Carrier AT&T Next vs. Apple iPhone Upgrade Program

[Razorhog]

Ok now I'm leaning back towards AT&T Next. Some things to consider:
I'll be getting 2 iPhone 7's, one for my wife and one for me.
She keeps a phone for 2 years, sometimes 3.
I keep a phone for 2 years.
We are both grandfathered in on the unlimited data plan.

Having added in those tidbits, does it make more sense to go with AT&T?

 

[Knowimagination]

Ok now I'm leaning back towards AT&T Next. Some things to consider:
I'll be getting 2 iPhone 7's, one for my wife and one for me.
She keeps a phone for 2 years, sometimes 3.
I keep a phone for 2 years.
We are both grandfathered in on the unlimited data plan.

Having added in those tidbits, does it make more sense to go with AT&T?

What about that makes you lean toward Next? You basically get the same thing, to me the applecare already being part of the payment would lead me toward IUP in your case, plus the fact that AT&T is now charging upgrade fees for next plans is just crazy to me.
[doublepost=1473335798][/doublepost]Here is my dilemma, I want to do the IUP but I didn't do it last year and I am unsure if I will be able to sign up for it in time to get a launch day phone. Is it going to be store only again this year? If so how crazy will the appointment scheduling be? I may just end up buying the phone outright this year.

 

[x-evil-x]

What about that makes you lean toward Next? You basically get the same thing, to me the applecare already being part of the payment would lead me toward IUP in your case, plus the fact that AT&T is now charging upgrade fees for next plans is just crazy to me.
[doublepost=1473335798][/doublepost]Here is my dilemma, I want to do the IUP but I didn't do it last year and I am unsure if I will be able to sign up for it in time to get a launch day phone. Is it going to be store only again this year? If so how crazy will the appointment scheduling be? I may just end up buying the phone outright this year.

what upgrade fees do they charge?

 

[Razorhog]

Curious about Next upgrade fees as well!

 

[RyCan3]

What about that makes you lean toward Next? You basically get the same thing, to me the applecare already being part of the payment would lead me toward IUP in your case, plus the fact that AT&T is now charging upgrade fees for next plans is just crazy to me.
[doublepost=1473335798][/doublepost]Here is my dilemma, I want to do the IUP but I didn't do it last year and I am unsure if I will be able to sign up for it in time to get a launch day phone. Is it going to be store only again this year? If so how crazy will the appointment scheduling be? I may just end up buying the phone outright this year.

If you have AT&T, you can enroll online at the time of preorder.

 

[crabapplemcn]

Im a bit confused on the payment plans. If I upgrade phones every 2 yrs and give my old phone to my wife, what is best option for me? Buy outright, NEXT, or Apple installment?

 

[geoff5093]

Apple has their upgrade program which includes AppleCare+ and the ability to upgrade after a year, as well as device payments for just the phone. I see zero reason to get the device payment plan with the carrier since you are then tied to that carrier for the duration of the financing. If you want to leave, you need to pay it off, versus continuing to pay monthly through Apple.

 

[mattopotamus]

Apple has their upgrade program which includes AppleCare+ and the ability to upgrade after a year, as well as device payments for just the phone. I see zero reason to get the device payment plan with the carrier since you are then tied to that carrier for the duration of the financing. If you want to leave, you need to pay it off, versus continuing to pay monthly through Apple.

This is the part that confused me. Don't you have to have sprint, verizon, ATT, or tmobile to qualify for the Apple Device Plan? Could you basically sign up with ATT, get the phone, and then go to say cricket? Apple will not let you do the plan without activating it on one of those big 4 carriers right?

 

[gelie]

Do they both charge a activation fee?

 

[travis333]

Comparing Next 12 month upgrade and Swappa if you plan on getting a 7 then an 8 next year...

With Next you have to pay for 50% of the phone in 12 months then trade it in for an 8. For a 7+ 128gb, this would be $435.50 for the right to use a 7 for 12 months.

With Swappa, after 12 months you could probably sell a 7+ 128gb for ~$550 in good condition.

So this means the Swappa route would save you a little over $100. The Next route would have the benefit of a hassle free swap and the condition of the phone doesn't really matter or effect the trade in assuming it's working.
Am I understanding this right (please check the math)? Thanks

 

[humpstyles]

Hey all,

I too am experiencing some confusion over which is the best option during the preorder procedure, and, like many of you, I don't want to muck it up at 3:00am in the morning.

I currently have an iPhone 6 and am coming off a 2-year subsidized AT&T family plan, so I am eligible for a Next plan. I am planning on preordering one (1) 7+ either through Apple Store app or Apple.com, and I plan on keeping it for 12 months until the 2017 phone is announced, where I will trade in the 7+.

Considering the given info, it seems as if ATT Next is better in almost ever aspect, especially since ATT Next "mobile insurance" covers lost/stolen devices and is essentially the same price as iUP. The credit aspect doesn't affect me. Why are so many people saying that iUP is eons better than Next? Do I have any special circumstances coming off a 2-year subsidized plan?

 

[Simm0nS777]

If you go through Apple, do you pay Apple directly every month or does it get tacked onto your cell phone bill?

Also, does anyone have the monthly payment price difference between the 128GB 7 Plus on att Next and apple?

Thanks!!!

 

[humpstyles]

If you go through Apple, do you pay Apple directly every month or does it get tacked onto your cell phone bill?

Also, does anyone have the monthly payment price difference between the 128GB 7 Plus on att Next and apple?

Thanks!!!

the iPhone Upgrade Program thru Apple needs a credit card, and thus is paid via your credit card company.

the ATT Next plan (also available thru Apple Store app or Apple.com) is an add-on to your cellular bill.

