For jetsetters hoping to utilize T-Mobile’s iPhone for all of their international jaunts, we’ve a bit of bad news for you: WiFi Calling isn’t going to hit the carrier’s iPhone initially. Here at today’s T-Mobile UnCarrier event in New York City, the company’s chief marketing officer Michael Sievert told me that “it’s not coming” at launch, but when pressed, he confessed that T-Mob “loves its WiFi Calling feature, and I’ll have to leave it at that.” I then asked if it’s on the roadmap, and if the company would like to have it included in an ideal world, which garnered a smile that I can safely assume means something positive for the future.
Of course, WiFi Calling — which enables travelers to make and receive calls from their US phone number while latched onto a WiFi hotspot anywhere in the known universe — works today on Android, but iOS fanatics aren’t being given a clear date as to when they’ll be brought up to speed. That said, at least T-Mob will sell you an iPhone unlocked, assuming you pay the full MSRP up front. Sievert affirmed to me that if a customer rolls into a T-Mobile store and pays the full price for iPhone, the reps onsite will be empowered to unlock it “on the spot.” Oh, and as for that MSRP? It’ll be the one(s) set by Apple, so you won’t be facing any carrier-induced premiums either.
In fact, you could actually come out a bit cheaper if you’re willing to wait a month. Sievert explained to me that if you picked up a baseline iPhone 5 for $99 with a new T-Mobile agreement, and then paid the first $20 towards its total cost after your first month of service, you could then pay the thing off in full at the amortized rate… meaning that a $649 phone would cost you just $579. And it’d be unlocked for use on any carrier in the world after just a month with T-Mob. Not bad!
T-Mobile has the iPhone now. It’s only a hundred bucks! There’s no contract! Unlimited everything! But before you get too excited about the prospect of jumping ship for forgotten carrier, let’s take a look at how exactly that its iPhone 5 data plans compare to the other big dogs. More »
It looks like T-Mobile’s version of the iPhone 5 will lack a feature that many T-Mobile subscribers love to take advantage of. At T-Mobile’s Uncarrier event today, it announced that its version of the iPhone 5 will not be supporting the carrier’s exclusive WiFi calling technology. While it may not be a deal breaker for many, especially since T-Mobile’s 4G LTE Network has just gone live, many others will be disappointed.
T-Mobile’s WiFi Calling is a lifesaver for many people, especially considering how T-Mobile doesn’t have the best network coverage around. If you have poor-to-no reception in your office, or at your friend’s home, or at a Starbucks, you can switch on your WiFi and use a nearby WiFi network as a coverage extender (for compatible phones). The service makes sure that you can get coverage indoors at all times.
While T-Mobile’s iPhone 5 won’t have support for WiFi calling, it will be the only iPhone 5 from any major carrier to offer HD Voice calling. The feature delivers crystal clear phone calls between two HD Voice compatible phones. Background noise will be reduced drastically and you’ll be experiencing calls as if the person you’re talking to is right next to you. With the iPhone 5′s LTE capabilities, as well as its 4G HSPA+ capabilities, you can be assured that you will be HD Voice-capable at all times.
T-Mobile now has LTE coverage in Phoenix, San Jose, Baltimore, Kansa City, Las Vegas, Washington D.C., and Houston. You will be able to experience an average download speed of 25Mbps and an average upload speed of 8Mbps on T-Mobile’s LTE network. Some screenshots have shown, however, that T-Mobile’s LTE speeds can reach up to 60Mbps download speeds. To take advantage of T-Mobile’s new LTE network, you should check out the carrier’s new Simple Choice plans.
Have a peek at our full iPhone 5 review now and get ready for the full T-Mobile release soon!
T-Mobile has just announced that it will be launching its iPhone devices from the get-go. You will be able to purchase an iPhone 5 for a $99.99 down payment and $20 payments over the course of 24 months. You can also get the iPhone 4S for a $69.99 down payment and $20 payments over 24 months, or the iPhone 4 for a $14.00 down payment and $15 payments over 24 months. Those of you planning on getting the iPhone 5 on T-Mobile will be getting an extra treat.
Those of you with T-Mobile’s iPhone 5 will be able to take advantage of T-Mobile’s HD Voice calls. T-Mobile will be the only major carrier to offer HD Voice calls on the iPhone 5, something that can set it apart from the rest of the competition. With HD Voice calls, you will have “crystal-clear high-definition calling and significantly reduced background noise” when making a phone call to someone else with an HD Voice-capable phone.
