TIM NEXT: how it works

TIM NEXT: features of the offer

Before getting into the heart of this post and seeing how TIM NEXT works, let us illustrate the main features of the offer, which is reserved exclusively for TIM customers who have activated or simultaneously activate an option with data. Tough 30 months and requires, necessarily, both an advance for the smartphone to buy (entry ticket) is the payment of 5,9 euros / month for the protection of the smartphone from accidental damage.

Alternatively it is possible to incur a cost of 8,9 euros / month for protection against accidental damage and theft. In the event of significant damage to the phone, a one-time cost of 69 euros is applied for the repair (which should take place within 7 days). In the event of theft, however, the phone is reinstated in exchange for a contribution of 149 euros. Only direct debit is accepted as a payment method credit card Visa, Mastercard or Amex. Prepaid cards are not accepted.

As regards the "practical" features of the offer, TIM NEXT includes 2GB of Internet traffic in 4G per month. To have calls too, you need to subscribe to the plan TIM NEXT UNLIMITED which costs more and includes unlimited minutes + 16GB of 4G internet traffic every 4 weeks. Beyond the Giga threshold foreseen by the offer, if you do not have other active data options, you are entitled to 1 Giga of spare traffic that you pay 1,90 euros / 200MB (therefore 9,50 euros / 1GB). At the end of the spare gig, online browsing is blocked until the next renewal of the offer. If you go to EU countries while roaming, however, a rate of 0,7 cents / MB is applied with advance increments of 1KB.

As for the withdrawal, as already mentioned above, the TIM NEXT contract lasts 30 months but after the payment of the 13th installment you can decide to return the phone and terminate the subscription at no additional cost. In case of replacement of the smartphone, however, a renewal of the contract is envisaged, which again sets its expiration at 30 months.

The choice regarding the exchange, return or redemption of the smartphone must be made within 60 days from the due date of the 13th installment of TIM NEXT. It also requires the customer to be perfectly up to date with payments. More info here.

TIM NEXT: smartphones included in the offer

At the time of writing, theTIM NEXT offer provides for the purchase of the following smartphone models at the costs indicated below.

• iPhone 8 da 64GB - € 23,99 / month for 30 months with 2GB of Internet traffic in 4G. Advance payment of 129 euros.
• iPhone 8 da 256GB - € 30 / month for 30 months with 2GB of Internet traffic in 4G. Advance payment of 119 euros.
• iPhone 8 Plus da 64GB - € 26 / month for 30 months with 2GB of Internet traffic in 4G. Advance payment of 179 euros.
• iPhone 8 Plus da 256GB - € 30 / month for 30 months with 2GB of Internet traffic in 4G. Advance payment of 229 euros.
• Samsung Galaxy S8 - € 15 / month for 30 months with 2GB of Internet traffic in 4G. Advance payment of 99 euros.
• Samsung Galaxy S8 + - € 23 / month for 30 months with 2GB of Internet traffic in 4G. Advance payment of 0 euros.
• Samsung Galaxy Note 8 - € 26 / month for 30 months with 2GB of Internet traffic in 4G. Advance payment of 169 euros.
• Huawei P10 - € 15 / month for 30 months with 2GB of Internet traffic in 4G. Advance payment of 99 euros.
• Huawei P10 Plus - € 15 / month for 30 months with 2GB of Internet traffic in 4G. Advance payment of 99 euros.
• LG G6 - € 15 / month for 30 months with 2GB of Internet traffic in 4G. Advance payment of 99 euros.

As already mentioned above, to all the above sums it is necessary to add 5,9 euros / month more for smartphone protection from accidental damage or 8,9 euros / month more for protection against damage and theft.

With the offer TIM NEXT UNLIMITED, which includes unlimited calls and 16GB of Internet traffic per month, prices change.

