AT&T vs T-Mobile Perks: Streaming, International Roaming, and Extras Compared (2026)
T-Mobile's new Experience plans bundle significantly more value than AT&T's Unlimited Your Way 2.0 plans. The biggest 2026 change: AT&T dropped HBO Max from new plans. Only customers on legacy Premium PL still get it. Meanwhile, T-Mobile added Apple TV+ and Hulu alongside Netflix. Here is the full dollar-value breakdown.
Streaming Perks Comparison
T-Mobile Streaming
- Netflix Standard (Experience More+)$15.49/mo
- Apple TV+ (Experience More+)$9.99/mo
- Hulu with ads (Experience Beyond only)$9.99/mo
- Experience More annual value$305/yr
- Experience Beyond annual value$425/yr
AT&T Streaming (2.0 Plans)
- NetflixNot included
- Apple TV+Not included
- HBO MaxDropped from 2.0 plans
- Streaming value on 2.0 plans$0/yr
- Legacy Premium PL (pre-2026)HBO Max with ads ($120/yr)
AT&T removing HBO Max from new plans is a major shift. Customers who valued that perk now need to subscribe separately ($9.99/mo with ads, $16.99/mo ad-free) or switch to T-Mobile for streaming value.
International Roaming: Detailed Cost Comparison
International roaming is where the carriers differ most dramatically. T-Mobile includes it free. AT&T charges $10/day per line on all plans except Premium 2.0.
T-Mobile International
- Free 2G data and texting in 215+ countries
- Data speed: 128 Kbps (maps, messaging, basic browsing)
- No sign-up or activation required
- Included on Experience More and Beyond
- Wi-Fi calling works from any country
- 5GB high-speed data add-on: $35 for 10 days
AT&T International
- International Day Pass: $10/day per line
- Full plan speeds abroad while pass is active
- Automatic activation when you use phone abroad
- Included free on Premium 2.0 only
- Without Day Pass: $3/min calls, $2.05/MB data
- Passport plans available for extended trips
Trip Cost Scenarios
| Scenario | T-Mobile Cost | AT&T Cost (Extra 2.0) | Savings on T-Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-week trip, 1 line | $0 | $70 | $70 |
| 2-week trip, 1 line | $0 | $140 | $140 |
| 2-week trip, 2 lines | $0 | $280 | $280 |
| 2-week trip, 4 lines (family) | $0 | $560 | $560 |
| 1-month trip, 1 line | $0 | $300 | $300 |
| 1-month trip, 2 lines (couple) | $0 | $600 | $600 |
AT&T Premium 2.0 includes International Day Pass at no extra charge. If you are on Premium 2.0, international costs are $0 on AT&T as well, but Premium 2.0 costs $90/line (1 line) or $55/line (4 lines).
Hotspot Data Comparison
| Plan | AT&T Hotspot | T-Mobile Hotspot |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | 3GB (Value 2.0) | None (Essentials) |
| Mid-tier | 30GB (Extra 2.0) | 60GB (Experience More) |
| Premium | 100GB (Premium 2.0) | 250GB (Experience Beyond) |
T-Mobile provides more hotspot data at the mid and premium tiers. AT&T has an advantage at the budget tier where Value 2.0 includes 3GB versus Essentials' zero.
Security, Perks, and Other Extras
Call Protection
AT&T ActiveArmor: Free basic version on all plans. Advanced version (included on Extra 2.0+) adds identity monitoring, public Wi-Fi protection, and safe browsing.
T-Mobile Scam Shield: Free on all plans. Includes caller ID, scam call blocking, and number reporting. Premium version ($4/mo extra) adds voicemail-to-text and extended blocking.
Loyalty and Rewards
T-Mobile Tuesdays: Weekly deals and freebies via the T-Mobile Tuesdays app. Ranges from free food coupons to discounted travel and concert tickets. Modest but consistent value.
AT&T Thanks/Perks: Scaled back in 2026 compared to previous years. Occasional movie ticket deals and partner discounts. Less consistent value than T-Mobile Tuesdays.
T-Mobile's 5-Year Price Lock Guarantee
T-Mobile Experience plans guarantee your per-line rate for 5 years from activation. This is a response to customer frustration with carrier price hikes, and a direct competitive advantage over AT&T's recent $10-20/month increases on legacy plans.
What the price lock covers:
- Your base per-line rate is locked for 5 years
- Adding more lines locks at the current per-line rate for those new lines
- Applies to Essentials, Experience More, and Experience Beyond
What the price lock does NOT cover:
- Taxes and fees (these can change based on government rates)
- Add-on services and features purchased separately
- Device installment payments
- If you change plans, the 5-year clock restarts at the new rate
Total Perk Value by Plan Tier (4 Lines)
T-Mobile Experience More (4 Lines)
- Netflix Standard$186/yr
- Apple TV+$120/yr
- International roaming (1 trip)~$280 saved
- 5-year price lockGuaranteed
- Estimated annual perk value$586+
AT&T Extra 2.0 (4 Lines)
- Streaming perks$0/yr
- International roaming$10/day extra
- ActiveArmor AdvancedIncluded
- Price lockNone
- Estimated annual perk valueMinimal