Vivid News Wave

T-Mobile's Go5G Next Is Giving Discounts on Connected Tablets, Laptops, Watches


T-Mobile's Go5G Next Is Giving Discounts on Connected Tablets, Laptops, Watches

Expertise 5G | Mobile networks | Wireless carriers | Phones | Tablets | Streaming devices | Streaming platforms | Mobile | Console gaming

T-Mobile is sweetening its offer for those on its priciest Go5G Next plans, introducing on Wednesday a bevy of new features aimed largely at connected devices. Among the most notable: Adding a cellular-connected watch, tablet or laptop will now cost just $5 per device, while the carrier says it will cover the difference between a Wi-Fi-only version of a device and a cellular model.

Starting on Oct. 17, T-Mobile says it will cover up to $200 of the difference between cellular and Wi-Fi versions and it will extend the offer to cellular-enabled laptops as well. For reference, the new Apple Watch Series 10 starts at $399 for the Wi-Fi-only model and $499 for the cellular option, while a Wi-Fi-only iPad Pro starts at $999 and the 5G-enabled option is $1,199.

For tablets and watches, you will need to buy them directly from T-Mobile to get the savings, and then stay with the carrier for 24 months. For laptops, the carrier will allow you to purchase a "T-Mobile Certified Windows Laptop" from any retailer and then, after you add it to your plan, fill out a form for a rebate within 30 days.

You need to add the laptop to a Go5G Next for $5 first within 30 days of purchasing the computer, but you don't need to keep it on Go5G Next for two full years to keep the rebate and can cancel and re-add it as needed. Once submitted, you should get a $200 prepaid Mastercard within eight to 12 weeks. Examples of compatible devices include a variety of laptops from Dell, Lenovo and HP, as well as Microsoft's newest Surface Pro with 5G.

Those who don't have a laptop or tablet with 5G built-in will be able to buy a TCL-made device that plugs into a USB-C port for $50 (a "limited time" 50% discount, according to the carrier) and add it to their plan. T-Mobile says this device is compatible with most Mac, Windows, Android and iOS devices that have USB-C ports.

When added to your plan, tablets and laptops you will get 30GB of high-speed data each month for each device connected with additional data dropping to a significantly slower 600Kbps if that allotment is used up (though the carrier will sell you additional high-speed data if you want it). Watches, which don't use as much data, get unlimited data, but at 512Kbps.

You also get the ability to use this data internationally, though most countries have speeds capped at much slower, 2G-like 256kbps levels (like other T-Mobile plans 11 European countries will have 5GB of high-speed data).

According to Vinayak Hegde, T-Mobile's chief marketing officer, 80% of the carrier's customers are "using about 30 gigs of data each month."

T-Mobile says that adding a wearable to its other plans is normally around $12 per month, while adding a tablet or laptop starts at $20 per month for 5GB (30GB of data would be $40 per month). These options include AutoPay and voice discounts.

As mentioned, you will need to be on Go5G Next to take advantage of this new offer. Compared to AT&T and Verizon, this could be a tempting deal: Adding a laptop or tablet plan at Verizon starts at $10 per month and watches start at $7.50 per month, while AT&T charges $21 per month for adding a tablet to an unlimited plan and $11 per month to add a watch.

But it is worth noting that, unlike its competitors, T-Mobile does not let you "mix and match" your plans if you have multiple lines. So if you want to take advantage of these new perks you will need to move all lines on the account to the carrier's priciest plan, which could negate some of the savings.

Previous articleNext article

POPULAR CATEGORY

corporate

7321

tech

8366

entertainment

8989

research

4014

misc

9442

wellness

7144

athletics

9391