It’s only taken just under six years, but T-Mobile has finally reached a deal with Apple to sell the iPhone. The iPhone 5 will be one of the first devices available on T-Mobile’s new LTE network, launched today, and it’ll be available to purchase for a $99 up-front fee starting April 12.
T-Mobile is the last major carrier in the U.S. to begin selling Apple’s hugely popular smartphone, following its launch on AT&T, Verizon, and then Sprint. But it will be selling it a little differently than the others. Customers will have the option to pay for the device in full instead of signing into a new two-year contract, or they’ll be able to spread the cost of the device over 20 months.
The 16GB iPhone 5 costs $99 up-front if you choose the second option, then you’ll be charged $20 a month for 20 months. The iPhone 4S is just $69.99 up-front, but it still costs $20 a month, as does the iPhone 4, which is just $14.99 up-front.
These plans are part of T-Mobile’s new Uncarrer initiative, which aims to provide an alternative to traditional cellphone contracts.
Although this is the first time T-Mobile will be selling the iPhone, the company has long been supporting unlocking iPhones on its network, and it’s even been selling iPhone 5-compatible nano-SIM cards since the handset launched last year. Back in January, the company announced it was adding 100,000 iPhones to its network each month, serving 1.9 million in total.
Via: The Verge
