Boost Infinite vs. Connect by T-Mobile: Which carrier is better?

Boost Infinite and Connect by T-Mobile are popular brands that offer good deals on their services. Each carrier has its positives and negatives, but which offers better phone plans? Let’s put them head to head and see which brand comes out on top. 

In this article, we plan to discuss the ins and outs of both carriers and what they offer. We’ll also cover:

• What the coverage of both carriers looks like
• How prices of their plans compare to how much data you get
• The features each carrier offers for their plans 

Coverage & Reception

Boost Infinite is on several networks. 

Boost Infinite is a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO. This means that they purchase service access wholesale from one of the three major networks that own infrastructure across the country – AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile – giving customers service at a much cheaper price. Boost Infinite is an MVNO of AT&T, T-Mobile, and Dish. This means that if you choose Boost Infinite, you can choose which network you use when you sign up for your plan. Their Infinite Unlimited Plus and Infinite Access for iPhone plans allow you to switch between services whenever you choose. 

Often, the quality of coverage comes down to your area. One carrier’s coverage may be better in New York, while another’s coverage may be better in California. It’s important to compare between providers on a coverage map of your specific city. Ookla’s coverage map allows you to see where cellular towers are located and which company owns them. This coverage map provides information about coverage from 2G to 5G for several providers. 

However, T-Mobile’s 5G coverage and access is hailed as the best coverage overall. 

Plan Options

Boost Infinite offers three unlimited plans, while Connect by T-Mobile offers premium data. 

Like most plans you’ll see on the market, both carriers offer unlimited talk and texting options. Connect by T-Mobile also offers a plan with limited talk and text. Boost Infinite offers three unlimited plans with varying features. Both companies deprioritize data, meaning you’ll have slower connection speeds in high traffic areas like concerts venues and sports arenas.

Boost Infinite Plans

Boost Infinite offers 3 unlimited plans for its users. 

Boost Infinite is a postpaid service, meaning you pay for the previous month of service after you use it. They offer 3 unlimited plans, with one allowing for a new iPhone upgrade each year. Additional add-ons, like hotspot access and extra high speed data, cost $10 per month. Their QCI tier is 7 on T-Mobile, 8 on AT&T, and 9 on Dish. With their Infinite Unlimited Plus and Infinite Access for iPhone plans, you can switch between which service you use whenever you want. However, the regular Infinite Unlimited plan only allows you to choose one and stick with it. 

You can have up to 5 lines on an account. If you purchase your phone from Boost Infinite, your device will be locked until you pay off your phone. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not with the advertised price. 

Infinite Unlimited

This plan offers 30GB of high speed data. 

This plan offers 30GB of high speed data before slowing to unlimited data at 512kbps, or 3G speeds. 3G speeds still allow you to browse the internet and send texts or emails, but streaming videos may be more difficult. The plan does not include hotspot access, but an add-on is available for $10 per month. You can use up to 30GB in hotspot data with the add-on. 

The plan costs $25 per month. At this rate, you get 30GB at $0.83 per GB. 

Infinite Unlimited Plus

This plan allows you to trade for a new iPhone when you sign up.  

This plan also offers 30GB of high speed data before slowing to unlimited 3G speeds. This plan doesn’t have hotspot access, but an add-on is available to add so you can use up to 30GB. You can also trade for a new iPhone when you sign up. 

The plan costs $50 per month. At this rate, you get 30GB at $1.66 per GB. 

Infinite Access for iPhone

This plan includes the latest iPhone each year. 

Like their other plans, this plan offers 30GB of high speed data before slowing to unlimited 3G speeds. This plan doesn’t have hotspot access, but an add-on is available to add so you can use up to 30GB. Every year, this plan allows you to get the newest iPhone available. When you sign up, there's no trade-in required to get access to the latest tech. 

The plan costs $60 per month. At this rate, you get 30GB at $2 per GB.

Connect by T-Mobile Plans

Connect by T-Mobile plans offer premium data. 

Connect by T-Mobile consists of 4 plans, each with a different amount of limited premium data. You can have up to 5 lines on these plans. Every plan offers unlimited talk and text except for the 1GB plan, which gives you 1000 minutes of talk and 1000 texts per month. 

