We Did the Math: Trump Mobile Is a Bad Deal for Consumers
When the Trump Organization announced its new Trump Mobile cell service and gold colored T1 phone -- complete with an American flag on the back -- it raised a lot of questions. While most of them focused on the numerous mistakes and typos on the Trump Mobile site -- some of which have been fixed -- other errors and questionable policies, like calling RAM storage, not identifying the handset's processor or the fact that you can't get a refund for the T1 phone raised several flags for us. Even the images of the phone don't look real.
Clever pricing, but better deals abound
The Trump T1 phone gives me flashbacks to the Freedom Phone that launched in 2021 and was more a political statement than ground breaking smartphone. But it's the Trump Mobile phone service that seems like an odd fit in 2025. At a time when there are hundreds of MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) -- think Mint Mobile or GoogleFi -- Trump Mobile aims to break into a crowded market with a curious value proposition: Pay $47.45 a month (President Donald Trump is the 45 and 47 president of the United States, get it?) for unlimited text, calls and data when it is expected to ship in September 2025. You can do that now for much cheaper with other wireless providers.
In fact, Liberty Wireless Mobile, the MVNO that "powers" Trump Mobile, offers all that for just $40 a month (which includes 10GB of high-speed data, compared to 20GB on the 47 Plan, before data speeds are likely curtailed). I haven't used Liberty Wireless, but if the numerous instances of "Lorem ipsum" text on its FAQS page is any indication, it might be best to look elsewhere.
Of course, Trump Mobile's 47 Plan comes with other perks that could justify the price jump, including telehealth sessions provided by Doctegrity, which normally costs $29 a month, and roadside assistance through Drive America (though it isn't clear what types of services are covered or if there are limits on the amount you can spend). The 47 Plan even includes "device protection," which would be great if it weren't for the fine print saying that "device protection is not insurance." So could Trump Mobile be a good deal? If I ignore all the vagueness that surrounds the 47 Plan, then maybe. But there are too many unknowns for me to recommend. Like how much is an additional line? Does the 47 Plan include hotspot data? Is there an autopay discount? Do I get streaming service perks like other carriers? Are there discounts for seniors? We reached out to Trump Mobile for clarification.
Luckily, between the big three main US carriers and hundreds of US-based MVNOs, you have a lot of options. Here are a few wireless plans that are live now, offer a better price or value than Trump Mobile and are from companies that have a good track record when it comes to their service. Be sure to also check out our list of best phone plans that cover other features and pricing.
Trump Mobile vs. T-Mobile, Mint Mobile and US Mobile Plan Cost 1 line (autopay) High-speed data Hotspot data limit Price guarantee Max number of lines Streaming resolution Trump Mobile The 47 Plan $47.45 (no autopay discount) 20GB n/a n/a n/a n/a US Mobile Unlimited Flex $17.50 10GB 5GB n/a Unlimited 480p (SD) T-Mobile Essentials Choice 55 $45 50GB Unlimited 3G n/a 2 480p (SD) Mint Mobile 15GB $20 15GB 10GB n/a n/a 480p (SD)
Alternatives to Trump Mobile
US Mobile Unlimited Flex Best value for a single line (prepaid) Like Runs on Verizon's network for "Warp" service, AT&T's for its "Dark Star" or T-Mobile's for "Light Speed"
10GB high-speed data, then unlimited at slower speed
Taxes and fees are included in the sticker price
10GB of hotspot data Don't like Limited times you can switch networks for free
The Multi-Network add-on is available only in the Unlimited Premium plan
Phone data slows to 1Mbps after high-speed data is used up
Cheapest rate requires annual purchase
With the three major carriers in the US, you're using their infrastructure, and if there aren't any high-speed towers in your area, you're out of luck. By contrast, US Mobile calls itself a Super Carrier because, without a network of its own, it rides those three networks. They're given special names -- no doubt to avoid advertising for the competition -- and they break down like this: Dark Star is AT&T, Warp is Verizon and Light Speed is T-Mobile.
That sounds convoluted, but it means you can switch to a better network for your area if needed without transitioning to an entirely new carrier. You still need to choose one, but you get two free network transfers and then pay $2 per transfer if you want to switch again after that -- it's a good way to see which one works best in your area.
OK, to be fair, it can get more convoluted, depending on the network. Dark Star data speeds are at a reduced priority (dubbed QCI 9) in times of network congestion; for an additional $12 a month you can bump that up to a higher priority (QCI 8). With the Warp plan, data speeds are at that QCI 8 higher priority regardless of congestion. And the Light Speed level is even higher (QCI 7).
