Carrier Upgrade to 6 on AT&T

You should still be able to get the 2 year upgrade. AT&T just pushes NEXT big time.

Yup I forget what it costs per line if you go that route but it does go up. You'll also have an activation per line which I think is nearly $40 now.

IMO The Next option has become the better deal. Before you would do the 2 year deal, pay at least $200 upfront, and get charged a $25 a month subsidy fee in your bill each month. With Next, you don't have a contract, you dont have to pay anything but the tax upfront (usually), and you don't have a subsidy fee. Just the monthly cost of the phone. It is almost the same monthly fee as the subsidy fee, but its more convenient.

flatfoot99 said:

Sorry, Ive searched and have read many threads regarding this but am very confused. We ditched the unlimited earlier this year and switched to a family plan. Is it correct that there is no more subsidized phones from at&t? My only options are the NEXT program or buy the phone at cost?

Ive texted and I get the Im available for the NEXT program. Looking inline it shows our contract ends sep 14 2014, will I have a different choice at this time?

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I'm in an Att Family share plan unlimited phone / text / 10GB of data on 4 iPhones (3*4s and 1 iPhone 5- mine..

If we stayed 2yr upgrade cycle and keep the Family share plan = $240 a month ..


its $40 per phone line via 2yr plan vs $15 per phone line via ATT NEXT plan** ...


Gotta look at lines per plan / text / data usage and if its worth it by switching to Family share or not ...




** - this was the price before March 9 switch they might have switch up the prices.. Had to switch by then to get that price ..


Always Check with Att Store and ask to do Price compare on Plan that you are on now vs NEXT plan ..

iPhil said:

I'm in an Att Family share plan unlimited phone / text / 10GB of data on 4 iPhones (3*4s and 1 iPhone 5- mine..

If we stayed 2yr upgrade cycle and keep the Family share plan = $240 a month ..


its $40 per phone line via 2yr plan vs $15 per phone line via ATT NEXT plan** ...


Gotta look at lines per plan / text / data usage and if its worth it by switching to Family share or not ...




** - this was the price before March 9 switch they might have switch up the prices.. Had to switch by then to get that price ..


Always Check with Att Store and ask to do Price compare on Plan that you are on now vs NEXT plan ..

Click to expand...

Agreed on this. ATT Next is the closest thing to buying a phone outright and adding it to AT&Ts network. You just don't pay it all up front.

I am on the exact same AT&T plan, but I think I have decided I am just going to start buying unlocked directly from apple. The NEXT plan is probably the better deal between it and the subsidized purchase option, but I would rather not take on additional monthly expenses if I can afford the out of pocket cost up front.

flatfoot99 said:

Thats what Im thinking. I just wanted to make sure that I wasnt losing something by not signing another 2 year contract with at&t.

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Not that I have seen. I also have an employer discount on my account which applies to the main portion so gets it even lower.

Make sure to take advantage of the 90 days free of beats music for AT&T customers too!

AustinIllini said:

Agreed on this. ATT Next is the closest thing to buying a phone outright and adding it to AT&Ts network. You just don't pay it all up front.

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Knowimagination said:

I am on the exact same AT&T plan, but I think I have decided I am just going to start buying unlocked directly from apple. The NEXT plan is probably the better deal between it and the subsidized purchase option, but I would rather not take on additional monthly expenses if I can afford the out of pocket cost up front.

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I just did the math on NEXT (Phone Price that they list under the NEXT Price list )
The Prices that I listed are 12 monthly payments
12 month Own phone the phone in 20 months
16 $326 32.50 monthly * 8 260 = 586
32 $450 37.50 * 8 300 = $750
64 $510 42.50 * 8 340 = $850

Even @ 20 month payment is still lower than Full unlocked

18 monthly payments
18 month Own the phone in 24
$500 16GB 27.09 * 6 more $164 = 564 you own the phone
$563 32GB 31.25 * 6 $188 $751 own the phone
$640 64GB 35.42 * 6 $213 $853 own the phone

And you only pay the Tax on the device plus Accessories that you want and tax on accessories of the time of the upgrade vs $40 upgrade fee / subsided 2 yr price


