T-Mobile Adds Apple Music to Music Freedom, Offers Free 'iPhone 6s' Upgrade With iPhone 6 Trade-In

[petalino]

T-Mobile today announced that it has added Apple Music to Music Freedom, allowing Simple Choice customers to listen to the streaming music service without the cellular data counting against their monthly 4G LTE data plan. Apple Music joins dozens of other streaming music services supported by Music Freedom, including Spotify, Pandora, Rdio, Google Play Music, iHeartRadio, SoundCloud and SiriusXM.

T-Mobile also announced that customers who purchase an iPhone 6 for $15 per month through the JUMP! On Demand trade-in program will be automatically eligible to receive a free upgrade to the next iPhone -- the so-called "iPhone 6s" -- when it is released, with the $15 monthly promotional price carrying over to the new smartphone.

Purchasing an iPhone 6 through JUMP! On Demand will also land you priority access to the next iPhone, when T-Mobile receives inventory of the next-generation device, for those that upgrade within the first 48 hours of availability. T-Mobile claims these two new Apple promotions are the last of the carrier's Un-carrier Amped moves this summer.

Article Link: T-Mobile Adds Apple Music to Music Freedom, Offers Free 'iPhone 6s' Upgrade With iPhone 6 Trade-In

I truly do like that T-Mobile is trying to overthrow these established rules of cell phone carriers in the US, but I would not trust my daughter (if I had one), to be anywhere near Mr. Legere.

His videos are corny and cheap looking, like that of a snake oil salesman.

Everything is choreographed (as it should be), but what's with the holy cross hanging from his neck? To make him appear more trustworthy?

He might as well be selling used cars or mattresses..... but he is selling cell phones for now.

 

[CEmajr]

this is something I hope AT&T will adopt...in fact, it might be good to call ATT and ask for matching service

I wouldn't count on it. Whitelisting music streaming would cause less people to go over their data caps and pay overages.

 

[JustThinkin']

I am on T-Mobile but I have to say.. T-mobile are the new undisputed kings of BS when it comes to making you think you are getting a phone for free.

Yes, someone has to pay for the phone but why twist terms and words to make the young and the gullible think they are getting a "free" phone?

That said, i love my $30 plan!

That's what parents, teachers, and others are for - to teach children and teens the difference.

Anyone that gullible by the time he reaches 18 is either retarded or has been treated like he is.

 

[JustThinkin']

Doesn't this type of service raise some pretty substantial net neutrality questions? T-mobile is in effect choosing market winners for streaming.

http://www.theverge.com/2014/6/18/5822996/t-mobile-music-freedom-net-neutrality

Yes it does, yes it's a horrible development, but as long as people aren't seeing how this is harmful to them in a direct and obvious way they'll love it.

Glassed Silver:mac

Yes, if you ignore all the facts then you can call it horrible.

You can't get on the list just by existing. You actually have to earn your way on the list by having a few T-Mobile customers who care enough to request you. This merit-based system (well actually you don't even need to have genuine merit - just a few people who care) is so antiquated, unfair, and un-socialistic!

 

[TWSS37]

I still disagree, because you only need 1 SIM card. So, if I upgrade my phone 3 times this year, I only paid once. With AT&T Next, you need to pay the fee each time you upgrade.

Assuming you would use the same SIM. When I was with Verizon, and swapped out phones somewhat regularly, I bought a SIM converter kit, so it didnt matter if it was nano or micro, but if I needed a new SIM, it cost me an "activation" fee. I guess all I am trying to say is all carriers have their version of fees, no matter how their competitors want to spin it.

 

[TheIguana]

Yes, if you ignore all the facts then you can call it horrible.

You can't get on the list just by existing. You actually have to earn your way on the list by having a few T-Mobile customers who care enough to request you. This merit-based system (well actually you don't even need to have genuine merit - just a few people who care) is so antiquated, unfair, and un-socialistic!

Well it sets a precedent (could be good or bad). For instance, what if I want to start a streaming service but it also streams music videos. Now T-Mobile can't necessarily differentiate the two (especially if I use encryption). So they may put the kibosh on my streaming tech for T-Mobile users by charging them access to data where they wouldn't for competing services.

The main point is these are service providers and for the internet to remain competitive it really does need to be data agnostic.

 

[zone23]

Where do you see them saying the phones are ever free? They always say you are either buying or leasing them in everything I have seen.

People only hear what they want too (guilty) but I hear him clearly say the iPhone 6 is 15 dollars a month..

 

[JustThinkin']

Well it sets a precedent (could be good or bad). For instance, what if I want to start a streaming service but it also streams music videos. Now T-Mobile can't necessarily differentiate the two (especially if I use encryption). So they may put the kibosh on my streaming tech for T-Mobile users by charging them access to data where they wouldn't for competing services.

The main point is these are service providers and for the internet to remain competitive it really does need to be data agnostic.

You seem to have trouble understanding the concepts of "free" and "gift."

T-Mobile gives you a stated amount of data for a standard price, just like everybody else. But then, on top if that, they give you unlimited music streaming from most services for no extra charge.

