Technologies
Best Senior Phone Plans of 2025
Over 55 years old? Save money on your phone bill with special plans from T-Mobile, AT&T or even small carriers like Mint.
Our Experts
- Patrick’s play The Cowboy is included in the Best American Short Plays 2011-12 anthology. He co-wrote and starred in the short film Baden Krunk that won the Best Wisconsin Short Film award at the Milwaukee Short Film Festival.
What to consider
Check that you’re actually saving money
Are you getting a better deal than a carrier’s standard plans and offers? Most seniors-only plans don’t provide substantial differences, so make sure it’s worth pursuing.
Ensure availability
Some are restricted to certain states or limited in other ways, so it’s worth checking the fine print to determine whether you’re arbitrarily shut out from an otherwise appealing senior plan.
Check the coverage area
See if users around you are happy with their carrier and plan. Online forums, social media and even asking around the neighborhood can be helpful to determine whether you’re about to sign up for disappointing speeds and service. If you’re converting to a senior plan with your existing carrier, check to see if competitors offer better service, here’s our guide to switching carriers.
Everyone with a smartphone needs a plan, and there are plenty of options that vary by data and price. Older friends and family may have different priorities, and with discounts, multi-line deals and extras, there’s a lot to consider when choosing the best phone plan for seniors. Some of these offer more data per month while others add mobile hotspot data as well as bundled extras like subscriptions to streaming services. Below we’ve rounded up the best plans for seniors and pointed out where they differ from their standard plan counterparts.
What is the best phone plan for older adults?
T-Mobile’s Essentials Choice 55 plan is a discounted version of the carrier’s Essentials plan suited for customers over 55 years old and is notably more affordable. Despite the value, Essentials Choice 55 still has 5G connectivity and 50GB of data, which is a generous allotment for a no-frills service without the extra bells and whistles of pricier plans.
Other carriers also offer discounted plans for people age 55 and older. These options can be combined with other deals and can be helpful for those on fixed incomes. Plans typically have some or all of the same features as standard plans from the same carrier. For the most part, subscribers shouldn’t expect much difference in service, but some of these plans may be missing fun perks like bundled streaming services.
Best senior phone plans of 2025
All the basics at a more affordable price
Pros
- The most affordable option among the three carriers
- 5G connectivity and 50GB of high-speed data in the US
- An affordable plan for seniors who just want to use their phone for basic apps and tasks without watching much video
Cons
- The plan only allows a maximum of two lines
- The 480p video quality is very low
- The 3G tethering speed is too slow for much more than checking email
- The plan lacks bundled extras like streaming service subscriptions
For one or two people who just want to stay connected at reasonable speeds but don’t need a lot of extra features (or don’t want to pay too much), T-Mobile offers a significantly cheaper plan for older adults than competitors with Essentials Choice 55. This plan includes 5G access and is $45 per month for one line or $60 per month total for two lines when signed up for autopay. It’s the best value for one or two people, though they won’t be able to expand to three or four lines.
The tradeoff is in the fine print, with Essentials Choice 55 customers getting lower speeds when they use over 50GB of data in a month or when T-Mobile’s network is congested from extensive customer activity, suggesting these customers are less prioritized than others. Video quality also «typically» streams at 480p, and tethering maxes out at 3G speeds (or 2G speeds in Mexico and Canada). The plan does give users access to T-Mobile’s Scam Shield, an app service that can auto-block suspected scam calls and let you change your number once a year if the calls get overwhelming. On the other hand, its mobile hotspot data is limited to T-Mobile’s older, slower 3G network.
For people with big data needs
Pros
- Cheaper than regular plans if not using autopay
- Has the same bundled perks as the standard Go5G Plus and Go5G Next plans
- New phone upgrade every two years (Go5G Plus 55) or every year (Go5G Next 55)
- Able to add up to four lines
Cons
- Same price as standard T-Mobile Go5G plans if using autopay
- More expensive than the Essentials 55 plan
T-Mobile also offers discounted versions of many of its regular plans for customers over 55 years old. For those who want a bit more functionality, data and some extras like getting a new phone every couple of years, T-Mobile’s slightly discounted Go5G Plus 55 is worth checking out.
