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

[Andrew Martonik]

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.

It's actually reportedly $499. $199 down + $15/month for 20 months.

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?

T-Mobile stocks Mini, Micro and Nano SIMs. And you can cut or adapt any of them to be any other size. Don't worry.

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?

At least with the Galaxy Nexus, many of the 3rd party phone insurance plans worked. Although I'd be hesitant to suggest you get insurance... insurance is already a bad deal when the phone is $550-$650, so its really a bad deal when the phone is only $299-$349. Unless you're an extra-clumsy person or you're always hard on your phone, I'd pass on insurance. Self insure by being safe with your device, and save some $$ .

 

[Woosh]

At least with the Galaxy Nexus, many of the 3rd party phone insurance plans worked. Although I'd be hesitant to suggest you get insurance... insurance is already a bad deal when the phone is $550-$650, so its really a bad deal when the phone is only $299-$349. Unless you're an extra-clumsy person or you're always hard on your phone, I'd pass on insurance. Self insure by being safe with your device, and save some $$ .

Meh, I am not clumsy and are very good with my phones....But this is made of glass so that would worry me quite a bit. I would think it might be worth the extra $50-$70 for a year of coverage just for the peace of mind. I'll have to think about it for a bit though. Since I never case or protect my phones it seems somewhat worth it.

 

[anon(847090)]

Meh, I am not clumsy and are very good with my phones....But this is made of glass so that would worry me quite a bit. I would think it might be worth the extra $50-$70 for a year of coverage just for the peace of mind. I'll have to think about it for a bit though. Since I never case or protect my phones it seems somewhat worth it.

its made of gorilla glass 2. front and back. there is a difference.

see it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQcfCLcdSjU


more here https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=gorilla+glass+2

 

[Woosh]

its made of gorilla glass 2. front and back. there is a difference.

see it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQcfCLcdSjU


more here https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=gorilla+glass+2

I saw that from when you posted it before. 140 lbs of pressure is a lot but certainly not unbreakable. I know the random DL person cracked his back somehow on the Optimus G. So while that could of just been a random anomaly, its still good to have some protection should the problem ever arise.

 

[anon(847090)]

I saw that from when you posted it before. 140 lbs of pressure is a lot but certainly not unbreakable. I know the random DL person cracked his back somehow on the Optimus G. So while that could of just been a random anomaly, its still good to have some protection should the problem ever arise.

yes, i agree its definitely not unbreakable. but its very strong glass. it also depends on where the glass impacts when its dropped.

60-70 on a $349 is bit too high. but its up to you

 

[Ry]

The point? To lock in subscribers.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Android Central Forums

 

[yfan]

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.

The $30 plan is real. I use it right now with my Galaxy Nexus.

Why would they do this? To make money. Google is selling this phone for dirt cheap - probably at or near cost; which means that they are not selling it to T-mobile at a discount. So if T-mobile wants to make a profit from this, they have to add a margin. There are people who simply cannot afford to pay $350 at one time. Or don't want to. They feel it's a better deal if they get it on contract at a reduced price. I disagree, but good for them.

 

[nickacs]

The point? To lock in subscribers.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Android Central Forums

Yea, but you could still buy the N4 from Google Store and go straight online to TMobile's site and just order a SIM/call/data plan, IF you really want to get into a contract with them for 2yrs. The $30 plan is awesome for data, but if your a big voice caller, the 100mins is going to kill you.
So, it seems it's still better to buy from the Google Store for $299/$349 and then go online and order just your plan there?

I went online yesterday and found the $79.99 unlimited talk/text + $20 unlimited data + $20 unlimited data (wife's phone) and then take my corporate discount of 15%, that's like $102.00 for the month. Hell, I pay $148 for the same 2 phones and unlimited talk/text/data on VZW today. Sounds like a no brainer to me. I don't get why anyone would buy the N4 from TMobile, unless like the previous poster said that someone doesn't want to pay $299/$349 upfront. If your paying the subsized price of $199 upfront, then another $100-$150 isn't going to break the deal. If so, then NO smartphone is in your budget.

 

[Woosh]

Yea, but you could still buy the N4 from Google Store and go straight online to TMobile's site and just order a SIM/call/data plan, IF you really want to get into a contract with them for 2yrs. The $30 plan is awesome for data, but if your a big voice caller, the 100mins is going to kill you.
So, it seems it's still better to buy from the Google Store for $299/$349 and then go online and order just your plan there?

I went online yesterday and found the $79.99 unlimited talk/text + $20 unlimited data + $20 unlimited data (wife's phone) and then take my corporate discount of 15%, that's like $102.00 for the month. Hell, I pay $148 for the same 2 phones and unlimited talk/text/data on VZW today. Sounds like a no brainer to me. I don't get why anyone would buy the N4 from TMobile, unless like the previous poster said that someone doesn't want to pay $299/$349 upfront. If your paying the subsized price of $199 upfront, then another $100-$150 isn't going to break the deal. If so, then NO smartphone is in your budget.

Because most likely ppl won't even know its for sale on the play store. They will walk into T-Mobile and look at their selection and whats for sale for which price and will probably consider then N4 a complete steal in comparison to almost everything else on the shelf. The S3 last I looked was $199 down and $20 a month for 20 making it a $600 phone. Their previous best phone for $15 a month was the Galaxy Blaze.(Phone sister got) That thing isn't even CLOSE to as great as this one. So I think this phone should do very well in T-Mo actually. Since it even looks iPhone ish, no doubt they will be pushing this for those ppl who come in looking and wanting an iPhone.

