T-Mobile USA Begins Taking Pre-Orders for iPhone 5 Ahead of April 12 Launch

[yehudah72]

For those who pre-ordered from T-Mobile's website, what method of shipping did you use ?

I just spoke with T-Mobile, and was told the units will ship ON April 12th... So, if you choose UPS Ground... It'll be at least another 5 business days to get the device. There's no sense in paying $25 for overnight!!

So, what option did you choose ?

I'm thinking just going to the store on the 12th... Looking to buy the 32GB Black

I got FREE OVERNIGHT, but we won't see any deliveries until Mon 15th

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My girlfriend is tired of her Verizon phone and I've talked her into going the GSM route (we travel internationally and swap sims constantly), she just has one question.......

Can she keep her Verizon phone # if she goes after this tmobile iphone5?


Thanks for your helpful responses!

Get new T-Mo iPhone with new number, test it out in your area... If it works great, call T-Mo and ask them to Port your Verizon number over... That will replace your new number and cancel your Verizon line (at same time).

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"data is slowed to 2G speeds once the customer reaches 500 MB for the month"
So that's pretty much useless.

Not if you're on the Unlimited Plan

 

[TheMacBookPro]

meanwhile at T-Mobile in Germany
Image

meanwhile at Porsche in Germany

(~US$140k)

...compare to

I'll take a $40 more expensive phone plan than $40k higher MSRP on my car any day.

Then there's the whole other issue of fueling my car...

 

[yehudah72]

Can't believe I just saw "down payment" for a phone. Next thing you know, we'll have to start taking out bank loans for these things.

Dude!!! Read more carefully... T-Mo is giving you opportunity to make payments, interest-free.

It's like a Lay-Away plan, but you get to use the device from day 1... What more can you ask for????????

 

[writingdevil]

Dude!!! Read more carefully... T-Mo is giving you opportunity to make payments, interest-free.

It's like a Lay-Away plan, but you get to use the device from day 1... What more can you ask for????????

I'm not snarky, at least my gf thinks I'm not, but I think half ppl posting here haven't read the terms of agreement and financing options...and can't get the no-interest, no ETF TM offer. One person called it a shell game, another a scam?

 

[Evo-L]

So $60 plus $20/mo for the phone? How is my $80/m bill any lower than AT&T?

 

[hexonxonx]

So $60 plus $20/mo for the phone? How is my $80/m bill any lower than AT&T?

You are not locked into a contract and stuck with the phone.

 

[aristotle]

So $60 plus $20/mo for the phone? How is my $80/m bill any lower than AT&T?

So after you have already paid off your phone on AT&T, how is it that your bill is the same as if you had a subsidized phone?

Your bill does not automatically lower if you have already paid off the phone.

 

[tb5]

I'm not snarky, at least my gf thinks I'm not, but I think half ppl posting here haven't read the terms of agreement and financing options...and can't get the no-interest, no ETF TM offer. One person called it a shell game, another a scam?

i don't get it ether, why people don't get it. you pay for the phone and you pay for the service separate.
what is so hard to understand about it??

it is like you buy a car and you pay for gas.

only at ATT they lump both payments together and call it a "free" phone. but the "free" phone is more expensive then the "payed" phone on t-mobile.

if you wanna save money and keep your phone for 3 years you can at t-mobile, but not on the other carriers with their old fashioned 90's rip off business model
but i guess the word free is like some magic thing to some people

 

[Stewie]

I got FREE OVERNIGHT, but we won't see any deliveries until Mon 15th

I paid $12 for overnight. Was told it will ship on the 11th and I will get it on the 12th.

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.....

What I like about it is that they offer things in a way that almost everyone would understand. .

Um after reading a lot of comments about their new plan I am pretty sure most people don't understand it, even though I agree it is pretty simple to figure out. Not sure why so many people just aren't getting it??

 

[31 Flavas]

So $60 plus $20/mo for the phone? How is my $80/m bill any lower than AT&T?

You're getting more on T-mo, too. I trust you can add in extra data charge to both if you need it. For both, its +$10/mo.

On AT&T $40/mo for 450 mins + $20/mo 300 meg data (no tethering) +$20 for Txt. (Data Overage is + $20 per 300 meg)

$50/mo on T-Mo gets Unlimited calls + txt + 500 meg high-speed data (tethering included and no data overage fees) + $20/mo for phone (which goes away after paid off).

So $80/mo on AT&T (for less) vs $70/mo (for more) on T-Mo.

After you pay off your phone its: AT&T $80/mo vs T-Mo $50/mo

Or bring your existing iPhone to T-Mo. I brought my launch day iPhone 4 and put it on the $30/mo Pre-paid. (100 mins calls, unlimited txt, 5gb data)

 

[charlituna]

Those of you who are saying you aren't under contract, your wrong. You pay $20 a month for the phone which is a 2 year contract..

