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Carrier T-Mobile Users - How do you purchase your iPhones on launch?

heyyitssusan

heyyitssusan

macrumors 601
Original poster
Feb 9, 2014
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So I just switched to T-Mobile yesterday and I’ve noticed that a lot of the big box retailers only have deals on phones for AT&T, Verizon, & Sprint.

Are the two best places to purchase are T-Mobile themselves or Apple? Is it hard to get through on T-Mobile.com to pre-order like it is on Apple.com? Granted last year was pretty smooth. Hoping that when the 12 launches this year, they have the SIM Free versions available right away, like they did with the 11 & 11 Pro.
 
heyyitssusan said:
So I just switched to T-Mobile yesterday and I’ve noticed that a lot of the big box retailers only have deals on phones for AT&T, Verizon, & Sprint.

Are the two best places to purchase are T-Mobile themselves or Apple? Is it hard to get through on T-Mobile.com to pre-order like it is on Apple.com? Granted last year was pretty smooth. Hoping that when the 12 launches this year, they have the SIM Free versions available right away, like they did with the 11 & 11 Pro.
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I’ve always preordered my iPhones through T-Mobile with little to no issues. The only iPhones I never received on launch day was the 7+ (I preordered 2 weeks late) and the 11 Pro Max which I never ordered. I even received my S4 on launch day when it was released. This year I’m switching to Verizon, which I’m currently now on the fence about. I have a grandfather plan which I now don’t want to lose, so I’m hoping Qualcomm is back in iPhones and the Sim free version is released or I may just switch to Verizon in the end.
 
StaceyMJ86 said:
I’ve always preordered my iPhones through T-Mobile with little to no issues. The only iPhones I never received on launch day was the 7+ (I preordered 2 weeks late) and the 11 Pro Max which I never ordered. I even received my S4 on launch day when it was released. This year I’m switching to Verizon, which I’m currently now on the fence about. I have a grandfather plan which I now don’t want to lose, so I’m hoping Qualcomm is back in iPhones and the Sim free version is released or I may just switch to Verizon in the end.
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Funny cause I just switched to T-Mobile from Verizon. They were skimping me on data cause I had the lower tier unlimited plan. I only have 1 line, and didn’t think $80 was worth it for 1 person.
 
I have always pre-ordered from Apple to get the SIM free model by paying in full. I have never tried using the T-Mobile site. Although I really like T-Mobile’s business model, the one thing I don’t like is their down payment requirement. I have great credit and being a customer, I don’t see why I should have to concern myself with a down payment.
 
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BasicGreatGuy said:
I have always pre-ordered from Apple to get the SIM free model by paying in full. I have never tried using the T-Mobile site. Although I really like T-Mobile’s business model, the one thing I don’t like is their down payment requirement. I great credit and being a customer, I don’t see why I should have to concern myself with a down payment.
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I agree with this. I noticed that was different from VZW, and they don’t have an option where you can trade in your phone after you’ve paid off 50% (I think it used to be called JUMP but I don’t see it anymore, so probably only grandfathered in) They do offer a one time payment option as well too, so I may try that if they don’t offer SIM free models with Apple this year.
 
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heyyitssusan said:
I agree with this. I noticed that was different from VZW, and they don’t have an option where you can trade in your phone after you’ve paid off 50% (I think it used to be called JUMP but I don’t see it anymore, so probably only grandfathered in) They do offer a one time payment option as well too, so I may try that if they don’t offer SIM free models with Apple this year.
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These are the screenshots I have regarding Jump!, Jump On Demand and EIP. I’m grandfathered in on a Simple Choice plan and pay $18 for Protection 360 which includes AppleCare+ and I can upgrade once 50% of my device is paid off. I pay a down payment when upgrading so my device is 50% paid off before the next iPhone is released.

7421ea12e69d53b18624720364f2e78c.jpg

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StaceyMJ86 said:
These are the screenshots I have regarding Jump!, Jump On Demand and EIP. I’m grandfathered in on a Simple Choice plan and pay $18 for Protection 360 which includes AppleCare+ and I can upgrade once 50% of my device is paid off.

