Updated April 08, 2013
When there was just a single iPhone carrier in the U.S. (it was AT&T, back in the day), it was pretty easy to figure out what the rate plans for the iPhone were and to choose the right one for you. Now that there are four carriers, each with their own special features, prices, and minor differences, the task is a bit harder.
The chart below is designed to make comparing the iPhone rates offered by AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon a bit easier. With a good idea of what an iPhone will cost you each month with each company, the decision of whether to choose AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, or Verizon as your iPhone carrier will become a bit easier.
These rates apply to all current iPhone models, the 5, 4S, and 4.
Regional Carriers
If you live in some regions of the U.S., you may also have the choice of a small regional carrier for your iPhone. Find out which of those carriers offer the iPhone and what they charge.| AT&T | Sprint | T-Mobile | Verizon | |
| Minutes | ||||
| 200 (Senior Nation) | $29.99 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| 450 | $39.99 | $69.99 | n/a | n/a |
| 900 | $59.99 | $89.99 | n/a | n/a |
| Unlimited | $69.99 | $99.99 | $50.00 | $40.00 |
| Data | ||||
| 300 MB | $20 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| 500 MB | n/a | n/a | Included in $50 plan |
n/a |
| 1 GB | n/a | n/a | n/a | $50 |
| 2 GB | n/a | n/a | n/a | $60 |
| 2.5 GB | n/a | n/a | $10 | n/a |
| 3 GB | $30 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| 4 GB | n/a | n/a | n/a | $70 |
| 5 GB | $50 (includes tethering) |
n/a | n/a | $50 |
| 6 GB | n/a | n/a | n/a | $80 |
| 8 GB | n/a | n/a | n/a | $90 |
| 10 GB | n/a | n/a | n/a | $100 |
| Unlimited | n/a | $10 | $20 | n/a |
| Overages - 1 GB | $10/$20 | n/a | n/a | $15 |
| Tethering/ Personal Hotspot |
||||
| 500 MB/month |
n/a | n/a | Included | n/a |
| 2 GB/month (requires 3 GB data plan; totals 5 GB monthly data) |
Included | n/a | $10 | Included |
| 4 GB/month | n/a | n/a | $20 | n/a |
| 5 GB/month (requires $10 data plan) |
Included | $29.99 | n/a | Included |
| Text Messaging | ||||
| 1,500/month | $15 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Unlimited | $20 | n/a | Included | Included |
| Other Features | ||||
| Share Data Between Devices | n/a | n/a | n/a | Included up to 10 devices |
| Rollover Minutes | Included | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Unlimited Mobile-to-Mobile on Same Network |
Included | n/a | Included | Included |
| Unlimited Mobile-to-Mobile on Any Network |
n/a | Included | n/a | n/a |
| Price for Unlimited + Unlimited Texts + 3 GB Data (before taxes and fees) |
$104.99 | $109.99 | $70.00 | $110.00 |
Nights and Weekends are defined as:
- AT&T: Nights and weekends are 9 p.m. to 5:59 a.m., Monday-Thursday, and Friday night at 9 p.m. to 5:59 a.m. Monday morning.
- T-Mobile: Nights are 9:00 p.m. to 6:59 a.m., Monday-Friday, and weekends as starting Saturday morning at 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Sunday night.
- Verizon: Nights are 9:01 p.m. to 5:59 a.m., Monday-Friday, and weekends as starting Saturday morning at 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Sunday night.
