Are you a T-Mobile customer who is eagerly awaiting your next phone upgrade? Upgrading your device is always exciting, but figuring out your options and how to get the best deal can be confusing. Don‘t worry – we‘ve got you covered with this comprehensive guide to T-Mobile upgrades. We‘ll walk you through everything you need to know, from T-Mobile‘s standard upgrade policies to its early upgrade and leasing programs. By the end, you‘ll be an expert on T-Mobile upgrades and ready to get a great new phone at the best possible price. Let‘s dive in!
T-Mobile‘s Standard Upgrade Policy
Like most wireless carriers, T-Mobile allows customers to upgrade to a new phone at a discounted price every two years. After you‘ve had your device and been a T-Mobile customer in good standing for at least 24 months, you become eligible for an upgrade.
At upgrade time, you can get a new phone for a lower upfront cost, sometimes as little as $0 down, by signing a new two-year contract and agreeing to pay off the remaining cost of the device in monthly installments over the next 24 months. T-Mobile typically runs promotions offering the latest flagship phones, like the newest iPhone or Samsung Galaxy, for no money down at upgrade time.
Keep in mind that the discounted upgrade price is lower than the full retail cost you‘d pay for the phone outright, but higher than what a new customer would pay for the same device. Still, upgrading through T-Mobile lets you spread the cost over two years‘ worth of bill credits.
When your upgrade time comes, you can check your upgrade eligibility and offers by logging into your T-Mobile account online or in the mobile app and navigating to the "Upgrade" section. There you‘ll see your upgrade status and any phones you can get at a discount. You can complete the upgrade process online or visit a T-Mobile store to upgrade in person.
Early Upgrade Options
But what if you don‘t want to wait the full two years to upgrade your phone? T-Mobile offers a few early upgrade options that allow you to get a new device before 24 months have passed, but they come at a steeper cost.
If you‘ve had your phone for at least 12 months but less than 24, you may be able to upgrade early at a discounted rate, but not as low as the standard two-year pricing. The exact cost will depend on how far along you are in your contract – upgrading after 12 months will be pricier than upgrading after 18 months, for example.
To upgrade early, you‘ll have to pay off the remaining balance on your current phone first, but then you‘re free to upgrade to a new device on a new contract. You can see if you‘re eligible for early upgrade pricing by checking your account online.
Jump and Jump On Demand
For those who always want the latest and greatest phone and don‘t want to wait two years between upgrades, T-Mobile offers its Jump and Jump On Demand programs. These let you upgrade to a new phone more often, but they come with some catches.
With the standard Jump program, you pay an extra $9 to $12 per month on top of your regular phone bill. In exchange, you can upgrade to a new phone after you‘ve paid off at least 50% of your current device. T-Mobile will pay off the remaining balance for you (up to half the original cost).
Jump On Demand is a leasing program that let you change your phone up to once a month if you want. You pay a monthly lease fee for your phone instead of buying it on an installment plan. At the end of 18 months, you have the option to either turn in your phone and walk away, buy it out right, or upgrade to a new leased phone. This plan offers the most frequent upgrades, but it‘s pricier than buying a phone on a standard two-year plan.
The Discontinued "Forever Upgrade" Offer
For a brief time, T-Mobile offered a unique promotion called the "Forever Upgrade" that allowed customers to get up to $800 in trade-in credit towards a new iPhone every two years, indefinitely. Customers who bought the latest iPhone from T-Mobile on a qualifying plan like Magenta Max would get $800 off a new iPhone upgrade after two years as long as they traded in their current device and remained on the premium plan.
The Forever Upgrade essentially let you get half off a new top-tier iPhone every two years as long as you stayed with T-Mobile and on the required plan. It was an unprecedented offer in the wireless industry.
Unfortunately, T-Mobile has since discontinued enrollment in the Forever Upgrade program for new sign-ups. However, customers who signed up for it while it was available will be grandfathered in and continue receiving the $800 trade-in credit every two years.
How T-Mobile‘s Upgrade Options Compare to Other Carriers
T-Mobile‘s upgrade offerings are fairly standard in the wireless industry. Most of the major carriers, including Verizon and AT&T, allow upgrades on a similar two-year cycle for customers in good standing.
However, T-Mobile does tend to offer some of the most competitive promotions and deals on new phones at upgrade time. It frequently runs specials like $0 down on the newest iPhone or throws in freebies like wireless earbuds with an upgrade.
T-Mobile‘s Jump and Jump On Demand offerings are comparable to leasing and early upgrade programs from other carriers, like AT&T Next Up and Verizon‘s annual iPhone upgrade plan. In general, these plans cost a bit more than standard two-year installment plans but allow you to upgrade phones more frequently.
The now-discontinued Forever Upgrade plan was unique in the industry. No other carrier has offered as generous of a recurring trade-in credit for upgrades. It‘s a shame that it‘s no longer available to new sign-ups.
Tips for Getting the Best Deal on Your T-Mobile Upgrade
Eager to upgrade your T-Mobile phone? Here are some tips for making sure you get the best possible deal:
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Wait until you‘re fully upgrade eligible at 24 months if you can. This will get you the lowest possible pricing on a new device.
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Watch for T-Mobile‘s special upgrade promotions. It frequently offers hot new phones for $0 down or throws in bonus items at upgrade time.
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Consider trading in your old phone to offset the cost of an upgrade. T-Mobile offers instant trade-in credit that can be used towards a new device.
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Think hard before signing up for Jump or Jump on Demand. While they let you upgrade phones more often, you‘ll pay more in the long run compared to a standard installment plan.
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Don‘t be afraid to negotiate. If you‘re a long-time customer, ask about loyalty discounts on upgrades. See if T-Mobile will price match a competitor‘s offer.
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Time your upgrade around new phone launches and the holidays. The best deals are often available when hot new phones hit the market.
The Bottom Line: Are T-Mobile Upgrades a Good Deal?
So, are T-Mobile‘s upgrade options and promotions actually a good deal for customers? The answer is: it depends.
If you‘re happy with T-Mobile‘s coverage and service and tend to keep your phone for the full two years before upgrading, the standard upgrade program is a solid deal, especially if you trade in your old device. You‘ll pay less than full retail price for a new phone and you can spread the cost over 24 months.
On the other hand, if you‘re someone who always wants the latest phone as soon as it comes out, Jump and Jump On Demand will let you scratch that itch – but you‘ll pay a premium for the privilege. Do the math to see if the extra cost is worth it to you.
When compared to other carriers, T-Mobile‘s upgrade offerings are pretty competitive, especially when it runs promotions for the hottest new phones. And its now-discontinued Forever Upgrade plan was unmatched in the industry in terms of long-term value for serial upgraders. It‘s too bad that it‘s no longer available.
Ultimately, whether T-Mobile upgrades are a good deal for you depends on your priorities and how often you plan to upgrade your phone. Carefully compare the costs of a standard installment plan versus early upgrade options to see which makes the most sense for your situation. Don‘t forget to factor in the resale or trade-in value of your old phone as well.
The most important thing is to do your research, know your options, and pick the upgrade plan that best fits your needs and budget. Armed with the information in this guide, you‘re well on your way to making a smart upgrade decision with T-Mobile. Happy phone shopping!
