On the page 200 MB of Free Mobile Data for the new Google Nexus 7 Tablet Starting at $0 Down | T-Mobile There are multiple discrepancies on which tablets are eligible for this promotion.
In the actual article it indicates that are "Four ways to enjoy free data for life."
The first states that you can bring your unlocked tablet and use it
"1. Bring your own tablet. Use an unlocked tablet you already own and love on T-Mobile’s nationwide 4G LTE network. Simply activate a Mobile Internet account with a SIM card. "
Followed by a link that prompts users to buy a $10 sim card for mobile internet data.
Both of which I have done.
There is no indication in this statement that would indicate that there are only 38 eligible devices.
Upon reading the FAQ the true nature of the promotion is revealed:
If I have my own tablet, can I get the free data?
Yes, if you have your own tablet and it’s unlocked* and eligible for Mobile Internet free data, you are eligible for the free data. Most popular tablets that are compatible with T-Mobile’s network are eligible. Check your warranty and contract with your carrier to see what conditions apply to unlocking your device.
Bring your own tablet to T-Mobile
*All ipads in the market are unlocked.
Learn more about eligible tablets
Clicking the last link takes you to the page of horror
Here is the only place where the 38 eligible devices are listed.
Later in the FAQ another question states the same basic question but is answered differently
What devices are eligible for the data promotion?
Most tablets compatible with T-Mobile’s network are eligible. This includes:
- Tablets previously sold by T-Mobile
- Tablets currently sold by T-Mobile
- Tablets that are coming soon to T-Mobile that have been announced
- Selected tablets that you may have bought for use on another carrier network and are unlocked. For more information see Bring your own Mobile Internet device
This is where things get iffy the last link states that selected tablets that are unlocked can be used and to click the link to see what devices are eligible
Now comes my story I was delighted to hear of this promotion and after reading the article once or twice came to the conclusion that if I bought a tablet that is compatible with the T-mobile network then I would be able to use it with this promotion. I do not believe I was wrong in thinking so as I stated above there is no indication from the article that I cannot use my own unlocked device. Excited I purchased 2 sim cards a full size sim card and a nano sim card for $10 each, I had my eye on a Dell Streak that was on eBay that was claimed to work but ended up not working, I purchased the Streak it arrived after I had already gotten the sims. Upset that it did not work I set out to buy a better tablet after reading about the Streak 7 charging port horror stories. I found a Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0, excited that i could finally get a tablet with a stylus I checked to see if it was compatible with T-mobile. I used the "check your device" on the SIM Card details from T-Mobile page and also verified that it was initially on the original promotion page (which has since been removed) in a list of supported devices and duly noted that it was indeed listed on both. I purchased the tablet, waited for it to arrive, put in my nano sim, after setting up my account I realized that I did not have the 200mb that was offered in this promotion. Only then did I go and find the page that lists the "eligible devices". I was shocked, I had purchased a Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 At&t variant known as an i467. This was not on the list of eligible devices, however the international version of the device known as the N5100 is listed.
Now I feel cheated I bought a device that I assumed to be eligible only to be told in a chat last night that it is not and I should buy an eligible device instead.
TLDR; Paid for sims as site suggested, installed in device set up account as stated and found no 200mb of free data, dug a little found my device not eligible, yet international version eligible