How do I upgrade to a new phone model?

[RESmonkey]

I am part of a plan that includes a few family members, and I have to stay in this plan.

Where can I get a (tmobile) phone that I can just swap my SIM card with and have it work? I don't want to pay too much, either. Around $100?

 

[Pliablemoose]

You can call TMobile or look on their website, they recently started to sell open box phones at a discount (the subsidized phones), or you can just buy a prepaid TMobile phone at a retail store & put your SIM card in it, it'll work fine, and is typically the cheapest option. TMObile sells the prepaid phones on it's website too, again, just put your sim card in the new phone.

Craigslist has thousands of phones, find an unlocked GSM phone or a TMobile branded phone that's still locked and put your sim card in it and you're good to go.

That's the beauty of a GSM phone, easy to swap them out.

 

[pm]

Pretty much any US GSM phone, or world-wide tri-band phone will work with T-Mobile by just swapping SIMs.

As far as where to buy them - T-Mobile, Craigstlist and Ebay are my top picks too - basically what Pliablemoose said.

 

[Athena]

1. T-Mobile prepaid phone (use Cashback for 35% rebate)
2. Dotcells.com
3. Target and other retailers - T-Mobile prepaid phone
4. eBay

 

[shortylickens]

I suggest reading all the threads in the forum about finding unlocked phones.
OR.....

Try Newegg, Amazon or Tiger Direct for unlocked phones. My recommendation for a cheap unlocked T-mobile phone is the Motorola V195. Its decent on features and has a ridiculous battery life. I know for a fact Amazon sells them for 50 bucks. I think thats the direction I'll be heading when I am done with my Verizon contract in November. I really dont give a damn about fancy smartphones anymore. They cost too much and cant do as much as a 300 laptop.

 

[RESmonkey]

I'm looking at the prepaid phones on T-mobile's website, specifically Samsung T429. It's for $39.99. Now, when I buy this phone, am I forced to buy prepaid minutes? I don't see anything about minutes here at all.

 

[shortylickens]

Originally posted by: RESmonkey
I'm looking at the prepaid phones on T-mobile's website, specifically Samsung T429. It's for $39.99. Now, when I buy this phone, am I forced to buy prepaid minutes? I don't see anything about minutes here at all.

For T-mobile I believe thats called Flex pay, and its pretty simple. Yes, you do need to pay in advance every month. And that means a new contract. From your OP I dont think you want a new contract, you just want a new phone to use on your old contract. Honestly I think you will have to contact T-mobile and see what they can do for you, or just buy an unlocked phone somewhere else and swap the SIM.

 

[Athena]

Originally posted by: RESmonkey
I'm looking at the prepaid phones on T-mobile's website, specifically Samsung T429. It's for $39.99. Now, when I buy this phone, am I forced to buy prepaid minutes? I don't see anything about minutes here at all.

No, you are not required to buy any extra minutes. T-Mobile will activate it with a new phone number but there is no requirement whatsoever that you use it. Just replace the SIM with the one you already have and you are ready to go.

Note: Don't forget to use Cashback -- the net cost of that phone will be less than $30.

 

[Athena]

Originally posted by: shortylickens
[ Honestly I think you will have to contact T-mobile and see what they can do for you, or just buy an unlocked phone somewhere else and swap the SIM.

He doesn't have to do anything but swap the SIM. He won't get the benefit of the free prepaid minutes but that's irrelevant to him.