Samsung Galaxy sIII for 'free' ($200 after etf) now vs Nexus 4 for $349...

preslove

Lifer
Sep 10, 2003
16,754
64
91
So, tomorrow and saturday, t-mobile is selling the GsIII for $0 after rebate. I'm off contract and looking to jump to straight talk, and was waiting on the Nexus 4. Now I'm thinking of getting the sIII, waiting on the rebate and then cancelling the service. So, the GsIII will end up being $200.

Think I should go with this instead of waiting on the Nexus?

Here's the t-mo info: http://phandroid.com/2012/11/13/t-mobile-samsung-4g-phones-black-friday/
 
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Red Storm

Lifer
Oct 2, 2005
14,233
234
106
New and existing eligible customers can take advantage of this pre-holiday sale. Customers will receive their device for free, after a mail-in rebate card2, when they sign up for a new two-year contract on any qualifying unlimited Classic plan, or for a $0.00 down payment (after a mail-in rebate card) when signing up for a new two-year contract on a new qualifying Unlimited Value® plan with an Equipment Installment Plan (EIP).

Seems to me this is the typical "free" offer from carriers that hinge upon new contracts or extensions?
 

vshah

Lifer
Sep 20, 2003
19,003
24
81
yup, you'll get back on a contract if you buy at subsidized price, and you'll have to pay the ETF when you terminate.
 

preslove

Lifer
Sep 10, 2003
16,754
64
91
Right, I think the etf is $200, so the phone will cost me $200 after the rebate comes in.
 

ImDonly1

Platinum Member
Dec 17, 2004
2,357
0
76
Tax on $300+activation of $35+2-3 months of service + $200 ETF = your GS3 price.
So ~$30+35+??+$200 = 265+2-3 months of whatever plan you decide to get. The fine print says rebate card will take 6-8 weeks to process, probably more before they receive your form and then mail it out.

Doesn't really seem worth it. Rather just get the Nexus 4. Less headache in doing all of that and probably the same price overall.

The S4 Pro also is faster than the GS3 I believe and gets direct updates.
 

preslove

Lifer
Sep 10, 2003
16,754
64
91
Tax on $300+activation of $35+2-3 months of service + $200 ETF = your GS3 price.
So ~$30+35+??+$200 = 265+2-3 months of whatever plan you decide to get. The fine print says rebate card will take 6-8 weeks to process, probably more before they receive your form and then mail it out.

Doesn't really seem worth it. Rather just get the Nexus 4. Less headache in doing all of that and probably the same price overall.

The S4 Pro also is faster than the GS3 I believe and gets direct updates.

I'm on T-mobile now. Do I need to pay an activation fee if I'm renewing my contract?
 

ImDonly1

Platinum Member
Dec 17, 2004
2,357
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76

kaerflog

Golden Member
Jul 23, 2010
1,899
4
76
I'm on T-mobile now. Do I need to pay an activation fee if I'm renewing my contract?

They charge you an upgrade fee which is $18.
As someone stated.
Its more like $300+tax+upgrade fee+2-3 months of service until you get your rebate.
The rebate is Tmo ways to preventing people from doing their ETF so fast.
I think you need to get the unlimted 4G data from Tmo to get the phone for free.
So you need to keep that required data plan while waiting for your rebate or else you won't get your rebate.
Ad the ETF isn't just a simple $200. Theres taxes to that fee too.
I did the ETF thing one time and I figured that it was more like ~$230 in the end.
 

noblemo

Member
Apr 15, 2011
45
0
0
Also, the promotion requires a Classic contract plan with talk, text, and at least $20/month of data. You will end up paying $60-$70/month until the rebate check comes in.