Its Go5G Plus 55 plan is $75 per month for one line or $110 per month for two lines (expandable to $165 per month for three lines or $220 per month for four lines) with autopay enabled. Note that current discounts make this plan cost the same as a standard Go5G Plus plan if using autopay, but it’s less than the regular plan if you don’t plan on using autopay. The plan includes the same perks as T-Mobile’s standard plans, like up to 4K streaming, 50GB of 4G LTE hotspot data and 15GB of high-speed data (depending on the area, it may only be 4G LTE rather than 5G speeds) in Mexico and Canada. Plus, it includes subscriptions to Apple TV Plus and Netflix.
This plan also allows subscribers to upgrade their phone every two years, the same marquee perk that the standard Go5G Plus plan launched with. The only caveat is that plan owners will need to pay off 50% of their existing phone by the time they upgrade, but that shouldn’t be too much of a problem for most subscribers. Subscribers can also get the same discounts on devices that T-Mobile offers new customers switching from other carriers.
The Go5G Next 55 plan is pricier at $85 per month for one line or $130 per month for two lines (also expandable up to four lines) and identical except for one thing: Subscribers can upgrade their phones using new customer device offers every year instead of every two years.
Note that T-Mobile also offers Go5G 55 plan, which is cheaper than the above plans but offers less mobile hotspot data, fewer streaming services and doesn’t include two-year phone upgrades. If you can live without the phone upgrades and want to save a few bucks every month, opt for the Go5G 55 plan, which is $60 per month for one line or $90 for two lines, has 15GB of hotspot data per month and offers Netflix with ads.
T-Mobile also still offers its Magenta 55+ line, which starts at $50 per month for one line and goes up to $140 per month for four lines, offers up to 100GB of monthly data for the account and includes 6 months of Apple TV Plus as well as Netflix with ads, but only has 5GB of hotspot data. The catch is that you can’t find this within T-Mobile’s plan comparisons — you’ll need to call them directly to sign up for this or the slightly pricier Magenta MAX 55+ plan. On T-Mobile’s main cell phone plans page, click on «Learn more about Magenta and Magenta MAX plans» and find those options in the pop-up window.
Plus, only the customer who signed up for these plans needs to be 55 years old or older; anyone on additional lines needn’t fit that criteria.
Best prepaid plan for older people
Pros
- Very affordable
- Ideal for limited budgets
Cons
- Discount diminishes if not buying a year in advance
- Data cap is limited (other carriers offer as much as 50GB)
- No bundled extras
- Hotspot usage counts against the main data cap
Mint Mobile’s Mint 55 Plus plan is a modest but affordable plan that can be as cheap as $15 per month per line if signing up for 12 months in advance, $20 a month for six months or $25 per month for three months (customers must sign up for a minimum of three months). New customers can try the network for three months at a rate of $15 a month.
The tradeoff is that the Mint 55 Plus plan only offers 5GB of data per month, and mobile hotspot usage draws from that cap. Mint runs on T-Mobile’s 5G network, providing similar 5G and 4G LTE service and availability as native T-Mobile customers. The plan doesn’t offer any bundled extras like streaming service subscriptions, but it does provide access to the «MINTech Advisor» for on-call tech support in getting started with the plan, transferring phone numbers to the service and troubleshooting issues.
Currently, you can’t sign up for Mint 55 Plus online. You’ll need to call Mint’s hotline at 833-655-1768 to sign up over a call.
For people over 55 in Florida
Pros
- Discounted plans for residents of Florida
Cons
- Not available to US residents in the other states or territories
- No bundled extra features
Verizon has discounted plans for people aged 55 years and older, but they come with a huge caveat: They’re available only to those living in Florida. If you meet this requirement, you can get discounted plans that are pretty similar to the standard Verizon plans.
Verizon offers its 55 Plus Unlimited plan with one line for $62 per month or $84 for two lines when signed up for autopay. New customers switching to Verizon may have an easier time signing up; if you’re already a Verizon customer, you’ll need to talk to customer support to get your plan changed to Unlimited 55. The plan includes 5G Ultra Wideband service with unlimited low-speed (600Kbps) mobile hotspot access but lacks the bundled extras like streaming services you can add to conventional Verizon plans.
For seniors in Florida who don’t want Verizon
Pros
- Discounted plans for residents of Florida
Cons
- Not available to US residents in the other states or territories
- No bundled extra features
Verizon isn’t the only major US carrier with a special plan aimed at older adults living in Florida. AT&T has its Unlimited 55 Plus plan for slightly cheaper ($60 for one line or $80 for two lines). The plan includes 5G access as well as voice and data connectivity in Canada and Mexico. Current AT&T customers will need to visit an AT&T store to verify that they qualify for the plan. AT&T offers additional discounts for AARP members in Florida.
