> That means anyone who buys the phone online with a T-Mobile contract and wants to get out within 3 months are ...
... fools who aren't responsible enough to sign a contract in the first place, and just getting what comes to them.
Either way, it's cheaper to buy the unlocked phone.
https://www.google.com/phone/choose?locale=en_US&s7e=
Subsidized phone: $179 Subsidized service: $80 * 24 months (click "more") Total: $2099
https://www.google.com/phone/choose?locale=en_US&s7e=
Unlocked phone: $529
http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/cell-phone-plans-detail.a...
No-contract plan: $50 * 24 Total: $1729
If you're stupid enough to sign up for a contract that costs more than the no-obligation version, and then you want to welsh on that contract: you've got to pay the penalties.