T-Mobile's Motorola Charm to go for a big, fat zilch on family plan activations?

The poster here that we've received today kind of speaks for itself, we'd say. By all appearances, it seems that T-Mobile intends to continue its tradition of making family plans attractive with blowout handset pricing -- and the next model to get the free treatment will be Motorola's upcoming Charm featuring Android packed into a form factor that you rarely (well, never see) for the platform. Realistically, $100 is probably the high end of the reasonable range for something with the Charm's specs, but at $0, it's a downright bargain compared to the typical free-on-contract dumbphone fare. Now let's just extend this offer to non-family plans, T-Mobile -- and go ahead and make it permanent while you're at it.

[Thanks, Justfinethanku]

[Ploni Almoni Posted Jul 14th 2010 12:58PM]

For individual plans they are selling the cliq xt for free with contract, an android phone also.

[christexaport Posted Jul 14th 2010 1:02PM]

Good deal. Now why wasn't the cheaper Nuron not free as well? US carriers MUST stop hiding behind tiered device pricing. Everything is $0, $69, $99, $179, or $199. With no correlation of exact price, or how much subsidy they offer, it eliminates companies being rewarded for keeping costs down. Nokia offers a $179 device for $69, yet this device, which has moving parts and obviously costs more, has a lower contract cost... HMMMMMM.....

We need more honest device pricing. A $700 iPhone 4 shouldn't cost as much as a $420 Nokia N8, but it probably will on contract. $199 is all the consumer knows, and that needs to stop. Its unfair to the OEMs and consumers.

[bustafone Posted Jul 14th 2010 1:33PM]

@christexaport As soon as I saw your name I knew you would bring Nokia into the equation, even though this article had nothing to do with it.
Most of us do not give a flying f... about Nokia. Stop it bro!

[christexaport Posted Aug 3rd 2010 1:08AM]

@bustafone
I'm a NOKIA evangelist. And the Nuron is a TMobile branded device.
If you don't like Nokia, and you recognize me, run when you see me like the rest of the putzes in the world.

[Tipsofme Posted Jul 14th 2010 5:09PM]

Sounds like a great price to me. Just remember it's still $18 if your using an upgrade! Customers never remember...

[SParklingCYaNide Posted Jul 14th 2010 5:41PM]

Actually for a mid-low end phone the Moto Charm has pretty damn good specs so makes this a great deal. Very solid phone if someone doesn't want a full fledged High end phone, this would be the one to get.

[Auggie Posted Jul 14th 2010 9:18PM]

Motorola Charm > any Blackberry on the market

[starkruzr Posted Jul 15th 2010 12:11PM]

Does it also come with Motorola's terrific "pick up my ball and go home" feature? Also known as "I'm going to self-destruct if you try to take control of me, even though you bought me fair and square?"