T-Mobile is making you an iPhone offer you can’t refuse

Wireless providers are some of the most cutthroat competitors out there and T-Mobile is coming for Verizon with their #GetOutoftheRed promotion.

It’s a dark and dirty world out there for a wireless provider and T-Mobile targeting Verizon’s customers with a smartphone-related offer they can’t refuse. Specifically, T-Mobile is offering to pay off any remaining iPhone or Google Pixel payments if you switch to their service (and sign up for their insurance).

The limited time promotion begins May 31 and there is, of course, fine print. You’ll be responsible for paying your balance upfront, but T-Mobile promises to send you a prepaid digital MasterCard for whatever value you owed. And the promotion only applies to certain phones: the iPhone SE, 6s, 6s Plus, 7 and 7 Plus as well as the Google Pixel or Pixel XL. And, of course, it’s currently specific to Verizon.

The most notable piece of fine print pertains to the terms of your transfer. You’ll have to purchase $15/month Premium Device Protection Plus insurance plan, which is probably the responsible thing to do anyways. The protection plan covers loss, theft and accidental damage and includes  McAfee ID Protection and McAfee Content Protection.

The whole thing is called #GetOutoftheRed, which we begrudgingly must admit is some pretty great wordplay.

Not so long ago, Verizon finally began offering unlimited data, to much rejoicing. But even this, T-Mobile would have you believe, is actually just another reason to switch:

“After desperately launching unlimited, Verizon’s network choked—while our network speeds surged. Today, T-Mobile has a whopping 23% speed advantage over Verizon,” said Legere. “So, to kick off summer, we’re going BIG right out of the gate and throwing a lifeline to millions of Verizon customers. Now, you can ditch Verizon, keep your phone, and we’ll even pay it off for you!

“Desperately launching.” “Choked.” Whew.

Presumably it will not be long until we hear from Verizon about how a) all T-Mobile’s data is wrong and b) more people like the color red than pink.

But that’s how it goes in the cold, hard world of wireless providers.