Carrier AT&T Next vs. Apple iPhone Upgrade Program

[keeganxt]

Thanks, that does make sense.

Also, found this on another thread...

The 24 month option is the Every Year. Technically you have 24 months of installment plans. You are just able to upgrade at 12 months with a trade in.
From the AT&T website:

• AT&T Next Every Year: 24 monthly installments; eligible for upgrade with eligible trade-in when 50% of the full retail price is paid off (approximately 12 monthly installment payments). A 30% down payment may be required.

 

[thatfrenchman]

Does anyone know if I'll need my ATT mobile share account's 4 digit passcode if I plan on pre-ordering using Apple's Upgrade Program? I'm not the primary account holder on our business account so I need to know if I need to get that info before tonight.

 

[Razorhog]

Also, found this on another thread...

The 24 month option is the Every Year. Technically you have 24 months of installment plans. You are just able to upgrade at 12 months with a trade in.
From the AT&T website:

• AT&T Next Every Year: 24 monthly installments; eligible for upgrade with eligible trade-in when 50% of the full retail price is paid off (approximately 12 monthly installment payments). A 30% down payment may be required.

I saw that too. I wonder why it says "A 30% down payment may be required". In what cases might it be, and in what cases might it not?

 

[humpstyles]

Good question ^

 

[redman042]

I saw that too. I wonder why it says "A 30% down payment may be required". In what cases might it be, and in what cases might it not?

I'm assuming that comes up if your credit history is marginal. I've never had to do that.

 

[Decimotox]

I saw that too. I wonder why it says "A 30% down payment may be required". In what cases might it be, and in what cases might it not?

Most likely for people with incredibly bad credit. T-Mobile does that too, right?

 

[GnrlyMrly]

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?

Wondering this as well...

 

[ATEspo]

I'm in the same boat as everyone else, AT&T here, coming off a 6+ on a 2-year contract (contract is UP and i'm clear for an upgrade). I just don't know what route to take, I DO want to be able to upgrade phones every year now, can I do this with AT&T NEXT?

I'd rather just have the charge go onto my phone bill every month since I use my business to pay for my bill.

Just curious about this AT&T NEXT and upgrading every 12-months.

Thanks

 

[Razorhog]

I'm in the same boat as everyone else, AT&T here, coming off a 6+ on a 2-year contract (contract is UP and i'm clear for an upgrade). I just don't know what route to take, I DO want to be able to upgrade phones every year now, can I do this with AT&T NEXT?

I'd rather just have the charge go onto my phone bill every month since I use my business to pay for my bill.

Just curious about this AT&T NEXT and upgrading every 12-months.

Thanks

From what I gather, the answer to your question is yes. The NEXT 24 plan gives you the option to upgrade after 12 months, when you trade in your current phone.
[doublepost=1473370202][/doublepost]Here is another question: Order via the Apple site or the AT&T site?

 

[NewdestinyX]

Actually to be very accurate - the NEXT 12 plan is a payout over 12 months before you're eligible for an upgrade where you trade in your phone.. But unlike Apple's IUP - they divide the payments over 20 months.. so it drops that monthly down a bit. To OWN the phone after 12 - you'd need to pay the remaining 8 months of payments.. They call is NEXT 12 but it's 20 payments to own.. BUT if you want to trade in - you owe nothing (except tax) on your new phone at PreOrder night.

Then NEXT 24 is even lower payments.. And it's 28 or 30 payments (I forget) to own. Upgrade worthy (with no xtra cash outlay) in 18 months... NOT 12 months.. I mean you CAN upgrade in 12 months for ALL NEXT plans.. But if you had NEXT 24 for this last year.. 12 months later you'd to come up with 6 more months of installment payments on PreOrder night to pay off old agreement.

It's a little convoluted.. but a visit to AT&T's website will explain all.

So, no, NEXT 12 and NEXT 24 aren't identical.. at least not in cash outlay come time to upgrade YEARLY..

In the end .. people need to decide how much they want to pay monthly.. how much they can afford... Choosing NEXT 24 -- gives you a nice lower payment.. But when you want to upgrade - (if it's yearly).. you have a chunk of change you have to come up with to be upgrade eligible..

But if you think about it.. It's not a whole lot different than when we used to pay our subsidized big chunk of money.. 199/299/399 at preorder time.. So NEXT 24 can be a savvy way to get yourself a real low payment per month.. Just realize that next year at this time.. You'll have 8 payments worth - you'll have to pony up before you're upgrade eligible.. Where with NEXT 12 you would have NONE due..

 

[HiItsMe]

Actually to be very accurate - the NEXT 12 plan is a payout over 12 months before you're eligible for an upgrade where you trade in your phone.. But unlike Apple's IUP - they divide the payments over 20 months.. so it drops that monthly down a bit. To OWN the phone after 12 - you'd need to pay the remaining 8 months of payments.. They call is NEXT 12 but it's 20 payments to own.. BUT if you want to trade in - you owe nothing (except tax) on your new phone at PreOrder night.

