Did some math on the following use case
Note: The cost below does no include the plan one chooses. Only Smartphone Data Access charges and hardware costs.
Use Case - iPhone 6 64GB
AT&T Next - Smartphone Cost $749.00 off contract
AT&T Next - Access for Smartphone over 24-mth $360.00 ($15 per month)
Total = $1,109 over 2 years
vs.
AT&T 2-year Commitment - Smartphone Cost $300
AT&T Mobile Share Line Access over 24-mth - $960 ($40 per month for iPhone 6 according to AT&T)
Total = $1,260 over 2 years
Therefore, AT&T Next approach is cheaper for folks compared to do a two-year commitment.
If you want to upgrade to a new phone then you will be paying extra IF you don't sell your previous phone.
I sold my iPhone 5 on eBay for $250.00 and then went the 2-year commitment route. Therefore, over 24-mth it would cost me $1,260 - $250 =
$1,010.
I should note that I currently have unlimited data and currently saving more money than what is stated above but I would like to have more data access at high speeds and being throttled does not work for me. Plus I can save more money by going Mobile Share with my wife and two other family members; combined they use about 5GB a month. I could potentially pay less and have access to 25GB.