T-Mobile launched HD Voice on January 8th during CES. The service uses Wideband Adaptive Multi-Rate (WB-AMR) to improve voice calls between two compatible phones. Currently the phones that support HD Voice calling are T-Mobile’s iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S III, HTC One, and Nokia Astound. Calls have to be made either through T-Mobile’s 3G, 4G HSPA+, or 4G LTE network. HD Voice calls cannot be made over WiFi.
The iPhone 5 will be able to fully take advantage of HD Voice calls now that T-Mobile’s LTE networks are launching today. So far, Phoenix and San Jose have already gotten their T-Mobile 4G LTE networks launched, but later on today, we should be seeing Baltimore, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, and Washington D.C. light up with T-Mobile’s LTE network as well. Check out our timeline below to see what other great announcements T-Mobile has made.
Also be sure to have a look at our full iPhone 5 review right this minute and get pumped up about the full release of the T-Mobile edition now!
Today the iPhone has finally hit T-Mobile, complete with a unique plan that allows the company to compete with even the highest-powered carriers. With the iPhone 5, you’ll be able to pay $99.99 USD down and $20 per month for 24 months – that’s the price for the hardware itself. You’ll be paying a separate amount for service, but the hardware price is that one down price and 24 months of $20 until you pay the device off – simple enough?
The T-Mobile deal here is allowing you to stay away from a 2-year contract. You’ll also be able to pick up the iPhone 4S, that device coming with a $69.99 USD price with $20 USD for 24 months as well. The iPhone 4 will also be available for a shocking $14.00 down and $15 per month for 24 months.
This cost structure goes by the name “Simple Choice Plan”, and again, it stands aside from your data, voice, and text prices. Those prices are also detached from 2-year plans or even 1-year plans. If you want to pick up one of these devices, you’re making a payment plan for the hardware, and that’s it.
You’ll be able to pick up the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S in “select markets” – we’ll see how wide the release is soon. Meanwhile the iPhone 5 will be available nationwide starting at April 12th – that’s a Friday. You’ll be able to start pre-ordering the iPhone 5 starting on April 5th – online and in T-Mobile stores nationwide too – go for it! Also don’t forget that we’ve got a full iPhone 5 review right this minute for your perusal – let us know if you’re thinking about a T-Mobile iPhone 5 (or 4, or 4S) too!
We heard earlier today T-Mobile’s UnCarrier event being held today would possibly feature the iPhone, which has been rumored to be coming to the fourth-largest carrier in the U.S. for several months. Today, T-Mobile put all of those rumors to rest and has finally announced the Apple iPhone will be making its way to the T-Mobile network soon.
Since T-Mobile is changing the its pricing to no longer require its customers to sign a two-year agreement for its devices, the carrier will let those who are interested in owning the iPhone to buy it at either full price at the time of purchase, or customers could spread the cost through a 20-month installment plan. Through this payment plan, which we like to consider lay-away for mobile devices, the iPhone 5 will be available for $99 at the time of purchase, with 20 months of $20 payments.
T-Mobile is the final major U.S. carrier to have the iPhone available for its customers to purchase. Up until now, T-Mobile subscribers needed to purchase an unlocked iPhone in order to enjoy it on their carrier of choice. Today’s news will make it much easier for potential iPhone customers to pick up their device with completely compatibility with T-Mobile’s network.
It looks like T-Mobile may be showcasing its iPhone tomorrow afterall. Sources have told CNET that the iPhone will play a major role in T-Mobile’s event tomorrow. T-Mobile will reportedly use the iPhone 5 to promote the launch of its LTE network, which is set for tomorrow. While T-Mobile may be showing off the iPhone at its event, it won’t likely be releasing it anytime soon.
T-Mobile is gearing up to launch its LTE Network in 8 different cities. T-Mobile has delayed the launch of its LTE network for quite some time, and it is falling massively behind other carriers. Its LTE network is expected to give users an average 25Mbps download speeds an 8Mbps upload speeds. Previous screenshots, however, showed T-Mobile’s LTE network capable of reaching up to 60Mbps download speeds.
T-Mobile will also be discussing its transition into the new Uncarrier model. Yesterday, it got rid of its original 2-year contract structure and launched a series of affordable, contract-free value plans. You are now able to get unlimited talk, text, and any amount of data for a small fee. All tiered data plans come with free mobile hotspot. You can also get unlimited talk, text, and data for only $70 a month (sans mobile hotspot).
