As anticipated, T-Mobile has just sent out a press release announcing the official kick-off of their Smartphone Upgrade season with a $0 down sale on the hottest new handsets. The sale is exactly what we learned last night thanks to the leaked emails that hit my inbox and while I wouldn’t exactly call this a “sale,” T-Mobile would beg to differ. Ultimately, the benefit here is the lack of any upfront payment and the hope that you don’t suffer bill shock when you recognize an extra $29.50 is tacked onto your monthly statement as happens with the Galaxy Note 3.

“It’s the time of year when many consumers think about upgrading their smartphones, so why not upgrade to the Un-carrier and be free of annoying restrictions?” said Mike Sievert, chief marketing officer, T-Mobile US. “What’s better than zero dollars down on some of the latest and most in-demand smartphones with no annual service contracts, a program that lets you upgrade up to twice a year after six months of enrollment, plus unlimited data on our blazing fast nationwide network?”

The sale itself offers $0 down on the Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy S 4, LG G2, and Galaxy Note II. Unlike the email yesterday evening, the company’s official press release makes no mention of the iPhone 5c leading us to believe that only the four devices mentioned are included in this special offer.

For those of you who have been eagerly anticipating the Galaxy Note 3, does the $29.50 monthly installment price alter your buying decision at all? Will you hold off until the down payment increases so you can decrease your monthly cost?

Press Release:

T-Mobile Kicks Off Smartphone Upgrade Season with Zero Dollars Down on Amazing Devices

America’s Un-carrier is the best place to get the all-new Samsung Galaxy Note® 3 – launching today at an unbeatable upfront price

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Oct. 2, 2013 — The weather may be cooling down but the deals are hot at T-Mobile (NYSE: TMUS). Beginning today, October 2, T-Mobile is offering the ultimate promotion of zero dollars down on some of the newest, most popular devices, including Samsung’s next big thing – the Samsung Galaxy Note® 3 – and LG’s flagship smartphone – the LG G2 – plus the Samsung Galaxy S® 4. With this limited-time promotion, new and existing well-qualified consumers and small business customers will get affordable and hassle-free access to the latest 4G LTE smartphones at the upfront price of $0 down with monthly device payments1.

“It’s the time of year when many consumers think about upgrading their smartphones, so why not upgrade to the Un-carrier and be free of annoying restrictions?” said Mike Sievert, chief marketing officer, T-Mobile US. “What’s better than zero dollars down on some of the latest and most in-demand smartphones with no annual service contracts, a program that lets you upgrade up to twice a year after six months of enrollment, plus unlimited data on our blazing fast nationwide network?”

At T-Mobile, customers can get some of the newest smartphones at the lowest upfront cost with T-Mobile’s Simple Choice Plan, unlimited data on a nationwide 4G network and no annual service contracts – a deal which is hard to beat. The zero dollars down promotion will be available nationwide at participating T-Mobile retail stores, via customer care and online at www.T-Mobile.com. Smartphones included in the promotion are as follows:

JUMP!
In addition to the promotion, customers can also take advantage of T-Mobile’s groundbreaking upgrade program, JUMP!™, which offers the freedom to upgrade to a new device more frequently and affordably, and includes handset protection that helps to protect against malfunction, damage, loss or theft – all for just $10 per month, per phone (plus taxes and fees).

Simple Choice Plan
The Simple Choice Plan from T-Mobile starts with a base rate of $50 per month for unlimited talk, text and Web with up to 500MB of high-speed data on its advanced nationwide network. Customers can get up to 2.5GB of high-speed data for $10 more per month per line or unlimited 4G data with up to 2.5GB of tethering for an additional $20 per month per line. Customers can add a second phone line for $30 per month and each additional line is just $10 per month. No caps, no overages on T-Mobile’s network and no restrictive annual service contracts.

T-Mobile’s 4G LTE Coverage
T-Mobile’s blazing-fast 4G LTE coverage now reaches 180 million people in 154 metro areas across the United States. The company is quickly building toward nationwide 4G LTE coverage, in addition to its nationwide 4G HSPA+ network, which reaches 228 million people. Customers can enjoy a consistently outstanding 4G wireless experience, seamlessly connecting to both T-Mobile’s nationwide 4G HSPA+ and rapidly expanding 4G LTE network.