Following yesterday's announcement that T-Mobile would begin selling the iPad, the company today debuted introductory plans to offer customers 16 GB cellular versions of the Retina iPad mini and the iPad Air with no downpayment.

Like other T-Mobile "UnCarrier" offerings, the tablets will require a monthly hardware fee, which starts at $26.25 per month for the entry level 16 GB iPad Air and $22.08 for the 16 GB iPad mini with Retina Display. At 24 monthly payments of $26.25, the 16 GB cellular iPad Air ends up costing $630, which is ultimately the same price Apple and other carriers sell the iPad for.

Payments for the 32 and 64 GB versions of both iPads will increase with storage capacity, as will the downpayment. For the 32 GB Air and mini, customers will need to pay $99 up front, and $199 up front for the 64 GB versions. The first-generation iPad mini will also be available from T-Mobile, at zero downpayment and $17.91 per month.

tmobile

Downpayment comparison chart

T-Mobile plans to provide customers with an entry level data package of 200 MB at no cost, with additional data, up to 4.5 GB, available for an extra fee. T-Mobile also offers daily and weekly data passes for the iPad Air and the iPad minis, charging $5 for 500 MB of daily data or $10 for a week of unlimited data with 1 GB available at LTE speeds.

"When you buy a product as amazing as iPad, you should be able to connect when and where you want, simply and affordably," said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile. "By offering free data for life with incredible upfront pricing, T-Mobile is un-leashing customers to fully enjoy iPad as it was meant to be enjoyed - mobile and connected."

Apple's iPad Air will be available for purchase on November 1, while the iPad mini with Retina display will be available later in November.

Top Rated Comments

romeo0119 Avatar
159 months ago
So I can buy this, no interest and it comes out to the same price that I would be paying at Apple? Plus I get 200mb for free each month? That's awesome, might go down this route
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CrzyP Avatar
159 months ago
Isn't it too good? I mean I hope it is but how does TMob. makes money out of this deal? Device + free 200mb in 24 payments. And the cost is the same as you would buy from Apple store in 1 payment and no data included.

If Apple was doing the deal it would make more sense to me. I hope that's true with no catch and TMob still makes money..
I think it is a bridge for customers to sign up for phone services and tablet data plans. Kind of the same way the iPhone was a bridge to the Mac for a lot of users. It's just a way to expose more people to the T-Mobile brand as the iPhone exposed people to Apple.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CEmajr Avatar
159 months ago
The question is - is it unlocked?

They're all unlocked
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iAppl3Fan Avatar
159 months ago
T-Mobile CEO rocks!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
4jasontv Avatar
159 months ago
T-Mobile needs to sell Mac Pro's.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
justgeig Avatar
159 months ago
This in combination with the free 200MB/month for life is really impressive. I so desperately wish T-Mobile had service in the areas I live and work.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple Wallet ID Illinois

Apple Plans to Expand iPhone Driver's Licenses to These 7 U.S. States

Wednesday December 24, 2025 8:40 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Year With These 12 New Features

Tuesday December 23, 2025 8:36 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another nine months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models. The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID Front camera in...
maxresdefault

Where's the New Apple TV?

Monday December 22, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV 4K since 2022, and 2025 was supposed to be the year that we got a refresh. There were rumors suggesting Apple would release the new Apple TV before the end of 2025, but it looks like that's not going to happen now. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said several times across 2024 and 2025 that Apple would...
airpods color prototypes

Apple Tested AirPods in Bright Colors

Saturday December 27, 2025 6:06 am PST by
Apple reportedly tested a version of the first-generation AirPods with bright, iPhone 5c-like colored charging cases. The images, shared by the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami," claim to show first-generation AirPods prototypes with pink and yellow exterior casings. The interior of the charging case and the earbuds themselves remain white. They seem close to some...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Monday December 22, 2025 8:47 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 26.2, following more than a month of beta testing. It is a big update, with many new features and changes for iPhones. iOS 26.2 adds a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. Below, we have highlighted a total of eight new features. Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen A new slider in the Lock...
maxresdefault

10 Mac Apps Worth Trying in 2026

Wednesday December 24, 2025 9:27 am PST by
2026 is almost upon us, and a new year is a good time to try out some new apps. We've rounded up 10 excellent Mac apps that are worth checking out. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Alt-Tab (Free) - Alt-Tab brings a Windows-style alt + tab thumbnail preview option to the Mac. You can see a full window preview of open apps and app windows. One Thing (Free) -...
top stories 2025 12 27

Top Stories: iPhone Fold Mockup, Where's the New Apple TV?, and More

Saturday December 27, 2025 6:00 am PST by
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from MacRumors! News in the Apple world has unsurprisingly been relatively slow over the past week, but Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone managed to make its way back into the news, while we also shared updates on current and future Apple TV news. iOS 26.3 will be bringing some new features, particularly for users in the EU, so we'll look for additional...