That's what they are getting closer to by phasing out contracts. People are just unwilling to accept that phones are actually expensive when faced with the real unsubsidized price.
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Apple Store No Longer Sells iPhone With 2-Year Contract on AT&T
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It almost seems like telecoms are unwilling to lower their service charge for unsubsidized phones vs subsidized, they just no longer want to subsidize the phone but they still want an absurd amount each month to give you a bit of bandwidth. And how is text and data and voice all really separate things you add up? Aren't they all just prioritized data nowadays? They make it sound like and bill you like they are 3 separate things.
If that's true,then great. At the time when next was first introduced,you lost it. Thanks for the update.
I'd still prefer paying my 399.99 or 199.99 up front and selling my phone in a year.
Yuk. Although if I gotta do it, I guess I don't have that option.
But it'll totally be the time to shop around the other carriers...
Gary
I'm on a really decent plan with unlimited data, so the Next plan had some savings, and would allow me to tether, but I'm thinking I lose the unlimited data (no unlimited data with the tethering, right?). I want the easy tethering!
The annoying part is when I got the iPhone and switched to AT&T they had unlimited data and announced tethering, they just never honored both at the same time...
Gary
Yeah, it's time to leave Att. Was staying because of unlimited data and subsidized upgrades. I was a customer for over 10 years.
I don't know why there is so much vitriol over the carriers when they make pennies in profit compared to what Apple makes. Why isn't anyone asking Apple to lower their absurd prices for smartphones?
Apple charges the same price Samsung, Sony, HTC, etc, charge for their flagship phones. These prices are not unique to Apple.
Unfortunately, all the others are just following Apple's lead. The one thing they all have in common is the carrier subsidy which is now going away. Without the subsidy, I'm not sure Apple can command the margins it does on the iPhone. Their other iOS devices don't have those margins because they don't get the subsidy.
With all the confusion on this thread about subsidized pricing, it may actually make buyers think twice before spending close to a grand on a phone. Hopefully, that puts some realistic pricing into the iPhone.
Ditto.ATT you just go one step closer to loosing a customer now kick me from my unlimited data and I'm gonetry me
When I deciding between 2 year contract or Next for iPhone 64GB
2 Year Contract: $299 + (80.00/month X 24) + $40 activation fee = $2259.00
AT&T Next: ($31.21/month + 65.00/month) x 24* + $0 activation fee = $2309.04
*Can upgrade and opt out to a new phone after 18 months
Basically Next is $50.00 more then a 2 year contract however you can upgrade your phone after 18 months
Apple did not invent expensive phone prices. Even the first Motorola Razr was crazy expensive. 500 bucks WITH a contract in 2004. $600 in 2003. Let's not make things up here.
http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/06/hands-on-with-motorolas-razr-v3-for-cingular/
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That was more than 10 years ago! Do you know what's happened to prices of other consumer electronics in 10 years? Even the iPad with better internals, bigger battery, and better screen is cheaper than an iPhone.
Unlimited data = upto 5GB High speed LTE and then it drops to 128Kbps
AT&T still offers Unlimited Data plans for $60
http://www.myattmst.com/wireless_plans/gophone/smartphone.html
AT&T still offers Unlimited Data plans for $60
http://www.myattmst.com/wireless_plans/gophone/smartphone.html
Quick comparison for those with grandfathered unlimited iPhone accounts. Numbers are for family iPhones, lowest model current generation iPhone. The grandfathered upgrades require $40 upgrade fee, which I added though most of us can get those waived or partially waived.
Yellow is the breakeven plan for the grandfathered unlimited, taking advantage of the current 2-year subsidy. Green is the breakeven plan if AT&T entirely removes subsidized upgrades.
Mobile Share becomes better the longer you keep your iPhone.
As some of you can see, the grandfathered accounts are real cost savings. Why there are some in these forums that are greatly upset if 2-year contract upgrades are eliminated entirely.
Hopefully this helps to clearly show savings with grandfathered unlimited. And where you need to be to see any savings, seems like they are pushing more people into mobile share.
Yellow is the breakeven plan for the grandfathered unlimited, taking advantage of the current 2-year subsidy. Green is the breakeven plan if AT&T entirely removes subsidized upgrades.
Mobile Share becomes better the longer you keep your iPhone.
As some of you can see, the grandfathered accounts are real cost savings. Why there are some in these forums that are greatly upset if 2-year contract upgrades are eliminated entirely.
Hopefully this helps to clearly show savings with grandfathered unlimited. And where you need to be to see any savings, seems like they are pushing more people into mobile share.
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Contracts and subsidized phone deals are lame. We have been using AT&Ts go phone plan for a while now and it works great. Sure, we have to buy the phones outright but if you wait for sales or deals you can make it work in your favor. The beauty is that for $40 bucks a month we have unlimited everything and the service level is excellent. And, unlike contracts there are NO ticky tack fees or extra charges. It's just $40 a month plus sales tax. That's it.
Recently we bought two LG G3s from Best Buy on sale. Paid $350 each. We own them. No BS or contracts or other gimmicks. Great phone too. Such a simple way to do this cell phone thing. But, people are still hoodwinked into thinking they are getting their iPhone 6 or Whatever for $200 bucks. No, you are NOT.
Recently we bought two LG G3s from Best Buy on sale. Paid $350 each. We own them. No BS or contracts or other gimmicks. Great phone too. Such a simple way to do this cell phone thing. But, people are still hoodwinked into thinking they are getting their iPhone 6 or Whatever for $200 bucks. No, you are NOT.
Like everything here it depends. Really have to run the numbers for your situation. When I ran the numbers initially, the family plan provided more savings. Plus kids (if you have any) can take advantage of unlimited text for extra 10-15 a month.
But if I couldn't take advantage of a family account, Yes normally a single line prepaid are great deals.
Yes. It ends after the full price of the phone is paid off. The length of the payment term is described in the version of Next chosen. I bought my wife's iPhone 6 on Next 12... Meaning she can upgrade after 12 months - but payments are divvied up to 20 payments. So total cost is 750/20, so 37.50 per month, then totally eliminated once it's paid off, which you can do at any time (and I did)... So monthly costs are $15 access + monthly device payment until paid off, versus $40 access cost forever. After 2 years, you always have saved money as the extra 25 you spend per month amounts to 600... Yet the subsidy itself is 550 after down payment, and that extra 25 dollars never goes away.