Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Who gets every version of the iPhone?
- Thread starter mgb1120
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
In the US, contracts are usually 2 years. If one gets a phone every year, then every other phone they would likely have to pay the full unsubsidized price.
I just get a new phone when my 2-year contract is up and they subsidize it.
I've had every version since the 3G. Bought the 3G on contract. Bought a friends 3Gs for cheap, sold the 3G. Bought the 4 on contract. Bought the 4s off contract and paid full retail. Sold the 4. Sold the 4s and bought the 5 partially subsidized due to a snafu with AT&T (paid $559 or something like that for a 32GB). I could have gotten the full subsidy if I had cancelled my pre-order and tried again with AT&T but I didn't want to lose my pre-order status. So I bit the bullet.
You can use a phantom line upgrade to get an upgrade every 9 months. You can also do an early upgrade, with a $250 subsidy instead of a $450 one.
I planning to get a new one on launch day every time they release one. I'm ready for the next one.
I get every version. I get full upgrades, early upgrades or just pay full price (iP5). After selling my old ones I feel it is well worth it. 
The iPhone 5 is my first iPhone. Considering selling it (near) when the iPhone 5S (or 6) is announced so I can just hop onto the next unlocked iPhone bandwagon.
Bought the 3GS mid-cycle, and then every version after that on release day. It actually turns out to be pretty reasonably priced as long as you sell the old one to offset the cost.
$200 - 3GS new contract
-$460 - sold 3GS
$600 - 4
-$400 - sold 4
$200 - 4s new contract
-$400 - sold 4s
$600 - 5
==============
$340 - total cost out of pocket so far, or put another way, $85/year for my iPhone subscription plan.
And the next one will be on a contract again! Rinse and repeat.
$200 - 3GS new contract
-$460 - sold 3GS
$600 - 4
-$400 - sold 4
$200 - 4s new contract
-$400 - sold 4s
$600 - 5
==============
$340 - total cost out of pocket so far, or put another way, $85/year for my iPhone subscription plan.
And the next one will be on a contract again! Rinse and repeat.
Last edited:
I've had every version since the original. I have 4 lines on a family plan so it works out. Plus selling the old phone pretty much pays the subsidized price of the new one. There's no reason for me not to have a new phone every year. I have to have service anyway so I don't worry about being locked into the contract.
I do, but... I'm married. I use mine, then his, then mine, then his...and we sell the old ones on amazon. I always get the newest. He gets my hand me downs.
When you sell em, the *actual* cost out of pocket isn't high.
Had a 3GS,iP4,then upgraded to 4S and now 5.All unlocked full price.
My 4 and 4S are with mum and dad respectively now,and I will most probably skip the 5S and go to 6 this time.I have more hopes on iOS7 then 5S.
My 4 and 4S are with mum and dad respectively now,and I will most probably skip the 5S and go to 6 this time.I have more hopes on iOS7 then 5S.
Back on topic
, I've had every iPhone except the 5. Not sure if I'll end up getting it or not. I want it...but stuff happens.Every single release. With 10 devices on my plan the wife and I always have the newest toys. We never put any $$$ out of pocket as the new phones go on the bill, and by the time it arrives the old phones are sold for what is needed to cover the cost.
So you were willing to pay almost $300 extra just to be sure you didn't have to wait a week longer for your iPhone 5?
Wow. Just wow.
I like to stay current and since I have started iPhone I have had each one. Now that is only two, the 4s and now the 5. What allows me to do this is the number of lines that we have and the people that have those lines not wanting to upgrade so it has enabled me to do that for 2 generations. Not sure about the future
Back on topic
LOL good one, my wife and I "do it" every other year.
The resell value of iPhones in decent condition still sells enough to offset the cost of an early upgrade, and yes I upgrade every year