Carrier AT&T iPhone 5S Early Upgrade Dates

[Munitalp]

It looks like AT&T made some changes to its upgrade policies....

Last year I got a partial discount on some iPhones ($200 off). In my AT&T account it said that I would be eligible for a full standard upgrade on 9/14 (today). So when I just checked my account it says all of my lines are only eligible for another early iPhone upgrade -- but not full upgrade pricing. I guess they are removing the full upgrade if you got the partial discount last year [previously they would still give the full discount if its been 2 years since your last full discount, regardless of early upgrade(s)].

 

[HDJulie]

One of reasons Verizon and ATT are pushing for mobile share/share everything is to discourage "ghost lines" that only cost $10/month to maintain yet people add these lines in order toget the subsidy from a real smartphone to use on another line than switch the ghost line back to a flip line with no data.

The much higher added cost for mobile share/everything share plans for new lines with new subsides is much more than traditonal plans att and verizon offered. At least Att still gives you option to switch back to old voice plans. Verizon doesn't give new customers that option.

That's not true at AT&T at least -- my brother has a mobile share plan with 4 lines & none are eligible for upgrades at the moment. He can add a line for a tablet at $10 a month & then do a cross upgrade for the new iPhone. I did cross upgrades on a couple of my tablet lines last year.

Unless, of course, they've changed the terms & won't allow cross upgrades this year.

 

[Munitalp]

That's not true at AT&T at least -- my brother has a mobile share plan with 4 lines & none are eligible for upgrades at the moment. He can add a line for a tablet at $10 a month & then do a cross upgrade for the new iPhone. I did cross upgrades on a couple of my tablet lines last year.

Unless, of course, they've changed the terms & won't allow cross upgrades this year.

Yup, I do this with one of the lines on my family plan as well.

 

[aneftp]

That's not true at AT&T at least -- my brother has a mobile share plan with 4 lines & none are eligible for upgrades at the moment. He can add a line for a tablet at $10 a month & then do a cross upgrade for the new iPhone. I did cross upgrades on a couple of my tablet lines last year.

Unless, of course, they've changed the terms & won't allow cross upgrades this year.

You are still adding a new line.

Any one can add a new line and drop use flip phone and cancel the data plane with att regular voice plans.

 

[curtoise]

You are still adding a new line.

Any one can add a new line and drop use flip phone and cancel the data plane with att regular voice plans.

I was told yesterday on an AT&T store that you cannot do cross upgrade on tablets lines anymore and if you add a line in a mobile share plan it is going to be $30 per month, I was hoping to add two tablet lines and do cross upgrades but I'm afraid to add them now and not being able to use them for that purpose.

 

[HDJulie]

My brother chatted online with AT&T & was told he *could* do a cross upgrade. He's going to add a line to his mobile share specifically for that reason

 

[curtoise]

My brother chatted online with AT&T & was told he *could* do a cross upgrade. He's going to add a line to his mobile share specifically for that reason

The issue is that if they don't let you do cross upgrades on $10 tablet line anymore you'll get stuck with a new line. I'll call AT&T again but everybody have different answers.

 

[HDJulie]

The issue is that if they don't let you do cross upgrades on $10 tablet line anymore you'll get stuck with a new line. I'll call AT&T again but everybody have different answers.

Try doing a chat so you can print out the conversation & show that you were told it was ok to do the cross upgrade.

 

[curtoise]

Try doing a chat so you can print out the conversation & show that you were told it was ok to do the cross upgrade.

I'll do that but do you think that it is ok to mention a cross upgrade with a tablet line?

Also it is 100% true that after adding the tablet lines those lines will automatically become available for full subsidize upgrade ($199) and not an early upgrade ($549)

 

[HDJulie]

I'll do that but do you think that it is ok to mention a cross upgrade with a tablet line?

Also it is 100% true that after adding the tablet lines those lines will automatically become available for full subsidize upgrade ($199) and not an early upgrade ($549)

I think you should be totally up front about what you want to do - that's what my brother did.

And when I used the cross upgrades last year, it was for a full discount, not a partial.

 

[curtoise]

I think you should be totally up front about what you want to do - that's what my brother did.

And when I used the cross upgrades last year, it was for a full discount, not a partial.

Thanks I'll ask and report back.

