iPhone 7 trade-in programs require two-year contracts
If you’re looking to get your hands on an iPhone 7 in the coming weeks but wasn’t fast enough to secure one when preorders open, there’s still hope. All four major phone carriers have implemented their own iPhone 7 promotions, but despite their seemingly generous offers, there are quite a few caveats that might keep you from cashing in.
All the carriers (Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint and AT&T) are offering special trade-in programs that read nearly exactly the same in print, with differing names the only real thing that separates them. The deal is such that if you trade in your qualifying iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus, you’ll receive credit across 24 months toward your purchase of an iPhone 7.
There aren’t too many stipulations when it comes to the device you can trade in, except for the fact that it must be in “good working and cosmetic condition,” and you’ll only receive a credit of $650 toward the phone of your choice.
It may take a few cycles for the credit to show up, which is normal, but the iffy part is this: You have to keep your line active for a full two years.
While companies like Verizon touted the abolition of contracts, they still seem to be in vogue, just under a different name, “savings” in this situation. The deal may technically make your new iPhone 7 free, but you’re paying with it with your time as a customer at the carrier of your choice.
It doesn’t render the promotion useless by any means, but it does demonstrate the fact that carriers are still pushing many of the same ideas they were when they were still running with contracts. They’re just framing it differently. It’s still a good deal if you want to trade in your existing phone and have no qualms with staying with your current provider, but make no bones about it: it’s still a contract, even if it’s not in name.
Via: 9to5Mac
iPhone 7 Models From AT&T and T-Mobile Do Not Support CDMA Networks
Choosing which iPhone model to purchase this year should be more carefully considered, as both AT&T and T-Mobile models of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus do not support CDMA networks such as Verizon and Sprint in the United States. Apple confirmed the matter in fine print in the iPhone 7 tech specs and on its LTE page.
A customer that purchases an iPhone 7 from Apple’s website and selects AT&T as their carrier, for example, would be unable to later use the smartphone on Verizon, Sprint, or any other CDMA network, even if the device is unlocked. By comparison, all iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus models worked on both GSM and CDMA networks.
A customer that purchases an iPhone 7 from Apple’s website and selects Verizon as their carrier, on the other hand, would also be able to use the smartphone on AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, or any other GSM or CDMA network. This essentially means iPhone 7 models from Verizon or Sprint are closer to being a true “world-phone.”
It was previously reported that Apple would switch to Intel modems for select iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus models, including AT&T models, and Intel modems do not support the CDMA standard in the United States. That is likely the reason why AT&T and T-Mobile models are limited to GSM networks.
Only Verizon and Sprint models support both GSM and CDMA networks
The same report said Qualcomm would supply modems for the remaining iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus units, including Verizon and Chinese models, and this appears to be the case. Qualcomm modems support both the GSM and CDMA standard, which explains why the iPhone 7 from Verizon and Sprint will work on all carriers.
Qualcomm, which holds patents for WCDMA and CDMA2000 standards, is the main CDMA modem supplier in the United States. The company developed the first CDMA-based cellular base station in 1990, and since then it has licensed its technology to companies like Apple in return for royalty payments.
Until this year, Qualcomm was Apple’s exclusive supplier of modems for LTE and Wi-Fi connectivity, which explains why the iPhone 6s and previous generations supported both GSM and CDMA networks regardless of carrier. But with Intel entering the mix, choosing which iPhone to purchase is now more meaningful.
All iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus models supported both GSM and CDMA networks
The lack of CDMA support in iPhones with Intel modems may be short lived, fortunately, as Intel acquired CDMA assets from VIA Telecom in 2015. It is believed that this acquisition could pave the way for Intel to release its first LTE modem with both GSM and CDMA support as early as 2017 or 2018.
Ultimately, the most obvious choice should be to purchase a Verizon or Sprint model, even if you are an AT&T or T-Mobile customer, especially when considering resale value. However, some customers may have difficulty purchasing from another carrier, depending on their current status with their existing carrier.
Apple should also release an unlocked SIM-free model in the U.S., likely based on the Verizon/Sprint model, in a few weeks based on past launches.
Related Roundup: iPhone 7
Tags: Intel, Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, Qualcomm
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T-Mobile Offering Free 32GB iPhone 7 During Pre-Order With Trade-In
T-Mobile has announced that it will offer a free 32GB iPhone 7 during pre-order to new or existing customers when they trade in their iPhone 6, 6s, 6 Plus or 6s Plus. The offer is for a limited time and will be available at T-Mobile.com when pre-orders are live and T-Mobile retail stores.
The offer partially extends to other iPhone 7 models. For example, the 32GB iPhone 7 Plus is available for $120 with a trade-in, while the 128GB and 256GB iPhone 7 are available for $100 and $200, respectively.
To qualify for the offer, the trade-in iPhone has to be a 6, 6s, 6 Plus or 6s Plus and be able to turn on, have no water damage, and not have a shattered screen. Customers will also need a 24-month no-cost finance agreement. T-Mobile says that customers will see a credit on their bill every month for 24 months. After 24 months, T-Mobile says customers will have paid nothing and received a free iPhone 7.
