Sprint has today announced two new programs to buy and upgrade to the latest smartphones through the carrier. As the name suggests, Sprint Flex brings several new options to device leasing for postpaid accounts, and Sprint Deals provides the option of purchasing with or without a credit check. Meanwhile the carrier’s year of free service promotion for new customers is still live…
Sprint has been focusing on its leasing options for a while, but today the company is introducing more ways to purchase and trade-in smartphones. Customers will still have to start with a lease, but they can opt to upgrade after 12 or 18 months, and also choose to purchase the device or continue leasing.
Sprint Flex allows customers to enjoy their phone before deciding what option (upgrade, continue leasing, return, or own) works best for their lifestyle. Customers can still choose to buy the phone outright at point of sale.
Here are the details about Sprint Flex from the press release:
- Choose a phone and start paying monthly with our lowest cost down today.
- Benefit from annual upgrades with iPhone Forever and Galaxy Forever at no additional monthly charge; or, for $5 per month, choose an annual upgrade option for any other new device.2
- At 18 months:
- Choose to return your device and upgrade to a new one.
- Choose to own the device by paying it off in one payment.
- Choose to own the device by making six more monthly payments. All lease payments already made will count toward the purchase price.
The second new program, Sprint Deals, offers the option to complete or skip a credit check when purchasing a new device. Here’s how this program works:
- Customers who apply for and receive credit with Sprint, can take advantage of Sprint Flex on a postpaid plan:
- For entry-level devices, customers pay $5 per month with $25 down.
- For higher-end devices, customers pay $10 per month with $30 down.
- Customers who prefer to bypass a credit check with Sprint, can get an instant discount on the same “value menu” of smartphones, on a Sprint Forward prepaid plan:
- For entry-level devices, customers get 50 percent off the suggested retail price.
- For higher-end devices, customers pay 25 percent off the suggested retail price.
Sprint is hoping that these new programs will give current Sprint customers more reason to stay and entice customers with other carriers to make the switch.
“Sprint Flex is the ultimate option for consumers who want the latest device at our most competitive prices with maximum flexibility,” said Marcelo Claure, Sprint President and CEO.
Sprint notes in the press release that “when a customer switches to Sprint, they can get four lines of unlimited data, talk and text for $22.50 per month per line. Plus, for a limited time, the fifth line is free!”
Strange enough, there is no mention of Sprint’s promotion for a free year of unlimited service that runs until July 31 for new customers (with no purchase requirement). As of this writing the first “Get Started” link on promotion page seems to be down, but the second one a bit further down is working.
FTC: 9to5Toys is reader supported, we may earn income on affiliate links
Subscribe to the 9to5Toys YouTube Channel for all of the latest videos, reviews, and more!