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Answer to all your iPhone Upgrade Program questions
- Thread starter andjew94
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After my conversation with AT&T chat rep (was about to sign up for Next) I am DEFINITELY going with the Apple Upgrade Program!!! These AT&T people are morons!
I don't think you can use a debit card, since apple will be charging your account monthly, they prefer that you use a credit card, so its like putting a credit card on file with Apple and that you are giving authorization for apple to run your card monthly. I'm sure you still get a statement.
And clearly states in the Terms and Condition page:
- The iPhone Upgrade Program requires a valid and eligible U.S.-issued personal credit card as designated for inclusion in the iPhone Upgrade Program. Debit, corporate, and prepaid cards are not accepted.
Is this part explicitly written in the terms? I'm not seeing it.
Other than the inclusion of Applecare+ the main difference I see between something like AT&T Next and the Apple program are:
AT&T Next only requires 2 monthly payments before either upgrading to eligibility or paying off in full compared to Apple's 6 months.
AT&T Next allows you to pay off the remainder of the balance and own the phone.....I'm not seeing where you can do this with Apple?
I think where Apple is intriguing is for people who like Applecare+ on their phones. If you do AT&T Next and upgrade every year......you can't get Applecare+ unless you are willing to lose a year on it.
-Kevin
So my other question is what happens after 24 months - you stop paying but do then own the phone? Can I take the phone after 24 months and sell it? Or deal with any of the phone vendors as a bring my own phone - although who knows what plans will exist and what costs will be then.
Personally, I hate the credit card vs. a debit card - although I have a credit card I try to only use my debit card - I have to have the money to be able to spend it. I do understand why they do that, however.
It is a brilliant move on Apple's part - more and more people will get a new phone every year because of this plan.
Personally, I hate the credit card vs. a debit card - although I have a credit card I try to only use my debit card - I have to have the money to be able to spend it. I do understand why they do that, however.
It is a brilliant move on Apple's part - more and more people will get a new phone every year because of this plan.
After 24 months and the device is paid in full then you officially own the phone. So technically you can do whatever you want with it.
Yes, you own after 24 payments. You can do whatever you want with it.
The thing I question is whether Apple will allow people to pay off the loan early and own the phone like you can with AT&T Next. Resale value after 1 year will be significantly higher than after 2 years. For example:
If you do AT&T Next with a 64GB 6s......the full value of the phone is $749
For the first 12 months you pay $37.50 equaling = $450
AT&T will allow you to pay off the remaining balance ($749 - $450 = $299)
You then own the phone
You can now resell the phone.....for upwards of $500 depending on what service you use.
-Kevin
I think it states in the Terms and condition that after 6 months of making monthly payments then you can pay off the rest after that if you wanted. So yes after 6 month, you can pay off the loan early. At least what few apple reps told me on chat.
Two different AT&T reps have told me "no". Doing the payment plan through Apple counts as a "bring your own device" as far as AT&T is concerned and has no bearing on upgrade eligibility dates. You'd still be obligated to fulfill any existing contract terms, or NEXT payments on any leased phones, but you do not need to be eligible for an upgrade to get a new phone with the Apple payment plan.
As long as you made a payment of at least that amount on your credit card each month, you wouldn't be paying any interest on it due to the grace period on new purchases. The only way you'd end up paying interest on the Apple plan is if you let that balance ride from month to month.
The terms say:
Early Upgrade Option. At any time six (6) months after the date of enrollment, you can become upgrade eligible by making advance payments so that you have paid the equivalent of at least twelve (12) installment payments under your Installment Loan plus any taxes and fees paid at the time of enrollment.
Now that I read it......where it says "paid the equivalent of at least twelve" makes me think you can maybe pay off the rest.
Wish they were more clear on that like AT&T Next is.
-Kevin
Apple's site has this posted. So it looks like it depends on what carrier you have. Cause I had spoken to several ppl at Verizon. And they all said I have to be out of contract to sign a new two year with Verizon and finance with them or Apple. And then Apple told me the same thing. Unless I was told wrong.
- Wireless Service Activation. The Financed iPhone requires activation on a new or existing wireless service plan with an eligible carrier under the "carrier’s terms", and may be subject to an additional fee charged by your carrier.
What did the AT&T rep say that made you change your mind?
As I see it....the only real main reason to go with Apple is the Applecare+.
With Next or a carrier.....you don't have to pay by credit card like Apple (so for people who don't have a card or carry a balance, the carrier would be better).
-Kevin
A question I have is: Do I have to activate the iPhone on the provider that I selected? I chose Verizon but changed my mind that I want to go with T-Mobile. Do I need to make another appointment
For me, the Apple plan enables me to finally break free of being a prisoner of my carrier. I like AT&T and have no immediate plans of switching, but the idea of Apple's plan allowing me to own an unlocked phone outright after a period of time and not having to continually renew my two-year contract with AT&T is a huge plus. When my contract with AT&T runs out, I can go wherever I want.
You can do that on Next. With Next you are only locked into the payment of the phone. If you want to pay it off and leave you can.
-Kevin
So. After 12 payments you can upgrade to the newest iPhone. But how does it go down? Will we just do another reservation like we did this year? Or will we be able to do a delivery option since we are already established program members? Can we set an Auto upgrade lol
Auto upgrade, I love it. LOL. Just check the auto upgrade box, set some preferences (size, color, etc) and have the phone ordered for you upon announcement/preorder and sent out accordingly.
Yeah I'm not looking forward to going to the Apple Store on launch day but I'm hoping they will make it painless to get me to upgrade every year.
The fact that they are asking for a carrier in the reservation makes me believe you have to activate it.
That is so confusing because I thought they were unlocked. Can I switch to T-Mobile later?