Then NEXT 24 is even lower payments.. And it's 28 or 30 payments (I forget) to own. Upgrade worthy (with no xtra cash outlay) in 18 months... NOT 12 months.. I mean you ARE eligible to upgrade in 12 months for ALL NEXT plans.. But if you had NEXT 24.. 12 months after you'd to come up with 6 more months of installment payments to be eligible to upgrade.

It's a little convoluted.. but a visit to AT&T's website will explain all.

So, no, NEXT 12 and NEXT 24 aren't identical.. at least not in cash outlay come time to upgrade YEARLY..

In the end .. people need to decide how much they want to play monthly.. how much they can afford... Choosing NEXT 24 -- gives you a nice lower payment.. But when you want to upgrade - (if it's yearly).. you have a chunk of change you have to come up with to be upgrade eligible..

But if you think about it.. It's not a whole lot different than when we used to pay our subsidized big chunk of money.. 199/299/399 at preorder time.. So NEXT 24 can be a savvy way to get yourself a real low payment per month.. Just realize that next year at this time.. You'll have 8 payments worth - you'll have to pony up before you're upgrade eligible.. Where with NEXT 12 you would have NONE due..

Pretty sure they recently changed their Next Plans to be 24 payments and upgrade after 12 payments (50% paid off).

 

[Razorhog]

Actually to be very accurate - the NEXT 12 plan is a payout over 12 months before you're eligible for an upgrade where you trade in your phone.. But unlike Apple's IUP - they divide the payments over 20 months.. so it drops that monthly down a bit. To OWN the phone after 12 - you'd need to pay the remaining 8 months of payments.. They call is NEXT 12 but it's 20 payments to own.. BUT if you want to trade in - you owe nothing (except tax) on your new phone at PreOrder night.

Then NEXT 24 is even lower payments.. And it's 28 or 30 payments (I forget) to own. Upgrade worthy (with no xtra cash outlay) in 18 months... NOT 12 months.. I mean you ARE eligible to upgrade in 12 months for ALL NEXT plans.. But if you had NEXT 24.. 12 months after you'd to come up with 6 more months of installment payments to be eligible to upgrade.

It's a little convoluted.. but a visit to AT&T's website will explain all.

So, no, NEXT 12 and NEXT 24 aren't identical.. at least not in cash outlay come time to upgrade YEARLY..

In the end .. people need to decide how much they want to play monthly.. how much they can afford... Choosing NEXT 24 -- gives you a nice lower payment.. But when you want to upgrade - (if it's yearly).. you have a chunk of change you have to come up with to be upgrade eligible..

But if you think about it.. It's not a whole lot different than when we used to pay our subsidized big chunk of money.. 199/299/399 at preorder time.. So NEXT 24 can be a savvy way to get yourself a real low payment per month.. Just realize that next year at this time.. You'll have 8 payments worth - you'll have to pony up before you're upgrade eligible.. Where with NEXT 12 you would have NONE due..

All that you said makes sense, but I don't see a NEXT 12. Only Next (30 installments) and Next Every Year (24 installments). Look here: https://www.att.com/shop/wireless/next.html
[doublepost=1473371215][/doublepost]Choose your installment plan
Select an option that best meets your needs and budget.

• AT&T Next: 30 monthly installments; eligible for upgrade with eligible trade-in when 80% of the full retail price is paid off (approximately 24 monthly installment payments). A 30% down payment may be required.
  
• AT&T Next Every Year: 24 monthly installments; eligible for upgrade with eligible trade-in when 50% of the full retail price is paid off (approximately 12 monthly installment payments). A 30% down payment may be required.

With any option you choose, you may lower your monthly payment by making a down payment.


Add your wireless service. Choose a qualifying plan with voice and data. If service is canceled, your installment agreement balance is due.


**If wireless service is canceled, your installment balance will be due.


Choose when to upgrade
With either option you choose, you have three ways to upgrade:

• Early upgrade: After two months, you can trade in your phone or upgrade early with a lump sum payment that would make you upgrade eligible.1 The lump sum will be either 50% or 80% of the retail price of your phone.
  
• Reach upgrade: Pay your monthly installment payments until you reach upgrade eligible (either 50% or 80% of the retail price) with an eligible trade in.1
  
• Payoff: Finish paying off your monthly installment payments, keep your smartphone, and purchase a new one at any time.

1These upgrades require the trade-in of your financed smartphone (or one of same make and model) in fully functional and good physical condition and an eligible purchase of a new smartphone with qualifying service.

