T-Mobile Announces BOGO Rebate Offer: Get Up to $700 Off Second iPhone 7, 8, or X

[MacRumors]

T-Mobile today announced a few new offers that will be activated beginning this Friday, January 12, one of which is focused on Apple's latest iPhones, including the iPhone X. With the deal, new and existing T-Mobile customers can buy one iPhone and get up to $700 off another iPhone of equal or lesser value, offered in the form of a rebate received via prepaid card.

The BOGO rebate applies to the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and the iPhone X, which must be purchased and activated on T-Mobile's Equipment Installment Plan. Other qualifications include needing to port in "at least one new line" on a T-Mobile ONE or select Simple Choice Unlimited plan, and trade in one eligible iPhone, LG, or Samsung smartphone.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with T-Mobile. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

T-Mobile broke down the steps for the offer on its website:

- Purchase two new iPhone 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus, or X devices on equipment installment plans.
- Port in at least one new voice line onto an eligible rate plan to be used with one of the new devices.
- Trade in an eligible device
- Submit a request on the T-Mobile Rebates page (including IMEI entry) using promo code 18Q1APLBOGO within 30 days of second device purchase.

Instead of offering the rebate to customers in the form of monthly bill credits, T-Mobile will send those who complete these steps a prepaid MasterCard card with their rebate amount, around six to eight weeks later. While the new deal is not a straight discount since it still requires a standard payment plan, those who take advantage of the offer could eventually get a notable markdown on a second iPhone X, or even receive a cheaper iPhone for free. The rebate extends to Samsung and LG smartphones, so visit T-Mobile's page for the offer for more details.

T-Mobile also added the iPhone X to its "#GetOutOfTheRed" program, in which the company pays off customers' existing Verizon smartphones (up to $650 on a virtual prepaid card) when they choose to switch to T-Mobile ONE or ONE Plus International plans. T-Mobile said that all of the new offers start Friday and can be combined on the same account but not on the same line.

Fore more of the latest offers, sales, and rebates happening in the new year, check out our full Deals Roundup.

Article Link: T-Mobile Announces BOGO Rebate Offer: Get Up to $700 Off Second iPhone 7, 8, or X

 

[GizmoDVD]

So you have to trade in a phone as well? Do they give you credit for the phone as well?

 

[DipDog3]

Step 5: Call customer service every month when you don't get the bill credits.

 

[Wags]

Step 5: Call customer service every month when you don't get the bill credits.

Says sending rebate MasterCard for full amounts

 

[parseckadet]

Step 5: Call customer service every month when you don't get the bill credits.

Instead of offering the rebate to customers in the form of monthly bill credits, T-Mobile will send those who complete these steps a prepaid MasterCard card with their rebate amount, around six to eight weeks later.

Reading comprehension for the win.

 

[nutmac]

Another worthless (at least to most people) "you must add a new line" offer.

 

[Mobster1983]

Bull! I JUST switched over to T-Mobile from Verizon to take advantage of the BOGO for iPhone 8 Plus. I wanted to get the X, but that wasn't included so I got an 8 Plus when we got my wife's new phone.

Since this starts on the 12th, I wonder if I can return one of my 8 Pluses and get an X. Will have to call T-Mobile. Less than one week out of the return period too.

 

[Wide opeN]

I didn't read anywhere if all of these steps are required (I presume), or if only some!?

If all... It seems like a lot of hoop jumping.

 

[bigjnyc]

add a new line and trade in an eligible device... Pass

 

[mittencuh]

Step 5: Call customer service every month when you don't get the bill credits.

Step 1: Reading the article.

 

[Dougntosh]

T-Mobile today announced a few new offers that will be activated beginning this Friday, January 12, one of which is focused on Apple's latest iPhones, including the iPhone X. With the deal, new and existing T-Mobile customers can buy one iPhone and get up to $700 off another iPhone of equal or lesser value, offered in the form of a rebate received via prepaid card.

The BOGO rebate applies to the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and the iPhone X, which must be purchased and activated on T-Mobile's Equipment Installment Plan. Other qualifications include needing to port in "at least one new line" on a T-Mobile ONE or select Simple Choice Unlimited plan, and trade in one eligible iPhone, LG, or Samsung smartphone.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with T-Mobile. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

T-Mobile broke down the steps for the offer on its website: Instead of offering the rebate to customers in the form of monthly bill credits, T-Mobile will send those who complete these steps a prepaid MasterCard card with their rebate amount, around six to eight weeks later. While the new deal is not a straight discount since it still requires a standard payment plan, those who take advantage of the offer could eventually get a notable markdown on a second iPhone X, or even receive a cheaper iPhone for free. The rebate extends to Samsung and LG smartphones, so visit T-Mobile's page for the offer for more details.