Follow this link to get an idea of what you'd spend - http://www.apple.com/shop/buy-iphone/iphone-7

 

[Stlcheer]

what upgrade fees do they charge?

AT&T now charges a $20 upgrade fee when you do next. I saw it when I was doing a test order.

 

[Simm0nS777]

the iPhone Upgrade Program thru Apple needs a credit card, and thus is paid via your credit card company.

the ATT Next plan (also available thru Apple Store app or Apple.com) is an add-on to your cellular bill.

Follow this link to get an idea of what you'd spend - http://www.apple.com/shop/buy-iphone/iphone-7

Thanks! Didn't realize you could do the monthly payment plan through Apple without the AppleCare.

 

[Simm0nS777]

Can you put a bigger down payment up front with the apple program? For example if I wanted to put down $400 and lower the payment?

 

[Knowimagination]

Here is the fine print on the AT&T Next site

AT&T Next or AT&T Next Every Year: For smartphones only. Divides retail price into monthly installments. Requires 0% APR monthly installment agreement and eligible service. Tax due at sale. $0 down requires well-qualified credit or a 30% down-payment option is available. Pay more up front and the remainder of retail price is divided into 30 or 24 monthly installments.AT&T Next: 30-month agreement with trade-in to upgrade when 80% of retail price is paid off. AT&T Next Every Year: 24-month agreement with trade-in to upgrade when 50% of retail price is paid off. Service: Eligible postpaid service (voice and data) is required and extra. If service is canceled, remaining installment agreement balance is due. Examples:$749.99 retail price (1) on AT&T Next is $0 down and $25 per month or $225 down and $17.50 per month; or (2) on AT&T Next Every Year is $0 down and $31.25 per month or $225 down and $21.88 per month. Activation or upgrade fee: $20. No upgrade fee for line with a smartphone purchased on an installment agreement prior to August 1, 2015. Waiver of fee subject to change. Limits: Purchase limit applies.

 

[Mmcintosh]

I'm new to the Next options, I've always just gotten a new iPhone with a new 2 year contract so need advice...I'm trying to figure out the best option between Next, Next Every Year and Apple Upgrade options. So with the Next Every Year, you pay for 12 months and then have to give them your phone and then get the new one? What about the regular Next, do you have to give them back the phone after 24 months or is it yours to keep and sell after that since you've already paid it off? I was thinking it would be at least somewhat of a benefit to be able to get a new phone every year but don't know if just paying less each month and then getting to sell the old phone after 2 years would be better

 

[humpstyles]

I'm new to the Next options, I've always just gotten a new iPhone with a new 2 year contract so need advice...I'm trying to figure out the best option between Next, Next Every Year and Apple Upgrade options. So with the Next Every Year, you pay for 12 months and then have to give them your phone and then get the new one? What about the regular Next, do you have to give them back the phone after 24 months or is it yours to keep and sell after that since you've already paid it off? I was thinking it would be at least somewhat of a benefit to be able to get a new phone every year but don't know if just paying less each month and then getting to sell the old phone after 2 years would be better

I'm right with you. Trying to determine most efficient and least cost-worthy method here.

Through all the research I've been doing (and with my criteria) I'm beginning to think ATT Next Every Year with ATT Mobile Insurance is the way to go.

(I am coming off an iPhone 6 on a 2-year subsidized ATT family plan and wanting to upgrade to a 7+ to use for 12 months before trading in)

 

[LouE37]

Can you put a bigger down payment up front with the apple program? For example if I wanted to put down $400 and lower the payment?

Curious about this as well. Also wondering are you able to put down a larger payment after payments begin? If I don't sell my old iphone before payments begin on the 7 for instance, I can't sell my current phone until I get my new one next week.

 

[Mmcintosh]

Curious about this as well. Also wondering are you able to put down a larger payment after payments begin? If I don't sell my old iphone before payments begin on the 7 for instance, I can't sell my current phone until I get my new one next week.

I'm wondering this too...I always sell my old phone after buying the new phone so would like to just put that money toward the new one to lower the monthly payments.

 

[Knowimagination]

I'm wondering this too...I always sell my old phone after buying the new phone so would like to just put that money toward the new one to lower the monthly payments.

I've been on next for a couple years, each time when the new phone comes out I just pay the remaining balance to own the phone, then have AT&T unlock it, then sell it on CL

 

[Mmcintosh]

I'm right with you. Trying to determine most efficient and least cost-worthy method here.

Through all the research I've been doing (and with my criteria) I'm beginning to think ATT Next Every Year with ATT Mobile Insurance is the way to go.

(I am coming off an iPhone 6 on a 2-year subsidized ATT family plan and wanting to upgrade to a 7+ to use for 12 months before trading in)

I'm in the same boat, my husband and I will be trading in our 6's for 7's...The only appeal of having to pay this stupid monthly cost now is getting to have a new phone every year I guess. But I'm still not that excited about it since I never cared much about the "S" options that come out every other year anyway!

 

[rcalderoni]

Will I be able to use Apple iPhone Upgrade Program even if I am not eligible for upgrade on AT&T? Or more specifically: If I am currently on AT&T NEXT and have not yet paid off the previous phone will I be able to start Apple iPhone Upgrade Program payments simultaneously (without paying the lump sum to finish AT&T NEXT)? I've read the terms and agreements page and I can't seem to find an answer for this. Anyone know?

 

[Geckotek]

I rather have my credit hit, not have to pay $40 for an activation fee every year and not have to sign a 'contract' with AT&T. But hey thats me.

So the carrier will not charge an activation fee for phones purchased via IUP? Why is that? Is this confirmed with other carriers or just AT&T?