You are under contract for the phone, not the service. If you want to walk, you have to pay off the phone.

 

[Stewie]

This is a shell game. "No contract but sign this contract to agree to pay off your iphone in 2 years."

All carriers will unlock your phone once it is paid for.

It really isn't that hard to understand, so not sure why you and others are having such a hard time with it.

It isn't a contract it is a interest free loan. You pay off the loan anytime you want and the phone is yours. Every other carrier plays the shell game by hiding the cost of the phone in the monthly service free. And since it is hidden you continue to pay it even after you have fully paid for the phone.

 

[sparrky]

Every other carrier plays the shell game by hiding the cost of the phone in the monthly service fee. And since it is hidden you continue to pay it even after you have fully paid for the phone.

this ^

Anyone who is not getting it, just read that repeatedly until you do.

 

[HenryDJP]

Untrue. Sprint will not unlock the phone at the end of the contract. I know because I have been on the phone with Sprint and Apple. Sprint's official company policy is to not unlock phones, period. Interesting thing is I can't see to find anywhere in their fine print that states as such. This really pisses me off and that is one of the reasons I am switching out of Sprint.

Also, with A&T, Verizon and Sprint charges a ETF if you are on a contract. T-Mobile doesn't. T-Mobile is upfront about the price of the iPhone and is even charging $70 less then if you bought the same phone from Apple. Where is this shell game that you stated?

I know all of this "sounds" good with T-Mobile but I can't help but wonder why are they really doing this? They could've easily grabbed new customers for the iPhone by being more competitive with their rate plans. To offer the iPhone cheaper, allow the customer to pay off the phone in installments, have lower/competitive rate plans, no contractual agreements, the customer has the option to upgrade at anytime, quit at anytime with no ETF, quit and pay off the phone and take it with them unlocked makes me wonder where the "gotcha" is.

 

[yehudah72]

I know all of this "sounds" good with T-Mobile but I can't help but wonder why are they really doing this? They could've easily grabbed new customers for the iPhone by being more competitive with their rate plans. To offer the iPhone cheaper, allow the customer to pay off the phone in installments, have lower/competitive rate plans, no contractual agreements, the customer has the option to upgrade at anytime, quit at anytime with no ETF, quit and pay off the phone and take it with them unlocked makes me wonder where the "gotcha" is.

There's no "gotcha"!!!

They made it plain & simple... In addition to the six iPhone 5 I ordered, I'm bringing over four iPhone 4S from AT&T and all I'm paying on those is the $10 for additional line and $20 unlimited data.

FYI: I opened a Business Account which works a bit different, like:
1. I got $200 account credit per line... Which was total $2000 credit into my account for the 10 lines
2. I get free 500MB hotspot use per line
3. I get free WiFi calling feature
4. Got free Antenna Signal Booster for my home... So, it's like I have my very own Cell Tower inside my home
5. I paid $0.00 up front for each iPhone 5
6. Free overnight shipping when iPhone is Launched
7. I added a Sonic 2.0 hotspot to use for my iPads & laptops and got special lower rate on that plan too


OPEN A BUSINESS ACCOUNT IF YOU OWN YOUR OWN BUSINESS (Corp)... Must have a FEIN, not SSN!!!

 

[Westside guy]

anyone able to purchase directly without a simpleplan?

I'm a T-Mobile prepaid customer. When I click "Log in to see your special price", I am shown a number of phones... none of which is the iPhone.

Apparently prepaid users aren't eligible for this. But then, I'm paying $30/month rather than $50+...

 

[writingdevil]

I know all of this "sounds" good with T-Mobile but I can't help but wonder why are they really doing this? They could've easily grabbed new customers for the iPhone by being more competitive with their rate plans. To offer the iPhone cheaper, allow the customer to pay off the phone in installments, have lower/competitive rate plans, no contractual agreements, the customer has the option to upgrade at anytime, quit at anytime with no ETF, quit and pay off the phone and take it with them unlocked makes me wonder where the "gotcha" is.

You sound like my gramps. His philosophy is...everything has a gimmick. Of course, he comes from the school of con artists, fortunately never got in the slammer for it, but cocks his eye at anything that looks like a good deal.
TM sounds more like my uncle, a very shrewd business man, who innovates with his product marketing, beating his competition while they, usually, just keep on their beaten path. He risks, a lot, but so far, has come way out on top. I like (thinking) risk takers.
AND...maybe, just maybe, they want to grow their customer base.