16GB $199 + 40+ accessories $35 + Full unit price tax ( California for sure) 64.00 = $340 - on 2 yr contract before you walk

32GB $299 + 40+ accessories $35 + Full unit price tax ( California for sure) 75.00 = $350 - on 2 yr contract before you walk

64GB $399 + 40+ accessories $35 + Full unit price tax ( California for sure) 85.00 = $360 - on 2 yr contract before you walk

Best Buy unlocked iPhones

16GB 700
32GB $900
64GB $1100

iPhil said:

I just did the math on NEXT (Phone Price that they list under the NEXT Price list )
The Prices that I listed are 12 monthly payments
12 month Own phone the phone in 20 months
16 $326 32.50 monthly * 8 260 = 586
32 $450 37.50 * 8 300 = $750
64 $510 42.50 * 8 340 = $850

Even @ 20 month payment is still lower than Full unlocked

18 monthly payments
18 month Own the phone in 24
$500 16GB 27.09 * 6 more $164 = 564 you own the phone
$563 32GB 31.25 * 6 $188 $751 own the phone
$640 64GB 35.42 * 6 $213 $853 own the phone

And you only pay the Tax on the device plus Accessories that you want and tax on accessories of the time of the upgrade vs $40 upgrade fee / subsided 2 yr price


16GB $199 + 40+ accessories $35 + Full unit price tax ( California for sure) 64.00 = $340 - on 2 yr contract before you walk

32GB $299 + 40+ accessories $35 + Full unit price tax ( California for sure) 75.00 = $350 - on 2 yr contract before you walk

64GB $399 + 40+ accessories $35 + Full unit price tax ( California for sure) 85.00 = $360 - on 2 yr contract before you walk

Best Buy unlocked iPhones

16GB 700
32GB $900
64GB $1100

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I wouldn't recommend buying unlocked iPhones from Best Buy, that is way over priced. A 16gb iPhone 5s is $649 from Apple, 32gb $749 etc..

Well I'm gonna stay with my family share plan (2 phones) going forward with AT&T. The only problem is their trade-in for a mint condition IP5 is only $180. Apple give $185 and Best Buy is offering $210. Just don't know where to pre-order the 6 based on the trade-in value.

I'm hoping to get some clarity on how the upgrade programs work now. I currently have 5 lines (3 Iphones and 2 "basic" phones) on a very old 1400 minute FamilyTalk plan. 3 of the 5 lines (including the basic phones) are out of contract in September and the other 2 late next year. I've previously used those lines which my mother and grandmother use to upgrade to a new Iphone device every year and then just swap back in their old phone. I was looking at the new MobileShare plans and can save about $50 month (assuming you get the Value Share discount) and get more data if I change plans, but understand you lose your discounted upgrades with these new plans.

Have people come up with away to "game the system"?

The following language is not clear to me..." For plans 10GB or higher, customers with smartphones on 2-yr agreements prior to 2/2/14 are eligible for the $15/mo. access charge. For plans 2GB to 6GB, customers with smartphones on 2-yr agreements prior to 3/9/14 are eligible for the $25/mo. access charge. This discounted pricing is avail. as long as you keep your phone. If upgrading to a new phone the discount is only avail. via AT&T NextSM or when you bring your own phone or buy a new phone at full price. If you upgrade to a new 2-yr agmt the discount is lost."

Thanks

kupkakez said:

I wouldn't recommend buying unlocked iPhones from Best Buy, that is way over priced. A 16gb iPhone 5s is $649 from Apple, 32gb $749 etc..

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Even if you take out BBY prices and put Apple prices 16@649 32@749 64@849 .. NEXT prices on the 16 to own the phone is still better than Apple's -- right ?



32 / 64 units are even on the price All-upfront cost @ 850 or 850 in about 20 months or 2 years..

iPhil said:

Even if you take out BBY prices and put Apple prices 16@649 32@749 64@849 .. NEXT prices on the 16 to own the phone is still better than Apple's -- right ?



32 / 64 units are even on the price All-upfront cost @ 850 or 850 in about 20 months or 2 years..

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Nope, NEXT price on the 16 comes out to 650 same as purchasing unlocked.