• iPhone 8 da 64GB - 39,90 euros / 4 weeks for 32 renewals with 16GB of Internet traffic in 4G every 4 weeks and unlimited minutes. Advance payment of 149 euros.
• iPhone 8 da 256GB - 39,90 euros / 4 weeks for 32 renewals with 16GB of Internet traffic in 4G every 4 weeks and unlimited minutes. Advance payment of 349 euros.
• iPhone 8 Plus da 64GB - 39,90 euros / 4 weeks for 32 renewals with 16GB of Internet traffic in 4G every 4 weeks and unlimited minutes. Advance payment of 249 euros.
• Samsung Galaxy S8 - 39,90 euros / 4 weeks for 32 renewals with 16GB of Internet traffic in 4G every 4 weeks and unlimited minutes. Advance payment of 0 euros.
• Samsung Galaxy S8 + - 39,90 euros / 4 weeks for 32 renewals with 16GB of Internet traffic in 4G every 4 weeks and unlimited minutes. Advance payment of 149 euros.
• Samsung Galaxy Note 8 - 39,90 euros / 4 weeks for 32 renewals with 16GB of Internet traffic in 4G every 4 weeks and unlimited minutes. Advance payment of 249 euros.
• Huawei P10 - 39,90 euros / 4 weeks for 32 renewals with 16GB of Internet traffic in 4G every 4 weeks and unlimited minutes. Advance payment of 0 euros.
• Huawei P10 Plus - 39,90 euros / 4 weeks for 32 renewals with 16GB of Internet traffic in 4G every 4 weeks and unlimited minutes. Advance payment of 149 euros.
• LG G6 - 39,90 euros / 4 weeks for 32 renewals with 16GB of Internet traffic in 4G every 4 weeks and unlimited minutes. Advance payment of 0 euros.

TIM NEXT: how smartphone change works

Now let's deal with the hottest topic of this post: the change of smartphone after the 12th month of the subscription, or rather, after the payment of the 13th installment of TIM NEXT.

In order for the smartphone to be replaced with a new model (not necessarily of the same brand), a new advance must be paid and the following conditions must be respected.

• The phone to be changed must turn on and function properly.
• The phone to be changed must be intact externally and must have i keys that work properly. There must be no liquid damage either. Micro-scratches and other wear and tear damage that normally affect phones after a year of use are tolerated (although it would be better to preserve the device with protective covers and films). In the event of substantial damage, TIM reserves the right to charge additional costs.
• The phone to be changed must not have been manipulated or repaired by a unofficial repairman.
• The phone to change it must not be blocked with anti-theft services such as "Find my iPhone".
• The phone should come complete with its original box and accessories. It is usually accepted even without it, but better not to take risks!

It is then essential to turn to one TIM center authorized to collect smartphones. Not all TIM centers, in fact, are authorized to collect smartphones and then replace them with more recent models.

To find the TIM stores authorized to collect smartphones, connected to this page of the operator's website, use the drop-down menus on the left to indicate your Province, your Common and yours address of residence and click on the button Search. Within a few seconds you will be shown a map with a list of the TIM centers in the area.

The TIM centers authorized to collect smartphones are those marked withblue icon. But be careful, it is not certain that a center has the smartphone model of your interest in its availability. You may be forced to go to multiple TIM centers to find the smartphone you intend to take for you (also because the replacement must be done in person, it is not possible to send the phone to TIM and receive the new one by courier).

In case of problems - if for example you cannot find a TIM center authorized to collect smartphones nearby - contact the 119 and ask about it. In my tutorial on how to talk to a TIM operator you will find all the information you need.

TIM NEXT: how smartphone returns and redemptions work

The other two options available to TIM NEXT customers after the 12th month of subscription (or rather, after the payment of the 13th installment) are the return of the smartphone with the cancellation of the contract, which does not provide for penalties, or the phone redemption with the payment of the remaining installments due for the device, up to the expiration of the 30th month of subscription.

In the first case, you must go to a TIM center and deliver the device (always in good condition and, possibly, in the original packaging). In the second, however, just continue to pay the TIM NEXT subscription until its natural expiry. More info here.

Other TIM offers

As you will surely have guessed, the TIM NEXT plan is only suitable for those who are a smartphone enthusiast and are used to changing phones at least once a year. If you do not fall into this category of people, you would do well to examine other offers: in my post on TIM mobile offers you should find several suitable for you.

TIM NEXT: how it works