T-Mobile: is it any good?

T-Mobile Jump worth it

Here's why it's worth it: T-Mobile Jump is so named because it's the plan that easily (relatively, at least) lets you jump from device to device, but it also includes a comprehensive insurance plan. It's an extra $10 a month, but that's how much you'd probably be paying for insurance anyway.

Jump covers you no matter what happens - including drunkenly dropping your phone in the toilet, which we've all done - and though you will have a deductible ($175 for the 6 Plus) it's better than paying full price for a new phone.

The "Jump" part comes in once you've paid off half your phone's total price. That can come one year in if you just pay your monthly bills normally, or sooner if you decide to pay a lump sum all at once. Either way, that's when you can upgrade to a new device, and start paying that one off on the same system. Alternatively, you can just keep paying your monthly fees if you like your current phone, and eventually you'll pay it off and own it, and your bill will become that much cheaper per month.

The T-Mobile Simple Choice plans themselves are great, but switching to T-Mobile isn't all objectively positive. The $60 Jump plan I chose gets me 3GB of 4G LTE data and, once I use that up, unlimited Edge data. That network isn't just slower, though. It's also limited - for example you can't create a mobile hotspot and tether anymore once you use up your LTE allotment.

When that happens you can always call T-Mobile up and have them bump your plan up for the month, which you'll have to do if, for example, you're on a business trip and you need to tether. The way Verizon handled that for me was to automatically charge me more and bump my plan up, which was annoying - but at least I didn't notice a change or hiccup in my service when that happened.

Un-contracts turns contracts upside down

While T-Mobile is often considered the Un-carrier that did away with contracts it brought them back at its Un-carrier 9.0 event on March 18, 2015. But in a script flipping move, T-Mo's contracts are less about keeping users locked in but locking in their current rates.

As such existing Simple Choice subscribers will be able to sign a deal to keep their plan at the same price for two full years. You'll also be able to leave your Un-contract agreement at any point you please.

iPhone perks

Starting with the iPhone 6, T-Mobile started throwing into some special deals for Apple fans. It all started in 2014 with a special that let veteran iPhone users trade in their older iOS devices to take off $50 to a few hundred dollars off the cost an a shiny new iPhone 6.

With the iPhone 6S, T-Mobile has sweeten the deals even more by first powering the new handsets with its 700MHz network, which is designed for better signal penetration through walls and buildings. The Uncarrier is so sure it could provide the best service that it instated a Lifetime Coverage Guarantee allowing users to get a refund on their device and service if they're unsatisfied with empty bars at any point.