T-Mobile also added the iPhone X to its "#GetOutOfTheRed" program, in which the company pays off customers' existing Verizon smartphones (up to $650 on a virtual prepaid card) when they choose to switch to T-Mobile ONE or ONE Plus International plans. T-Mobile said that all of the new offers start Friday and can be combined on the same account but not on the same line.

Fore more of the latest offers, sales, and rebates happening in the new year, check out our full Deals Roundup.

Article Link: T-Mobile Announces BOGO Rebate Offer: Get Up to $700 Off Second iPhone 7, 8, or X

The $700 via card is only good for the T Mobile store. No Discounts.

 

[coachgq]

add a new line and trade in an eligible device... Pass

I bought 2 iPhone 5s on eBay $45 each. Add a line and cancel in 2 months. Sell my 2 iPhone 7s for $350 each. $1400 in ($350*2+$700 card). $110 out ($90 for 5s’s + $20 extra line for 2 months($10 kickback discount) Net of $1290, the cost of one full 256gb iPhone X. = True bogo.

 

[Wags]

The $700 via card is only good for the T Mobile store. No Discounts.

Cards will not have cash access and can be used everywhere Mastercard debit cards are accepted.

https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-36142

 

[ghanwani]

A funky bug manifests itself while viewing this page on Chrome on macOS (both latest versions).

 

[acarney]

I bought 2 iPhone 5s on eBay $45 each. Add a line and cancel in 2 months. Sell my 2 iPhone 7s for $350 each. $1400 in ($350*2+$700 card). $110 out ($90 for 5s’s + $20 extra line for 2 months($10 kickback discount) Net of $1290, the cost of one full 256gb iPhone X. = True bogo.

Well I certainly don't understand your method or math there. If you cancel your line of service the full balance comes due. So you have to pay full price for the iphone. You only get the full $700 reward card if the price of the new phone is $700 or more. So you'll never be able to get more then you paid for the phone. If you have to pay the "full balance due" of $700 for the phone, then you zero out your reward card. So yes now you have a $700 iphone for the cost of a trade in phone and two months service. So I guess you could sell that plus your existing phone on eBay or somewhere, but if you're quoting ~$350 for the iPhone 7s then you'll end up having what, $700 or $800 cash in hand, minus whatever cost two months of service and the trade in phone costs. So at best it sounds like you can get $500 or $600 toward the purchase of an iPhone X... and a lot of work and 2+ months to get there. Honestly getting a part time job for two weeks or something seems like it would get you to the same spot

 

[907792]

@coachgq:

Um, waitaminnit. Hold the phone (literally!)

Where are you showing the acquisition cost of the two iPhone7's?

You wrote:"I bought 2 iPhone 5s on eBay $45 each. Add a line and cancel in 2 months. Sell my 2 iPhone 7s for $350 each. $1400 in ($350*2+$700 card). $110 out ($90 for 5s’s + $20 extra line for 2 months($10 kickback discount) Net of $1290, the cost of one full 256gb iPhone X. = True bogo."


I see all your other math** but the $110 out cannot be correct. You show the $90 acquisition cost of the i5's but ZERO COST for the i7's. That's a very important detail.

How did you get the two i7's? Even if you were able to bogo the two i7's from from T-MOB or ATT last year, you likely paid for ONE of them outright at retail price of about $700 bux when new (or financed that for 24 months, or traded in some other phone you're failing to mention). Then, be sure to include sales tax...because when I bought my phones outright -- and I've done that once from T-MOB, once from Apple and once taking the BOGO from ATT -- I had to pay FULL sales tax on BOTH handsets. (We might be able to get away with buying a handset on ebay with no sales tax, but if you take this deal, T-MOB will charge you full sales tax on the "free" device.)

That "$110 out" is looking waaay more like a thousand bucks out...unless both iPhone7's were completely free of any acquisition costs originally in which case we'd all like you to share your math on that, as well.

(**well, I've been a postpaid T-MOB customer and it will be impossible for you to get EXACTLY $20 for 2 months of service, even when I made a billing plan change and scheduled it in advance of my bill cycle there was always a day or so of "prorated service.")

(BTW:Apple -- right on their website -- is quoting LESS than $350 trade in value for a working 7. You plan to sell used hardware for more...yet incur no selling costs? Can you do the same for my old car?)