If you purchase your phone from T-Mobile, your device will be locked for 12 months after activation. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

1GB 

This plan has limited minutes and texts. 

This plan gives you 1GB of premium data, as well as 1000 minutes of talk and 1000 text messages. Access stops once you hit these limits. You can use all plan data as mobile hotspot data. 

The plan costs $10 per month.

3.5GB 

This plan gives you more data each year until 2025. 

The 3.5GB gives you premium data, but stops data access once you reach the cap. You have unlimited talk and text as well as mobile hotspot access. All plan data can be used for hotspot access.  

It’s important to note that T-Mobile plans to increase data on this plan by 500MB, or 0.5GB, every year until March 2025.

The plan costs $15 per month. At this rate, you get 3.5GB at $4.29 per GB. 

6.5GB 

This plan gives you a data increase each year until 2025. 

This plan gives users 6.5GB of premium data to use, as well as mobile hotspot access. Network access stops after you use the 6.5GB. This plan also offers unlimited talk and text.

It’s important to note that T-Mobile plans to increase data on this plan by 500MB, or 0.5GB, every year until March 2025. 

The plan costs $25 per month. At this rate, you get 6.5GB at $3.85 per GB. 

12GB Plan 

This plan gives you 12GB of premium access. 

This plan gives you 12GB of premium data you can also use as mobile hotspot access. Access stops once you reach the cap. You also get unlimited talk and text. 

The plan costs $35 per month. At this rate, you get 12GB at $2.92 per GB.

Features

Boost Infinite offers several features included with their Infinite Unlimited Plus and Infinite Access plans. 

If you’re looking for a plan with more included features, such as international connection or domestic roaming data, it’s best to compare carriers with what they offer. Boost Infinite offers several features with their Infinite Unlimited Plus and Infinite Access for iPhone plans. 

Domestic Roaming Data

Connect by T-Mobile offers 100MB of domestic roaming capabilities on all plans. Boost Infinite does not offer this feature. 

Mexico & Canada Connection

Boost Infinite’s Infinite Unlimited Plus and Infinite Access for iPhone plans include talk, text, and data to Mexico and Canada. To get talk, text, and data to Mexico and Canada on their Infinite Unlimited plan, users can purchase an additional add-on for $10 per month. Connect by T-Mobile does not offer this feature. 

International Connection

Boost Infinite’s Infinite Unlimited Plus and Infinite Access for iPhone plans include international talk and text. To get international talk and text on their Infinite Unlimited plan, there is an additional add-on users can purchase for $10 per month. Connect by T-Mobile does not offer this feature.  

Video Streaming Quality

Boost Infinite’s plans stream at 480p Standard Definition. All Connect by T-Mobile plans stream at 480p SD resolution. 

Streaming Services

Boost Infinite and Connect by T-Mobile do not offer this feature. 

Cloud Storage

Boost Infinite and Connect by T-Mobile do not offer this feature. 

Device Financing

If you buy a phone from either carrier, they allow you to pay for your device in installments over time. 

WiFi Calling

Both carriers offer WiFi calling, which allows you to send and receive phone calls over a WiFi connection rather than cellular reception. 

Spam Protection

Connect by T-Mobile offers call filtering and spam protection on all plans through Scam Shield.  Boost Infinite does not offer this feature.

Free Trial

Boost Infinite and Connect by T-Mobile do not offer this feature. 

Customer Service 

Boost Infinite does not have physical stores, leaving all of their customer service to online support, while T-Mobile offers stores across the country.

Boost Infinite is a digital-only carrier, meaning they only offer customer support online. They offer support over the phone at (833) 212-6678. T-Mobile also offers several stores across the country, and users can find the closest one with their store locator. They also offer customer support online with their website live chat, their support website for common questions, and over the phone at 1-800-937-8997.   

The Verdict

The better plan depends on what you need.  

Overall, Connect by T-Mobile and Boost Infinite offer very different plans. If you’re looking for all that a phone plan can offer, Boost Infinite is the best choice with their Infinite Unlimited Plus and Infinite Access for iPhone plans. However, if you don’t need that much data or bells and whistles, Connect by T-Mobile plans are the better option for you.

We’d recommend checking your data usage before committing to a plan.

Want to compare other carriers?

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