I used to be Sprint PCS customer. Their phones are always sold at "full price" (does not matter if you sign contract or not). A few years ago, I joined because they do not ask you to sign a contract, so you can cancel any time. I think OK the phones may be more expensive, but at least I don't have to be bounded for a year.
I think I was stupid for several reasons :
(1) Who would buy an expensive phone and do not want to keep using it for some time (1 year ??). So I am not taking any advantages at all (2) No competition in the CDMA market in the US, so I always pay more for the phones. Not like GSM.
So I switched to ATT. Now I heard that for all new Sprint PCS customers, you always sign contracts. OK One less advantage.