The Unlimited Flex plan gives you 10GB of high-speed data, then unlimited at 1Mbps, for just $17.50 a month if you purchase an annual plan (otherwise it's $25 a month). Hotspot data is 5GB and then unlimited but throttled to 8Mbps and then 600Kbps if you use more than 200GB within a month. International calls and texts from inside the US are included, but if you're traveling you'll need to buy add-on roaming packages costing either $15 (1GB, 150 minutes, 150 texts) or $45 (5GB, 500 minutes, 500 texts).
Why we like it
It's an inexpensive plan with taxes and fees rolled into the price, plus you get the ability to surf among the major carrier networks to find the one that works best for your area.
Who it's best for
Someone looking for a simple phone line who doesn't expect to use much data.
Who shouldn't get it
If you're frequently away from Wi-Fi, that data could go by in a hurry. It's also not a great option if you need consistently high speeds, or you don't want the complexity of choosing one of the three networks.
Customer service options
• Online: US Mobile
• Phone: 878-205-0088
• Store: n/a
• App: US Mobile iOS, Android $17.50 at US Mobile
Mint Mobile 15GB Best phone plan for 15GB of data or less Like Runs on T-Mobile's network
More data than some comparably priced plans from other prepaid rivals
Free calling to Canada, Mexico and the UK Don't like Best pricing often requires a full year commitment or is limited to new customers
Hotspot data comes out of monthly allotment
Despite the fact that we think most everyone can benefit from having an unlimited data plan, sometimes that's just too much data, and too much expense. When you aren't streaming movies or checking social media frequently (away from Wi-Fi), a limited amount of data on a plan can be just the right amount.
Mint Mobile's 15GB Plan costs as little as $20 a month when you pay up front for a year or take advantage of a three-month new customer offer. For that price you get unlimited talk and text using T-Mobile's 5G/4G LTE network and the 15GB of high-speed data (then slower unlimited data if you blow past that allotment). It also includes free calling to Canada, Mexico and the UK, as well as 10GB of hotspot data (which comes out of the 15GB total).
Why we like it
With T-Mobile's network as the backbone, Mint Mobile's plan offers many of the same features as the larger carrier, but at a reduced, affordable prepaid scale.
Who it's best for
People who want the features of most mobile plans but won't use much data.
Who shouldn't get it
Someone who obsesses over data usage or is concerned about hitting the 15GB limit.
Customer service options
• Online: Mint Mobile Help Center
• Phone: 800-683-7392
• Store: n/a
• App: Mint Mobile $20 at Mint Mobile
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Is Packaging Corporation of America Underperforming the Nasdaq?
Valued at $16.8 billion by market cap, Packaging Corporation of America (PKG), based in Lake Forest, Illinois, operates as a leading U.S. producer of containerboard and corrugated packaging. Operating through its Packaging and Paper segments, PKG provides essential products like shipping containers and protective packaging to industries such as food, beverages, and industrial goods. Companies worth $10 billion or more are generally described as "large-cap stocks." PKG fits right into that category, with its market cap exceeding the threshold, reflecting its substantial size and influence in the competitive industry of packaging & containers. 2 Outstanding Stocks Under $50 to Buy and Hold Now Nvidia's Bringing Sovereign AI to Germany. Should You Buy NVDA Stock Here? A $1 Billion Reason to Buy MicroStrategy Stock Here Tired of missing midday reversals? The FREE Barchart Brief newsletter keeps you in the know. Sign up now! PKG currently trades 25.8% below its all-time high of $250.82 recorded on Nov. 25, 2024. PKG's stock has declined 5.8% over the past three months, notably underperforming the Nasdaq Composite's ($NASX) 11.7% uptick during the same time frame. In the long term, PKG stock has declined 17.3% on a YTD basis, underperforming the Nasdaq's 1.2% increase. Moreover, shares of PKG grew marginally over the past 52 weeks, also underperforming NASX's 9.4% returns over the same period. To confirm its recent downturn, PKG has been trading below its 200-day moving average since early March and below its 50-day moving average since mid-June, with some fluctuation in recent months. Despite reporting better-than-expected financials, PKG stock prices observed a marginal dip in the trading session after the release of its Q1 results on Apr. 22. The company's packaging sales experienced a solid boost during the quarter, leading to its net sales growing 8.2% year-over-year to $2.1 billion, surpassing the Street's expectations by a thin margin. Meanwhile, driven by a favorable pricing mix, its margins observed a significant expansion. This led to its adjusted EPS soaring 34.3% year-over-year to $2.31, exceeding the consensus estimates by 4.5%. Following the initial dip, PKG stock prices rose 2.2% in the subsequent trading session. Its rival, Ball Corporation (BALL), has declined 10.3% over the past year, underperforming PKG. Among the nine analysts covering the PKG stock, the consensus rating is a 'Moderate Buy.' Its mean price target of $210.22 suggests a 12.9% upside potential from current price levels. On the date of publication, Aditya Sarawgi did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Melden Sie sich an, um Ihr Portfolio aufzurufen. Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Medicare go-broke date pushed up three years in latest trustees report
