T-Mobile user learns the hard way that buying Android phones other than Pixel could be a bad idea

Smartphones can be expensive, which is why many people finance their upgrades through carriers. While telecom companies should be commended for making smartphones affordable or even free in some cases, they, like any other non-profit entity are motivated by self-interest. This is the reason why they lay down some stipulations, such as requiring you to stay with them for the duration of the contract. That's understandable and bearable. What's harder to ignore, as many T-Mobile customers have experienced, is getting annoying notifications from the carrier that prompt you to download apps.