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According to internal documents obtained by Android Police 19 devices on T-Mobile will cease to work starting next month. The T-Mobile network upgrade device list includes the OnePlus One, Sony Xperia Z3 series, and the Google Nexus 9. Though these are just a few of the devices on the list.
Here is the full T-Mobile network upgrade device list. The devices are the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (AT&T and Verizon models), Galaxy Note Edge, HTC Desire 10 Lifestyle, HTC Desire 650, Google Nexus 9, Huawei Mate 8, Huawei P9, Mikrotikls SIA_R11e-LTE6, Netgear Arlo Security Camera System, OnePlus 1, Quanta Dragon IR7, Samsung Galaxy S5 Duo, Sony Xperia Z3, Sony Xperia Z3 Compact, Sony Z3 Orion, Sony D6616 Xperia Z3 Orion, Soyea M02, and the ZTE Zmax.
There is a possibility some devices on this list will be affected. For example, the AT&T and Verizon models of the Galaxy Note 4 are on this list. The T-Mobile version of the phone is not.
If your device is on the T-Mobile network upgrade device list you need to upgrade
A lot of these devices on the list are ancient in terms of smartphones. Most were released between 2014 and 2015 except for the Huawei P9 released in 2016. Therefore, it is in customers’ best interest to upgrade to a new device if they have any of the ones listed. These devices, not only will no longer work on T-Mobile’s network, but they’re no longer supported by the manufacturers. As a result, these devices will no longer receive security updates which could put customers at risk.
The list comes with more text that explains why these devices will stop working. The devices will not receive updates required to properly work on T-Mobile’s network following a network change. T-Mobile says this not connected to mandatory VoLTE support.
When T-Mobile merged with Sprint, they agreed to some conditions. One of which is to maintain Sprint’s 3G network for three years. The change affects Sprint customers as well. But only customers on T-Mobile or Metro by T-Mobile will lose complete network connectivity. Whereas Sprint customers will lose the ability to roam on T-Mobile’s network only.
Firstly, customers will receive a letter via mail according to the document. Secondly, customers will receive an SMS-notification on December 28 as well. After that, customers have till January 29 to replace their devices. However, some customers may receive promotional offers. For example, business customers will receive a $150-off promotion. T-Mobile employees have been told to “stay tuned for additional offers that will be specifically targeted to impacted customers.”