Factors to consider when choosing a plan
Check that you’re actually saving money: Are you getting a better deal than a carrier’s standard plans and offers? Most seniors-only plans don’t provide substantial differences, so make sure it’s worth pursuing.
Ensure availability: Some are restricted to certain states or limited in other ways, so it’s worth checking the fine print to determine whether you’re arbitrarily shut out from an otherwise appealing plan.
Check the coverage area: See if users around you are happy with their carrier and plan. Online forums, social media and even asking around the neighborhood can be helpful to determine whether you’re about to sign up for disappointing speeds and service. If you’re converting to a senior plan with your existing carrier, check to see if competitors offer better service. For that, here’s our guide to switching carriers.
How we test
Picking a wireless plan and carrier comes down to what matters most. What works for you or your older family member’s needs may be very different from those of your friends or neighbors.
We prioritize affordability and availability in our list, but those may not be the most important factors for you. If not, we recommend checking out our more general guides for plans, like our best cellphone plans and best family phone plans.
Value for older customers aside, every carrier differs in service. Even geographically, some areas have better AT&T coverage while others work better with Verizon or T-Mobile’s networks. Our recommendations are based on years of covering and evaluating the wireless carriers, their offerings and their performance.
Senior phone plans FAQs
Technologies
The Apple Watch Series 11 Brings High Blood Pressure Alerts
Apple’s newest flagship watch can detect possible signs of hypertension.
The Apple Watch Series 11 made its debut at Apple’s «awe dropping» event in Cupertino, California, on Tuesday, vying for a spot on your wrist with a mix of fresh updates including new hypertension notifications, sleep score analysis, 5G connectivity and increased battery life.
With a decade of upgrades and refinements, the Series 11 represents a big move for Apple as it leans further into its health and fitness features across its Apple Watch lineup. Alongside the Series 11, Apple also unveiled the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch SE 3, along with the new iPhone 17 lineup (including the brand new iPhone Air), and the latest generation of AirPods (Pro 3).
Both the Series 11 and the new Ultra 3 will ship with WatchOS 26, which Apple previewed at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June. The update brings a cleaner «liquid glass» UI, live translation for text messages, a redesigned Notes app for your wrist and Workout Buddy; Apple’s new AI-powered companion that offers real-time motivation based on your personal metrics during certain workouts.
Pricing and availability
The Apple Watch Series 11 is available for preorder now and will hit stores on September 19. Pricing starts at $399 (£369, AU$679) for the 42mm aluminum Wi-Fi model, while the LTE version of the same watch runs $499. The titanium LTE version of the 42mm model is priced at $699.
New health features
The biggest addition is a feature that can notify you when you’re showing signs of hypertension or high blood pressure. The Apple Watch will send alerts if it notices consistent patterns over a 30-day period that could warrant a follow-up with a doctor, and then allow users to log their blood pressure on the Health app (from a cuff) to confirm.
Another health upgrade is the new Sleep Score, which grades your sleep session on a scale of 1 to 100 or low to excellent. The watch doesn’t just hand you a number with no context; it breaks down your score and shows you factors that may be contributing like bedtime, sleep interruptions and duration, highlighting specific factors that may have impacted your sleep.
Design updates
Visually, the Series 11 looks much like the Series 10, with the same thin profile and edge-to-edge display. But there’s a subtle, practical upgrade: the aluminum model now uses stronger, more scratch-resistant glass, making it more durable for everyday wear.
Connectivity and battery
For the first time, the LTE model of the Series 11 supports 5G connectivity, which Apple says is not only faster but also more efficient at conserving battery life when in use.
Battery life has also received a bump. The Series 11 now promises up to 24 hours on a charge, compared to the 18 hours of the Series 10. Apple tends to be conservative with its battery claims. In real-world use, we may see it stretch beyond the official promise as I’ve consistently been able to stretch out the Series 10 claim to almost 30 hours.
This is a developing story. Follow all of CNET’s 2025 Apple Event coverage for live updates, hands-on impressions, and more announcements as they’re revealed.
Technologies
More Than 4.4 Million Exposed in Credit Bureau TransUnion Breach: What to Know
The breach appears related to a wave of attacks on companies’ Salesforce databases.
Sensitive personal information belonging to 4.4 million customers, including their names and Social Security numbers, was exposed in a data breach on credit bureau TransUnion, in what is believed to be the latest in a string of attacks targeting companies’ Salesforce databases.
