The Nexus One, also known as the Google Phone, has been making a stir this month after details began to emerge about the project. Google plans to offer the Nexus One smartphone for $529.99 unlocked or $179.99 from T-Mobile with a two-year contract.
It appears that T-Mobile is offering only one rate plan: $39.99 Even More + Text + Web for $79.99 total. And existing customers cannot keep their plan if they want a subsidized phone, which means that they have to change to the one plan, and only accounts with one single line will be able to do this. But you can buy the $530 unlocked version, and save money over the 2 years if you already have a cheaper plan.
If you cancel your plan before 120 days, you have to pay the subsidy difference between what you paid and the unsubsidized price, so $350 in this case. Or you can return the phone to Google. You also authorize them to charge this directly to your credit card.
Gizmodo also noted existing T-Mobile customers cannot keep their current plan if they want a subsidized phone; they would have to switch to the Nexus One plan.
According Google’s press invitation, the company will hold a press conference at 10am in California on January 5, with “demonstrations” scheduled between 11:30am and 1pm. Which means it will be unlikely to be talking about an Android Roadmap or something esoteric.
A leaked T-Mobile screen grab revealed that Google will be offering an Android phone through its Web site, confirming the go-to-market plan Google was rumored to be employing to sell the device.