That is the main reason I decided to start buying only unlocked because it is no cheaper through att and when you pay off the phone with att its still locked to the carrier.

iPhil said:

I just did the math on NEXT (Phone Price that they list under the NEXT Price list )
The Prices that I listed are 12 monthly payments
12 month Own phone the phone in 20 months
16 $326 32.50 monthly * 8 260 = 586
32 $450 37.50 * 8 300 = $750
64 $510 42.50 * 8 340 = $850

Even @ 20 month payment is still lower than Full unlocked

18 monthly payments
18 month Own the phone in 24
$500 16GB 27.09 * 6 more $164 = 564 you own the phone
$563 32GB 31.25 * 6 $188 $751 own the phone
$640 64GB 35.42 * 6 $213 $853 own the phone

Click to expand...

There's something wrong with your calculations for the 16GB model.

Next 12
16GB, $32.50/mo, 32.50*12 = $390 @ 12 months, 32.50*8 = $260, TOTAL $650

Next 18
16GB, $27.09/mo, 27.09*18 = $487.62 @ 18 months, 27.09*6 = $162.54, TOTAL $650.16

Knowimagination said:

Nope, NEXT price on the 16 comes out to 650 same as purchasing unlocked.

That is the main reason I decided to start buying only unlocked because it is no cheaper through att and when you pay off the phone with att its still locked to the carrier.

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Not true. AT&T allows 5 unlock requests per customer every year so once you've paid off the phone or finish your contract, you can request an unlock.

mlaw8 said:

I'm hoping to get some clarity on how the upgrade programs work now. I currently have 5 lines (3 Iphones and 2 "basic" phones) on a very old 1400 minute FamilyTalk plan. 3 of the 5 lines (including the basic phones) are out of contract in September and the other 2 late next year. I've previously used those lines which my mother and grandmother use to upgrade to a new Iphone device every year and then just swap back in their old phone. I was looking at the new MobileShare plans and can save about $50 month (assuming you get the Value Share discount) and get more data if I change plans, but understand you lose your discounted upgrades with these new plans.

Have people come up with away to "game the system"?

Click to expand...

System is pretty clear cut. There is a clear delineation now between the cost of the plan and cost of the device so I don't think you'll be able to "game the system" like before. That said, if you're the type to upgrade phones frequently, I suggest just sticking to your old plans. That $50 per month only adds to up to $1,200 for a 2-year span while the subsidy you're getting on the old plans is effectively $2,250 (($650 - $200) * 5) or $2,050 (($650 - 200 - 40) * 5) taking into account the $40 upgrade fee.

mlaw8 said:

The following language is not clear to me..." For plans 10GB or higher, customers with smartphones on 2-yr agreements prior to 2/2/14 are eligible for the $15/mo. access charge. For plans 2GB to 6GB, customers with smartphones on 2-yr agreements prior to 3/9/14 are eligible for the $25/mo. access charge. This discounted pricing is avail. as long as you keep your phone. If upgrading to a new phone the discount is only avail. via AT&T NextSM or when you bring your own phone or buy a new phone at full price. If you upgrade to a new 2-yr agmt the discount is lost."

Click to expand...

That's because AT&T allowed customers with existing 2-year contracts to switch to the new Mobile Share Value plans so effectively, they're not paying back the subsidy for the remainder of their contract.

For example, someone buys 4 iPhone 5s 16GB on 9/20/13 and is on the Mobile Share 10GB plan ($100 + $40*4 = $260/mo). AT&T is allowing that customer to switch the Mobile Share Value 10GB plan and pay only $160/mo ($100 + $15*4) even if their contract isn't up until 9/20/15. Assuming that person switched to the new plans on 3/20, basically, he only ends up paying $385 for each iPhone ($199 upfront + $36 upgrade fee + $25*6 months subsidy).

rui no onna said:

That $50 per month only adds to up to $1,200 for a 2-year span while the subsidy you're getting on the old plans is effectively $2,250 (($650 - $200) * 5) or $2,050 (($650 - 200 - 40) * 5) taking into account the $40 upgrade fee.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the info.

It's not $50 a month savings but $75...correct? There are 3 Iphone lines. That works out to still less ($1,800), but much closer.

