T-Mobile's New 'Jump On Demand' Lease Program Allows Up to 3 Smartphone Upgrades Per Year

Based on the length of this thread and the confusion over the value of this deal, it seems to me to be very "carrier" of T-Mobile. What ever happened to buy the phone and pay for the service? Now that's "un-carrier"!

I wish AT&T would fire Ralph, and hire John.

T-Mobile's JUMP! has always been very confusing to me. So let me get this straight.

With this new JUMP! On Demand, you get to lease one of several phones for up to 18 months?

In case of iPhone 6 16GB, $15/month or $180/year (with no sales tax unless you are paying off to buy the phone)? And if I decide to get a new phone, say iPhone 6S 16GB, all I have to do is return leased phone in good condition and walk out with a new phone (up to 3 times a year)?

And should I choose to get an insurance, it will be $8/month extra?

Unless I am missing something, if I am correct, this sounds like a good deal (iPhone 6 16GB can be sold for $500 at Amazon, and more at open market). The whole thing hinges on (1) how easily one can get a new phone, especially for highly in demand phones like iPhone when it first comes out and (2) cost to lease higher-capacity model.

Exactly. And you would want the insurance because if you crack it, you can simply replace it overnight.

They'll let you upgrade multiple times (3) in a 12 month period with little to no up front cost, that's different from the regular Jump plan where it was a mandatory half down.

Exactly. And you would want the insurance because if you crack it, you can simply replace it overnight.

Yeah, but the insurance still entails you to pay $175. Or you could take it to Apple and have the screen replaced for $79.

It's pretty good if you lose your phone though. Their claim process is pretty seamless and swift.

So could somebody tell me how this could actually be enforced? I mean, you give the old phone in -- but what if it's scratched, wouldn't you get fined for that? What about the original packaging? Would it have to be in pristine condition? Who would judge whether or not it's acceptable? What happens to the old phones?

Long Post!

I really think I have missed something, would somebody be patient enough to explain please? :)

I've been a JUMP customer since it came out the very first time. So far, I've exchanged 4 phones and never had a problem - this is how it usually works.

1. You sign up for the JUMP program - pick the phone you want - use it for 6 months (or till you pay half with the updated JUMP)
2. After the first 6 months, you walk into T-mobile - hand them the phone (don't need packaging or chargers etc, just the phone).
3. They will inspect it - scratches don't seem to bother them but if you have a cracked screen, you will have to pay $175 (for flagship phones) for the insurance claim.
4. After you hand in your old phone, they close out the remaining balance.
5. You pick a new phone, pay taxes upfront (~$60), sign a new contract for 24 mths and walk out with a new phone.
6. Repeat every 6 months (or one year if you are on the updated plan)

To answer your specific questions
But what if it's scratched, wouldn't you get fined for that?
- Scratches and minor dings don't seem to bother them. Cracked screens do.

What about the original packaging?
- Don't need it. Sell it on craigslist/swappa.

Would it have to be in pristine condition?
- Scratches and minor dings don't seem to bother them. Cracked screens do.

Who would judge whether or not it's acceptable?
- The person at the counter. I think they do a diagnostics later on, but I've never had a problem with my 4 JUMPs.

What happens to the old phones?
- No idea, they prob sell it through an ebay store or sell them as certified refurb etc to score customers.

Exactly. And you would want the insurance because if you crack it, you can simply replace it overnight.

They'll let you upgrade multiple times (3) in a 12 month period with little to no up front cost, that's different from the regular Jump plan where it was a mandatory half down.

Cool. I am sure T-Mobile will add more details closer to launch. I just hope that they do not repeat last year's iPhone 6 debacle.

I wish T-Mobile would simplify this program even further and offer automatic iPhone or Android (Galaxy or whatever strikes you fancy) upgrade plan. Just pay whatever necessary downpayment (if you want most costly model), $15/month, and get a new phone shipped to you automatically every year (with a convenient return box for older model).

I am on this plan in a state without sales tax so I'm paying the straight up $19 a month for the phone (6+) on each bill. I'm not sure if sales tax is spread out in each payment in states that do have it.

$19 a month as part of their "after trade in promo", correct? If so you've answered my question; it doesn't matter if your state has sales tax, it is not calculated into the monthly rate.

Where'd the $164 come from? You're paying $270, leaving $379.92 of the $649.92 total left. I'm not seeing how this is saving any money for those who wish to keep the device and pay for it full.

"Customers that cancel their T-Mobile wireless service in less than 18 months must pay the sum of their final monthly payments and return the working smartphone, or purchase the smartphone outright for a fee, such as $164 for the iPhone 6. Jump on Demand will be available for eligible devices at participating T-Mobile stores in the United States beginning Sunday, June 28."

Thats just for the iPhone 6 promo. I'm sure the other phones will have a higher fee/monthly price.

EDIT: If its NOT the iPhone 6 promo, it might not turn out to be the best deal for those who want to own it outright (I don't know details of any other phones on the new Jump), but if the total price at the end is the same price as paying retail (I doubt it), its the same as buying it outright now.

I'll prob be jumping on this though (depending on what the prices for other phones are). Having a new flagship phone + unlimited everything for ~75/mth every 4 months is worth it in my book.

Never cared about jump.

I'd rather buy and resell than lease.

But that's if you want to ditch T-Mobile altogether... Not sure who would go all that trouble to save a couple hundred bucks for a smartphone.

I think you can just finish the final payment, keep the phone and keep your plan with T-Mo - its essentially the same as the current Jump plan (Terms and conditions seems the same - other than the "leasing vs financing" bit)

"With Jump! On Demand, you make payments on your phone for 18 months. After 18 months, you can simply turn in your phone with nothing more to pay, or upgrade to your next new phone and start a new plan, or make a final payment and keep your phone."