After nearly doubling its early termination fee, Sprint is making more changes that point towards the iPhone’s unveiling on the carrier’s network.
Mainstream outlets have said that Sprint will being carrying the iPhone after Apple’s Fall announcement, and Sprint is now realigning the qualifying time for smartphone upgrades to early-October. In case you didn’t know, the iPhone 5 is expected to come out in early-October.
Electronista reports:
“Sprint claims the changes are necessary to keep its unlimited data plans, its network upgrades, and its access to 4G, Android-based, and “other devices.” It’s better to improve features for many than to keep things that only work for a few, the company said.”
Company leaks indicate that Sprint is dropping the qualifying upgrade time for members of the “New For You” plan from 22 to 20 months, letting users upgrade to a new device in October at the earliest. Return policies are also shrinking from 30 days to a 14-day policy, much like AT&T’s return policy. In-store and online upgrade fees have also been equalized to $35 (it’s rumored that Apple will announce online preorders for the next gen iPhone before in-store availability).
The downside to Sprint’s internal changes mean that members of the carrier’s “Premier” program will need to upgrade by 2012 or be placed into the regular New For You plan. The Premier plan offered several benefits, like accessory discounts, to Sprint customers.
Essentially, Sprint is making it possible for a large part of its customer base (Premier program) to upgrade to the iPhone this Fall. By shortening the New For You plan upgrade qualifying time by two months, Sprint gives many customers the chance to upgrade during the initial iPhone rush next month.
Reports have suggested that Sprint could only be getting the iPhone 4 this year, with whatever Apple announces this Fall not hitting the carrier until next year. That remains to be seen, but it’s clear that Sprint is gearing up an iPhone next month. It’s rumored that the carrier will differentiate itself from the competition by offering an unlimited data plan to new iPhone buyers.
Are you a Sprint customer who’s waiting for the iPhone 5? If Sprint only offered the iPhone 4 initially, would you still upgrade this year? Would unlimited data be the deciding factor?
(via Gizmodo)
Alex Heath is a journalist who works for Tech Insider. He’s the former co-host of The CultCast. He has been quoted by the likes of the BBC, KRON 4 News, and books like “ICONIC: A Photographic Tribute to Apple Innovation.” He lives in Lexington, Kentucky. If you want to pitch a story, share a tip, or just get in touch, additional contact information is available on his personal site. Follow him on Twitter.
25 responses to “Sprint is Making More Changes to Accommodate the iPhone [Report]”
This android is killing me so I’d still upgrade. But I’d be pretty disappointed.
If Sprint gets the iPhone in ANY capacity in October, I’m switching phones. I am already a Sprint customer and I have the HTC Evo but it’s big and it’s heavy (especially with the extended battery that you HAVE to have).
This android is killing me so I’d still upgrade. But I’d be pretty disappoined…
Heyy Guys, I just got a $829.99 iPåd2 for only $103.37 and my mom got a $1499.99 HDTV for only $251.92, they are both coming with USPS tomorrow. I would be an idiot to ever pay full retail prices at places like Walmart or Bestbuy. I sold a 37″ HDTV to my boss for $600 that I only paid $78.24 for.
I use BÏDFiRsT. COM
Accommodate. Spelling please.
I would definitely get the iPhone 4 this year if Sprint has it available.
If it was just the iPhone 4 I would stick with my Evo Shift 4G. Give me the iPhone 5!!!
I’m only interested in switching for greatly improved coverage, as AT&T seems to worsen daily.
I’m a Sprint user and have an HTC EVO 3D
I will downgrade to an iPhone 5 if thats what’s gonna come out in Oct.
Otherwise, I’ll wait until the iPhone 5 hits Sprint (2012)
The iPhone was expected to come out in September. Now it’s October. Next month’s report will say November. Etc.
Completely agree. I’m constantly getting dropped calls, dropped signals, the internet won’t work sometimes for no apparent reason. What happened to this “Raising the bar!” shit? I’ve had my phone replaced (for a different reason, but I still got it replace nevertheless) and have had a reset on towers. Freaking AT&T sucks.
,. epiic
I just got a $829.99 iPad2 for only $103.37 and my mom got a $1499.99 HTV for only $251.92, they are both coming tomorrow. I would be an idiot to ever pay full retail prîces at places like Walmart or Bestbuy. I sold a 37″ HTV to my boss for $600 that I only paid $78.24 for.
I use EgoWïn.com
Yeah, the EVO is garbage. I had an iPhone (gen 1), an iPhone 3G, a Palm Pre (good God, Palm really screwed up that one), an EVO, and today I just bought the HTC Arrive (WP7). I also have an iPhone 4 that I use as an MP3 player/Internet device.
I love the way the iPhone 4 looks, and am hoping that the iPhone 5 has something spectacular in it. You know what isn’t spectacular? Android on EVO. Otherwise, when the Sprint/Microsoft/HTC clouds align and give me the latest WP7 Mango update, I just may keep it. Even with it’s shortcomings WITHOUT Mango, it’s a pretty awesome little (big?) phone.
I’d switch to Sprint for the iphone 5 but not the 4. If they didn’t get the iphone 5 this year then I’d go with Verizon.