Updated January 19, 2012
The iPhone family plans for data and calling offered by AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon in the U.S. are fairly similar, but there are some differences in price, minutes, and data that are worth noting. If you're thinking about getting iPhones for your family, or about switching from one carrier to another, this comparison chart can help you decide which option is best for your family.
All new iPhones have a one-time activation fee and a require two-year contract (unless you buy an unsubsidized phone for full retail price).
IMPORTANT: Minutes are shared among all lines/phones. Data plans are purchased separately for each line and are not shared among lines.
| AT&T | Sprint | Verizon | |
| Minutes covers 2 lines |
|||
| 550 | $59.99 | n/a | n/a |
| 700 | $69.99 | $69.99 | $69.98 |
| 1400/1500 | $89.99 (1400 minutes) |
$99.99-$129.99 (1500 minutes depends on data choices) |
$89.98 (1400 minutes) |
| 2000/2100 | $109.99 (2100 minutes) |
n/a | $99.98 (2000 minutes) |
| 3000 | n/a | $149.99-$169.99 (depends on data choices) |
n/a |
| Unlimited | $119.99 | $189.99 | $119.98 |
| Monthly Cost per additional line |
$9.99 $49.99 on unlimited plan |
$9.99 on some plans up to $89.99 on unlimited plan |
$9.99 $49.99 on unlimited plan |
| Data | |||
| 300 MB | $20 | n/a | n/a |
| 2 GB | n/a | n/a | $30 |
| 3 GB | $30 | n/a | n/a |
| 5 GB | $50 (includes tethering) | n/a | $50 |
| 10 GB | n/a | n/a | $80 |
| Unlimited | n/a | $15-$30 per line included on Unlimited plan |
n/a |
| Overages - 1 GB | $10 | n/a | $10 |
| Tethering/Personal Hotspot | |||
| 2 GB/month (requires 3 GB data plan; totals 5 GB monthly data) |
$20 | n/a | $20 |
| 5 GB/month (requires $10 data plan) | n/a | TBD | n/a |
| Text Messaging | |||
| Per message | $0.20 text; $0.30 media | n/a | |
| 200/month | n/a | $5 per line (300 messages) |
n/a |
| 250/month | n/a | n/a | $5 |
| 500/month | n/a | n/a | $10 |
| 5,000/month | n/a | $10 per line (1000 messages) |
$20 |
| Unlimited | $30 | $20 per line or included with Unlimited plan |
$30 |
| Other Features | |||
| Push-to-Talk | $19.99 | $5 per line included on Unlimited plan |
n/a |
| Rollover Minutes | included | n/a | n/a |
| Unlimited Mobile-to-Mobile on Same Network | included | n/a | included |
| Unlimited Mobile-to-Mobile on Any Network | n/a | included on some high-end plans | n/a |
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.
- 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.
