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Whether the trade-off is worth it will depend on what type of phone user you are. Family discounts are better with the big providers. Frequent international travelers should also probably stick with the big boys. International roaming will cost you with Tello, as will texts to and from most countries outside Latin America and Europe. Travel is also when you're most likely to use up lots of data outside Wi-Fi networks. The other big financial differentiator is how often you upgrade your phone. With Tello, you're on your own when it comes to procuring a device, while T-Mobile and other postpaid

The $60 question is, of course, whether Tello's download speeds and service can compare to T-Mobile's. T-Mobile understandably prioritizes data for its own customers on its cell towers. Other carriers that use T-Mobile's data network, whether Mint Mobile or Tello Mobile, have to stand in line during times of peak congestion. I spent a couple of weeks roaming the city with two phones: an older iPhone 13 hooked up to T-Mobile and a 2025 Motorola Razr signed up for Tello. Given the newer phone's superior modem, I figured this gave Tello every possible chance to perform as well as T-Mobile's netwo