T-Mobile announced pricing plans today for Samsung’s new Galaxy S4 phone. Starting April 24 on T-Mobile.com, you can order Samsung’s flagship smartphone for $149 up front and pay $20 per month for 24 months thereafter.
It’s part of T-Mobile’s new Simple Choice Plan, which separates the cost of wireless service from the purchase of a phone — no longer subsidizing the cost of the device as part of the service plan.
T-Mobile is offering similar payment plans for the iPhone 5, which the carrier just released last week. It’s part of the company’s mission to change the way consumers think about wireless service, and shake up its own business in the process. T-Mobile outlined the new strategy earlier this year and explains in this FAQ:
“Just like all other wireless carriers, T-Mobile has to charge enough to cover the cost of the phone. The difference is that, with Value Plans, T-Mobile separates the cost of the phone from the cost of the service. That means T-Mobile Value Plan customers finish paying for their phone as soon the actual cost is paid off—and their monthly bill automatically drops.”
The Galaxy S4 will run on T-Mobile’s new LTE network. The phone will debut in T-Mobile stores May 1 and also be available on six other U.S. carriers.
AT&T will offer the S4 at $199 down with a two-year contract and for $639 if you don’t want a contract. Sprint, meanwhile, is selling the phone at $249 with a two-year agreement and new customers will receive a $100 credit, bringing the grand total to $149. Verizon hasn’t released pricing.
The phone will also be sold at retailers like Wal-Mart, Staples, Best Buy, Best Buy, Costco, Radio Shack, Sam’s Club and Target.
T-Mobile USA is based in Bellevue.
Previously on GeekWire: T-Mobile customers wait in line, swap Androids for iPhone 5