There's no dangerous precedent, they're just giving you more or extra (like a "gift") without charging for it.

If you really want everything unlimited, just sign up for an unlimited plan! You'll be getting what you paid for. You don't get to complain if slightly cheaper plans include free bonuses. If it makes you jealous, change plans!

 

[LizKat]

iPhone 6 is pretty snug fit to be fair, 0.7" really isn't that big.
Each to their own though, some people do have baby hands.

On a piano I can strike a tenth so my paws are not that small. But it's awkward for me to one-hand that iPhone 6 for some reason. I was happiest with the 4S, but I keep hoping the 5c (which I do like) will eventually make me think that the 4.7 is that not that much of a stretch. I might never get to the iPHone 6-whatever though, if I bring that new blue iPod touch home.

 

[nigerson]

Really wish their service coverage was better. My family pays $225 a month on ATT for 4 iphone 6's(on contract, so we don't pay any additional monthly fees for the phone) and 1 dumb phone and this is with some employer discount that I receive which I believe that it's around 15% off.

 

[pat500000]

I was planning on a switching to T-mobile a week ago. There's always a catch. In this case, T-mobile will happily pay off the installment plan on my ATT NEXT 64GB 6 Plus. However, I'd have to restart paying $850 AGAIN on a new 6 Plus after I trade in my old one. They really aren't doing you any favors. I'm already down to $500 on my current 6 Plus, meaning they get my prestine iPhone 6 Plus for $500 while I will have to give them another $850 for a new Phone.

After figuring out the catch, I decided to wait to until the 6S to switch. If I have to start paying $850 from scratch again, I'm getting a totally new 6S plus and not year-old hardware.

I think it's fair...they are doing you a favor from moving you away from crappy service to t-mobile.

 

[majid23]

Please correct me on this math:

I pay $27.08 per month for my iPhone 6. I usually get a new phone every 2 years. The total I pay for the phone is $649.92. I end up selling the phone for about $250. So basically I used the phone for 2 years for $400.

If I do the new JUMP program, I pay $15 per month, which over 2 years, ends up being $360. I also get to upgrade to the new iPhone every year. Am I missing something or is it worth switching to the new JUMP program? Thanks.

 

[BruiserB]

Does the free data only apply to streaming? If I find something I like on Apple Music and click "make available offline" so that it downloads the music onto my phone is the data still unmetered?

 

[Michael Goff]

And T-Mobile still doesn't have coverage where I'm at.

 

[dranakin]

Please correct me on this math:

I pay $27.08 per month for my iPhone 6. I usually get a new phone every 2 years. The total I pay for the phone is $649.92. I end up selling the phone for about $250. So basically I used the phone for 2 years for $400.

If I do the new JUMP program, I pay $15 per month, which over 2 years, ends up being $360. I also get to upgrade to the new iPhone every year. Am I missing something or is it worth switching to the new JUMP program? Thanks.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the $15 iPhone promotion on the Jump on Demand program is specifically based on a 18-month upgrade cycle. Meaning:

$650 - (18 x $27) = $164 = the difference you have to pay after 18 months.
18 x $15 = $270 = the monthly payments based on the $15/month promotion ($27 - $12 credit)
$270 + $164 = $434 in total after roughly 18 months for the 6/6s base model

If you want to do the Jump on Demand program with an iPhone in order to do the program's normal upgrade option every 4 months, you'll give up your $12/month credit.

EDIT: Obviously, the special promotion regarding the iPhone 6 to the iPhone 6s announced today doesn't change the math.

 

[randian]

If you want to do the Jump on Demand program with an iPhone in order to do the program's normal upgrade option every 4 months, you'll give up your $12/month credit.

Are you saying the promotion is only good until your next upgrade, so if you do the more likely annual upgrade you still lose the promo?

 

[uwdude]

I am intrigued by this. Right now I have an iPhone 6+ 64gb that I own, is unlocked, and is not on any EIP or payment plan, I paid full price $849 for it. My current plan is the $30/month Walmart plan, which is wonderful, but I am intrigued at maybe being able to get priority for ordering the new 6S+ when it comes out, and just swapping out at T-Mobile. Should I go ahead and trade my current iPhone at T-Mobile and sign up for this right now? Or should I try and sell my current iPhone maybe and get some cheap phone to trade? I think you do get more credit if it's a nicer phone anyway, might lower the monthly payments.

 

[DustinLH00]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the $15 iPhone promotion on the Jump on Demand program is specifically based on a 18-month upgrade cycle. Meaning:

$650 - (18 x $27) = $164 = the difference you have to pay after 18 months.
18 x $15 = $270 = the monthly payments based on the $15/month promotion ($27 - $12 credit)
$270 + $164 = $434 in total after roughly 18 months for the 6/6s base model

If you want to do the Jump on Demand program with an iPhone in order to do the program's normal upgrade option every 4 months, you'll give up your $12/month credit.

That is not true. The $15 promo is really only based on you trading in a working smartphone. You can upgrade up to 3 times a year and still take advantage of the $15 promo, thus why you are able to upgrade to the new iPhone in 2 months if you sign up now. Also, it is not upgrading every 4 months; it is any time you want up to 3 times a year. I signed up 7/3, can go in today and get an S6, and get the new iPhone in September, and still upgrade once more if I want.

