Metro by T-Mobile is one of the most distinctive prepaid carriers in the U.S. — built on T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G network, an industry-first 5-Year Price Guarantee, and one of the largest retail footprints in U.S. wireless. Originally MetroPCS (acquired by T-Mobile in 2013), Metro uses all-in pricing where taxes and fees are included, with plans from $25/mo BYOD to $60/mo premium with Amazon Prime.
What makes Metro different
- 5-Year Price Guarantee — talk, text, and 5G data pricing locked for 5 years on eligible plans. No other major U.S. carrier offers a comparable structured guarantee.
- Retail stores nationwide plus Walmart presence — vs digital-only Mint, Ultra, and Kroger Wireless.
- All-in pricing — $40 advertised is $40 paid.
- Premium $60 tier with NO deprioritization — structurally like T-Mobile postpaid; most MVNOs can’t offer this.
- Amazon Prime included on the $60 tier — a $14.99/mo value that drops effective cost to ~$45.
The plans
- $25/mo BYOD (web-exclusive, AutoPay): unlimited 5G, no hotspot.
- $30/mo BYOD: unlimited + 10GB hotspot.
- $40 Period: unlimited flat, 35GB threshold, no AutoPay needed.
- $50/mo AutoPay: 50GB threshold, 8GB hotspot, 100GB Google One.
- $60/mo AutoPay: unlimited PREMIUM data (no deprioritization), HD video, 25GB hotspot, Amazon Prime, watch/tablet lines $5/mo, international texting to 210+ countries.
- 6-Month Unlimited: $120 total ($20/mo equivalent) for new BYOD customers.
Network and coverage
Metro runs on T-Mobile’s full 4G LTE and 5G network — the widest 5G footprint in the U.S., strongest in metros and along corridors. Lower tiers get standard MVNO deprioritization during congestion; the $60 premium tier doesn’t. Metro’s own disclaimers acknowledge “Metro may be slower than T-Mobile during congestion” for non-premium tiers — useful transparency.
Who it’s for — and who should skip it
Best for users wanting walk-in support on T-Mobile’s network, anti-price-creep buyers, Amazon households, heavy urban data users (premium tier), and BYOD users at $25. Skip it if you want the absolute lowest price (Mint’s $15/mo 5GB annual prepay), Verizon coverage, or a polished digital-only experience.
Unlimited from about $25 with AutoPay, taxes included, and a 5-year price guarantee.
See Metro by T-Mobile plans →
Jean Gilles has researched personal finance, consumer technology, and wireless pricing for over a decade. He founded ShopCellPlans in 2019 and writes every review on the site.
Frequently asked questions
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