T-Mobile Offering Sidekick Users 50% Off on Samsung Models

The Sidekick data service is going to be shut down in a few months, converting these smartphones into simple dumbphones. As compensation, T-Mobile is offering users of these devices 50% off the price of some models made by Samsung.

The Sidekicks were some of the earliest smartphones, but the market has passed them by, and T-Mobile stopped selling them last summer. This week, the carrier announced that the servers that these devices need to access the Web and send and receive email will be shut down at the end of May. 

This leaves these users in a bit of a bind, as their once powerful phone will soon be good only for making calls and sending text messages.

Two Options
T-Mobile has sent a message to all current Sidekick users telling them that if they wish to stay on as customers, they can choose from "select" Samsung models at 50% off.

The letter did not specify which models this applies to, but this carrier's only Samsung smartphone at this time is the Galaxy S 4G. This offer must be taken up before April 5.

For those who want out, T-Mobile is waiving early termination fees for all Sidekick customers from now until May 31.

Hold Your Horses
Those who really like their Sidekick might want to hold on to see the next iteration: the Sidekick 4G. This won't have much in common with the earlier models but the name, though.

According to a pre-announcement by T-Mobile's CEO, this smartphone is going to be based on the Android OS, plus it will have support for this carriers HSPA+ network.

Unofficial reports say its going to be made by Samsung, and therefore might qualify for that 50% off offer.

The letter T-Mobile sent out to customers this week indicates that the Sidekick 4G will be released at some point in the spring.

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