Apple controls upgrade status, NOT the carriers?

As far as I've seen, Cult of Mac are less informed than the average MacRumors member. I wouldn't be surprised if this was just them looking for publicity.

 

Of course Apple controls the pricing. When has that ever not been the case with any Apple product.

No, you are not special. If you signed a 2-year contract for a phone, you have to ride it out or pay the early termination fee just like anyone else. Welcome to reality.

Apple should have never made exceptions in the past to allow people to upgrade 1/2 way through the contract. They set themselves up for this kind of whining when they didn't continue it indefinitely for every iPhone release.