When the big smartphone manufacturers start announcing their new phones, like the Google Pixel 10A or the upcoming rumored Samsung Galaxy S26 and Apple iPhone 17E, it's also a good time to evaluate your current wireless provider. Features like 5G speed, hotspot data and included streaming services all have to be considered in addition to price.
Here, we're looking at two of the biggest cellular companies in the US: T-Mobile and Verizon.
These two aren't the only carriers, of course, but being among the biggest players means you're likely looking at them first before checking out smaller providers or prepaid options (many of which are owned by T-Mobile, Verizon and the third major company, AT&T).
It's not lost on me that you might be reading this because you were affected by Verizon's widespread and lengthy outage in January. While every carrier suffers from service outages, that one was especially impactful, and the causes are still largely unknown.
T-Mobile
Last year, T-Mobile nabbed the title of Best Mobile Network in the US by Ookla, and it wrapped the calendar by being named the best carrier for network quality by J.D. Power. What's notable here is that both of those titles used to be dominated by Verizon. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by CNET's parent company, Ziff Davis.)
T-Mobile Like T-Mobile's 5G network is generally robust and has broad coverage
T-Mobile's 5G network is generally robust and has broad coverage 5-year price guarantee on its higher-tier plans
5-year price guarantee on its higher-tier plans T-Satellite service in places without signal
T-Satellite service in places without signal T-Mobile Tuesdays and Magenta rewards program Don't like One of the most appealing options, the Better Value plan, is offered for a limited time, though T-Mobile has not set an end date for its availability
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