 

[drewyboy]

I bought 2 iPhone 5s on eBay $45 each. Add a line and cancel in 2 months. Sell my 2 iPhone 7s for $350 each. $1400 in ($350*2+$700 card). $110 out ($90 for 5s’s + $20 extra line for 2 months($10 kickback discount) Net of $1290, the cost of one full 256gb iPhone X. = True bogo.

If you actually look at the terms and do that math, this deal is hardly anything but good if you plan on flipping them. If you decide to keep one of the iPhone 7's, you'll make ~$100 but you'll be on a payment plan for your iPhone 7 you're keeping (22/month). If you decide to sell both phones, you'll end up net negative $100. That's at best according to your numbers. It could be worse.

EDIT: Here's the math according to your proposition

(-90) Cost of two used iPhone 5s'
(-1100) Cost of two iPhone 7's
(-82.5) Cost of tax on two iPhone 7's in my state MN,USA
(-80) Min cost of two months of additional line
(+550) Prepaid card
(+700) Sales of two iPhone 7's

Grand total = -$102.5 and that doesn't include the cost of the number required to be imported since it needs to be acquired somehow.

 

[eyeseeyou]

Switching to t-mobile has been one of the biggest money savers I've made in the last year or so and as a service they consistently provide promotions and service updates.

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

I was hoping it would be a good one for me. We could stand to upgrade both iPhones, and I'd even be willing to trade in one of our old phones, but I can't get over the "port in a new line for one of the new devices" part. Would you even be able to cancel that line since it will be for one of the phones, or would that make the balance due on the BOGO phone? I have a great opinion of T-Mobile as my carrier for the last 5 years, but this deal sounds more payday lender than "uncarrier."

 

[JDHiro]

You need to add a new line for this? My whole family is already on TMO, bleh.

 

[barkomatic]

Too many strings on this deal.

 

[Mobster1983]

Switching to t-mobile has been one of the biggest money savers I've made in the last year or so and as a service they consistently provide promotions and service updates.

I really hope I can say the same. Only saving $30/month below what I had on Verizon. The problem is, over the last 2 weeks since I switched to T-mobile I'm LUCKY to see above 5 Mb/s download, occasionally getting to 20-30. Verizon it was constantly above 30, and normally at 70+, up to 150 Mb/s. Pretty disappointed so far. Main reason I switched was because Verizon was just pissing me off as a matter of principle (customer for 16+ years and they aren't willing to offer any kind of deal on a new phone). Guess I will have to deal with this for a couple years.

 

[coachgq]

If you actually look at the terms and do that math, this deal is hardly anything but good if you plan on flipping them. If you decide to keep one of the iPhone 7's, you'll make ~$100 but you'll be on a payment plan for your iPhone 7 you're keeping (22/month). If you decide to sell both phones, you'll end up net negative $100. That's at best according to your numbers. It could be worse.

EDIT: Here's the math according to your proposition

(-90) Cost of two used iPhone 5s'
(-1100) Cost of two iPhone 7's
(-82.5) Cost of tax on two iPhone 7's in my state MN,USA
(-80) Min cost of two months of additional line
(+550) Prepaid card
(+700) Sales of two iPhone 7's

Grand total = -$102.5 and that doesn't include the cost of the number required to be imported since it needs to be acquired somehow.

Cost of the iphone 7 devices are not included because they are paid for and used. If we are doing that, are we going g all the way back to our first phone ever? They sell all day long for $350 on swappa. Your min cost of new line for 2 months is wrong. I won’t use any data on that line so with $20/per line plan plus $10 kickback each month, I’m looking at $20 for 2 months. Prepaid card is $700, not $550. How could you manipulate that for your scenario, seriously? What are you, a politician? We are at +210. If you take out the cost of iPhone 7s, and I don’t know how you can’t, unless we are going back to ground zero with first phones, we are at plus $1,310. Cost of one iPhone X.

 

[turtlebud]

if you buy 2 new iphone 8 or X from verizon on DPP and switch to tmobile, will you get 2x$650 credit? Seems like it might be a better deal.

 

[Tig Bitties]

Is T-Mobile still requiring that ridiculous $300 deposit on the 64GB iPhone x and $430 deposit on the 256 gigabyte version?

Whereas AT&T Verizon and Sprint I checked every store and they were zero down to get the iPhone x, only T-Mobile had this high deposit requirement, no matter if you have top best credit score etc...