 

[Terrin]

Those prices are good. Good, but not great, when you consider how limited (geographically) t-mo's network is. If they have strong signal where you are, and you don't travel much, then great. But I used to have a t-mo blackberry for work, and it didn't get signal a lot of places my AT&T iPhone did. So for me, that cost savings (which is really not so much at all with the $20/month while paying off the device) is not enough to justify the loss in service.

T-mobile has good coverage for most people, especially in cities. However, even in remote areas where there is no coverage, roaming is included. Where I live in Ann Arbor Michigan the coverage is better than AT&T. I have had maybe one dropped call in over a year.

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I'm a T-Mobile prepaid customer. When I click "Log in to see your special price", I am shown a number of phones... none of which is the iPhone.

Apparently prepaid users aren't eligible for this. But then, I'm paying $30/month rather than $50+...

Considering they haven't released it yet that doesn't surprise me.

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I know all of this "sounds" good with T-Mobile but I can't help but wonder why are they really doing this? They could've easily grabbed new customers for the iPhone by being more competitive with their rate plans. To offer the iPhone cheaper, allow the customer to pay off the phone in installments, have lower/competitive rate plans, no contractual agreements, the customer has the option to upgrade at anytime, quit at anytime with no ETF, quit and pay off the phone and take it with them unlocked makes me wonder where the "gotcha" is.

Maybe it decided in order to win customers it had to try something different. Namely provide a product that is appealing.

 

[ItsATrap!]

My plan was grandfathered in. $35 for 500 minutes talk and $5 for 200MB data.
I don't download video, just basic web/maps, so saving $120/year is well worth losing 300MB/month that I would never use!

And the nice thing is if I ever do want to upgrade my data plan, I'll get 4.5GB and pay the same price as new customers will have to pay to get only 2.5GB!

Existing T-Mobile customers should go through the my.t-mobile upgrade shop instead of the front page pre-order ad.

 

[HenryDJP]

There's no "gotcha"!!!

They made it plain & simple... In addition to the six iPhone 5 I ordered, I'm bringing over four iPhone 4S from AT&T and all I'm paying on those is the $10 for additional line and $20 unlimited data.

FYI: I opened a Business Account which works a bit different, like:
1. I got $200 account credit per line... Which was total $2000 credit into my account for the 10 lines
2. I get free 500MB hotspot use per line
3. I get free WiFi calling feature
4. Got free Antenna Signal Booster for my home... So, it's like I have my very own Cell Tower inside my home
5. I paid $0.00 up front for each iPhone 5
6. Free overnight shipping when iPhone is Launched
7. I added a Sonic 2.0 hotspot to use for my iPads & laptops and got special lower rate on that plan too


OPEN A BUSINESS ACCOUNT IF YOU OWN YOUR OWN BUSINESS (Corp)... Must have a FEIN, not SSN!!!

Well you're going into something totally different, I was only referring to how they are advertising their new sales scheme for standard customers, not business accounts. Sounds like you got a great deal still, although I'm sure a Sole Proprietor could still use their social. I'm a Sole Proprietor and all Sprint required of me is to show that I have a business account opened at my credit union and with that proof all I needed was my social.

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You sound like my gramps. His philosophy is...everything has a gimmick. Of course, he comes from the school of con artists, fortunately never got in the slammer for it, but cocks his eye at anything that looks like a good deal.
TM sounds more like my uncle, a very shrewd business man, who innovates with his product marketing, beating his competition while they, usually, just keep on their beaten path. He risks, a lot, but so far, has come way out on top. I like (thinking) risk takers.
AND...maybe, just maybe, they want to grow their customer base.

LOL, I sound like your gramps? You sound like one of my kids, as long as it sounds true, it's gotta be. . I suggest to always proceed with caution. T-mobile is not a startup company, they are dropping their drawers a lot more than expected of a company that's trying to "grow their customer base". There may not be a single hidden "gotcha", but I have sense enough to be cautious with an established company that offers a huge package of goodies that the competition isn't even in the ballpark of offering. I used to be a T-Mobile customer, they were great, at least for me, but this time around I'm going to sit back and let the guinea pigs find the gotchas if there are any at all. Hopefully not.

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Maybe it decided in order to win customers it had to try something different. Namely provide a product that is appealing.

That's more than just "appealing". Their deal is overly crazy good. I'm already considering dropping Sprint to go back to T-Mobile but I'm going to wait it out first. How many people right here on MR end up falling for Apple's great marketing on their latest product offering, be the first in line to buy it, be the first to come here and brag and be the first to come here whining about what's wrong with it in terms of what corners Apple cut that weren't announced?

 

[WG5516]

Can anyone provide me with a few details. I'm looking to pick the phone up on launch day. I've never done a launch day pick up for a phone before, what tips do you have in regards to these events? Also what time do you think Tmo stores will open on that day?

Thanks, I'm super excited to get my first iPhone.

