FYI: Looking for unlimited talk, text, and data for less than $30 per month? Then read our review of T-Mobile’s senior plans.
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August 3, 2023
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Total Wireless, now known as Total by Verizon, sells affordable wireless plans with no long-term contracts. Backed by Verizon’s network, Total Wireless consistently delivers reliable coverage across the country, and their plans start as low as $30 per month for unlimited talk and text.
While there are certainly more affordable providers out there, Total Wireless delivers a solid combination of coverage, cost, and extra perks like hotspot data and Disney+ subscriptions.
In this Total Wireless review, we’ll outline the phones, plans, and services offered by Total Wireless as well as compare the provider to our other favorites for seniors.
FYI: Looking for unlimited talk, text, and data for less than $30 per month? Then read our review of T-Mobile’s senior plans.
Pro Tip: Did you know that Verizon offers a special discounted plan for seniors? To learn more, read our rundown of Verizon's senior phone plans.
All of Total Wireless’s plans include unlimited talk and text. The primary difference between them will be the data allowance and data speeds.
| Plan | Monthly Price | Talk and Text Allowance | Data Allowance | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5GB | $30 | Unlimited | 5GB |
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| 15GB | $40 | Unlimited | 15GB |
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| Unlimited | $50 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
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| Unlimited+ | $60 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
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Total Wireless does not currently offer a plan for seniors; however, we think that their 5GB plan would be the best option for older adults. Offering unlimited talk, text, and 5GB of data, this plan would be ideal for those who don’t constantly use their phone for browsing the web and streaming. Keep in mind that, while using your phone at home, you’ll likely be using Wi-Fi as opposed to data.
Pro Tip: Curious how Total Wireless stacks up to our other favorite providers? Then check out our rundown of the best phone plans for seniors.
To purchase a plan from Total Wireless, you can either visit one of the brick-and-mortar stores or visit their website. From there, you’ll have the option of either bringing your own phone, using it with a Total SIM card, or purchasing one of their phones.
Total Wireless offers all of the phones you’d expect to find from a major provider, including the latest smartphones from Samsung, Google, and Apple. In terms of prices, you can expect to pay more or less the same amount for these phones. For example, Mint Mobile sells the senior-friendly iPhone SE for $429, and Total sells it for the same price; however, Total gives you a $50 discount on their phones when you purchase a new plan.
Total also offers a selection of flip phones.
Total Wireless pricing works in a straightforward manner; you choose one of their plans, and that is how much you pay per month. The only exception would be purchasing multiple lines. If you purchase extra premium lines, they’ll only cost $35 per month each.
Since Total Wireless is technically a prepaid provider, you have two options when it comes to refilling your phone’s service each month. You can either manually refill your service online each month, or you can subscribe to auto-refill, which will automatically bill you each month for the refill. Enrolling in auto-refill will also give you a 5% discount on your monthly bill.
Total Wireless is an MNVO, meaning they don’t have their own network but rather lease one from another provider. In this case, they use Verizon’s network.
The benefit of this is that Total subscribers will have access to Verizon, which has some of the best nationwide coverage available. The downside is that, during times of peak usage, Verizon might deprioritize data speeds for Total users to allow their own subscribers to have the best service.
If you’re age 55 or older, then T-Mobile offers more affordable plans than Total Wireless. Most importantly, for heavy data users, T-Mobile’s senior plans offer unlimited data.
| Total Wireless 5GB | T-Mobile Essentials 55+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $30 per month | $27.50 per month |
| Price Increases | Never | Never |
| Data Allowance |
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| Long-Term Contracts | None | None |
| Age Requirement | None | Must be 55+ |
While Total Wireless phone plans start off relatively affordable, they quickly get expensive for those who use larger amounts of data. Because of this, it’s difficult to wholeheartedly recommend this provider for seniors.
If you’re looking for a plan with unlimited talk, text, and data, then we’d recommend one of T-Mobile’s 55+ plans. If, however, you’re looking for affordable talk and text, then we’d recommend checking out Consumer Cellular’s senior plans.
Total Wireless does not have a specific discount or plan for seniors.
Owned by Verizon, Total Wireless is a trustworthy prepaid wireless provider.
As an MVNO, Total Wireless users might find that their data speeds are deprioritized during times of peak usage, as the provider lease’s Verizon’s network.