Metro Launches Prepaid Plans with Phone Upgrades Included

Metro by T-Mobile is launching new service plans that, for the first time in prepaid wireless, will include free smartphone upgrades for existing customers. Starting May 16, new customers can sign up for a Metro Flex plan and get a free 5G smartphone. Then, "every 1, 2 or 3 years, trade in your old phone in working condition and choose from the same Metro Flex deals as new customers on select devices. Your options expand the longer you stay." The entry-level plan is Metro Flex Start, which runs $50/month with auto pay ($55 for the first month). It includes unlimited talk and text, "unlimited" 5G data (speeds may slow after 35 GB each month), and 8 GB of hotspot data. Metro also includes Scam Shield and a 100 GB Google One membership. For an extra $10/month, the Metro Flex Up plan adds unlimited texting to 210+ countries and destinations and bumps the hotspot data to 25 GB. The top-end Metro Flex Plus plan is an additional $10/month ($70/month with auto pay after first month) and throws in an Amazon Prime membership (worth $15/month). The fine print: Existing Metro customers can switch to Metro Flex plans, but will only be eligible for a new phone after 12 months. For six months after receiving a new phone, switching to a cheaper plan will incur a $50 fee. Some phones (new T-Mobile REVVL phones excluded) may require a $25 activation fee. Video streaming is limited to SD quality.