Are you saying the promotion is only good until your next upgrade, so if you do the more likely annual upgrade you still lose the promo?

The lease agreement ends when you upgrade. So, the price you pay for your device will be determined when you upgrade to that device. Except, it sounds as if the promo is still good for the new iPhone.

 

[DustinLH00]

I am intrigued by this. Right now I have an iPhone 6+ 64gb that I own, is unlocked, and is not on any EIP or payment plan, I paid full price $849 for it. My current plan is the $30/month Walmart plan, which is wonderful, but I am intrigued at maybe being able to get priority for ordering the new 6S+ when it comes out, and just swapping out at T-Mobile. Should I go ahead and trade my current iPhone at T-Mobile and sign up for this right now? Or should I try and sell my current iPhone maybe and get some cheap phone to trade? I think you do get more credit if it's a nicer phone anyway, might lower the monthly payments.

I would definitely get a crappy smartphone to trade and try to sell yours elsewhere. T-Mobile will not give you the full price you could get on that phone elsewhere. You are correct, that the more valuable the phone you trade in the larger credit you get monthly to offset the phone. I traded in an iPhone 5 and am getting $12/month credit. The iPhone 6+ 64GB costs me $29.85/month plus $100 down payment, but I am only paying $17.85/month.

Since you have an unlocked phone, you could join T-Mobile and take advantage of their cheaper plans, pay no device fee, and have no contract, but I suppose that won't give you priority access in September.

 

[hlfway2anywhere]

Are you saying the promotion is only good until your next upgrade, so if you do the more likely annual upgrade you still lose the promo?

i've been working with a T-Mobile rep on this for my own migration to T-Mobile and the answer is yes. Except with the announcement today, they will allow you to retain your promo with the next iPhone. But going forward from there, once you upgrade, you will be paying $27.08 not $15/month for a base model iPhone (probably iPhone 7 at that point). And you can't keep the phone for 2 years, you have to trade up or pay it off at 18 months with Jump On Demand.

Is it better to do this now, get another iPhone 6 for a couple of months until it can be traded in for a 6s, or is it cheaper to just wait for the 6s to be out and join T-Mobile then?

you give up any lease payments toward the device when you trade it in, but your monthly bill will stay the same when you've received your upgraded phone. the important thing to note is that if you pay the $100 down to get the 64GB model, that is also given up when you trade according to my T-Mobile rep.

 

[DavidLynch]

I am intrigued by this. Right now I have an iPhone 6+ 64gb that I own, is unlocked, and is not on any EIP or payment plan, I paid full price $849 for it. My current plan is the $30/month Walmart plan, which is wonderful, but I am intrigued at maybe being able to get priority for ordering the new 6S+ when it comes out, and just swapping out at T-Mobile. Should I go ahead and trade my current iPhone at T-Mobile and sign up for this right now? Or should I try and sell my current iPhone maybe and get some cheap phone to trade? I think you do get more credit if it's a nicer phone anyway, might lower the monthly payments.

Sell the iPhone and pick up a cheapo to trade in. They give you no credit for the phone you're trading in on the Jump on Demand $15 iPhone plan. You're "subsidizing" the cost of the phone discount through the trade in. If it wasnt the JOD plan, then yes, better phone = more credit. I gave them an old flip phone.

 

[dranakin]

That is not true. The $15 promo is really only based on you trading in a working smartphone. You can upgrade up to 3 times a year and still take advantage of the $15 promo, thus why you are able to upgrade to the new iPhone in 2 months if you sign up now. Also, it is not upgrading every 4 months; it is any time you want up to 3 times a year. I signed up 7/3, can go in today and get an S6, and get the new iPhone in September, and still upgrade once more if I want.

i've been working with a T-Mobile rep on this for my own migration to T-Mobile and the answer is yes. Except with the announcement today, they will allow you to retain your promo with the next iPhone. But going forward from there, once you upgrade, you will be paying $27.08 not $15/month for a base model iPhone (probably iPhone 7 at that point). And you can't keep the phone for 2 years, you have to trade up or pay it off at 18 months with Jump On Demand.

There seems to be two different answers here regarding the $15 iPhone promotion.

 

[GeoffreySYD]

The $15 promo is valid today for an iPhone 6 and in 2 months for a 6s, but we don't know whether this will still be valid for an iPhone 7 next year. If it's not, we would go back to paying $27 per month for the lease, which would make it more expensive than buying a 7 outright.

 

[DavidLynch]

There seems to be two different answers here regarding the $15 iPhone promotion.

I think this is a case of nobody really knows. We now know the promo price is extended on to the 6S (and likely 6S+). After that, it's anyone's guess, regardless of what T-Mobile reps are saying.

 

[nviz22]

Now,if I didn't buy an iPhone 6+ on jump, I would hope that they would provide a trade in promotion for me to buy it at full cost without me breaking the bank. If not, I'll wait for the unveiling or latest major leaks to decide if I want to upgrade or not.