Returning Your New Phone To T-Mobile Just Got More Expensive

Returning Your New Phone to T-Mobile Just Got More Expensive

Last updated: 2026/03/31 at 9:58 AM

News Room Published 31 March 2026

T-Mobile has quietly increased its restocking fee, meaning customers returning newly purchased phones will have to pay a little more than before to get a refund.

Customers are eligible for refunds from T-Mobile if they return their phones within 14 days of purchase from a physical store, or within 20 days of purchase from its online store. T-Mobile charges a restocking fee to complete this process, and the amount varies based on the smartphone’s price.

Previously, the fee was $70 for phones priced at $600 or more, $40 for phones between $300 and $599, and $20 for sub-$300 phones. It has now been revised to $75 for phones priced above $600, $50 for devices between $300 and $599, and $25 for devices below $300.

AT&T and Verizon charge similar restocking fees. AT&T applies a fee of up to $55 for devices returned within 14 days, while Verizon requires customers to pay $50 plus taxes for returns made within 30 days.

Price hikes usually attract harsh criticism from customers. T-Mobile’s latest hike, however, appears justified to some. “Honestly with how many people consistently return things for arbitrary things like color etc, restock fees aren’t large enough,” writes one Redditor. “Honestly I wish it was more expensive to return. If you don’t actually know what phone you want, you shouldn’t be getting one,” wrote another.

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Meanwhile, T-Mobile has made multiple adjustments to its phone and internet plans, ancillary fees, and additional perks since last year. For instance, prices of some old plans went up by $5 last March, late fee charges went up by $3 in November, and the Apple TV perk—which was previously free with select plans—is now only available at a discount for six months.