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iPhone 11 Apple IUP vs carrier upgrade programs

eustachio

eustachio

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 27, 2019
38
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My wife and I are planning to move over to iPhones from Pixels.

We like to upgrade annually, so I want to enroll in a plan that offers this.

Right now, Verizon and others have BOGO deals, which is attractive obviously- we effectively pay half the price for the first year, although that comes in the form of a credit.


Any reason not to just go with this over the Apple IUP?
 
I believe with the Verizon deal, the discount is applied over 24 months and if you wanted to trade in/upgrade early, the "discount deal" would be null and void and you'd need to pay full price. I'd verify with them just to be sure of any caveats.
 
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Yeah, I don't like the Verizon deals because they essentially lock into the phone for 2 years. It's a monthly credit and if you trade it in a year you lose the other credits. I believe even if you want to pay it off early you lose the credits...not sure on that last one though.
 
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Makes sense. Overall, the freedom of the IUP is attractive. I guess once you sign up, you can switch to another cheaper carrier, like Ting.
 
eustachio said:
My wife and I are planning to move over to iPhones from Pixels.

We like to upgrade annually, so I want to enroll in a plan that offers this.

Right now, Verizon and others have BOGO deals, which is attractive obviously- we effectively pay half the price for the first year, although that comes in the form of a credit.


Any reason not to just go with this over the Apple IUP?
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If you want to upgrade annually, imo best bet is still Apple's own iUP. At least you're dealing with Apple for the phone instead of the carriers, who tend to complicate things to rip off their own users.
 
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if you go with verizon and upgrade after one year, you will still get half of the original promo/discount. Plus with verizon upgrade plan you are not forced to buy AppleCare. Something to think.
 
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I went with the Verizon upgrade because I didn't want to have a hard pull on my credit if I go with the Apple IUP. I bought my phone at the Apple store then called Verizon to credit me back the $40 upgrade fee. Also went with the monthly Applecare with theft and loss. Works for me.
 
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jettie1767 said:
I bought my phone at the Apple store then called Verizon to credit me back the $40 upgrade fee.
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Not sure I understand this. How did you buy at apple if plan is with Verizon? And what was the $40 fee?
 
eustachio said:
Not sure I understand this. How did you buy at apple if plan is with Verizon? And what was the $40 fee?
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You can buy any carrier version phone at the Apple Store and you can use a carrier upgrade. Verizon's upgrade fee is $40.
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I switch phones and pay them off whenever I feel like it. So, no, I don't feel like I'm locked into a carrier. The phone is also unlocked even if it is Verizon-branded.
 
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I'm reviewing all the options, and for our use case, including cheap cell plan (we don't need unlimited data), Sprint seems best. We only pay for one device, and they have their iphone forever lease scheme.

Anything I'm missing here/reason to favor IUP or another carrier?
 
eustachio said:
I'm reviewing all the options, and for our use case, including cheap cell plan (we don't need unlimited data), Sprint seems best. We only pay for one device, and they have their iphone forever lease scheme.

Anything I'm missing here/reason to favor IUP or another carrier?
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Issue with Sprint is coverage. They don’t seem to have as good coverage as even T-Mobile.
 
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I'm not so worried about that, cost is main consideration.

Now I see Sprint charge $15 per month for their version of Apple Care. These phone providers do not make this stuff transparent or easy.
 
eustachio said:
Anyone tried carrier deals?
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For me, I prefer upgrading via Apple directly, hence why I'm part of the IUP. My wife though prefers to upgrade via her carrier (which I've never really been a fan of).

But if you're looking to upgrade each year, IUP may be your best bet. Especially since AC+ is included in the price as well.
 
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eustachio said:
Does it come with Verizon software?
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iPhones come only with Apple IOS software. No carrier software regardless of carrier. When Apple has software updates, which is often, everyone can update regardless of carrier. Carriers do have updates to their cellular software which happens automatically but does not make phone screen any different.
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I have been using. AT&T Next program, updating phone yearly through Apple. I chose next since don’t need new credit check each year as with Apple program.
 
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I posted my upgrade experience with Apple vs AT&T before seeing this post. If you are an annual upgrader, Apple is absolutely the way to go. If you keep your phones for awhile, then find the best carrier deal at the time. (all vary on BOGO,etc depending on timing). Just check the fine print as the upgrade options/costs change.

For example, AT&T used to have a yearly upgrade program that cost the same as Apple. Now they charge $5 a month to be part of that program and you have to wait 15 months to upgrade (instead of 12).
 
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I have been using. AT&T Next program, updating phone yearly through Apple. I chose next since don’t need new credit check each year as with Apple program.
Click to expand...

How much for apple care via ATT next?
 
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