Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
69,421
40,498


The major wireless carriers in the United States are teaming up with Apple to subsidize the cost of the new 5G iPad Pro, which debuted today. Choosing cellular over WiFi carries a $200 premium, which is more expensive than the $130 upgrade price that Apple normally charges for a cellular model.

ipad-pro-carrier-subsidies.jpg

As noted by Bloomberg, carriers are hoping to encourage customers to purchase the new 5G tablets despite the cellular price increase through subsidies. Multiple carriers are offering up to $200 in gift cards, which makes choosing a 5G iPad Pro over a standard WiFi version more or less free, with the exception of monthly costs.

Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint are all offering $200 reimbursements, while AT&T is offering $150 back. AT&T is providing credits to a monthly bill, while Verizon is offering a digital gift card. T-Mobile and Sprint are providing a gift card that can be spent like a credit card.

Carriers often offer these kinds of discounts for iPhone models, but it is unusual to see these subsidies provided for iPads.

Article Link: Carriers Offering Discounts Up to $200 to Subsidize Higher Cost of 5G iPad Pro Models
 
Is it a 24 month or 30 month commitment if you purchase with the carrier subsidy? And what about the ETF?
 
  • Like
Reactions: BlindBandit
The Best Bang for your BUCK is the $650 M1 Mac mini.
you've already proven by the Chinese that you can upgrade the RAM and disk size.
Better M1 chip than the iPad and iMac.
My God they even rip you off on the iMac and come out with a crippled M1 chip that has only 7 GPU cores enabled instead of 8.

The $650 M1 Mac mini is the STEAL here.
 
The Best Bang for your BUCK is the $650 M1 Mac mini.
you've already proven by the Chinese that you can upgrade the RAM and disk size.
Better M1 chip than the iPad and iMac.
My God they even rip you off on the iMac and come out with a crippled M1 chip that has only 7 GPU cores enabled instead of 8.

The $650 M1 Mac mini is the STEAL here.
No normal person can do that, or have access to the chips. Actual Apple repair centers don’t have access to chips for repairs. The average person will never be able to get the chips, never mind the process of doing the upgrade (or necessary equipment to do it).
 
It should be noted that this an e-gift card to be spent at the carrier’s store ...

In my case I’d have to create another post paid unlimited account with VZ. Then spend 200 in their store a couple months from now. Hard pass.
 
It's very telling when AT&T gives an outright price reduction, Verizon gives a big gift card (most likely after some time and subject to clawback), while the most dishonest US carrier of them all T-Mobile has a reverse 2-year contract bill credits scam for suckers.
 
It's very telling when AT&T gives an outright price reduction, Verizon gives a big gift card (most likely after some time and subject to clawback), while the most dishonest US carrier of them all T-Mobile has a reverse 2-year contract bill credits scam for suckers.
ATT is 30 months of bill credits.
 
  • Like
Reactions: zapmymac
ATT is 30 months of bill credits.
If that's the case, the cancerous rot from T-Mobile has spread to all carriers. If this was even 3 years ago everyone other than T-Mobile was giving out outright price reductions upon installment agreement (which is not a reverse contract, but rather a free loan) left and right to any warm body
 
  • Disagree
Reactions: Surfer13134
It's very telling when AT&T gives an outright price reduction, Verizon gives a big gift card (most likely after some time and subject to clawback), while the most dishonest US carrier of them all T-Mobile has a reverse 2-year contract bill credits scam for suckers.
ATT gives $5 month for 30 months. They really like their 30 months now. Basically pays half of iPad data plan. Yippee.
 
  • Like
Reactions: clunkmess
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.