I'm gonna have to order through ATT unless Apple starts offering Next with downpayment, but I'll live I suppose. I've never not purchased from Apple. As long as the end result is the same I guess
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AT&T Next Upgrade Process
- Thread starter tstephens0518
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I'm gonna have to order through ATT unless Apple starts offering Next with downpayment, but I'll live I suppose. I've never not purchased from Apple. As long as the end result is the same I guess
I am very curious to see how Apple handles the new iPhone launch considering AT&T is not offering 2 year contracts at Apple stores anymore. I feel like Apple is going to have to change things up a little.
Well all the major carriers are pretty much flat out dropping 2 year contracts, so this is just the way the industry is moving it seems. I'm fine with it, and ATT had compensated somewhat by knocking the line access fee down a bit if you purchase a phone with next. Still.. the most simple way is to purchase at full price, but most of us can't or don't want to do that, and there may not be a point when you can get a phone for zero down with no interest.
It's more or less the same type of concept as trading a car in to the dealer when buying another one or selling your used car on your own--many do it one way, many do it the other way. There are different benefits and downsides to each option (mostly in relation to convenience, speed of doing it all, hassle, and of course the actual price), but basically a similar concept that has been in play with cars for decades.
I am really confused. Just put that money you are willing to give them upfront (down payment) aside and use it for those "high payments". Your overall cost is the same. Same. Same.
I have an iPhone 6 on ATT Next 12. My upgrade eligibility gives a specific date of 9/22. I ordered it on Friday. 19th. Received it a week later on the 26th. Odd date and if this year's launch is earlier, my new phone won't get pre-ordered.
Definitely go to AT&T Corporate Store to turn in phone. Shipping can have way to many problems.
If you paid off your balance and pursue to get the new device you are back to square one with a payment installment plan right?
Yes, once you pay off your old device, then your bill drops. It will go back up once you purchase a new device.
My phone has a very small crack on the edge, doesn't reach the screen. I was advised from an AT&T rep to file an insurance claim and get a replacement phone to use for the upgrade. How does that affect my Next plan? Will they require full payment of the remaining balance on the phone? What about my current phone? Do I turn it in, keep it? Can I sell it? I've never upgraded via Next and never filed an insurance claim, so no idea how this works!
You have two options to upgrade
1.- Early upgrade: depending on if you did 12/mo. 18/mo. or 24/mo. you can upgrade early. Let's say you did the next plan 12 months (which means you can upgrade your phone after 12 months, but you have to turn in your old device to at&t) and you've had your phone for 13/mo. then you can upgrade by turning in your old device in good working condition and upgrade to a new phone. Now, if you did 12 months and you have only had the phone for 10 months, then you have to pay up, meaning you would have to pay whatever amount you need to reach the 12 months and then do the early upgrade. Now since your screen is cracked I would talk to the insurance people and see if you have a deductible and see if its worth it. because if your deductible is $199 and your pay off amount is $240, it may be worth it just to pay off the phone and get to keep it, than paying a deductible to fix it just to give it back to at&t.
2.- Buy Out your Installment Contract: if you want to keep the device and pay no deductible to the insurance company then you can buy out your installment contract. You can call At&T and ask them how much you owe for the phone. You can pay it off and then you will have an upgrade available right then. No need to turn in your device to AT&t.
I know it's confusing so let me know if you have any questions.
Do you know if we will be able to do the pre-order online through Apple since we have to turn our phones in if we want to upgrade and have paid in the 12 installments on the Next 12? Also, will Apple allow us to get the phone at launch of we are upgrade eligible on AT&T Next and mail in our old phone to AT&T or do we have to go solely through AT&T since we are currently in Next? Thanks!
Actually, shipping isnt really an issue. As long as you have the tracking # on the return u can easily get a "proof of delivery". And as long as it was received at their facility, it is on them if it gets lost or mixed up, etc. That being said, doing a hand to hand transaction in the store gets it done and over with instantly. But for some people that's not always an option.
I work at Best Buy Mobile which is a third-party store and we're able to do the next 12, 18, and 24 online or at the store. So since Apple is a third party store I'm sure you should be able to pre-order an iPhone as well. Now since third-party stores can't take old devices for the ATT next, what we do at best buy is give you a pre-paid label for you to send back your old device to at&t within 14 days. So I'm guessing once you pre-order through Apple and go get your new phone they will give you a pre-paid label, if they can't provide you with one, you can call ATT and they will e-mail you one. Thats what we do when our system doesn't generate one for our customers.
Unsure about the preorder because no one has been able to upgrade a Next plan to another Next plan because it's not new enough. It's a little over a year old now. With that being said. AT&T has said you can order from Apple and either mail in your current device or take to a local corporate store within 10 days up upgrading.
I actually had several customers come and pre-order the Note 5, Most of them were on the 12 month Next plan.
Thank you!
I'm on the 12 month upgrade option, but only made 10 of the payments so far. Since I haven't filed a claim before, I have that declining deductible, so it's only $99 for a replacement. If I file the claim, will I be required to pay in full the remaining balance on the phone?
The crack is so small, maybe an 1/8th of an inch and the case nearly covers it. I just wonder if that's enough "damage" to prevent an easy trade in as is.
They won't take a phone with a crack even if it's very small. The phone has to be in good condition. normal wear and tear is ok, but no cracks.
If you don't want to pay it off and keep it. You can go ahead and submit a claim and pay the $99 deductible. after you do this and you get a replacement you can go ahead and upgrade and then turn in your old phone to At&T. You will not be required to pay in full the remaining balance on your old phone because you are turning it in in good condition. Once you give at&t your old phone, your installment contract is fulfilled and you can start a new Installment with the new device you purchase.
This is exactly what I'm thinking about doing. If I do this, this will be my first time ever doing a pre-order ON launch day. I'm willing to trade my phone in and take the "loss" just to have the experience just once of the pre-order/launch day excitement. For those of you who have order and gotten your phone on day one... Which would be more fun? Driving 2 hours away to the nearest Apple Store to wait in line with all that excitement, OR just ordering from the Apple site and having it delivered? Again this will be my first (and maybe the only) time doing the whole "on day one" thing. And it's completely just to say I've done it before.... For funsies.
The only difference is you won't be purchasing or preordering the device through an at&t store.