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T-Mobile offers iPhone 5 for $0 down to carrier-switching iPhone users

Updated Aug 1st, 2018 1:10PM EDT
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Watch out, rival carriers: T-Mobile has its eyes on your iPhone subscribers. The so-called “un-carrier” on Wednesday announced that it would give new customers an iPhone 5 for $0 down if they trade in their iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S models. The iPhone 5 won’t be completely free, however, because customers will still have to pay monthly charges over a two-year period to pay off the cost of the device. That said, iPhone users who switch from other carriers will still be getting an iPhone 5 for $99 less than current T-Mobile subscribers who want to buy the device and for $199 less than what they’d pay on other carriers. T-Mobile’s full press release is posted below.

iPhone 5 Comes to T-Mobile Friday With New

$0 Down Trade-In Offer

BELLEVUE, Wash. — April 10, 2013 — Delivering on its Un-carrier promise to change how wireless is done in America, T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced it will supplement its amazing iPhone 5 upfront pricing with a special trade-in offer when the revolutionary smartphone arrives in T-Mobile stores this Friday, April 12. 

“Our message to iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 customers is simple: bring in your device and trade up to iPhone 5 on T-Mobile,” said Mike Sievert, chief marketing officer for T-Mobile. “We’re making it incredibly attractive to buy an iPhone 5 by pairing an un-beatable upfront price and trade-in offer with Simple Choice, the most hassle-free and affordable rate plan in wireless.”

The special trade-in offer, which lasts through Father’s Day on June 16, enables well-qualified customers who bring in their iPhone 4S or iPhone 4 to get iPhone 5 for $0 down plus monthly payments, with a no annual service contract Simple Choice Plan from T-Mobile. Depending on the trade-in value of their device, customers will also receive a credit of up to $120, which can be used toward monthly payments, an existing T-Mobile bill, or the purchase of accessories or another device.

Through its Simple Choice Plan, T-Mobile is the only major U.S. wireless company offering iPhone 5 with no annual service contract plus unlimited talk, text and Web on a screaming-fast nationwide 4G network.

With T-Mobile, iPhone 5 customers will enjoy an outstanding 4G wireless experience, seamlessly connecting to both T-Mobile’s existing 4G and growing 4G LTE networks. T-Mobile recently announced 4G LTE service in seven major metropolitan areas, including Baltimore; Houston; Kansas City; Las Vegas; Phoenix; San Jose, Calif.; and Washington, D.C. T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network is expected to reach 100 million people by midyear and 200 million nationwide by the end of 2013. The company’s 4G HSPA+ network reaches 225 million people in 229 metropolitan areas.

Simple Choice
T-Mobile offers iPhone 5 customers one of the simplest and most competitive consumer rate plans in wireless. Rather than providing a dizzying number of consumer rate plans, T-Mobile has just one: Simple Choice.

T-Mobile’s Simple Choice Plan starts with a base rate of $50 per month for unlimited talk, text and Web with 500MB of up to 4G speed data. Consumers can add 2GB of up to 4G speed data for $10 per month per line or get unlimited 4G data for an additional $20 per month per line. Customers can add a second phone line for $30 per month, and each additional line is just $10 per month. There are no caps and no overages.

Pricing & Availability
iPhone 5 will be available nationwide on Friday, April 12 beginning at 9 a.m. at all T-Mobile company-owned retail stores, as well as online. iPhone 5 will be available for well-qualified customers with T-Mobile’s Simple Choice Plan for $99.99 down and $20 per month for 24 months. 0% APR O.A.C.

Brad Reed
Brad Reed Staff Writer

Brad Reed has written about technology for over eight years at BGR.com and Network World. Prior to that, he wrote freelance stories for political publications such as AlterNet and the American Prospect. He has a Master's Degree in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University.