What Phones Does Mint Mobile Work With

The best Mint Mobile phones for November 2021

(Image credit: Future)

This article is squarely aimed at helping our readers find the best Mint Mobile phones for them. Mint as a prepaid carrier is really gaining popularity in recent years and it's a great pairing to nearly any phone on the market right now. That said, there are a couple of recommendations we think are particularly worthy of consideration, based on our own review testing, and also factoring in what's available in this month's best Mint Mobile deals.

Whether you're an Android fan or an Apple lover, we've considered both options in this article, and the good news is Mint Mobile is a great carrier to pair with both of them. In general, Mint Mobile plans offer tons of data for the money, as well as 5G speeds, so it's going to worth it getting a recent device if you want to make the most of that super-fast connection. Being on the T-Mobile network means great coverage too, and wide-spread compatibility with all GSM-type phones (more on that later).

Like with most cell phone carriers, the best Mint Mobile phones can be bought directly from its site itself - either upfront or in installments. Both iOS and Android devices are plentiful, as are budget options - which reinforces Mint's position as one of the better value prepaid carriers out there right now. As we've briefly mentioned previously, we've reviewed most of these phones here at TechRadar, so no matter what type of device you're looking for we're able to give our two cents accordingly.

And finally, being a prepaid carrier means that it's fairly easy to bring your own unlocked phone to Mint Mobile too. It could turn out that, in fact, the best Mint Mobile phone for you is the one you already have. It's a very good option, and we're covering what types of phones are compatible, as well as other things you should be aware of at the bottom of the page.

Check out the best cell phone deals this week

Mint Mobile phones: iPhones

Mint Mobile phone deals — (Image credit: Apple)

1. iPhone 12 Pro

The best iPhone for most buyers

Varied color choices

Triple cameras

5G speeds

Really expensive

The entire iPhone 12 lineup is available at Mint Mobile, but we feel that the iPhone 12 Pro is the best option for most users, especially for those upgrading. While the regular iPhone 12 is a solid choice, if you're going to upgrade and switch carriers, you might as well get the Pro with all the latest bells and whistles, triple cameras on the back, and enjoy Apple's best experience to date.

Apple's iPhone 12 Pro packs a big and beautiful 6.1-inch OLED display, fast 5G speeds, and its latest chipset. You'll enjoy some of the best cameras on any phone, along with all-day battery life. Owners will enjoy wireless charging, MagSafe accessories, and the best Apple phone available without buying the massive Pro Max. It's a great all-around device everyone will love.

Read more in our iPhone 12 Pro review.

2. iPhone SE

Mint's most affordable iPhone

Small and easy to hold

Budget-friendly

Solid camera experience

Average (at best) battery life

Screen isn't full HD

The iPhone SE is a mix of several iPhone models over the years. You're getting a familiar design with upgraded internals and faster performance, improved battery life, water-resistance, and a pretty great camera on the front and the back. However, it looks like an iPhone from 3-4 years ago with a small 4.7-inch screen, the battery life could be better, and it doesn't pack 3-4 cameras like newer models.

Then again, when you buy "the most affordable iPhone" you can't expect everything. Instead, you get all the essentials, plus the features that make the iPhone great in a portable and affordable package. As a result, this is a great iPhone for Mint Mobile users that don't need the best or can't afford an iPhone 12 Pro. Plus, Mint also has a fantastic iPhone SE deal that gets you the phone and service for only $30 per month.

Read more in our iPhone SE (2020) review .

3. iPhone 12 mini

A great option for everyone else

Beautiful design & display

Not too big

Dual cameras on the back

Middling battery life

Could be cheaper

If you're looking for another option, consider the iPhone 12 Mini. It's a perfect middle-ground for someone that doesn't want the tiny older SE but also doesn't want to spend top-dollar on the iPhone 12 Pro. That's because the iPhone 12 Mini looks like the latest and greatest from Apple, yet it has a smaller 5.4-inch screen. It's not tiny, but it's not huge either, all while still being OLED and 1080p full HD.

With the iPhone 12 Mini, you get two cameras on the back, the same edge-to-edge display as the high-end models, FaceID, water-resistance, and more. It's most of the bells and whistles in a slightly smaller package that's cheaper but not so cheap that you feel like you still want something better.

Plus, Mint Mobile has an excellent deal on this phone right now where you get the iPhone 12 Mini and unlimited data with 5G, all for $60 a month, total. That's service and the phone all-in-one.

Read more in our iPhone 12 Mini review .