The data breach, which occurred on July 28, was identified and contained within hours, a TransUnion spokesperson told CNET. TransUnion is one of three credit bureaus — along with Equifax and Experian — that compile your financial activity into credit reports that are then used to create your credit scores. The credit bureau said it’s notifying people who may have been affected and sharing the actions the company is taking.
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Two separate state filings shed more details on the situation. A court filing in Maine shows that TransUnion acknowledged unauthorized access from a third-party application that stored personal customer data. While the notice to consumers says that no credit information was accessed, «limited personal information» was exposed. However, another filing from Texas states that names of individuals, Social Security numbers and birthdates were exposed in the breach.
The TransUnion spokesperson further clarified that the breach involved a third-party application serving its US consumer support operations but did not include its core credit database or credit reports. The bureau has engaged third-party cybersecurity experts for an independent forensics review.
The breach came after Google reported in June that hackers were using a modified version of a Salesforce-related app to steal vast stores of data, infiltrate other cloud systems and extort compromised companies. The same report named the cybercriminal hacking group ShinyHunters, which it said was linked to extortion demands to employees of the victim organizations.
Several global organizations have already been caught in a wave of Salesforce-linked attacks, according to BleepingComputer, including Google, Farmers Insurance, Allianz Life, Workday, Pandora, Cisco, Chanel and Qantas. Salesforce said social engineering, and not its platform, were to blame for the attacks.
«The Salesforce platform has not been compromised, and this issue is not due to any known vulnerability in our technology,» Salesforce said in a statement in August, adding that customers can mitigate the risk by enabling multi-factor authentication and closley managing connected applications.
Consumer rights law firm Wolf Haldenstein issued an alert on the breach and encouraged those who have received a notice and spot unusual activity on their credit report to reach out.
If you’re not sure if your private data was leaked or you haven’t received any communication from TransUnion, you can check by calling its Fraud Victim Assistance Department at 800-680-7289.
Even if you haven’t received a notice, if you’ve experienced unusual activity on your credit report, you can always freeze your credit for free, enable two-factor authentication or add a security key to your accounts.
Technologies
Will the iPhone 17 Be Able to Run GTA 6?
The new iPhone Air and iPhone Pro promise big performance from Apple’s new A19 Pro chips.
Apple held its big annual iPhone event Tuesday, showing off the upcoming ultrathin iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, AirPods Pro 3, Apple Watch Series 11, the Apple Watch SE 3 and the Apple Watch Ultra 3. There were a few mentions of video games during the show, but in one sequence showing off the new camera for the iPhone 17, it was hard to ignore that this particular shot looked like something out of the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6.
Megan Nash, product manager for iPhone, spoke during the event about the iPhone 17’s new 48-megapixel main camera that Apple calls Dual Fusion, which can take sharp photos at full resolution or take 2x crop-zoomed images at 24 megapixels. Behind her was an iconic backdrop of a strip from Miami that made some GTA fans wonder if maybe Apple was going to announce a deal with Rockstar Games.
A thread on the GTA subreddit titled Did Apple just tease GTA VI on iPhone? appeared shortly after Nash’s sequence in the iPhone event. Most posters on the thread joked and reminded everyone that the fictional Vice City is based on the real Miami. The upcoming GTA 6 takes place in the fictional state of Leonida, a parody of Florida, with one of the cities players can visit being Vice City.
CNET did reach out to Apple and Rockstar Games just in case. Neither company immediately responded to a request for comment.
GTA 6 was slated to come out this year, but Rockstar Games announced in May that it was delayed. The new date is currently set for May 26, 2026. This would mean that if there were an iOS version of the game, it would be playable on an iPhone 17. Even though the new iPhone 17 will come with an A19 chip’s five-core GPU that can improve gaming, it’s unlikely it could run the next GTA game without some modifications.
On the other hand, the iPhone Air, iPhone Pro and Pro Max have A19 Pro chips with a more powerful six-core GPU (at least for the latter two), which Apple said has «MacBook Pro levels of compute … perfect for GPU-intensive AI workloads.» If Apple is comparing the A19 Pro’s performance to that of a MacBook Pro (though which MacBook Pro, specifically, we don’t know), it’s possible GTA 6 could be playable.
GTA 6 is arguably the most anticipated game coming for the current generation of consoles, and there has been speculation that it could be priced at $100. This is much higher than the current price tag of $70 for most games, although Nintendo did start releasing new games for $80 on its Switch 2.
Preorders for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Air will start at 5 a.m. PT on Friday, Sept. 12.
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