What is the point of T-Mobile's version of the Nexus 4?

[bobjohnson322]

Why is t-mobile having their own version of the phone, but subsidizing it like any other phone? They are charging $200 for the phone but are giving you these choices, according to their press release:
"Value Plan: $199.99 out of pocket down payment and 20 equal payments of $20 per month with a two year service agreement on qualifying voice and data plans
Classic Plan: $199.99 with a two-year service agreement on qualifying voice and data plans". Why not buy the phone unlocked from Google for $349, and then sign on for their $30/month prepaid plan with unlimited text/ 5 GB of 4G data/100 min? Initially I thought it was because the version from Google was only HSPA + 21, and T-mobile got their own HSPA+ 42 version, but that does not seem to be the case anymore. Specs from Google:
"NETWORK
Unlocked GSM/UMTS/HSPA+
GSM/EDGE/GPRS (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
3G (850, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100 MHz)
HSPA+ 42"

Am I missing something here, or is the $30 plan too good to be true?
Im confused.

 

[anon(847090)]

To make more money from some dumb people. unfortunately thats true story.

 

[Woosh]

To make more money from some dumb people. unfortunately thats true story.

I wouldn't say dumb, more like uninformed. The way the US market works its rare to just "shop" around for a cell phone. They pick a carrier and they go and look at the plans and get a phone on subsidy. So I can see it hard for most ppl to figure out this phone is for sale on Google play. Esp since Google likely won't do any advertising for it.

But tbh....walking into a T-Mo store this imo is the best phone for the price. If the comparison wasn't $180 more for a fully unlocked no contract version it would be great. But if you rly think about it, if you want and/or need unlimited data its worth getting on subsidy since the ETF is only $200 bringing the overall cost of the phone to $400 without needing to get it shipped.

 

[youareme7]

Why not buy the phone unlocked from Google for $349, and then sign on for their $30/month prepaid plan with unlimited text/ 5 GB of 4G data/100 min? Initially I thought it was because the version from Google was only HSPA + 21, and T-mobile got their own HSPA+ 42 version, but that does not seem to be the case anymore. Specs from Google:
"NETWORK
Unlocked GSM/UMTS/HSPA+
GSM/EDGE/GPRS (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
3G (850, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100 MHz)
HSPA+ 42"

Am I missing something here, or is the $30 plan too good to be true?
Im confused.

If you don't need more than the 100 minutes a month, that $30 plan is amazing and unmatched as far as I can tell. Unfortunately for me I use a lot more than that and so far haven't come up with a fool proof way to use google voice and some VOIP service to offset that fact.

 

[mech1164]

Yep that's so true. People just see the price and never do the math. At this point I'm definitely not just going to grab the first thing I see. I'd rather pay up front and save more money in the long run. Most people have forgotten that. And then they wonder why their credit balance is so darn high. :banghead:

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[Andrew Martonik]

Because Google wanted a little bit of retail presence with the one carrier that won't taint the software/firmware or lock it down.

Other than that, there's really no reason not to buy the Nexus 4 from the Play Store.

T-Mobile's plans are great, but there's really no reason to buy it on contract there unless you're in a family plan that can't budge and want to save $150 by using an upgrade. Even then, if you wanna deal with hassle you're probably better off using the upgrade on another device and selling that for profit.

 

[bobjohnson322]

I wouldn't say dumb, more like uninformed. The way the US market works its rare to just "shop" around for a cell phone. They pick a carrier and they go and look at the plans and get a phone on subsidy. So I can see it hard for most ppl to figure out this phone is for sale on Google play. Esp since Google likely won't do any advertising for it.

But tbh....walking into a T-Mo store this imo is the best phone for the price. If the comparison wasn't $180 more for a fully unlocked no contract version it would be great. But if you rly think about it, if you want and/or need unlimited data its worth getting on subsidy since the ETF is only $200 bringing the overall cost of the phone to $400 without needing to get it shipped.

how much do you think Google is going to charge for shipping for the $350 (16GB) version? How much did they charge for the galaxy nexus or the nexus 7 - might be similar to that? And I guess going with T-mobile would be advantageous if you are going for the $60 plan since you get more data in their "Value option" as opposed to the monthly 4G.

 

[bobjohnson322]

If you don't need more than the 100 minutes a month, that $30 plan is amazing and unmatched as far as I can tell. Unfortunately for me I use a lot more than that and so far haven't come up with a fool proof way to use google voice and some VOIP service to offset that fact.

Yea, hopefully they don't get rid of it...

- - - Updated - - -

Because Google wanted a little bit of retail presence with the one carrier that won't taint the software/firmware or lock it down.

Other than that, there's really no reason not to buy the Nexus 4 from the Play Store.

