Google Nexus 5 availability expands with T-Mobile and Amazon
Since the Google Nexus 5 by LG was announced on Halloween, Android enthusiasts everywhere have been clamoring to get the device. Initially available only through the Google Play Store, Google’s existing stock sold out in about an hour, creating long waiting lists and many people who ordered on the first day and are still waiting for their orders to ship. Luckily, Nexus 5 availability is expanding: in addition to finally going on sale at Best Buy and Sprint today, Amazon is now taking orders, while T-Mobile has announced that it is taking preorders.
At $49.99, Amazon is currently offering the lowest on-contract price for the Nexus 5 – however, Amazon is selling it as a Sprint phone. Best Buy is also selling the Nexus 5 for $149.99 as a Sprint phone, and some people are reporting that Best Buy’s version is actually SIM locked to Sprint, and doesn’t even come with a SIM ejection tool. It’s still too early to know whether Amazon’s Nexus 5 will be in a similar situation, or whether it will truly be unlocked. (It seems odd to me that a Nexus device would be locked at all, regardless of where one buys it, but it’s not outside the realm of possibility.) If you decide to purchase it without a Sprint contract from Amazon, it will cost $449, the same price that Best Buy is charging. This is $100 more than the Google Play Store, so there’s really no reason to purchase it off contract from Amazon or Best Buy unless you absolutely need to have this phone right away. It’s also worth noting that Amazon is only selling the 16GB black version.
T-Mobile also officially announced Nexus 5 availability today, as well. Even though we already know that it will come to T-Mobile retail stores on November 20, T-Mobile will actually launch the device online a bit earlier on November 14. It will have an upfront cost of $41.99 down and 24 equal monthly device payments of $17, for a grand total of $449.99, essentially the same as Sprint, Best Buy, and Amazon. Again, this is only for the black 16GB version.
In related news, T-Mobile also announced new Nexus 7 availability – customers can purchase the tablet online on November 16, as well, with $0 down and 24 monthly payments of $16, for a grand total of $384, which is only $35 less than the Play Store version. However, factor in the price of a T-Mobile SIM card, and you’ll pay an extra $10, which you’ll avoid with Google since it throws in a free SIM card.
Have you purchased a Nexus 5 yet? If so, which route did you take?
