Carrier AT&T post- 2 year agreements

[Italianblend]

2 years ago, I got the 6S with at&t on the standard upgrade eligible line, pay $200, get a 2 year contract.

Now as I understand, they no longer do this. My line is eligible for an upgrade on September 13. What are my options?

Also considering moving to sprint. Seems like it will be cheaper

 

[imlovinit]

You can pay out right or do the next program which is basically an additional monthly payment to own your phone or be able to upgrade yearly.

 

[Macalway]

You can pay out right or do the next program which is basically an additional monthly payment to own your phone or be able to upgrade yearly.

I don't understand this, it's unclear. What's 'upgrade early', and how does it fit?

 

[Stlcheer]

I don't understand this, it's unclear. What's 'upgrade early', and how does it fit?

With the Next program you can spread your payments over 24 month or 30 months. Once you complete 50% of your payments, you're able to upgrade to a new phone. You would trade your phone in to ATT and start a new next agreement. So with the 24 month plan, you can upgrade every year (if you want to).

 

[rui no onna]

With the Next program you can spread your payments over 24 month or 30 months. Once you complete 50% of your payments, you're able to upgrade to a new phone. You would trade your phone in to ATT and start a new next agreement. So with the 24 month plan, you can upgrade every year (if you want to).

Note, Next 30 is an awful deal if you do the "early" upgrade thing. Iirc, that one only allows you to upgrade "early" at month 24 so you've pretty much paid 80% of full retail price and you still need to turn in your phone to ATT.

 

[Applejuiced]

In short you now have to pay for your own phone.
Either in full or they split it up in multiple payments over a certain amount of months and add the payment to your phone bill.

 

[rui no onna]

In short you now have to pay for your own phone.
Either in full or they split it up in multiple payments over a certain amount of months and add the payment to your phone bill.

Carriers have always passed on the phone cost to the customer except subsidy was incorporated into data costs and there was a $200-400 "down payment" before.

For our family, the bill used to be $240/mo on 2-year contract. Now, it's $160/mo + device payment if you buy on installment.

$80 * 24 + $300 *4 = $3120

$750 * 4 = $3000

That said, I think the old style plans may have been better for single lines. Not completely sure.

 

[Applejuiced]

Carriers have always passed on the phone cost to the customer except subsidy was incorporated into data costs and there was a $200-400 "down payment" before.

For our family, the bill used to be $240/mo on 2-year contract. Now, it's $160/mo + device payment if you buy on installment.

$80 * 24 + $300 *4 = $3120

$750 * 4 = $3000

That said, I think the old style plans may have been better for single lines. Not completely sure.

Depends on the family plans that some had back then.
Some with multiple lines and by adding a line for $9.99 in a family plan they were very affordable and all lines were getting $199 base model iPhones every 2 years.
Either way those days are over so mind as well switch to a cheaper monthly plan and then buy your own device.

 

[Italianblend]

Who has $1000 to spend on a phone? Looks like I'll have to downgrade.

 

[Complex757]

Who has $1000 to spend on a phone? Looks like I'll have to downgrade.

IMO you should pick T-Mobile instead of Sprint. Depending on your area of course.

 

[tivoboy]

there are still the traditional subsidy programs, but it's on corporate accounts only and only SOME of them. I'm trying to figure out where I'll be able to actually do this when the 9/xx date comes. Is it at&t only, or will apple be able to process the transaction too?

 

[rui no onna]

there are still the traditional subsidy programs, but it's on corporate accounts only and only SOME of them. I'm trying to figure out where I'll be able to actually do this when the 9/xx date comes. Is it at&t only, or will apple be able to process the transaction too?

Probably going to be AT&T only.

My observation back when I was on older subsidy lplans, if you preorder via Apple Store website your account is treated as a regular consumer plan. FAN usually has waived upgrade fee promo so I typically have to call AT&T to get the fee waived manually.

 

[aneftp]

I won't buy a full price phone every (unless I am in a pickle like lost my phone)

The key to att next or other installments is to wait for promo deals. Like bogo. Or $650 trade in credit for 2 year old iPhone (spread over 24 months) or 3rd party stores like Costco Sam's club or Best Buy target have $200 or even up to $300 gift card promo ($250-300 usually around Black Friday time)

So for pre orders. Att and other carriers have been running $650 trade in credit spread over 24 months the past 2 years for trading in 2 year old iPhones. So I suspect those wanting to pre order iPhone 2017 model should trade in their 2015 (iPhone 6s or newer model) for $650 credit spread over 24 months. That would be your biggest bang for the buck since it's less hassle than trying to resell iPhone on your own plus ain't no one gonna to give u $650 credit for a 2 year old
iPhone on Craigslist or eBay

 

[Chupa Chupa]

That said, I think the old style plans may have been better for single lines. Not completely sure.