T-Mobile's plans are great, but there's really no reason to buy it on contract there unless you're in a family plan that can't budge and want to save $150 by using an upgrade. Even then, if you wanna deal with hassle you're probably better off using the upgrade on another device and selling that for profit.

They couldn't like "block" you from activating the unlocked one from Google right? I'm new to this thing. BTW, how much data are you getting with Straight Talk? Does this https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...ww.straighttalk.com%2FCoverage&token=4Xik_Ed8 mean that you can choose from 4 different GSM networks (A meaning att and t meaning tmobile)? Thanks

 

[Woosh]

how much do you think Google is going to charge for shipping for the $350 (16GB) version? How much did they charge for the galaxy nexus or the nexus 7 - might be similar to that? And I guess going with T-mobile would be advantageous if you are going for the $60 plan since you get more data in their "Value option" as opposed to the monthly 4G.

It was $380 and change iirc after taxes and shipping. I believe shipping was $15? They only gave one option and that was 2 day shipping.

 

[bobjohnson322]

It was $380 and change iirc after taxes and shipping. I believe shipping was $15? They only gave one option and that was 2 day shipping.

Still a good deal for this kind of hardware.

 

[Woosh]

They couldn't like "block" you from activating the unlocked one from Google right? I'm new to this thing. BTW, how much data are you getting with Straight Talk?

Nope they can't block it. I shouldn't say "can't" because it might be very possible. But they won't.

Still a good deal for this kind of hardware.

Absolutely.

 

[ggalmin]

I curious about tmobiles hspa+ network and have looked on there coverage map. Is it only some areas with the 42mbps or does it go up or down depending on your area? Can anyone shed some light on this?

 

[Woosh]

I curious about tmobiles hspa+ network and have looked on there coverage map. Is it only some areas with the 42mbps or does it go up or down depending on your area? Can anyone shed some light on this?

It's only certain areas....I don't think they have a map that will distinguish a difference.

 

[Andrew Martonik]

They couldn't like "block" you from activating the unlocked one from Google right? I'm new to this thing. BTW, how much data are you getting with Straight Talk? Does this Support - Service Area mean that you can choose from 4 different GSM networks (A meaning att and t meaning tmobile)? Thanks

No, T-Mobile doesn't (and can't) do that. Your activation and account is tied to your SIM, not your phone. You put the SIM in any phone you want. They openly accept and promote your ability to bring an unlocked phone to their network.

I curious about tmobiles hspa+ network and have looked on there coverage map. Is it only some areas with the 42mbps or does it go up or down depending on your area? Can anyone shed some light on this?

Most areas that have HSPA+ coverage are 42mbps.

 

[ggalmin]

Would be safe to say that's their darkest green color for coverage and perhaps the 2nd darkest green would still be in a 22 Mbps coverage?

 

[Andrew Martonik]

Would be safe to say that's their darkest green color for coverage and perhaps the 2nd darkest green would still be in a 22 Mbps coverage?

Well it doesn't matter what they consider "strong" coverage, its all about which towers have been updated to be on 42mbps. My understanding is they've rolled that out to most towers they have operational.

 

[bobjohnson322]

I wouldn't say dumb, more like uninformed. The way the US market works its rare to just "shop" around for a cell phone. They pick a carrier and they go and look at the plans and get a phone on subsidy. So I can see it hard for most ppl to figure out this phone is for sale on Google play. Esp since Google likely won't do any advertising for it.

But tbh....walking into a T-Mo store this imo is the best phone for the price. If the comparison wasn't $180 more for a fully unlocked no contract version it would be great. But if you rly think about it, if you want and/or need unlimited data its worth getting on subsidy since the ETF is only $200 bringing the overall cost of the phone to $400 without needing to get it shipped.

I just realized it would be $600 not $400 since they want you to pay $200 up front and 20 payments of $20 = $600. Rip off.

 

[pokingmon]

The only things that concern me about getting the unlocked version and already being an off-contract Tmobile customer, is the microsim situation. Does Tmobile have microsims? And do they swap them out for free like they do with normal sims?

Also, do you guys think the phone insurance plans will let me switch to the new phone even though it will be purchased through the Play Store?

 

[bobjohnson322]

The only things that concern me about getting the unlocked version and already being an off-contract Tmobile customer, is the microsim situation. Does Tmobile have microsims? And do they swap them out for free like they do with normal sims?

Also, do you guys think the phone insurance plans will let me switch to the new phone even though it will be purchased through the Play Store?

You can buy a micro SIM activation kit from t-mobile's web site. its $1.

- - - Updated - - -

If you don't need more than the 100 minutes a month, that $30 plan is amazing and unmatched as far as I can tell. Unfortunately for me I use a lot more than that and so far haven't come up with a fool proof way to use google voice and some VOIP service to offset that fact.

Is it true that there's an issue with tmo pre paid and Google voice? something to do with voicemail?

 

[pokingmon]

Yesssss, thanks for the info!