This story was originally published on Healthcare Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Healthcare Dive newsletter. A key trust fund underpinning Medicare's hospital benefit will go broke three years earlier than previously expected absent congressional action, threatening benefits for seniors, according to the Medicare trustees' annual report released Wednesday. The Medicare Hospital Insurance trust fund will be depleted in 2033, instead of 2036, as Medicare spending continues to outpace the program's income, the trustees — a group comprised of the HHS, Treasury and Labor secretaries, along with the Social Security commissioner — warned. The bleaker outlook is due to higher-than-expected spending for hospital care, hospice services and physician-administered drugs. The trustees called on Congress to act quickly to stabilize Medicare, though near-term action is unlikely as the Republican majority focuses on advancing their reconciliation megabill. Medicare has been teetering on the edge of insolvency for a while. But the latest report from Medicare's trustees is more dire than last year's, which projected Medicare would become insolvent in more than a decade. Now, Medicare's hospital trust fund will start running out of money in eight years — when today's 57-year-olds first become eligible for the program. The looming go-broke date is a result of the fund's substantial shortfall as Medicare costs continue to grow rapidly, trustees said in the report. Medicare costs are expected to increase from 3.8% of the gross domestic product in 2024 to 6.2% in 2050 before reaching 6.7% in 2099, the report projects. Costs to another fund that pays Parts B and D, called the Supplemental Medical Insurance trust fund, are also climbing, increasing pressure on beneficiary budgets and the federal budget. (Though, the Supplemental Medical Insurance trust fund is largely funded by premiums and general revenue that resets each year and doesn't face the same solvency concerns.) This year's estimates, which are based on current payment rates, could be conservative, trustees said. Under an alternate scenario, in which provider payments grow at a rate more consistent with underlying medical costs — a change aggressively lobbied for by physician associations — Medicare spending will rise to 8.8% of the GDP in 2099 rather than 6.7%, according to the report. The precarious footing of the federal insurance program, which covers almost 69 million people in the U.S., is due to the country's underlying demographic shifts, according to experts. More and more Americans are aging into Medicare, while at the same time the number of workers paying into its trust fund is dropping. More seniors are also selecting privatized Medicare Advantage plans, which are more expensive than traditional Medicare coverage. If and when the U.S. hits Medicare's go-broke date, the hospital trust fund, which pays hospitals and providers of post-acute services and also covers some of the cost of private Medicare Advantage plans, will have inadequate income to fund those benefits. Medicare payments would immediately be cut by 11%, according to the report. Those cuts would grow over time, likely disrupting services for seniors and reimbursement for providers. It's worth nothing that there's a significant degree of uncertainty in trustees' projections, which vary based on macroeconomic forces in a given year. For example, in 2020, in the early throes of COVID-19, the board predicted the hospital trust fund would run out by 2026. That deadline was pushed back to 2028 and then 2031 in subsequent years' reports, amid a broader economic rebound and more care shifting to cheaper outpatient settings. Still, the fund hasn't met the trustees' test for short-range financial adequacy since 2003, and has triggered funding warnings since 2018. To date, Congress has not allowed Medicare to go under. But legislators' lack of action despite years of warnings is a source of heartburn for budget hawks, Medicare advocates and physician lobbies. Experts say lawmakers need to act soon given many reforms to stabilize Medicare could take a few years to go into effect. 'The projections in this report show that change is needed to address Medicare's financial challenges,' the Medicare trustees wrote in their report. 'The sooner solutions are enacted, the more flexible and gradual they can be.' According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, restoring Medicare solvency would require Congress to boost the payroll tax rate by 14% or reduce Medicare spending by 9% — both politically unappetizing proposals. Other reforms that could curb Medicare spending, like implementing site-neutral payments or reducing overpayments in MA, have more bipartisan support but aren't a policy priority on the Hill. Republicans are currently focused on hammering out legislation to extend tax cuts from President Donald Trump's first term, cut green energy programs, fund border control and curb Medicaid spending. 'We are running out of time to phase in changes gradually and avoid harsh cuts, sharp tax increases, or unacceptable borrowing. Demagoguing this issue may be politically expedient, but it will ultimately prove ruinous for the tens of millions of Americans that rely on the programs,' Maya MacGuineas, the president of the CRFB, said in a statement Wednesday. Recommended Reading Medicare go-broke date extended to 2036, but warning bells continue ringing
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Should You Buy the Dip on Apple Stock This Year?