They definitely were. My plan was $80/mo with tax. I'd pay $199 for a phone every two years. Easily sold the phone for $199 or more when contract was done. So basically I just paid $80/mo for service. Phone was at no cost.

I've left ATT. But today I'd have to pay $800 for the phone AND $85/mo for service. After two years net $350 for phone ($400 loss) plus $85/mo service.

Today single line people get royally screwed.

 

[rui no onna]

They definitely were. My plan was $80/mo with tax. I'd pay $199 for a phone every two years. Easily sold the phone for $199 or more when contract was done. So basically I just paid $80/mo for service. Phone was at no cost.

I've left ATT. But today I'd have to pay $800 for the phone AND $85/mo for service. After two years net $350 for phone ($400 loss) plus $85/mo service.

Today single line people get royally screwed.

Have you considered prepaid?

The reason we stick to postpaid is because

1.) Apple didn't used to sell unlocked iPhones in US, and

2.) with multiple lines, cost is almost the same. I used to pay $60/mo per line including subsidy + $1200 upfront cost for devices every 2 years. Now I pay $40/mo per line with no subsidy plus my device spend for the past couple of years has just been $1500 so that's a savings of ~$1600 compared to the old plans.

 

[aneftp]

They definitely were. My plan was $80/mo with tax. I'd pay $199 for a phone every two years. Easily sold the phone for $199 or more when contract was done. So basically I just paid $80/mo for service. Phone was at no cost.

I've left ATT. But today I'd have to pay $800 for the phone AND $85/mo for service. After two years net $350 for phone ($400 loss) plus $85/mo service.

Today single line people get royally screwed.

Agreed. Post paid plans really favor family lines due to cost per line. Although Verizon has made lines 4 and more more expensive than att.

If u have 1-2 lines. Go prepaid.

 

[mattopotamus]

Agreed. Post paid plans really favor family lines due to cost per line. Although Verizon has made lines 4 and more more expensive than att.

If u have 1-2 lines. Go prepaid.

Prepaid or sprint. They still do contracts.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Have you considered prepaid?

I have considered but two big problems there:

1. Data speeds are typically capped a 3mbps. So on the slow end of LTE -- barely LTE actually.

2. You can't roam outside of North America with pre-paid. You have to buy a SIM in the country you are visiting which I've done back with roaming prices included your first born and left leg. But it's a time waster at a time you have no time to waste, especially when you are going to multiple countries. It's easier to just go on an Int. roaming plan when needed, but those don't exist with prepaid.

But even if I did have a prepaid plan unlimited is still $55 or so. So you are paying more out of pocket than when phones were subsidized AND getting a lower level of service.
[doublepost=1504568597][/doublepost]

Prepaid or sprint. They still do contracts.

Prepaid -- see comment. Also Prepaid usually doesn't get the flagship phones for at least a few months after launch if then.

Sprint -- like not having service. I have TMob right now, also not contract, also like not having service anywhere outside of a decent sized city.

But ATT, VZW still do contracts too -- they just don't subsidize, at least officially. My point was really that the cost of cell service was lower when subsidies existed. Of course that is why they ditched them.

 

[rui no onna]

I have considered but two big problems there:

1. Data speeds are typically capped a 3mbps. So on the slow end of LTE -- barely LTE actually.

2. You can't roam outside of North America with pre-paid. You have to buy a SIM in the country you are visiting which I've done back with roaming prices included your first born and left leg. But it's a time waster at a time you have no time to waste, especially when you are going to multiple countries. It's easier to just go on an Int. roaming plan when needed, but those don't exist with prepaid.

But even if I did have a prepaid plan unlimited is still $55 or so. So you are paying more out of pocket than when phones were subsidized AND getting a lower level of service.

Cricket Wireless (AT&T MVNO) caps data at 8-10Mbps, iirc. Not sure what the caps are for AT&T and Verizon branded prepaid.

Mind, at $55/mo for service, you're not paying more out of pocket.

$55/mo x 24 months + $650 = $1970

$80/mo x 24 months + $200 = $2120

Caveat nowadays, resale value isn't as good as it used to be because the market is pretty saturated and now, the top tier devices are more expensive. Granted, you might be getting lower tier service. I haven't bothered keeping up with T-Mobile's current plans since they don't have coverage at my workplace.

