October 2026 cell phone news

Deals T-Mobile's iPhone 18 Pro Deal Is No Longer Free: $199.99 Remains

T-Mobile now advertises up to $1,000 off the iPhone 18 Pro, not $1,200. The 256GB model leaves $199.99 plus tax, a $35 fee and 36 months of conditions.

Carriers SpaceX Moves to Buy Nationwide 800 MHz; FCC Approval Pending

SpaceX agreed to buy Grain's nationwide 800 MHz spectrum for Starlink Mobile. FCC approval is pending; sources give no consumer price, map or launch date.

Deals Mint's $10 Unlimited Deal: $60 Upfront, $120-$360 to Renew

Mint's six-month offer is $60 upfront for new customers. Unlimited is about $70.25 before taxes; renewals cost $120 to $360 upfront, depending on term.

5G FCC Sets Oct. 29 Vote on Satellite-to-Phone Spectrum Proposal

The FCC votes Oct. 29 on a 25 MHz auction proposal and wider satellite leasing. The proposals set no price, launch date or supported-phone list.

5G FCC's Oct. 29 Spectrum Vote: One Draft Order, Two Proposals

Three wireless spectrum items sit on the FCC's tentative Oct. 29 agenda. The two that touch phone service are still proposals. Nothing changes yet.

Carriers SpaceX Signs 800 MHz Deal in Carrier Push; Nothing to Buy Yet

SpaceX signed a deal for nationwide 800 MHz airwaves and won partial FCC satellite approval. Still no price, plan, device list or launch date.

News AT&T Breach Settlement Approved: $5,000 Is a Cap, Not a Payout

A judge approved AT&T's $177 million data-breach settlement on Oct. 2. Claims closed last December, tier estimates top out at $40 and no payment date is set.

Phones iPhone Duo Preorders Open Oct. 16: What the Foldable Gives Up

Apple's $1,999 foldable opens for preorder Oct. 16. Here's what buyers give up versus the iPhone 18 Pro, plus two plan catches.

Deals Reported $9.24 iPhone Duo Lease Requires 17 Pro Max Trade-In

9to5Mac reported a $9.24 monthly iPhone Duo lease with an iPhone 17 Pro Max trade-in. The credit cuts the payment; finishing the lease doesn't buy the phone.

Carriers AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon Form Satellite Venture; No Service Date Yet

AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon formalized their satellite joint venture Oct. 1, but announced no consumer-service date, price, coverage map or supported phones.

Carriers Verizon's Reported $25 Walmart Plan Is for Switchers Only

A Walmart ad reportedly puts Verizon Simplicity at $25 a line for switchers with Auto Pay. Verizon's FAQ still lists $30, and $5 is a bill credit.

MVNOs Mint's $15 Offer Is Worth $0 to $180, Depending on Plan and Term

Mint's $15 offer is prepaid, covers only your first term, and is worth anywhere from $0 to $180 depending on which plan and term you choose.

Deals 'Free' iPhone 18 Pro: Up to 36 Months of Bill Credits

Early Prime Day coverage touts a 'free' iPhone 18 Pro. T-Mobile requires $100-plus service and offers up to $1,200 in credits over as many as 36 months.