 

[daniel2744]

Question: Can anyone take the N4 to T-Mobile and just get one of their plans with the unlimitited 4g data? i tried to do this with my galaxy nexus but the only way t-mobile would let me is by getting me to a 2 yr contract on my galaxy nexus!! Total crap so i just went to AT&T and i was able to get pick a good plan for me and not be tied down to a contract..

 

[Ziptied]

Question: Can anyone take the N4 to T-Mobile and just get one of their plans with the unlimitited 4g data? i tried to do this with my galaxy nexus but the only way t-mobile would let me is by getting me to a 2 yr contract on my galaxy nexus!! Total crap so i just went to AT&T and i was able to get pick a good plan for me and not be tied down to a contract..

there's no way to do postpaid without a contract.

 

[daniel2744]

there's no way to do postpaid without a contract.

not true. i'm on att right now with my gnex without a contract postpaid

 

[Woosh]

Question: Can anyone take the N4 to T-Mobile and just get one of their plans with the unlimitited 4g data? i tried to do this with my galaxy nexus but the only way t-mobile would let me is by getting me to a 2 yr contract on my galaxy nexus!! Total crap so i just went to AT&T and i was able to get pick a good plan for me and not be tied down to a contract..

I think you can sign up for the classic plans without the contract if you don't get phone subsidy. I think their general thinking is with the Value plans they are subsidizing the plan and not the phone for you. So they are cheaper and require the contract to recoup the cost.

 

[Makisupa79]

If I buy the google play phone can I still get T-mo's unlimited 4G plan or is that only available to subsidized phones under contract? Most months I am around 5 gigs but once in a while I push it to 10 gb.

Also, on the $30 plan w/ only 100 mins, is that 100 mins period, or do you get free nights/weekends on top of the 100?

 

[Woosh]

If I buy the google play phone can I still get T-mo's unlimited 4G plan or is that only available to subsidized phones under contract? Most months I am around 5 gigs but once in a while I push it to 10 gb.

Also, on the $30 plan w/ only 100 mins, is that 100 mins period, or do you get free nights/weekends on top of the 100?

You can get it but you will need a contract. The value plans require a contract and save about $20 a month in comparison to a phone with subsidy. The 500 minute plan is about $60 a month with unlimited data.

The 100 minute plan is a prepaid....so no roaming, no nights and weekend, no T-Mo to T-Mo. It is what it is. But the extra minutes are 10 cents a minute so its not too bad if you use not too much a month.

 

[Andrew Martonik]

Question: Can anyone take the N4 to T-Mobile and just get one of their plans with the unlimitited 4g data? i tried to do this with my galaxy nexus but the only way t-mobile would let me is by getting me to a 2 yr contract on my galaxy nexus!! Total crap so i just went to AT&T and i was able to get pick a good plan for me and not be tied down to a contract..

T-Mobile only does 3 types of plans
1) Classic Plan. 2-year contract and subsidized phone.
2) Value Plan. 2-year contract and no subsidy. Cheaper monthly rates.
3) Prepaid. Month to month, no contract, no subsidy.

Truly unthrottled unlimited data is only available in #1 and #2. Prepaid has a 5GB throttle point on the highest plans. T-Mobile got rid of its postpaid no contract "Even More Plus" options at the start of 2012.

 

[Andrew Martonik]

If I buy the google play phone can I still get T-mo's unlimited 4G plan or is that only available to subsidized phones under contract? Most months I am around 5 gigs but once in a while I push it to 10 gb.

You can get it with any phoneyou just get a SIM with the plan and pop it in the Nexus 4 (or whatever device). When you sign up you'll choose the "Value Plan" which is ch , eaper and doesn't have a subsidy tied to it. You'll have to sign a 2-year contract to get the unlimited, unthrottled data plan though.

Also, on the $30 plan w/ only 100 mins, is that 100 mins period, or do you get free nights/weekends on top of the 100?

100, no free nights, no free weekends, no free mobile-to-mobile. Just 100. You can pay $0.10/min after 100 if you'd like.

- - - Updated - - -

not true. i'm on att right now with my gnex without a contract postpaid

Yes, AT&T allows this. T-Mobile doesn't unless you go Prepaid.

 

[gone down south]

not true. i'm on att right now with my gnex without a contract postpaid

Are you sure you aren't on a "prepaid" service?

 

[Woosh]

Are you sure you aren't on a "prepaid" service?

Nah, he's probably right. Both Verizon and AT&T allow you to sign up without a contract as long as you do not get phone subsidy. T-Mo used to do this but since they consider their plan "subsidized" they require the 2 year contract. Sprint OTOH is just a bunch of a-holes who want money so they require a 2 year contract and give you nothing for it if you bring your own phone.

 

[Ry]

Nah, he's probably right. Both Verizon and AT&T allow you to sign up without a contract as long as you do not get phone subsidy. T-Mo used to do this but since they consider their plan "subsidized" they require the 2 year contract. Sprint OTOH is just a bunch of a-holes who want money so they require a 2 year contract and give you nothing for it if you bring your own phone.

On Sprint, does the ETF still apply if you brought your own phone started a new two-year contract?