• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S4+ 10% discount on no-contract plan

You're still signing a contract! A $200 early termination fee still applies depending upon how much time you've left on your contract and the balance you owe left on financed phone if you don't purchase the phone outright for $629.99. Also depending upon your credit score; you'll be required to put down a down payment plus a security deposit. So you're really not opting out of a contract even though T-Mobile is calling their 'no contract' the Simple Choice Plan.
 
Upvote 0
The contracts only apply to their phone payment plans if you get one. If you buy through tmobile there are no contracts on the simple choice plans. If you cancel all you owe is your phone balance if you have one. Now if you buy elsewhere like walmart which still offer classic plans then yes you have to sign a 2 year deal because they are still using subsidizes and phone discounts.
 
Upvote 0
The contracts only apply to their phone payment plans if you get one. If you buy through tmobile there are no contracts on the simple choice plans. If you cancel all you owe is your phone balance if you have one. Now if you buy elsewhere like walmart which still offer classic plans then yes you have to sign a 2 year deal because they are still using subsidizes and phone discounts.

That is still essentially a contract! You owe T-Mobile a 'balloon payment' for the balance of phone plus a $200 early termination fee. Even though you're signing up for their data rate plans which they call 'Simple Choice Plan'. There's no such thing as a contract free phone with the major U.S. wireless carriers unless you go buy a prepaid phone (e.g. Tracfone) and add minutes to it whenever you run low to extend your service contract.

Don't be fooled by T-Mobile's marketing. :p They'll still run a credit score report on you even if you're buying the phone outright for $629.99. You may still be required to put down a security deposit plus down payment to activate a new line of service through T-Mobile, again all depending on your credit score! Even though T-Mobile CEO has thrown out the two-year contract verbiage you're still essentially signing an agreement and/or contract with T-Mobile for wireless service.

If it was truly a no contract phone then there wouldn't be any need nor reason to obtain a credit score report or pay a penalty fee if a person decided to terminate the agreement early.
 
Upvote 0
That is still essentially a contract! You owe T-Mobile a 'balloon payment' for the balance of phone plus a $200 early termination fee. Even though you're signing up for their data rate plans which they call 'Simple Choice Plan'. There's no such thing as a contract free phone with the major U.S. wireless carriers unless you go buy a prepaid phone (e.g. Tracfone) and add minutes to it whenever you run low to extend your service contract.

Don't be fooled by T-Mobile's marketing. :p They'll still run a credit score report on you even if you're buying the phone outright for $629.99. You may still be required to put down a security deposit plus down payment to activate a new line of service through T-Mobile, again all depending on your credit score! Even though T-Mobile CEO has thrown out the two-year contract verbiage you're still essentially signing an agreement and/or contract with T-Mobile for wireless service.

If it was truly a no contract phone then there wouldn't be any need nor reason to obtain a credit score report or pay a penalty fee if a person decided to terminate the agreement early.

Where are you getting this $200 early termination fee on their simple choice plans? I signed a contract for the EIP on the phone and says if I cancel service then I owe the balance of the phone. There is nothing about an early termination fee and there is/was no contract for the monthly plans themselves. It might be different for special offers. Its common sense though. People cant expect to make monthly payments on a phone, cancel service and get away with not owing the balance of the phone. I've been with t-mobile for many years and when I just bought my GS4 they never checked my credit because I have a history with them. I was easily able to go online and put a down payment on the phone for the advertised price. New customers will of course have their credit ran for EIPs.
The $200 early term fee will apply to current customers under a current contract who switch to the new plans. Such as my wife who is under a contract from before. I could cancel my line though easily with no term fees, but will have to pay the phone off.

Classic plans will continue to have 2 year deals with early termination fees.
There is a migration fee for those who are on an old plan (that wasnt a value plan) who want to switch to the new plans, but only if under a current subsidized contract.
Those on value plans can easily switch.

Its pretty simple though. Read the terms of service for whatever you are getting. A lot of people just arent understanding how these new plans work and need to read the terms.
 
Upvote 0
I am new customer porting over from Sprint. i called an gave them the code said I was a member of the SR site. CSR told me the discount was applied to my bill and would appear within 2 billing cycles.

I gave it a shot and at first they asked my what my affiliation was so I said i was a student, and i was member of the discount site student rate. then i gave him the code again and it seemed to work
 
Upvote 0

BEST TECH IN 2023

We've been tracking upcoming products and ranking the best tech since 2007. Thanks for trusting our opinion: we get rewarded through affiliate links that earn us a commission and we invite you to learn more about us.

Smartphones