One question about adding the tablet line, do you know if you'll see that the full upgrade for that number is automatically eligible after opening that line or you need to call them back?

 

[HDJulie]

Thanks I'll ask and report back.

One question about adding the tablet line, do you know if you'll see that the full upgrade for that number is automatically eligible after opening that line or you need to call them back?

It should be immediately available for upgrade

 

[bunnicula]

It looks like AT&T made some changes to its upgrade policies....

Last year I got a partial discount on some iPhones ($200 off). In my AT&T account it said that I would be eligible for a full standard upgrade on 9/14 (today). So when I just checked my account it says all of my lines are only eligible for another early iPhone upgrade -- but not full upgrade pricing. I guess they are removing the full upgrade if you got the partial discount last year [previously they would still give the full discount if its been 2 years since your last full discount, regardless of early upgrade(s)].

That was always the policy, ever since they started allowing the partial discount upgrades. Once you do ANY sort of upgrade, you sign a new contract and your upgrade clock starts again.

 

[aneftp]

These mobile share/share everything now plans from ATT/Verizon are really backdoor ways around trying to increase profits by preventing people from buying subsidized smartphone and immediately selling them/using them on another line and canceling data and putting the line back to flip phone line with no data.

Carriers will never admit that. But that's what they really are trying to do.

Or else they couldn't force data on all smartphone users.

The fairest way would be to require data if u purchased subsidized smartphone on that line and not require data if you buy full price/Craigslist/eBay.

 

[curtoise]

It should be immediately available for upgrade

I did call and spoke with a manager and a CSR, they told me that I can do a cross upgrade on $10 tablet lines, no problem, the only issue is that I do not have a cellular equipped tablet at this time and they need the IMEI and the Serial.

I've asked if they can add the lines and I'll call as zoo has I have the tablets in my hand to activate and they told me that it can only be done if I have the device numbers.

Any workaround to this?

Do you or your brother actually have a tablet on those lines?

 

[HDJulie]

I did call and spoke with a manager and a CSR, they told me that I can do a cross upgrade on $10 tablet lines, no problem, the only issue is that I do not have a cellular equipped tablet at this time and they need the IMEI and the Serial.

I've asked if they can add the lines and I'll call as zoo has I have the tablets in my hand to activate and they told me that it can only be done if I have the device numbers.

Any workaround to this?

Do you or your brother actually have a tablet on those lines?

His wife has a cellular iPad but he wasn't planning on using it. He was going to open the line when he ordered the new phone & then later drop it to a tablet.

 

[curtoise]

His wife has a cellular iPad but he wasn't planning on using it. He was going to open the line when he ordered the new phone & then later drop it to a tablet.

Ok so I guess is a no go for me, I've used to have a cellular iPad but I've sold the device a year ago.

That is a shame because they are will ing to give me the iPhone at full discounted price and do a cross upgrade on a $10 tablet line.

 

[SHAWNYMAC]

just got off the phone with an AT&T manager and was told anyone ordering phones from them the morning of the release shipping is going to be 7-14 days....

i too have the 5 (well sold it now)and buy the new phone every year being AT&T changed their agreements two 2yrs i called up and spoke to the retention dept and they bu,ped me up for the release but i am only allowed to order from customer service the morning of....so we will see hopefully she is wrong about the S/H

 

[rbutler222]

Upgrade

@bdgbrin

Best to wait until the date that AT&T will let you upgrade and go through AT&T rather than Apple.

Just be sure to order under their NEXT program. You may not pay the $199, $299, or $399 subsidized price, but it does allow you to Fay the phone based on the full price, but at a low monthly rate, no upfront fees, no activation fees and a guaranteed new phone of your choice every year. Only taxes are paid upfront, the Apple Care Protection Plan Plus $99+ tax (you can wait and get this through Apple within 30 days).

If AT&T will allow you to buy now, then do so. Choice then is stand in line or order to be shipped. And remember, Apple is not set up to do any if the Telco's plans like NEXT.

 

[mdwsta4]

Called AT&T this morning and they informed me my upgrade eligibility was not until Sept '14. Seeing as I upgraded to an iPhone 5 last year that makes sense. They did offer me the early upgrade option for $250. Apple's online quote was $350 for my 32GB model. It is in perfect condition, jailbroken, and unlocked. Not sure what they'll be selling for once the 5S comes out, but I figure it should be worth closer to $500.