With AT&T, T-Mobile and even Verizon offering customers a quicker way to get their hands on a shiny new smartphone, it was only a matter of time until Sprint joined in, too. We had heard rumors of Sprint’s intention to launch such a plan and here it is, say hello to Sprint’s ‘One Up’ plan. A nice play on the 1UP gamers are used to seeing, Sprint’s latest plan works just as you might expect. Offering customers a fresh device every 12 months.
Much as you’d expect with such a deal, details are light at the moment. However, the One Up plan offers – for $65 a month – Sprint’s Unlimited package. That gets you unlimited data, unlimited texts and unlimited talk. All with “The Sprint Unlimited Guarantee”. As for the devices, there are no finance fees and you spread the cost of the device over 24-months. You’ll be required to pay the same amount for 23 months and on the 24th, you may end up paying more for the device. Of course, when you trade in your device, this comes off of the balance owed and then starts again with the second device. Interestingly enough, this latest plan from Sprint is only available through select stores, which you can check on Sprint.com. You can also sign-up for this plan using a tablet as well, which might be a good idea for some of you.
Sprint customers that have had 12 months since their last activation can sign-up to One Up, as long as their account is in good-standing of course. As for new customers, all you have to do is pass a credit check and fill in some paperwork. Those looking to trade-in their banged up EVO 4G will be disappointed however, as Sprint clearly states that the device must be in working order:
What does good working condition mean when giving back my device to participate in Sprint One Up?
Good working condition is defined as power on and cannot have broken, cracked or missing pieces.
This is hardly surprising, but it’s worth noting if you plan on taking in that phone you wish you didn’t take to the bar that night.
Needless to say, Sprint’s One Up program is more of “me too!” than it is anything else however, with truly unlimited data, talk and texts for $65 a month things don’t sound too bad at all. Of course, you need to factor in the device installments there as well. We’d like to hear from you guys, what do you think to Sprint’s One Up plan?