What is requirement to go onto a Next plan? What is stopping someone from upgrading under old school plan and then say a month later going ahead and switching to Next (and in doing that qualifying for Mobile Share discount - as stated in this sentence "...If upgrading to a new phone the discount is only avail. via AT&T NextSM or when you bring your own phone or buy a new phone at full price.")?

Mark

mlaw8 said:

It's not $50 a month savings but $75...correct? There are 3 Iphone lines. That works out to still less ($1,800), but much closer.

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That's $75 discount compared to existing Mobile Share plan rates. The rates for older FamilyTalk plans could be lower thus your actual discount smaller.

mlaw8 said:

What is requirement to go onto a Next plan? What is stopping someone from upgrading under old school plan and then say a month later going ahead and switching to Next (and in doing that qualifying for Mobile Share discount - as stated in this sentence "...If upgrading to a new phone the discount is only avail. via AT&T NextSM or when you bring your own phone or buy a new phone at full price.")?

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You have to be out of contract and/or have paid off or will trade in existing Next devices on the line. AT&T made an exception and allowed early Next upgrades for people who were already on contract before Feb/Mar 2014 but I doubt they'll do it again.

I agree with joshkhaos1. I upgraded two lines in the past month using Verizon edge and my bill is now $23 cheaper than it was with 2 lines on a 2 year contract.

kupkakez said:

I wouldn't recommend buying unlocked iPhones from Best Buy, that is way over priced. A 16gb iPhone 5s is $649 from Apple, 32gb $749 etc..

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All I wanna say is... I love your avatar haha.

rui no onna said:

System is pretty clear cut. There is a clear delineation now between the cost of the plan and cost of the device so I don't think you'll be able to "game the system" like before. That said, if you're the type to upgrade phones frequently, I suggest just sticking to your old plans. That $50 per month only adds to up to $1,200 for a 2-year span while the subsidy you're getting on the old plans is effectively $2,250 (($650 - $200) * 5) or $2,050 (($650 - 200 - 40) * 5) taking into account the $40 upgrade fee.


That's because AT&T allowed customers with existing 2-year contracts to switch to the new Mobile Share Value plans so effectively, they're not paying back the subsidy for the remainder of their contract.

For example, someone buys 4 iPhone 5s 16GB on 9/20/13 and is on the Mobile Share 10GB plan ($100 + $40*4 = $260/mo). AT&T is allowing that customer to switch the Mobile Share Value 10GB plan and pay only $160/mo ($100 + $15*4) even if their contract isn't up until 9/20/15. Assuming that person switched to the new plans on 3/20, basically, he only ends up paying $385 for each iPhone ($199 upfront + $36 upgrade fee + $25*6 months subsidy).

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Switching to the new mobile share (from the traditional family talk plans) usually only made sense for those you used their subsidy upgrade right before the cutoff date (Feb 2014) when ATT announced those 10GB/$100 mobile share plus $15/smartphone line.

If you had just used all 5 lines for subsidy upgrade say in January 2014, than you would have been in the best situation to switch to new mobile share.

For those who like to mix and match flip phone and smartphone. I have two lines on flip phones $10/line (no data) and 2 on smartphone ($30/unlimited data). I like to use the flip phones for their full subsidy upgrade and immediately cancel the data and put the flip phones back. That works well for me.

$10/line x 24 months equals $240 in cost plus $199/299 iphone plus $40 upgrade fee equals $480 for iphone that cost $650. So for me it makes more sense to keep the flip phones active even if I don't even use them. it's $170 cheaper over 24 months.

aneftp said:

For those who like to mix and match flip phone and smartphone. I have two lines on flip phones $10/line (no data) and 2 on smartphone ($30/unlimited data). I like to use the flip phones for their full subsidy upgrade and immediately cancel the data and put the flip phones back. That works well for me.

$10/line x 24 months equals $240 in cost plus $199/299 iphone plus $40 upgrade fee equals $480 for iphone that cost $650. So for me it makes more sense to keep the flip phones active even if I don't even use them. it's $170 cheaper over 24 months.

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Yeah, the old Family Talk plans were much better if you still had flip phones on your account. There were a few times I even used the upgrade on one of my lines and flipped the brand new iPhone on ebay.

Alas, we're now all on smartphones and with the iPads, it's just better for us to be on Mobile Share.