T-Mobile has formally announced its new “un-carrier” strategy for the just-introduced Apple iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display. While the Cellular-capable iPads normally cost an extra $130 over the upfront WiFi-model purchase price, T-Mobile will be offering the new tablets at $0 down. T-Mobile says that this is introductory pricing, and it is unclear when the price points will raise for T-Mobile customers…
At the $0 down initial payment price, customers will need to pay off the hardware costs over a period of 24 months. The iPad Air will begin at $26.25 per month for the 16GB model, and the iPad mini with Retina display will begin at $22.08 for the 16GB version. The pricing for the initial payment will increase based on the storage capacity chosen by the customer. Both new iPad models are available in 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB configurations.
Instead of $0 down like with the 16GB model, the 32GB iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display will require the customer to put down $99, while the 64GB model will cost $199 initially. The monthly payments will be the same as with the 16GB versions at $0 down. T-Mobile makes no mention of the 128GB versions.
The non-Retina iPad mini is also joining the T-Mobile lineup, and that device will cost $17.91 per month at no money down.
Yesterday, we noted that the T-Mobile iPads will include multiple different data plans, including a free plan that offers 200MB of data per month. Here are the rest of the company’s data offerings for the new iPads:
T-Mobile recently announced the Simple Choice international unlimited data free roaming plan, and T-Mobile will likely support this for tablets.
The carrier has also announced a new tablet-trade-in-program that covers both cellular and WiFi-only tablet devices.
The iPad Air goes on sale on November 1st and the iPad mini with Retina display will become available later in November.
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Does the $26 or $22 per month require you to purchase a $30+ data plan, or can a customer choose the free 200MB allotment?
Yeah I have the same question.
It appears so. Only stipulation is no data roaming while on the free data: http://www.t-mobile.com/landing/free-mobile-internet-data.html
From the WSJ article, it sounds like you can do the 24 month payment plan and free data allotment:
http://online.wsj.com/article/HUG1737738.html
Any chance I can get one with the free 200mb plan?
It appears so. Only stipulation is no data roaming while on the free data: http://www.t-mobile.com/landing/free-mobile-internet-data.html
It has to be introductory only pricing. Do the math. 16gb is $26.25/month for 24 months. $26.25 x 24 = $630…. so there is absolutely no interest because buying the model with Apple would cost $630 today, this gives you 24 months to pay that same $630 and not a penny more! This program is definitely the way to go. Heck, at this rate I may even consider selling my iPad 3rd gen and getting the air.. wasn’t going to but if I can get an interest free loan of $630 and an extra $300-350 or so by selling my 32gb LTE iPad 3, sign me up!
Unless there is some fine print?
So what if i buy one full cash price? can i still get the free 200mb plan? and can i move from tmobile to other carriers with the same iPad?
this would be a killer deal if you can get the 200mb for free + payment plan.
Im assuming with a contract?
This is definitely the LTE version right? $26.25 x 24 = $630. This is even cheaper that at an Apple Store or BestBuy where you’d at least have to pay tax. Like Katelyn said, it is an interest free loan.
But is it definitely the LTE version?
Can i ask. Is the monthly payments the same for all memory versions?
This sounds like too good of a deal..
will state sales tax (for instance 6% in Pennsylvania) be charged on the $26.25 each month?
No. You pay all taxes up front. They don’t tell you that until you’re being rung up.