Joe Maring / Android Authority
TL;DR A new report claims T-Mobile is at least considering 36-month EIPs, versus its current two-month contract for new devices.
Not only is there an internal report claiming such a program is the in the works, a few smarwatches briefly showed the new terms live on T-Mobile’s website before they were reverted back.
It’s possible 36-month EIP program will only apply to select devices like watches and tablets, though it’s also certainly possible the carrier has postponed or cancelled the plan altogether.
It has been years since Verizon and AT&T ditched two-year device installment plans in favor of 36-month payment plans, leaving T-Mobile as the only major carrier that doesn’t lock customers into a three-year commitment. I’ve stated many times in the past that it was only a matter of time before the Uncarrier followed suit. It seems that time is finally approaching — at least if a new leak from The Mobile Report proves accurate.
The publication points to multiple signs suggesting 36-month installments are coming soon, including a document privately shared with them detailing that 36-month Equipment Installment Plans (EIPs) are in the pipeline for at least some devices. Additionally, a few Galaxy Watch devices briefly showed the new 36-month EIP length on T-Mobile’s website, as seen in the screenshot below.
Andrew Grush / Android Authority
Let’s be honest: the Galaxy Watch incident was certainly no mere error. While the company may have prematurely posted it or decided to delay the official announcement, the deliberate mention of 36-month terms strongly suggests legitimacy. The bigger question is whether this change will apply broadly to all devices and plans.
It’s quite possible these new 36-month plans might be exclusive to accessories like tablets and watches, while smartphone installment plans remain unchanged. Still, it would also make sense for T-Mobile to completely phase out two-year EIPs.
This move would not only lock customers in longer but also align with T-Mobile’s recent shifts toward resembling the very carriers it once criticized. For example, the carrier recently began rolling taxes and fees into all newer plans, including watches, tablets, and nearly everything except home internet service. T-Mobile has also incrementally raised prices and fees across its services.
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