The iPhone will be instrumental for T-Mobile’s success. Many users have migrated away from T-Mobile because its the only major carrier that doesn’t offer the iPhone. Even carriers like Virgin Mobile USA sell the device. By launching the iPhone on its network, T-Mobile should be able to attract even more subscribers, especially with its new low-priced plans. Tomorrow, we’ll give you an update on everything that T-Mobile has planned out for the future, and hopefully we will also be able to get you an official release date for its iPhone.
The saga of T-Mobile and the iPhone is full of twists and turns and fakeouts and missed connections. Every year a new iPhone comes out, every year T-Mobile gets left out of the cool kids club (which is basically every other carrier at this point). That changed in 2012, when T-Mobile announced that it would get the iPhone sometime in 2013. According to CNET, “sometime in 2013” means tomorrow. More »
With the T-Mobile UNcarrier pricing list and details revealed one day early, the 4th-largest carrier in the country may very well be showing off not the plan, but the devices that’ll attach to the plan at their big event! March 26th is the day that we’re going to see the full show – that’s tomorrow or today, depending on when you’re having a peek at this post – but what we know before the fact is quite telling. Several FCC listings and the tease of several machines is what we’ve got right now.
LG Optimus G Pro
Though it’d be quite a scandal if the LG Optimus G Pro were released with T-Mobile before it hit AT&T, we can certainly cross our fingers that this monstrous beast will bestow its greatness on the big pink carrier this week. As it’s already prepared for work with AT&T radios via the FCC, T-Mobile’s technology may very well be pumped up and ready for action here as well.
It should come as no surprise that the Nokia Lumia 521 would be chosen as one of the first devices to be unveiled here in the United States under these new carrier plans. This device was revealed at Mobile World Congress 2013 as one of several budget-minded smartphones working with Windows Phone 8 by Nokia, aiming for the everyman without sacrificing the high-quality craftsmanship and Nokia-way that comes with every Lumia device. You’ll find this device having hit the FCC this week.
Have a peek at our hands-on with the Lumia 520 – the original version (the international version) of the device we’ll be seeing here on T-Mobile as the 521. It’ll be essentially the same device with a few choice changes to the hardware build – expect it! Watch out for the slightly larger Lumia 720 as well.
BlackBerry Z10
Even though the BlackBerry Z10 was available to business customers with T-Mobile back on the 11th of March, it would still make a lot of sense for the company to give some hands-on time and another kick in the bootloader to this smartphone at this week’s event. Once it’s available to the general public, the stream of BlackBerry love can continue – and maybe it’ll even have 4G LTE connectivity. Can we dare to hope?
Have a peek at our BlackBerry Z10 review right this minute as it appears internationally and let us know if you’d jump on board if it were available to you from T-Mobile this week.
Lenovo IdeaTab A1000-F
Though it’s rather unlikely that a device that, according to Engadget, is passing through the FCC this week with Wifi only would be revealed by T-Mobile this week, it’s still possible. This machine is a 7-inch tablet we heard about earlier this year with not one whole heck of a lot of surprises inside, but a Q2 2013 release time on the books. Watch out for it one way or the other!
It may be that T-Mobile has finally signed a deal with Apple to get the iPhone on their shelves, but this is the least likely device of the collection here in this article. It’s much more likely that a carrier like T-Mobile would wait for Apple to reveal a new generation of device before they announce a partnership – especially with the new subsidy plans in the UNcarrier push.
Don’t forget the HTC One and the Samsung Galaxy Note II, also – the Galaxy device was the first device to have T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network switched on while the HTC One has been guaranteed to see the carrier sooner than later! Remember – this T-Mobile event happens at 8AM PST tomorrow – that’s 10AM Central, and 11AM Eastern Standard Time. Don’t you dare miss it!
Here’s a case for the iPhone 5 that will have you looking at the back of your phone as much as the front. The iEqualizer has a built-in meter like the one you’d find on a graphic equalizer.
It works just like the T-shirt version and the DIY necktie we saw a while back. Its electroluminescent panel will react to nearby sounds, though it’s not exactly an accurate audio meter.
The case requires two CR2032 batteries. It would’ve been more convenient if it had a rechargeable battery instead, but at least it won’t draw power from the iPhone 5′s barely adequate battery. The iEqualizer is also sensible enough to have a power switch. The only thing I don’t like about the case is the boombox-like thing up top, which probably houses a microphone.
You can order the iEqualizer from Strapya for about $30 (USD).
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