 

[NewdestinyX]

Pretty sure they recently changed their Next Plans to be 24 payments and upgrade after 12 payments (50% paid off).

All that you said makes sense, but I don't see a NEXT 12. Only Next (30 installments) and Next Every Year (24 installments). Look here: https://www.att.com/shop/wireless/next.html

Okay.. Well I think those of us on older plans are grandfathered in. When I paid off my $85 earlier today.. My plan, in my account was still called NEXT 12 and I was eligible for a new NEXT 12 payment level..

I guess I won't know for sure until I upgrade tonight.. Though I think I'm jumping ship and going with Apple IUP tonight.. So we may never know.. The only thing holding me back from Apple IUP is that I can't choose lower payments.. You HAVE to have a plan over only 12 months - right? And I'm heading this year into a period of uncertainty with my job. A lower payment would be safer.. So.. I'm torn.. Will probably stew about it all the way to 3am tonight.. LOL

 

[Razorhog]

So, to recap, you choose either AT&T Next OR AT&T Next Every Year. Then it is up to you when you want to upgrade - Early upgrade (trade in phone and lump sum payment), Reach Upgrade (pay until 50% of phone is paid off, and trade in) or Payoff (finish paying off the phone)

 

[caligurl]

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.

what upgrade fee?

 

[Knowimagination]

what upgrade fee?

They implemented a new $20 upgrade fee for Next plans

 

[NewdestinyX]

So, to recap, you choose either AT&T Next OR AT&T Next Every Year. Then it is up to you when you want to upgrade - Early upgrade (trade in phone and lump sum payment), Reach Upgrade (pay until 50% of phone is paid off, and trade in) or Payoff (finish paying off the phone)

Yes. What I just read on ATT's site… For brand-new people to NEXT… That is your choice!

For those of us who have been on NEXT for one year I think the older plans are grandfathered in for us. Not sure… I will know when I upgrade tonight.

 

[HiItsMe]

Yes. What I just read on ATT's site… For brand-new people to NEXT… That is your choice!

For those of us who have been on NEXT for one year I think the older plans are grandfathered in for us. Not sure… I will know when I upgrade tonight.

It's a brand new Next agreement (essentially a loan for the phone) when you get a new phone so I think there is no such thing as grandfathered Next plans.

 

[NewdestinyX]

It's a brand new Next agreement (essentially a loan for the phone) when you get a new phone so I think there is no such thing as grandfathered Next plans.

And yet the text next to my phone insignia on the app and on the website says "eligible for new next 12 plan." I mean your logic is flawless, HiltsMe… It just doesn't match with what I'm seeing at the site

 

[HiItsMe]

And yet the text next to my phone insignia on the app and on the website says "eligible for new next 12 plan." I mean your logic is flawless, HiltsMe… It just doesn't match with what I'm seeing at the site

Well, fingers crossed that I'm correct since the old Next 12 was a rip off!

 

[NewdestinyX]

Well, fingers crossed that I'm correct since the old Next 12 was a rip off!

I don't think you're understanding that there's really no difference… AT&T is still going to get every single dime of the full retail price of the phone out of you before you upgrade to your next phone in a year. The different plans are only to afford what you pay monthly until that time arrives. But every single person on any next plan will pay identically the same amount for their phone from the last year before they can upgrade.

 

[NewdestinyX]

If I'm wrong… Then YIPPEEwe really are getting a better deal on these new plan

 

[Razorhog]

what upgrade fee?

Yeah as far as I can tell there is a $20 upgrade fee. It's absurd really and rubs me the wrong way. Heck they just started doing it last year and it was $15. Already moved to $20.

 

[HiItsMe]

I don't think you're understanding that there's really no difference… AT&T is still going to get every single dime of the full retail price of the phone out of you before you upgrade to your next phone in a year. The different plans are only to afford what you pay monthly until that time arrives. But every single person on any next plan will pay identically the same amount for their phone from the last year before they can upgrade.

Really? I think the old way you would pay 12/20 (60%) of the retail price plus send them the phone, assuming you upgrade every year. Now you would pay 12/24 (50%) of the retail price plus send them the phone. So you now save the equivalent of 10% of the retail price of the model that you 'lease' for that year. I'm assuming competition from the Apple Upgrade Plan inspired this generosity from AT&T...

 

[NewdestinyX]

Really? I think the old way you would pay 12/20 (60%) of the retail price plus send them the phone, assuming you upgrade every year. Now you would pay 12/24 (50%) of the retail price plus send them the phone. So you now save the equivalent of 10% of the retail price of the model that you 'lease' for that year. I'm assuming competition from the Apple Upgrade Plan inspired this generosity from AT&T...

Yep!! I see what you were saying now! You are right on target. The amount of money I paid for the lease this year was not the full amount of the phone. It was 60%. Absolutely correct. Thanks for correcting me! Yippee!