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Sprint just announced that it would begin selling the iPad Mini in some of its physical stores starting later today.  That likely indicates other carriers and Apple stores will begin stocking their shelves with the LTE iPad Mini. We heard earlier that Apple Stores had received shipments of the 4G iPad Mini and AT&T would begin stocking shelves today. We also know that Best Buys have been receiving stock and will likely begin selling today, too.

Folks who ordered LTE iPad Mini’s began taking delivery of them yesterday, and Apple usually likes to sync up the retail and mail order dates as close as it can.

Sprint’s press release follows.

 

Update: As expected, Verizon and AT&T also announced availability.

Sprint to Offer iPad mini

OVERLAND PARK, KS. – Nov. 16, 2012 – Sprint today announced it is now offering iPad mini and fourth generation iPad. Sprint is offering these new iPads with a range of attractive data plans that allow customers to connect to its 4G LTE network. The data plans are available without a contract providing customers with the freedom to activate or cancel a plan at any time.

iPad mini, a completely new iPad design that is 23 percent thinner and 53 percent lighter than the third generation iPad, features a stunning 7.9-inch Multi-Touch display, FaceTime HD and 5 megapixel iSight cameras, ultrafast wireless performance* and an incredible 10-hours of battery life.** The fourth generation iPad features a gorgeous 9.7-inch Retina display, new Apple-designed A6X chip, FaceTime HD camera and ultrafast wireless performance. Both iPad mini and fourth generation iPad come with iOS 6, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system with over 200 new features.

“iPad mini and the fourth generation iPad, combined with Sprint’s 4G LTE network and our aggressively priced rate plans, offer customers an outstanding tablet experience,” said Fared Adib, senior vice president, Product Development, Sprint. “Sprint doesn’t put its customers on shared pricing plans like some carriers. With Sprint you get the best pricing for all the data you need without the worry of overages.”

Limited quantities of the new iPads are now available at select Sprint retail locations. For more information on plans please visit www.sprint.com/iPad or www.sprint.com/iPadmini.

Limited quantities of the new iPads will be available at select Sprint retail locations. To find the location of your nearest Sprint-owned retail store, visit http://sprintstorelocator.com/locator/?cmp=1. If stores run out of inventory, they will go to our simple wait list process. With the purchase of a $50 Sprint gift card, customers can hold their spot in line to receive their iPad or iPad mini when additional inventory arrives in their local store. We are working to bring iPad  mini and fourth generation iPad to all of our retail channels, including Sprint.com and 1-800-Sprint1, as soon as possible.

Sprint will offer these new iPads with a range of attractive data plans that will allow customers to connect to its 4G LTE network. iPad mini and the fourth generation iPad can be activated on one of the new, aggressively priced month-to-month tablet rate plans for Sprint 4G LTE-enabled tablets. Starting at $14.99 for 300MB of 3G/4G LTE on-network data, $34.99 for 3GB, $49.99 for 6GB and $79.99 for 12GB, Sprint’s new plans offer 20 percent more data for the same price as AT&T at the $14.99 and $50 tablet rate plan*. With Sprint, 20 percent more data than AT&T on the $49.99 plan equals 1GB or approximately 50,000 emails, 2,000 web page views or 3,333 more picture uploads.**

Sprint smartphone customers*** can add either iPad mini or the fourth generation iPad  to their account with a specially discounted rate plan that includes 1GB of 3G/4G LTE on-network data for only $15 per month or as little as $10 per month for 100MB of data on the Sprint network. For a limited time, Sprint is waiving the activation fee on all 3G/4G LTE tablets.

Month-to-Month Plan Comparison – 3G/4G LTE Tablets

Sprint also offers convenient Sprint Mobile Broadband Passes for iPad mini and iPad that provide customers with the freedom and flexibility to bill to a credit card on a recurring basis. Sprint Mobile Broadband Passes for tablets start at $14.99 for 300MB of 3G/4G LTE on-network data, $34.99 for 3GB, $49.99 for 6GB and $79.99 for 12GB , and offer 20 percent more data for the same price as AT&T at the $14.99 and $50 rate plans and 20 percent more data for the same price as Verizon at the $50 and $80 rate plans****. (All rate plans exclude taxes and surcharges.)

*20 percent more data claim applies to Sprint plans priced at $14.99, $49.99.  Month to Month plans also include off-network data allowance of 25MB, 100MB or 300MB depending on selection. Additional on-network data usage is $0.05/MB and additional off-network usage above allowance is $0.25/MB.

**The above numbers are estimates and data transfer amounts may vary. Roaming limits apply to data plans; see the individual plan for details and restrictions. Our math works like this: 1024 kb=1MB. 1024 MB=1 GB. We used these estimates to do our calculations on each type of data transfer: email (no attachment): 20KB/ea.; picture: 300KB/ea.; music streaming: 1MB/min; video streaming: 250MB/hr; web surfing: 500KB/page.

***Qualifying smartphone plans include: Simply Everything, Simply Everything Share, Everything Business, Everything Data, Everything Data Share, Business Advantage Messaging & Data, Business Share Plus with Pro Pack Plus.

****20 percent more data claim applies to Sprint plans priced at $49.99, $79.99.

  • Some LTE iPads getting delivered as early as Friday, Nov.16
  • LTE iPad minis start arriving at customer homes as store launch imminent
  • LTE 4th-gen iPads arrive at Apple Stores, not yet for sale
  • LTE iPad minis begin shipping, deliveries set for this week
  • Sprint to carry fourth-gen iPad and new iPad Mini on its 4G network, no release date given