7421ea12e69d53b18624720364f2e78c.jpg

66588185908fb5665ff2a207d2761d69.jpg

63103702d4ac21c34ca963e7124c9826.jpg
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Oh wow, is it still available, I wonder? Thanks for this. The protection 360 sounds like a pretty good deal, especially since you get AC with it.
 
heyyitssusan said:
Oh wow, is it still available, I wonder? Thanks for this. The protection 360 sounds like a pretty good deal, especially since you get AC with it.
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I love the Protection Plan with the EIP. I haven’t separately paid for AppleCare+ since my iPhone X. I know for sure the EIP is available. I have had it for my daughter’s iPhone 11 since March. Her device is almost paid off so I can upgrade her now if I want to.
 
StaceyMJ86 said:
I love the Protection Plan with the EIP. I haven’t separately paid for AppleCare+ since my iPhone X. I know for sure the EIP is available. I have had it for my daughter’s iPhone 11 since March. Her device is almost paid off so I can upgrade her now if I want to.
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awesome, Yes I hate having to shell an extra $250-299 for AC+.
 
Unlocked sim free from Apple. They’ve been available at launch for at least the last 2 years as that’s how I bought my XS Max.
 
I buy mine unlocked through Apple. T Mobile’s massive down payment and offers only for new customers are terrible. I love their service and my bill is low, but I will not buy a device through them. They will not finance more than 750.00 of the device. If you absolutely need to buy through them, order online or over the phone. They don’t charge an upgrade or restocking fee if you order through those 2 methods.
 
dooku77 said:
I buy mine unlocked through Apple. T Mobile’s massive down payment and offers only for new customers are terrible. I love their service and my bill is low, but I will not buy a device through them. They will not finance more than 750.00 of the device. If you absolutely need to buy through them, order online or over the phone. They don’t charge an upgrade or restocking fee if you order through those 2 methods.
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That is good to know. do they charge upgrade fees or anything if I were to purchase through T-Mobile?
 
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I have this same exact question as I haven't had to look into buying a phone since the 6s+ 5 years ago

Anyone buy from Costco? Been reading that they have good deals? And their warranty if you pay with the Costco card is extended? and 2-4% reward credit back?

Can I ask what is the SIM free model and is that the same as unlocked? You need to buy a SIM separate or it just operates without a SIM?
 
Gonna be looking over this myself soon. I like to pay for my phones in full and with Apple Card getting 3% back on purchases from both Apple & T-Mobile, I guess it's kind of a wash between the two.

Guessing I'll probably go with Apple just because they'll have cases and accessories ready to go day one.
 
I use the iPhone upgrade program through Apple. Has worked flawlessly for me since the hiccups of the first few years.
 
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nrvna76 said:
I use the iPhone upgrade program through Apple. Has worked flawlessly for me since the hiccups of the first few years.
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I forgot about this option. So basically, you are able to trade in your phone every year and start the process over again right?
[automerge]1595238969[/automerge]
trevorplease said:
I have this same exact question as I haven't had to look into buying a phone since the 6s+ 5 years ago

Anyone buy from Costco? Been reading that they have good deals? And their warranty if you pay with the Costco card is extended? and 2-4% reward credit back?

Can I ask what is the SIM free model and is that the same as unlocked? You need to buy a SIM separate or it just operates without a SIM?
Click to expand...

I don’t know about the Costco deals, but yes, SIM free is pretty much the same as unlocked. You just basically transfer your current SIM card into the SIM Free phone. I bought mine that way in September, and was able to switch from CDMA to GSM with no issues.
 
heyyitssusan said:
I forgot about this option. So basically, you are able to trade in your phone every year and start the process over again right?
[automerge]1595238969[/automerge]
Click to expand...

Yep, there are some caveats. Like it comes with AppleCare as part of the payment. If your trade in phone is damaged they charge the replacement cost when you trade. And, I believe it’s a soft credit pull every year although some state it’s a hard credit pull..
 
When I had T-Mobile it was always an.... interesting experience buying iPhones at 3am with them. The last time I bought (XS) was the first time T-Mobile was available for purchase thru Apple and it was 1000 times smoother. I literally woke up, ordered, and went back to sleep. That plus not having to do the massive down payment like someone else mentioned made going thru Apple my preferred option.
 
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My phone is a 6s plus, so I got it a while ago. However, I bought it unlocked at an Apple store then just popped in the sim from my previous iPhone 5 when I got home. Simple as that.

I switched to T-Mobile from AT&T while I owned the 5. I’ve gotten all my iPhones at an Apple store over the years.
 
Thanks all for your input.. I’ve always used Apple in the past as well and will probably stick with them. Not a big fan of financing. And this year I may sell my phone instead of doing the apple trade in. We’ll see.
 
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