ben: Exactly. So go forth and conquer [00:13:00] that cell phone plan of your dreams. And remember, knowledge is power. Until next time, happy connecting.
CellPhonePlans.wiki
Plans start at
$5/mo.