Apple is still driven by iPhone sales, and it failed to successfully launch the Vision Pro headset. The services segment is growing steadily, but under risk from lawsuits. Apple's stock trades at a high earnings ratio today. 10 stocks we like better than Apple › After peaking at around $260 near the end of 2024, Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL) stock price has entered a bear market. Even with the wide stock market indices approaching new all-time highs, shares of Apple are down 25%, making it one of the worst-performing large-cap technology stocks in 2025. Investors are worried about tariffs, slowing revenue growth, and antitrust lawsuits that may impact the smartphone maker's future earnings power. Is now the right time to buy the dip on Apple stock? Let's put the numbers to the test and show why Apple is a risky big tech stock to purchase today. The iPhone is still a blockbuster consumer product. Over the last six months alone, the segment has generated more than $100 billion in revenue for Apple, making it the most popular smartphone in the world by revenue. The problem for investors is the fact sales have stagnated for the last few years. Apple has been able to consistently raise the price of new iPhones, but upgrade cycles are proving longer and longer for consumers, meaning they are going more years before buying the latest device. This is a major headwind to revenue growth. In order to expand its ecosystems of devices, Apple has made inroads into wearables like the Apple Watch and AirPods. These are successful products, but will not move the needle for Apple's $400 billion in consolidated annual revenue. To do that, Apple made its largest hardware launch since the iPhone with the Vision Pro virtual reality headset. A device that costs $3,500, the headset was supposed to be Apple's next big computing paradigm, giving its users more advanced computing tools for work and pleasure. So far, it looks like the Vision Pro has been a flop. Estimates are that unit sales are cumulatively less than 1 million, with many purchasers reportedly stopping using the device after a trial period. Apple remains a hardware provider tethered to iPhone sales, a product category that has matured. Expect more struggles to grow revenue on the hardware side of things in the years ahead unless Apple can come up with a breakthrough new computing device. The golden goose of Apple's business in the last few years has been its software and services segment. Including App Store revenue, licensing deals, and revenue from its first-party apps such as Apple Music, services revenue has grown from $13 billion in 2012 to $102 billion over the last 12 months. Services revenue comes with high profit margins, too. Services gross profit was $76 billion over the past 12 months, which is closing in on the $110 billion in gross profit the company gets from hardware products. Apple has one problem: Its services cash cow is under attack. First, the App Store monopoly on Apple devices has been broken due to a court ruling. Apple charges a 30% take rate on some transactions performed on an iPhone for application developers, and previously did not allow third-party payment methods unless users went to a mobile browser. The court ruling states that developers are allowed to now market directly to consumers to use cheaper payment methods, which could mean circumvention of Apple's payment ecosystem. Estimates vary, but App Store revenue is projected to be at least $10 billion a year in high-margin revenue for Apple. This is not the only antitrust lawsuit putting Apple's profits at risk. There is an antitrust court case that partially covers the large payment Alphabet's Google Search makes to be the default engine on Apple devices, with estimates that the payment is more than $20 billion a year in pure profit. This could greatly impact Apple's services gross profit, as well as its consolidated bottom-line earnings. Add both together, and it is clear that Apple's services division is under threat, and it's the only bright spot in the business over the last few years. Apple stock has gotten cheaper to start 2025, but that does not mean it is cheap. It currently has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of about 30.5, which is higher than some of its technology peers that are growing much faster. Stocks with P/E ratios above 30 are typically reserved for companies with earnings growing at a quick pace, with strong future growth prospects. Apple's net income has not grown since 2022, making it one of the slowest-growing stocks with a high P/E ratio on the market today. That is a dangerous combination. We cannot forget to talk about tariffs. Apple is at the heart of the trade war between the United States and China, where most Apple devices are assembled. In the past, Apple has been able to negotiate its way out of high tariffs put on its devices, but this time may not go so well. High tariffs on imports to the United States would be brutal for Apple, as it is virtually stuck assembling most of its devices in China for the time being. Plus, moving to new markets or the United States comes with added expenses. There is not much to like about Apple stock today. Its key product is seeing slowing growth, the profitable services segment is under fire, and it trades at an expensive valuation. Add tariff risk, and there is no good reason to buy the dip on Apple stock today. Before you buy stock in Apple, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Apple wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $659,171!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $891,722!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 995% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 172% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 9, 2025 Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Brett Schafer has positions in Alphabet. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet and Apple. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Should You Buy the Dip on Apple Stock This Year? was originally published by The Motley Fool Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
