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).