Virgin Mobile Announces Launch of iPhone For June 29, Dirt Cheap Prepaid Plans

[Phillip Swanson]

Rumors earlier this week claimed Virgin Mobile would join the pre-paid carrier iPhone fracas, and today the company confirmed they would be launching the iPhone June 29.

Virgin Mobile, a prepaid brand owned and operated by Sprint, will offer plans as low as $30 a month when customers sign up for automatic payments. Virgin will offer the 16GB iPhone 4S priced at $649 and the 8GB iPhone 4 priced at $549. Virgin Mobile will sell the device through their website, Radioshack, Best Buy, and other retailers.

Virgin Mobile's Beyond Talk unlimited data and messaging plans for iPhone start at $35 per month for access to Sprint's Nationwide Network, and customers can receive a $5 per-month plan discount when they register for automatic monthly payments with a credit card, debit card or PayPal account, making iPhone available for as low as $30 per month. Customers can also use their iPhone as a mobile hotspot through Virgin Mobile for an additional $15 per month. — Virgin Mobile

Last week Cricket announced their foray into the prepaid iPhone market but, the same iPhone models on their network cost $150 less up front. It appears Cricket is subsidizing their iPhones for customers. However, Virgin Mobile owners will likely make up the price difference in a years time benefiting from potentially lower priced prepaid plans as Cricket only offers owners one $55 plan offering unlimited text, talk and data.

Virgin Mobile’s plans all include unlimited data with the $30 plan including 300 minutes, the $40 plan including 1200 minutes, and the $50 plan including unlimited minutes. The previously mentioned prices include the $5 automatic payment discount.

Source: Virgin Mobile [via MacRumors]

[AUZambo]

I assume that "owned and operated by Sprint" means Virgin has the same, awesomely reliable, stable coverage as Sprint??

[kory108]

I'm assuming "Unlimited Data" doesn't really mean unlimited? No specific caps are mentioned in Virgin Mobile's website from what I can tell: Virgin Mobile USA

[romeomafia]

If you already have a sprint iphone 4s or 4, and out of contract, in good standing, can you still get a plan??? or you need to buy the iphone from them directly?

[Gargo]

If you already have a sprint iphone 4s or 4, and out of contract, in good standing, can you still get a plan??? or you need to buy the iphone from them directly?

I have been working a Promotion for Virgin Wireless for the past few weeks. We have been telling consumers that you have to have a Boost Mobile or Virgin Wireless phone to use the the network. They do this to differ themselves from Sprint, so more people wouldn't be signing up with Virgin.

[FilSmith]

If you already have a sprint iphone 4s or 4, and out of contract, in good standing, can you still get a plan??? or you need to buy the iphone from them directly?

Aren't all plans on Sprint a 2 year contract? If so, how could anyone be out of contract yet?

[morbidpete]

Aren't all plans on Sprint a 2 year contract? If so, how could anyone be out of contract yet?

Purchased out of contract, subsidized, Craigs List, Amazon, E-Bay. No different then any other carrier

[Gopher_Otis]

I assume that "owned and operated by Sprint" means Virgin has the same, awesomely reliable, stable coverage as Sprint??

You're funny.

[Young Harlem108]

in the long run you save cash but the out right price of these things is gonna be nuts theyll have the 4 and 4s i presume

[Juggolow22]

Do you think virgin will offer the phone with a sim or ESN like sprint

[TheFunkDoctor]

Interesting move Branson