Customers can walk away at any time by either paying their outstanding phone balance or turning in their iPhone 7.
AT&T has also announced a promo for the iPhone 7. New and existing DirecTV and AT&T U-verse customers can get a 32GB iPhone 7 on either AT&T Next or AT&T Next Every Year when they add a new line to their account from another wireless provider. Customers will receive up to $650 in monthly bill credits whey they activate their new iPhone. Similar to the T-Mobile offer, customers can choose another iPhone 7 model and pay the difference.
Related Roundup: iPhone 7
Tag: T-Mobile
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T-Mobile to increase its max LTE speeds to 400 Mbps
In the last few weeks, T-Mobile introduced its One plan for unlimited data and then tweaked it after customer complaints. For power users, T-Mobile’s claiming several tech advances that combine for a max download speed of 400 Mbps. But you’ll only get those blindingly fast rates using a Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge within one of 319 cities, and only after a pair of software updates by the end of October.
The first announced speed boost, 4×4 MIMO (multiple in, multiple out), alleges to double upload and download rates by increasing data paths between device and cell tower by twofold. According to T-Mobile’s post, that’s already active in 319 cities and will go live on the aforementioned Samsung phones after a software update later in September. This alone will double data speeds up and down.
But you’ll only get to that magic 400 Mbps max when using both new speed-augmenting technologies. The other one, 256 quadruple amplitude modulation (QAM) for downloads and 64 QAM for uploads, will be available nationwide with an end-of-October software update to supported phones. Like MIMO, it’s only available for Galaxy S7 and Edge, though more supported devices will be named later on.
Source: T-Mobile blog
T-Mobile Rolls Out 4×4 MIMO for Faster LTE Speeds
T-Mobile announced today it has recently implemented 4×4 MIMO in 319 cities across the United States, effectively doubling the number of data paths between the network’s cell towers and compatible smartphones.
The carrier has also launched 256 QAM for downloads and 64 QAM for uploads across half of its network, with a nationwide rollout to be completed by the end of October. These new quadrature amplitude modulation technologies increase the number of bits delivered per transmission for even faster LTE speeds. Combined with 4×4 MIMO, 256 QAM delivers theoretical download speeds up to 400 Mbps.
Meanwhile, T-Mobile said it now covers nearly 312 million customers in the United States, bringing it to within 99.7% of Verizon’s coverage.
Qualcomm’s X12 modem, an appropriate candidate for iPhone 7, supports 4×4 MIMO, so it is possible that some models could benefit from the technology. However, Apple is expected to use Intel’s XMM 7360 LTE modem for a portion of iPhone 7 models, including AT&T models, and 4×4 MIMO is not an advertised feature of that chipset. iPhone 6s and older models do not support 4×4 MIMO.
T-Mobile customers with Samsung’s Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge will be covered by 4×4 MIMO following a software update later this month.
Tags: T-Mobile, LTE
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After Math: Call me, maybe
It’s been a banner week for mobile devices not made by Apple (you’ll have to wait until the 7th for those). Samsung, quite literally, blew its chance to gain ground on Apple, given the new iPhone’s reputed lackluster feature set. Google likely killed off Project Ara, its modular smartphone. Verizon and T-Mobile both rolled out new service plans aimed at stretching subscribers’ data plans. Hasselblad actually made a photography device that won’t require the life of your first born to obtain. And Nubia unveiled its newest flagship phone — but where’s the bezel. Numbers, because how else would we determine market share?
Samsung explains how the US Galaxy Note 7 recall will work
It’s been less than 24 hours since Samsung announced its worldwide recall of the Galaxy Note 7, and owners are probably wondering exactly what’s next. The major US carriers have already provided information on what they will do for customers (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon), and now Samsung is laying out its plans for direct support. If owners want to exchange for another Galaxy Note 7, they can do that as early as next week. Their other option is to exchange the device for a Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge, plus replacement of any Note accessories and a refund of the price difference.
For their trouble, Samsung says it’s offering a $25 gift card or bill credit from “select carriers” when swapping for a new device through the replacement program. Owners should contact the retailer where they purchased the device, or call 1-800-SAMSUNG for more information. Continuing its message from earlier this morning, the company says it has identified “the affected inventory” but it’s still voluntarily replacing devices for all interested owners.
It seems like a lot of trouble and not much payback for owners who have already picked up the phone. While sales of Galaxy devices have been a bright spot for the company this year, we’ll have to wait and see how much momentum is lost because of these problems.
Update: And even with these details, the saga might not be over yet. Consumer Reports has specifically called Samsung out for failing to issue an “official” recall that would involve the US Consumer Products Safety Commission. That would require clearer information about what’s wrong and what owners will do next, but so far Samsung hasn’t done it. According to Recode, officials have “concern” about the process, but have not officially commented on the recall.
Source: Samsung
T-Mobile ONE Now Offers Unlimited 4G LTE Tethering for Extra $25 Per Month
T-Mobile recently introduced a new plan called T-Mobile ONE that offers unlimited talk, text, and 4G LTE data for $70 per month. A second line can be added for $50 per month, while up to six more lines can be added for an additional $20 per month each. The total cost for a family of four, for example, would be $160 per month.
