T-Mobile’s $0-down financing plan bundles taxes and fees

T-Mobile is launching a new financing option that will allow you to pay for a device, taxes, and fees over 36 months. In an update on Tuesday, T-Mobile says its new Equipment Installment Plan (EIP) Flex 36 requires no upfront payment and will come with a 0 percent APR for a limited time.

Even if you are financing a device, carriers typically require you to pay sales tax, an activation fee, or a down payment at checkout. T-Mobile says its new plan eliminates that by allowing you to pay off all of these costs over time — though its website notes only “well-qualified customers” will pay $0 upfront. The EIP Flex 36 financing option is available for phones, watches, and tablets, and can also be combined with T-Mobile’s device promotions.

Allan Samson, the chief marketing officer at T-Mobile, tells The Verge in an email that customers eligible for 0 percent APR will keep the same rate throughout their term. “While we can’t predict what an individual customer will pay upfront because it varies based on their credit and the device they choose, we do know that most of our customers today qualify for 0% APR with $0 out-of-pocket on EIP Flex 36,” Samson adds.

T-Mobile is introducing a 36-month option for its standard 0 percent financing plan as well, which was previously only available for 24 months. The carrier is also adding new Student Perks plans, starting at $30 / line per month with autopay enabled.

Update, August 7th: Added a statement from T-Mobile.