iPhone 12 Starts at $799 With T-Mobile and Sprint Activation After All, SIM-Free Model Still Starts at $829

[MacRumors]

Earlier this week, Apple's online store indicated that T-Mobile, Sprint, and SIM-free models of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini would start at $829 and $729 respectively in the United States, which was $30 extra compared to AT&T and Verizon models.

However, coinciding with the start of pre-orders for the iPhone 12 today, it turns out that T-Mobile and Sprint are now offering customers the same "instant discount" of $30 with activation. This means the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini now start at Apple's advertised $799 and $699 prices respectively with activation on AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, or Sprint.

SIM-free models of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini continue to start at $829 and $729 respectively for use with any carrier.

It is unclear why the "instant discount" for T-Mobile and Sprint models showed up three days after AT&T and Verizon models, but it has certainly created a confusing situation for customers. Pre-orders of the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are available now, while iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max pre-orders will begin Friday, November 6.

There is no price discrepancy with iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max models, which start at $999 and $1,099 respectively regardless of the model selected.

Article Link: iPhone 12 Starts at $799 With T-Mobile and Sprint Activation After All, SIM-Free Model Still Starts at $829

 

[Sasparilla]

Guess the mobile providers are eating that $30 - getting contract lockin as a return I suppose. Anyone who wants one direct from Apple pays a $30 tax (on top of the ~25% price increase over the 11 and removal of the charger and removal of the ear buds). Gotta say that sucks - Apple should make them the same.

 

[rlmcguire]

I figured they would do that. T-Mobile wouldn’t let “Big Red” be cheaper!

 

[alexandr]

well, that's a little better, i suppose, but still though. if i was in the market for a 12 i'd be pissed about an extra 30 that i shouldn't have to pay.

 

[yellow8]

There is a price bump compared to iPhone 11 last year, right?

 

[deathcab]

I think this is Apple’s way of trying to (indirectly) share in part of the carrier’s activation fees.

Pretty bad look from Apple to tie even more closely to the carriers and disappointing when there’s so much potential for Apple to instead move further away from them (they’re basically just commodity / utility providers at this point so why pander to them?). I always held out hope Apple would eventually become its own MVNO but that seems unlikely at this point.

There is a price bump compared to iPhone 11 last year, right?

Yes. Price for the unlocked 6.1” iPhone 12 is $130 higher than the unlocked 6.1” iPhone 11 at launch (not factoring in the the “value” of the accessories omitted from the 12 that were free in the box with the 11).

 

[armandxp]

Still showing +$30 on T-Mobile's store front? Apple website showing $30 cheaper for T-Mobile.

 

[Jman13]

Still garbage that they advertise the price at $799 when it's actually $829. Because the carriers will charge you an upgrade fee, you're going to pay that $30 regardless, and it's so bogus, given that when you buy a phone outright the carrier needs to do NOTHING. You just put your existing SIM in and you're good.

 

[alexandr]

I figured they would do that. T-Mobile wouldn’t let “Big Red” be cheaper!

did you look at vz's rates vs t-mo's?.. i don't think anyone would switch to vz to save $30...

 

[Pixelspeeper]

I just Pre ordered the 128GB Green IPhone 12 which am going to use for my betas softwares, will ordered the pacific blue 12 Pro Max in November for my daily and personal use.

 

[alexandr]

Still garbage that they advertise the price at $799 when it's actually $829. Because the carriers will charge you an upgrade fee, you're going to pay that $30 regardless, and it's so bogus, given that when you buy a phone outright the carrier needs to do NOTHING. You just put your existing SIM in and you're good.

sims... where we're going we don't need no sims.

 

[Sasparilla]

There is a price bump compared to iPhone 11 last year, right?

Yeah, if you buy the unlocked version its a ~28% price increase over the base 11 last year.

 

[JPack]

This is a pretty greasy move to be honest. Just advertise the price as $829 from the start.

My guess is, this has to do with the mmWave antenna hardware costs. We don’t see this in other regions.

 

[im_to_hyper]

I was NOT going to Pre-order anything, and instead wait until the 12 mini came out. But I’ll be damned if I’m going to pass up $800 trade in credit from AT&T’s site for my Xr!

 

[phobos512]

It's quite clear that at the time of filming the announcement videos they hadn't locked up the contract with TSprintMobile. Nothing more complicated than that.

 

[Jman13]

I was NOT going to Pre-order anything, and instead wait until the 12 mini came out. But I’ll be damned if I’m going to pass up $800 trade in credit from AT&T’s site for my Xr!

They're giving you more than the phone costs new for trade in? Something is way off there.

 

[smaffei]

"(Carrier) Freedom is never free…" - Tim Cook, Apple

 

[UltimateSyn]

Yeah, if you buy the unlocked version its a ~28% price increase over the base 11 last year.

Am I missing something? $829 / $699 = 1.186

 

[Pixelspeeper]

That’s horrible.

 

[guzhogi]

Yes. Price for the unlocked 6.1” iPhone 12 is $230 higher than the unlocked 6.1” iPhone 11 at launch (not factoring in the the “value” of the accessories omitted from the 12 that were free in the box with the 11).

I remember the first iPhone being only $599… then $399 after either Apple or AT&T subsidized it.

 

[Zackmd1]

Am I missing something? $829 / $699 = 1.186

Iphone mini is 5.4 inch. The iphone 11 was 6.1 inch. To get a comparable size to last year it's $829 not $729.

 

[RotaryP7]

T-Mobile themselves have kept the $29 price increase. It's in-store and on the website. Maybe the discount is only if you're buying the phone through Apple.

 

[PickUrPoison]

Yeah, if you buy the unlocked version its a ~28% price increase over the base 11 last year.

A 28% price increase? That would be a pretty big upcharge for 5G. It’s actually closer to 18%.

Iphone mini is 5.4 inch. The iphone 11 was 6.1 inch. To get a comparable size to last year it's $829 not $729.

Right, so not a 28% increase as OP claimed.

 

[minimo3]

So they charge the carrier an extra $30 wholesale and “allow” the carrier to offer a voluntary discount On retail pricing. Smart move to increase revenue, they know the carriers will be forced to respond once any one of them capitulates.

 

[moabal]

I do not really care what Apple decides to charge for the iPhone. However, going on stage and saying something starts at $699 when it really starts at $729 (iPhone 12 Mini) is just straight disingenuous.

They are more than welcome to partner with the carriers to subsidize part of the phone. However, just say the proper price of the phone! I cannot believe Apple would go this low.