Comparison

T vs Microsoft Surface

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

T

This app enables individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, or have a Speech Disability to make and receive relay calls using text over the internet. It connects users with a qualified relay operator and offers features like an integrated contact list and call history.

Highlights
  • Text-based relay calls
  • Integrated contact list
  • Call history
  • Access to live customer care
  • Available on wireless networks
Features
Read full description

IP Relay, provided by T-Mobile for iOS devices, is a no cost internet-based telecommunications Mobile app available for people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, or who have a Speech Disability who can make and receive relay calls and communicate using text on iOS 9 or higher, including iPad devices. IP Relay app is also available on wireless networks. Connect with a qualified relay operator via IP Relay. Features include integrated contact list, call history, and access to live customer care. Available only in USA and US territories. International calls will either be blocked or terminated. Registration is required to use this app. If no data plan service selected, casual data charges may apply. Learn more at t-mobile.com/IPRelay. Although IP Relay can be used for emergency calling, such emergency calling may not function the same as traditional 911/E911 services. By using the IP Relay app for emergency calling you agree that T-Mobile is not responsible for any damages resulting from errors, defects, malfunctions, interruptions, or failures in accessing or attempting to access emergency services through IP Relay whether caused by the negligence of T-Mobile or otherwise.

About

Microsoft Surface

Manage and personalize your audio devices. Update firmware, view device information, and adjust settings like equalizer and volume. Connect and control devices, and access tutorials for assistance.

Highlights
  • Update earbuds and headphones
  • View and change device info
  • View battery and volume
  • Personalize settings
  • Change equalizer settings
  • Control connected devices
  • Reset devices
Read full description

Here are the things you can do: • Update your earbuds and headphones • View and change device info • View battery info and volume level • Personalize settings • Change equalizer settings to get the sound you want • Control which devices are connected • Change language settings • Reset your earbuds and headphones to the factory settings • Watch tutorial videos • Send us feedback

Screenshots

T4 screens
Microsoft Surface4 screens

Verdict

The call

T and Microsoft Surface both sit at 3.1 stars, but that hides the real split: 26% of Microsoft Surface's written reviews are positive against 16% of T's. Microsoft Surface also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.6). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.1 for T against 3.2 for Microsoft Surface. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 87 and 159 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 16% of T's written reviews are positive against 26% of Microsoft Surface's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

T ships an update every 3 months, Microsoft Surface every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
T versus Microsoft Surface: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTMicrosoft Surface
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.1 (87 ratings)3.2 (159 ratings) — better
Positive reviews16.4% of reviews25.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings87159 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.611.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB70 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperT-MobileMicrosoft Corporation

Customer experience

T

All ratings81 ratings
Positive45.7%
Neutral11.1%
Negative43.2%
Written reviews55 reviews
Positive16.4%
Neutral12.7%
Negative70.9%

Microsoft Surface

All ratings159 ratings
Positive52.2%
Neutral4.4%
Negative43.4%
Written reviews78 reviews
Positive25.6%
Neutral9.0%
Negative65.4%

User reviews

T

From 87 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Accessible for DeafBlind
  • 👍 Can save conversations
  • 👍 Live operator accuracy
  • 👍 App updated for easier call shifting
  • 👍 Good for Spasmodic Dysphonia

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Lots of bugs
  • 🐛 Calls get dropped
  • 🐛 Fake number calls
  • 🐛 App not updated
  • 🐛 App broken, cannot make calls

Microsoft Surface

From 159 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎵 Excellent audio quality and crisp sound
  • 🎚️ Useful EQ customization capabilities
  • 📱 Smooth out-of-box setup experience
  • 🔗 Hardware quality is solid
  • ⚡ Quick app loading when functional

Room to improve

  • 🐛 App frequently fails to detect paired headphones
  • 🔌 Constant connection and pairing issues
  • 😤 Poor reliability and stability
  • 🚫 App becomes completely broken after updates
  • 🔐 Authentication and login failures

Bugs and requests

T

Reported bugs

50 issues
  • App still has LOT of bugs
  • Calls get dropped
  • Line is busy error
  • Hackers fake number calls
  • App hasn't been updated
Show 45 more
  • Doesn't work at all now
  • Cut out during call
  • Tried to recall but didn't work
  • Phone number in use error
  • Call connects then drops
  • CAs typing too many 'xxxx'
  • Transcribes caller's words to email
  • Password is wrong (works elsewhere)
  • Cannot verify identity
  • New version confusing
  • Cannot use microphone on keyboard to dictate
  • Cannot register, couldn't verify details
  • App does not connect to relay
  • Microphone doesn't work for voice to text
  • App doesn't work
  • Doesn't seem to work when trying to answer call
  • Does not list incoming call
  • Opening from notification screen, number not listed
  • Buggy, doesn't cooperate with system accessibility settings
  • Scrolling is buggy
  • Incoming text bounces below window
  • Incoming call window doesn't expand
  • Incoming calls don't always answer
  • System often cuts off users
  • Performance gets worse
  • Takes several minutes for messages to get through
  • Never able to complete important calls
  • Whenever I get a call, accept call does nothing
  • No vibration or sound notification for incoming calls
  • App requires upgrade but upgrade doesn't fix error
  • Unable to type anything to answer call
  • Can't see who called
  • Cannot answer calls
  • Number flashes briefly
  • Cannot forward number
  • Forwarding isn't supposed to work
  • App crashes when opening
  • Keyboard covers text box
  • Login doesn't work
  • Login not valid
  • Username creation fails
  • Nobody can hear me
  • Login/password doesn't work on app
  • Verification review takes too long
  • Favorites screen doesn't work

Requested features

10 requests
  • Ability to report spam callers
  • Send words automatically as I type
  • Add ability to block numbers
  • Option to subscribe to spam call blocking service
  • Make browser and app interfaces more similar
Show 5 more
  • Sound alerts for incoming calls
  • Way to read messages left by caller
  • Voicemail for missed calls
  • Copy and paste phone numbers into dial screen
  • Alphabetized phone book

Microsoft Surface

Reported bugs

11 issues
  • App stuck on scanning/searching for headphones
  • Bluetooth connection drops during calls
  • App won't recognize headphones even when paired
  • Authentication hangs on 'Authenticating' screen
  • Constant red light indicator issues
Show 6 more
  • Firmware updates cause connection degradation
  • App fails to load when headphones are connected
  • Pairing mode limbo after power cycling
  • Earbud chirping and constant disconnections
  • Uneven battery drain between earbuds
  • App incompatibility with newer iOS versions

Requested features

9 requests
  • MacOS app support
  • iPad landscape mode support
  • Customizable gesture controls
  • Better device switching between paired devices
  • More EQ preset options
Show 4 more
  • Xbox wireless compatibility
  • Ability to disable automatic noise cancellation on calls
  • Case battery level indicator
  • Computer/device management features

In-app purchases

None

T

No in-app purchases

None

Microsoft Surface

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is T free?
T is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Microsoft Surface free?
Microsoft Surface is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, T or Microsoft Surface?
Microsoft Surface is rated higher. T averages 3.1 out of 5 from 87 ratings, while Microsoft Surface averages 3.2 from 159 ratings.
Do T or Microsoft Surface have ads?
Neither T nor Microsoft Surface shows ads.
Which is updated more often, T or Microsoft Surface?
T ships an update every 3 months, and Microsoft Surface every 2 months. Most recently, T was updated on October 5, 2026 and Microsoft Surface on October 16, 2026.

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