Mint Mobile has started supporting Rich Communication Services (RCS) on Apple iPhones, providing a significant messaging upgrade for its customers. This development marks a change for MVNOs like Mint, which have generally lagged behind in supporting RCS.
RCS is designed to replace SMS and MMS, offering a more modern and feature-rich messaging experience. It allows for features like read receipts, typing indicators, higher-quality image and video sharing, and group chats over cellular data or Wi-Fi.
However, this rollout is currently limited to those using iOS 18.4 beta 2, making it inaccessible to most Mint Mobile customers until the update becomes available in the stable version. Beta software can be unstable and contain bugs, but its appearance in the beta suggests a broader rollout.
The delay for MVNOs like Mint can be attributed to technical adjustments, coordination with Apple’s iOS ecosystem, and prioritizing cost-effectiveness. However, this update brings the messaging experience closer to that of major carriers, making it more appealing to users relying heavily on messaging features.
As RCS becomes widely available, the gap between using a major carrier and an MVNO may shrink, making Mint Mobile a more attractive option for users seeking better messaging features without sacrificing affordability.
Source: https://www.phonearena.com/news/mint-mobile-finally-supports-rcs-on-iphones-but-theres-a-catch_id168147