T-Mobile launches 36‑month financing plan to spread device costs and taxes

T‑Mobile, the United States' second‑largest wireless carrier, introduced a new financing option called EIP Flex 36. The plan extends device payments from the usual 24 months to 36 months, allowing qualified customers to walk out of a store with a phone, tablet or watch for $0 down. All taxes, activation fees and other overheads are folded into the monthly bill, with a limited‑time 0 % APR promotional rate that varies by credit.

Executives Srini Gopalan and Andre Almeida said the product responds to rising smartphone prices driven by an AI‑fuelled memory‑chip shortage. The higher cost of chips and memory has pushed up device prices, prompting the carrier to offer longer‑term financing as a competitive weapon. The rollout also coincides with the launch of a $30‑per‑month student plan and a rebranding of unlimited plans as “2.0” versions, though features and prices remain unchanged.