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I have read online that both the 32GB and 64GB models are only available online.

Do you have any links to support that? I hope that's not true.

 

[Taz Mangus]

I know all of this "sounds" good with T-Mobile but I can't help but wonder why are they really doing this? They could've easily grabbed new customers for the iPhone by being more competitive with their rate plans. To offer the iPhone cheaper, allow the customer to pay off the phone in installments, have lower/competitive rate plans, no contractual agreements, the customer has the option to upgrade at anytime, quit at anytime with no ETF, quit and pay off the phone and take it with them unlocked makes me wonder where the "gotcha" is.

I understand what you are saying. I am currently with Sprint. I went with them originally because of their advertised unlimited, not throtlled 3G data plan at a great price. The gotcha with Sprint is that their data rate in my area is slower then modem speed (average speed of under 300kbps). What good is a unlimited data plan when you can't use it. Gotcha number 2 is that Sprint refuses to unlock any phones at the end of the contract, period. The last gotcha is that Sprint says they are upgrading in my area with a undetermined completion date. I have been with Sprint for 15 months and in that time my wife and I have had zero days where we were able to use Sprint so-called 3G data. I am not willing, at this point, to wait and see when Sprint is going to come through with their promised unlimited unthrottled 3G data plan. I can't wait to switch away from Sprint.

I was using T-Mobile service about 8 years ago. T-Mobile has great cutomer service. Given their current wireless plan, if they don't work out for me I can pay off the phones and take them to any carrier I want. And given that the T-Mobile unlocked iPhone 5 is $70 cheaper then Apple or anyone else that alone is worth trying T-Mobile. I like T-Mobiles no ETF policy.

T-Mobile will even let me trade in my Sprint iPhone 4S and apply it to the down payment for the iPhone 5. It is basically a wash where I will end up not having to pay the down payment for the iPhone 5.

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Can anyone provide me with a few details. I'm looking to pick the phone up on launch day. I've never done a launch day pick up for a phone before, what tips do you have in regards to these events? Also what time do you think Tmo stores will open on that day?

Thanks, I'm super excited to get my first iPhone.

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Do you have any links to support that? I hope that's not true.

I called T-Mobile and they told me that they will only stock the 16GB iPhone 5 in the store. The 32GB and 64GB will have to be ordered on-line.

 

[HenryDJP]

I understand what you are saying. I am currently with Sprint. I went with them originally because of their advertised unlimited, not throtlled 3G data plan at a great price. The gotcha with Sprint is that their data rate in my area is slower then modem speed (average speed of under 300kbps). What good is a unlimited data plan when you can't use it. Gotcha number 2 is that Sprint refuses to unlock any phones at the end of the contract, period. The last gotcha is that Sprint says they are upgrading in my area with a undetermined completion date. I have been with Sprint for 15 months and in that time my wife and I have had zero days where we were able to use Sprint so-called 3G data. I am not willing, at this point, to wait and see when Sprint is going to come through with their promised unlimited unthrottled 3G data plan. I can't wait to switch away from Sprint.

I was using T-Mobile service about 8 years ago. T-Mobile has great cutomer service. Given their current wireless plan, if they don't work out for me I can pay off the phones and take them to any carrier I want. And given that the T-Mobile unlocked iPhone 5 is $70 cheaper then Apple or anyone else that alone is worth trying T-Mobile. I like T-Mobiles no ETF policy.

T-Mobile will even let me trade in my Sprint iPhone 4S and apply it to the down payment for the iPhone 5. It is basically a wash where I will end up not having to pay the down payment for the iPhone 5.

I agree with you 100%, word for word. This is my exact experience with Sprint. They offered the best priced plan feature for feature against AT&T and Verizon so I signed up with them and bought my iPhone 4S. Same experience as you, the unlimited data is slow in more places than I care to count and their promises of upgrading the service seemed to be nothing more than "promises". Typical of a company being overly competitive and offering deals that seem too good to be true. I also agree about T-Mobile's customer service, they were great when I was with them and I am very tempted to leave Sprint and try out their new offerings but this time around, I won't be naive as some people are here just believing that there's zero gotchas before even entering into the deal.

 

[Verbatim Cookie]

The $70 unlimited plan is unthrottled full 4G or LTE speeds. As much as you want to use on Tmobile.

Check the fine print. It says something like you can't abuse it, you can't adversely affect the speeds of other T-Mobile users, yadda yadda yadda.

 

[CEmajr]

Check the fine print. It says something like you can't abuse it, you can't adversely affect the speeds of other T-Mobile users, yadda yadda yadda.

That's true but they're mainly talking about illegal tethering. I've had customers using 20gb+ on their lines with no throttling. Tmobile doesn't really care unless that usage came from illegal tethering.