All iPads T-Mobile offering iPad Air for $99 down and iPad Mini 2 $0 down; accepting trade-ins

What I don't understand is, can you just get the new iPad without becoming a T-Mobile voice customer, and still be eligible for this? For example could you get the new retina mini from them, and pay ONLY 22.08 (plus taxes and fees) per month with them if you only go with the 200 MB plan? Or do you need to make a voice plan with them as well to be eligible for this?

divergirl said:

What I don't understand is, can you just get the new iPad without becoming a T-Mobile voice customer, and still be eligible for this? For example could you get the new retina mini from them, and pay ONLY 22.08 (plus taxes and fees) per month with them if you only go with the 200 MB plan? Or do you need to make a voice plan with them as well to be eligible for this?

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That sounds way too good to be true. In the long run you are basically paying retail for an LTE iPad but getting free 200 MB of data for life?

nixiemaiden said:

That sounds way too good to be true. In the long run you are basically paying retail for an LTE iPad but getting free 200 MB of data for life?

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And interest free loan. Anyone have experience with t-mobile ordering? On launch day do I go to their website at 12pst or do I have to got to a store?

If that is indeed the case. Who wouldn't buy their iPad from T-Mobile if they are offering a free 0% interest rate loan. If I were to hedge a guess, I would assume that $0 down iPads require some sort of billable monthly service. If not, well, SOLD.

From listening to some of the press conference. You can also get on the 200m free or other plans with existing cellular ipads. (ipad2 att, all later)

Wonder if you can still get the additional $10 discount for being a voice customer.

The question is I wonder if the ipads will be locked to tmobile due to the monthly payment of the units instead of paying full price at apple and they are unlocked!

aziatiklover said:

The question is I wonder if the ipads will be locked to tmobile due to the monthly payment of the units instead of paying full price at apple and they are unlocked!

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I thought their whole thing was that all devices are unlocked and contract free. Isn't that what they've been touting for the past couple of months.

aziatiklover said:

The question is I wonder if the ipads will be locked to tmobile due to the monthly payment of the units instead of paying full price at apple and they are unlocked!

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Aren't all ipads unlocked? I remember reading that it's just one model now.

From T-Mobile press release

* If you cancel wireless service, remaining balance on device becomes due. Total for for iPad Air 16 GB $630.00, 32 GB $729.99, 64 GB $829.99; total for iPad mini with Retina display 16 GB $529.92, 32 GB $629.91, 64 GB $729.91; total for iPad mini 16 GB $429.99. 0% APR O.A.C. for well-qualified buyers.

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bigjnyc said:

I thought their whole thing was that all devices are unlocked and contract free. Isn't that what they've been touting for the past couple of months.

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Their devices are NOT unlocked out of the box, but that isn't what they've been advertising, either.

Their devices ARE contract free, in the traditional use of the word "contract" when talking about cellphones. You don't have a 24-month contract for cell service. But should you utilize their Equipment Installment Plan (EIP) for a device, you're essentially locked into a contract for the phone you're using.

Should you utilize an EIP and decide you want to take your talents elsewhere, your device won't work on another network until it is paid off and unlocked by T-Mobile. So yeah, I'm guessing that their iPads will be locked to their network since that is essentially how they ensure they get paid.

bigjnyc said:

I thought their whole thing was that all devices are unlocked and contract free. Isn't that what they've been touting for the past couple of months.

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No! contract free, but their phones are still locked until you paid it off and have an unlock request!

Epiphron said:

Aren't all ipads unlocked? I remember reading that it's just one model now.

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Yea that is what I thought too until carriers like tmobile start selling them at no cost upfront and with 24 months payment.

protoxx said:

From T-Mobile press release * If you cancel wireless service, remaining balance on device becomes due. Total for for iPad Air 16 GB $630.00, 32 GB $729.99, 64 GB $829.99; total for iPad mini with Retina display 16 GB $529.92, 32 GB $629.91, 64 GB $729.91; total for iPad mini 16 GB $429.99. 0% APR O.A.C. for well-qualified buyers.