At the time, T-Mobile said mobile hotspot tethering would be limited to 2G speeds, with 5GB of high-speed tethering available as a $15 add-on. But today, the carrier has changed its tune and announced that T-Mobile ONE will now include unlimited tethering at 3G speeds in the U.S. at no additional cost.
Or, customers that want high-speed tethering can upgrade to the new T-Mobile ONE Plus plan, which includes unlimited tethering at 4G LTE speeds, unlimited HD video streaming, and Simple Global international data roaming at up to 3G speeds where available for an extra $25 per month per line. The carrier previously planned to charge an extra $25 per month just for the unlimited HD video streaming upgrade.
The regular T-Mobile ONE plan will continue to limit video to 480p standard definition across all services, but the carrier is also now introducing HD day passes for $3 per day that allow unlimited HD video streaming for 24 hours.
T-Mobile ONE will also now be available on September 1, five days earlier than the company previously announced.
Tag: T-Mobile
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T-Mobile tweaks its One plan to address your complaints
T-Mobile’s One plan rubbed a lot of people the wrong way: sure, you got unlimited on-device data, but anything better than 480p video or 2G hotspot tethering was going to cost you an arm and a leg. The (un) carrier isn’t deaf to your complaints, though. It’s modifying its strategy to not only tackle key gripes with the One plan, but add a second plan that covers what gaps are left. The base One plan (still $70 per month for the first line) now includes 512Kbps unlimited hotspot data instead of 128Kbps — still pokey, but you can at least do more than check your email. Also, you’ll have the option of daily HD passes that, at $3 per day, are decidedly more affordable when you only want high-quality video for a weekend trip.
As for that second plan? It’s called T-Mobile One Plus, and it really amounts to bundling all the previous add-ons into one more reasonable package. The $25 extra per line that you would have paid just for HD video now gets you unlimited HD passes (you have to turn it to always-on yourself, oddly enough), LTE hotspot data and twice-as-fast data roaming in over 140 countries.
Both the modified One plan and the new One Plus tier will launch on September 1st, or 5 days earlier than originally planned. Clearly, T-Mobile is feeling the heat from rivals who’ve stepped up their game — all four major networks now have at least ‘overage-free’ plans, and Sprint’s unlimited HD video plan is still less expensive than One Plus at $80 per month (albeit capped at 8Mbps for video and game streams). Not that we’re about to object to T-Mobile changing its tune. The One Plus plan doesn’t cap anything beyond the potential for throttling after 26GB, and those who stick to the base One plan are getting a much better deal before it’s even available.
Source: T-Mobile
T-Mobile One is the carrier’s new unlimited data plan
T-Mobile has offered an unlimited data option for a while now, using it as a big differentiator between it and AT&T and Verizon. But now, it sounds like the carrier is going to do away with data buckets entirely and offer one plan that includes unlimited talk, text and data. It’s called T-Mobile One, and it’ll be available to current and new customers as of September 6th.
CEO John Legere announced the new plan this morning in a video blog, saying that he wanted to get rid of the confusion and huge number of choices that the other carriers currently offer. But, as is often the case with wireless plans, there’s a lot of fine print here in the new plan to be aware of.
The big catches for T-Mobile’s new plan come down to two things: tethering and video streaming. The T-Mobile One plan includes “unlimited” tethering, but only at 2G speeds. That’ll make it essentially useless. If you want to use LTE speed when tethering, you’ll have to pay $15 per month for 5GB of data.
Video is even more complicated. While T-Mobile is offering “unlimited” data, they’re throttling all video down to 480p standard definition resolution. If you want to use your data to watch high-definition video, it’ll cost a whopping $25 per line, per month. If you’re signed up to one of T-Mobile’s current unlimited plans, you can watch video in HD — though the company had been defaulting everyone to lower definition video. You have to actively switch on HD video if you want to get things in a better resolution. But with this new T-Mobile One plan, you’ll have to pay through the nose if you want to watch HD video.
T-Mobile’s new plan isn’t even really any cheaper than its existing offering. If you get four lines, it’ll be only $40 per line, but sign up for less and you’ll be paying quite a bit. A single line is $70 a month, less than the $95 it currently costs. Two lines is $120, $20 cheaper than the existing option. Additional lines after that are $20 each.
These changes come at the end of a month that saw AT&T and Verizon both revamp their data offerings. Both carriers added more data to their various plans, but those plans also cost a bit more now. Verizon also added some limited carryover data as well as the option to throttle your data speeds if you go over your limit rather than pay an overage charge. Not to be outdone, Sprint is also in the process of announcing some new plan details on Twitter right now.
One big question is whether or not T-Mobile’s old plans will be available or whether T-Mobile One will be the only option going forward for new customers. T-Mobile says it won’t be eliminating its existing Simple Choice plans right now, but it expects T-Mobile One to be its main offering going forward. So that likely means the existing Simple Choice unlimited plan that includes more tethering data and HD video playback will be going away soon.
Update: This post has been updated to reflect more details on T-Mobile’s new pricing structure.
Source: T-Mobile
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