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Over a dozen smartphones will stop working on the T-Mobile network later this month, as of January 29, 2021.
This is apparently a result of a network update that is going into place on January 29. Since these are older devices, manufacturers are not going to be sending out software updates to make them work on the T-Mobile network. So they will be unable to establish a network connection.
The support document that T-Mobile has issued states that “T-Mobile and Metro customers utilizing these older devices will lose all network connectivity if they do not replace their device.”
Given how old some of these phones are, it’s definitely time to upgrade to a new phone. Most of these are from 2014 and 2015 and even earlier.
Interestingly enough, this update is not in regards to shutting down a legacy network. Which is what many would have expected. And there have been some rumors that it is in regards to VoLTE, but T-Mobile says that is not the reason.
These are the smartphones that will no longer connect to T-Mobile’s network on January 29
These phones include: AT&T or Verizon Galaxy Note 4 (T-Mobile branded version will still work, but needs a software update), AT&T Galaxy Note Edge, HTC Desire 10 Lifestyle, HTC Desire 650, Huawei Mate 8, Huawei P9, Mikrotikls SIA R11e-LTE6, OnePlus 1, Quanta Computer Inc Quanta DragonIR7, Samsung Galaxy S5 Duos, Sony Xperia Z3 Compact, Sony Xperia Z3, Sony Xperia Z3 Orion, Sony D6616 Xperia Z3 Orion, Soyea Mobile Communication Equipment Co Ltd SOYEA M02, and ZTE ZMAX.
Additionally, there is one tablet that will no longer work, which is the Google Nexus 9.
These are all much older devices, with the newest being from 2016. And many of which were not sold by T-Mobile – hence why they were not future-proof for this network update.
Thankfully, T-Mobile does have a number of great deals available on newer smartphones right now, so you are able to get a new phone for a pretty low price.