Mint Mobile phones: Android

1. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

The best of the best for Android users

Incredible camera system

Gorgeous design

Very, very pricey

No microSD card slot

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the latest flagship device from the well-known brand and the current phone to beat for Android users. If you want the best, you'll be well catered for with this device - not only is it incredibly powerful thanks to its new Snapdragon 888 processor, but it has quite literally one of the best camera systems ever seen on a smartphone.

With a 6.8-inch 120Hz Quad HD display it also looks absolutely gorgeous too, and any content or pictures you take will look great on this device. Of course, with such premium tech under the hood this phone isn't cheap. In fact, even though it's coming in at around $200 cheaper than last year's iteration, this device still costs as much as a brand new laptop.

Still, if you're looking for the best, and have the cash to spend, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is sure to make your friends really envious, and you'll of course be able to make the most of Mint Mobile's 5G network with it.

Read more in our Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review .

2. Google Pixel 4a 5G

Best bang for the buck

Super affordable

Big screen

Clean Android experience

Mediocre battery life

No expandable storage

Odd name aside, Google's Pixel 4a 5G is perfectly balanced to be a great overall smartphone without the high price tag. Each year Google releases a new phone, then later drops an "a" model that's more affordable with a few changes. For 2020, the Pixel 4a 5G has a bigger 6.2-inch screen with no bezels, the front camera is inside the screen so it looks like a high-end device, you get two cameras on the back, yet it's still ultra-affordable and costs under $500.

This phone doesn't have the latest and greatest powerful processor or internals of a Samsung or OnePlus phone, and it still uses an old (but tried and true) rear-mounted fingerprint scanner. However, those types of changes are what makes it affordable.

Honestly, the Pixel 4a 5G is the best Google phone to buy, in my opinion, even over the newer Pixel 5. It doesn't have the best of everything, but nothing is lacking anywhere that's important. As a result, it's a well-balanced phone that's great for those on a budget.

Read more in our Google Pixel 4a 5G review.

3. Moto G Power

Cheap but still great

Massive screen

Triple rear cameras

Huge 5,000 mAh battery

Average performance

Not a "popular choice"

Hear me out! Motorola isn't the old brand you remember. Over the last several years, they've delivered some of the best price-to-performance Android phones on the market. Devices with an excellent design, decent specs and make some of the best cheap Android phones money can buy.

While we could easily recommend the OnePlus 8 Pro or a dirt-cheap Nokia, the Moto G Power is an excellent affordable phone with all-day battery life. This phone packs a big 6.4-inch HD display, triple cameras on the back, a stylish design that rivals the Galaxy S20, all while running on a huge 5,000 mAh battery. There's a reason it's named the Moto G "Power."

Keep in mind that the Moto G Power might not be the biggest or the best, take iPhone quality photos, or be as fast as the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, but it's a great phone that isn't missing much, all for only $299. It's an excellent compromise -- if you will.

Read more in our Moto G Power review .

Bring your own phone

The best phone for Mint Mobile might actually be an older device you still have from your previous relationship with Verizon, AT&T, or any number of different carriers.

Mint Mobile lets you bring unlocked phones to its network, which gives you more options than most carriers. Most GSM phones (AT&T, T-Mobile) should work just fine, but if you're wondering if your old phone will work, simply use Mint's own compatibility checker tool.

People trying to save money can get a phone elsewhere, bring it to Mint Mobile, and save tons of cash by getting a new affordable plan. So, if you still like your current phone, they'll let you use it for as long as you'd like. Here's a quick rundown of the benefits and downsides of bringing your own phone to Mint Mobile:

Pros:
Bring any compatible phone to Mint Mobile
Keep your same phone number and contacts
Avoid upgrading for no reason

Cons:
Not all phones are compatible
Sometimes you'll have to pay to unlock a phone
Limited customer support for unusual devices

In the end, Mint Mobile is a compelling option for those that want great service at consumer-friendly prices, with friendly policies and such. For the low price, buyers will get plenty of data, great cell coverage, and hopefully save some money. It's perfect for teenagers or people that just need text or data and don't' talk too much on the phone.

We love that Mint lets you pre-pay by the month or get a discount for buying 12-months at a time. Plus, they have Mint Mobile deals all the time, which will surely help you choose a great plan and device. Give it a try today.

Want to do a bit more research? Head on over to our main best phones buying guide for a detailed breakdown of the top devices on the market.

What Phones Does Mint Mobile Work With

Source: https://www.techradar.com/deals/best-mint-mobile-phones

Maitland Tinclan