According to Android Police, T-Mobile has quietly shifted most tablets and smartwatches to mandatory 36-month payment plans starting November 26, 2024. The change affects nearly all smartwatches on their lineup and popular tablets including the Galaxy Tab S10 FE, iPad Mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro. Customers now face an all-or-nothing choice: either commit to three years of payments or pay the full price upfront. There are no shorter 12 or 24-month options available on these devices anymore. This marks a significant departure from T-Mobile’s previous standard of 24-month equipment installment plans.
The illusion of payment flexibility
Here’s the thing about these “flexible” payment plans – they’re actually becoming less flexible. While spreading payments over three years might seem like a win for your monthly budget, you’re losing the ability to choose your payment timeline. Verizon and AT&T have offered 36-month plans for years, but they typically maintain shorter options too. T-Mobile’s move to eliminate choice entirely feels different. Basically, you’re either locked in for the long haul or paying everything at once. What happened to the middle ground?
What this means for your wallet
For someone buying a $900 iPad Pro, the math is simple: $25 per month instead of $37.50 on a two-year plan. That monthly savings looks appealing until you realize you’re committing to an extra year of payments. And let’s be honest – how many people actually keep tablets or smartwatches for three full years? The upgrade cycle for these devices tends to be shorter than for phones. You could technically pay off the balance early after 12 or 24 months, but you’d need to initiate that process yourself rather than having the shorter term built in. It’s a psychological shift as much as a financial one.
Following the carrier playbook
T-Mobile is finally falling in line with industry standards after years of positioning itself as the “Un-carrier.” AT&T introduced 36-month EIPs back in 2020, and Verizon has had similar options. The real question is whether this will eventually extend to smartphones. As DroidLife first reported, the change appears focused on tablets and wearables for now. But the pattern suggests phones could be next. Carriers have discovered that longer payment plans mean customers stick around longer – it’s harder to switch when you still owe hundreds on your device.
Time to reconsider your approach
So what should you do? If you’re eyeing one of T-Mobile’s tablets or smartwatches, you might want to consider buying outright if you can swing it. Or look at manufacturer financing, which often offers more flexible terms. The monthly payment might be lower with T-Mobile’s three-year plan, but you’re trading flexibility for that small monthly savings. In business technology and industrial computing, where reliability and long-term value matter, companies often prefer owning equipment outright or through more flexible financing. When every dollar counts, sometimes paying more upfront saves you in the long run.