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But is the free 200 MB of data considered wireless service?

If I buy a tmobile iPad air from the apple store will I get the 200mb free right out of the box?

nixiemaiden said:

But is the free 200 MB of data considered wireless service?

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Yes it is. They are just going to make sure they get their 24 months worth of interest free payments for the iPad itself before you're allowed to jump ship is all, which makes perfect sense.

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Guitarpik said:

If I buy a tmobile iPad air from the apple store will I get the 200mb free right out of the box?

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Yes you will. It's already listed on Apple's online store right now under the pricing and configurations section.

I like this - no risk for 200 MB usage on a mini retina. I'm already a tmobile customer, so I'm sure it would be easy to upgrade too if I needed, or just switch to a mobile hotspot if I rather use my phone instead.

I knew there was a reason I dumped AT&T

Wonder if T-Mobeil will include tethering?

PBG4 Dude said:

Wonder if T-Mobile will include tethering?

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I've got a tmobile phone and you can tether - but you're limited to 500 MB for high speed tethering, then they slow you down...

Since 200 < 500, I'd imagine they'd be OK with it. I think their goal is to encourage more use on whatever device you're using on their network. The quicker you use up 200 MB, the quicker you'll either buy a monthly plan or weekend plan.

Makes a TON of sense to me and seems to be win win

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Does anyone know what the trade in value is on an iPad Mini?

So on nov 1st I can go sign up to be a tmobile customer, and get the iPad for zero down and do 24 months payment? I have execllent credit btw, is that all there is? No extra monthly plan? I'm not a current tmobile customer.

romeo0119 said:

So on nov 1st I can go sign up to be a tmobile customer, and get the iPad for zero down and do 24 months payment? I have execllent credit btw, is that all there is? No extra monthly plan? I'm not a current tmobile customer.

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Sounds about right, but you will have to see if the ipad you get is not locked to tmobile since you are not buying it full price.

aziatiklover said:

Sounds about right, but you will have to see if the ipad you get is not locked to tmobile since you are not buying it full price.

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all ipads are unlocked. there's no locked ipad as they're contract-free

Who cares if it's lock to tmobile, I was planning to use it mostly on wifi anyway. The added 200mb is sweet though

After seeing the price of the Retina mini, I wrote it off, but this changes things. If you consider what you're getting for free, the 200mb, even if you say is worth maybe $5 (no one else is handing out free data plans), you're already looking at a $120 value over two years. So that $630 32gb mini could be thought of as being more like $510, less than a wifi only model after tax. Throw in a dirt cheap interest free payment plan.

This is pretty awesome. I might get a new mini after all.

aziatiklover said:

The question is I wonder if the ipads will be locked to tmobile due to the monthly payment of the units instead of paying full price at apple and they are unlocked!

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I don't think they'd unlock the ipad until it's paid off, as they unlocked my iPhone 5 after 60 days (bought outright).

I think they just want the chance at fees - so they want their sim card in there. 200 MB a month for free gives them lots of potential customers. Pretty smart on their part.

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romeo0119 said:

Who cares if it's lock to tmobile, I was planning to use it mostly on wifi anyway. The added 200mb is sweet though

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Exactly... And I'm sure they're happy to supply service for those who go over - total soft sell, and they lock out the competition because people don't want to replace sim cards...

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romeo0119 said:

So on nov 1st I can go sign up to be a tmobile customer, and get the iPad for zero down and do 24 months payment? I have execllent credit btw, is that all there is? No extra monthly plan? I'm not a current tmobile customer.

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Spoken like a true North American wireless customer! A simple win-win, no-nonsense service is like a blessing

I'm a tmobile customer (about 6 months). They're cheaper and no strings attached. Their negative issue is coverage area...