True about roaming, though, although AT&T and Verizon roaming still cost an arm and a leg afaik.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

True about roaming, though, although AT&T and Verizon roaming still cost an arm and a leg afaik.

No, it's changed. Both ATT and VZW are $10/day and based on whatever plan you have. TMob is free for 3G data and they also have a $25/mo plan with 4G -- you just pay the $25 for the month you are away and then turn it off when you return.

 

[rui no onna]

No, it's changed. Both ATT and VZW are $10/day and based on whatever plan you have. TMob is free for 3G data and they also have a $25/mo plan with 4G -- you just pay the $25 for the month you are away and then turn it off when you return.

Hmm, not as bad as before but I think I paid $20 for 10-20GB data for 30 days last I went on vacation so reckon I'll likely still go for local SIM.

 

[aneftp]

I have considered but two big problems there:

1. Data speeds are typically capped a 3mbps. So on the slow end of LTE -- barely LTE actually.

2. You can't roam outside of North America with pre-paid. You have to buy a SIM in the country you are visiting which I've done back with roaming prices included your first born and left leg. But it's a time waster at a time you have no time to waste, especially when you are going to multiple countries. It's easier to just go on an Int. roaming plan when needed, but those don't exist with prepaid.

But even if I did have a prepaid plan unlimited is still $55 or so. So you are paying more out of pocket than when phones were subsidized AND getting a lower level of service.
[doublepost=1504568597][/doublepost]

Prepaid -- see comment. Also Prepaid usually doesn't get the flagship phones for at least a few months after launch if then.

Sprint -- like not having service. I have TMob right now, also not contract, also like not having service anywhere outside of a decent sized city.

But ATT, VZW still do contracts too -- they just don't subsidize, at least officially. My point was really that the cost of cell service was lower when subsidies existed. Of course that is why they ditched them.

The real key for carriers is revenue PER LINE. The subsidy model worked ok when it was cheap flip phones or not subsidizing $400 iPhones on lines 2-5 which were $9.99 a line add ons.

Carriers have been trying to find the right price points (while still making profits)

Verizon clearly mis judged how popular their new unlimited plan back in feb 2017 $100 plus $20 a line. Verizon clearly saw more accounts with 6-10 lines popping up. Just do the simple math. 6 lines at Verizon $220. 10 lines. $300 under Feb 2017 unlimited plans.

Compared to their new plan they launched 2 weeks ago. 6 lines will cost u $300. 10 lines will cost u a whopping $500 a month PLUS no subsidy.

 

[rui no onna]

The real key for carriers is revenue PER LINE. The subsidy model worked ok when it was cheap flip phones or not subsidizing $400 iPhones on lines 2-5 which were $9.99 a line add ons.

Technically, the $9.99 line was just for the line itself. There was a mandatory "data plan" that pays for the subsidy automatically added to the line if it had a smartphone on it.

Caveat there, the terms only require that you keep the $9.99 line fee for the entire 2 years when you get a subsidized phone. It says nothing about needing to keep the data plan (it just assumes you'll have a smartphone on the line). Some take advantage of that and get annual upgrades by keeping a $9.99 "dummy line", putting a flip phone on it and cancelling the data plan that pays for the subsidy.

 

[aneftp]

Technically, the $9.99 line was just for the line itself. There was a mandatory "data plan" that pays for the subsidy automatically added to the line if it had a smartphone on it.

Caveat there, the terms only require that you keep the $9.99 line fee for the entire 2 years when you get a subsidized phone. It says nothing about needing to keep the data plan (it just assumes you'll have a smartphone on the line). Some take advantage of that and get annual upgrades by keeping a $9.99 "dummy line", putting a flip phone on it and cancelling the data plan that pays for the subsidy.

Not true. The carriers (verizonand tmobile changed the terms and required mandatory data plan for entire 24
Months if subsidized phone was used back in 2011-2014 time period)

First T-Mobile started enforcing $30 data plans on all subsidy smartphones regardless if one was using it. Than Verizon started doing it as well.

I own stock in Verizon and att. I follow the market closely.

 

[rui no onna]

Not true. The carriers (verizonand tmobile changed the terms and required mandatory data plan for entire 24
Months if subsidized phone was used back in 2011-2014 time period)

First T-Mobile started enforcing $30 data plans on all subsidy smartphones regardless if one was using it. Than Verizon started doing it as well.

I own stock in Verizon and att. I follow the market closely.

I don't know about Verizon or T-Mobile but the situation I described was the case for AT&T for several years. I think AT&T eventually required data be kept for 24 months, too, but I think by then they were heavily promoting the new shared data plans.