Carrier AT&T Trade In... $800 bucks?

[PinkyMacGodess]

One thing I’ve been unable to answer is whether the monthly credits would be jeopardized in the following scenario.

Keep the iPhone 12 in a drawer as the payments+credits are still being applied monthly, and buy an iPhone 13 or 14 or whatever completely outright (full price, unlocked) and use my SIM card in that. I’ve heard conflicting thoughts on this.

As an aside, I hear people saying 'swap sim cards', and I've never had that work. I have always had to go crawling back to the local AT&T store and get a new sim, and have that sim applied to my account. It's never worked right, ever. THat's why I have a dim view of the whole thing. *shrug*

 

[Stlcheer]

I did not realize that when upgrading last year to the iPhone 12 Pro that it was a 30 month lease with the opportunity to upgrade after 15 months (as opposed to 12 months on a 24 month lease in the past). Now I'm left wondering if I wait until the 15 months expire (i.e., January 2022 to upgrade to iPhone 13 Pro), or buy out my phone and trade it in through Apple's upgrade program (which allows for 12 month upgrades)...

If you do next up, then you only have to pay 50% of the phone off before you are eligible to upgrade.

 

[Mr. Y]

upgrade in what sense? Restart with the next program ?

Yes. Meaning pay off my phone through AT&T so I own it, then trade it in through Apple and start fresh with Apple's 12-month program (which is a little more expensive than AT&T's but guarantees 12-month refresh of new phones--though not much more since AT&T now has a $5/month upgrade fee to be eligible to upgrade after 50%/15 months paid on phone "lease").

 

[thadoggfather]

Yes. Meaning pay off my phone through AT&T so I own it, then trade it in through Apple and start fresh with Apple's 12-month program (which is a little more expensive than AT&T's but guarantees 12-month refresh of new phones--though not much more since AT&T now has a $5/month upgrade fee to be eligible to upgrade after 50%/15 months paid on phone "lease").

that's still like $600 out of pocket left to pay, if basing off the price of a 12 pro 128gb

and 'only' like $319 that you got off in subsidy credits over 12 months, for trading at least an iPhone 8.

So assuming that iPhone 8 was around $200 (good deal) to acquire and trade,
only $119 net that was credits subsidized and money savings realized by this process. One year later, you saved $119 going through all this hoopla. That's not great imo. It's the second year onward you really started to see an ROI for this deal.

My feeling is 'eh' but different strokes for different folks. That's how they're gonna get some people though, is those that have the upgrade itch

--

If it were me, I'd just put it in a drawer, or hand it down, finance iPhone 13 separately, then when you got 6 months left or less (completion would be ideal), trade the 12 pro in for a serious down payment on an iPhone 14. That and iPhone 13 trade in, should put you in good standing and then some.

... That is assuming there aren't fire deals for iPhone 12 Pro trade ins to get people to buy iPhone 14 haha and the cycle restarts all over again and you get tempted by that. just food for thought.

 

[Mr. Y]

that's still like $600 out of pocket left to pay, if basing off the price of a 12 pro 128gb

and 'only' like $319 that you got off in subsidy credits over 12 months, for trading at least an iPhone 8.

So assuming that iPhone 8 was around $200 (good deal) to acquire and trade,
only $119 net that was credits subsidized and money savings realized by this process. One year later, you saved $119 going through all this hoopla. That's not great imo. It's the second year onward you really started to see an ROI for this deal.

My feeling is 'eh' but different strokes for different folks. That's how they're gonna get some people though, is those that have the upgrade itch

--

If it were me, I'd just put it in a drawer, or hand it down, finance iPhone 13 separately, then when you got 6 months left or less (completion would be ideal), trade the 12 pro in for a serious down payment on an iPhone 14. That and iPhone 13 trade in, should put you in good standing and then some.

... That is assuming there aren't fire deals for iPhone 12 Pro trade ins to get people to buy iPhone 14 haha and the cycle restarts all over again and you get tempted by that. just food for thought.

That's really helpful perspective and advice! I appreciate it!

 

[Wags]

Im merely curious can you trade in an iPhone 12 for credit to apple thats in the middle of these payments ? Isn’t the payment a locked in agreement between you and att ?

I could trade my iPhone X in that was still in the middle of a contract but I paid $550 upfront for it , it was the 2 year contract subsidy price and structured differently

duplicate

 

[thadoggfather]

So again ,

think you can buy a phone outright put the sim in it and keep the 12 in a drawer and still get subsidy payment credits?

or does “active service” mean must use the device with the service for the whole 30 months to keep getting credits?

 

[Wags]

So again ,

think you can buy a phone outright put the sim in it and keep the 12 in a drawer and still get subsidy payment credits?

or does “active service” mean must use the device with the service for the whole 30 months to keep getting credits?

We need to confirm with att. My guess is needs to be active on account to continue credits. Not sure what happens if lost device. Need to pay off before add another.

 

[TonyC28]

What am I missing here? Trading in an iPhone 11 covers nearly the whole cost of a new iPhone 13 Pro?

 

[Rafterman]

As an aside, I hear people saying 'swap sim cards', and I've never had that work. I have always had to go crawling back to the local AT&T store and get a new sim, and have that sim applied to my account. It's never worked right, ever. THat's why I have a dim view of the whole thing. *shrug*

I often have to call AT&T and have them update their system with the phone's new IMEI number. If the line's IMEI and SIM card ID (ICCID) don't match, not all features (like wifi calling) work right.

 

[rui no onna]

View attachment 1831507
What am I missing here? Trading in an iPhone 11 covers nearly the whole cost of a new iPhone 13 Pro?

You're "locked in" to AT&T for 3 years on an unlimited plan to the tune of at least $1000 per year or $3000 for the contract term.

On a 4-phone + 1-iPad family plan, it's more like $7500 for me.

Best deal here is if you already have an iPhone 8 and have no intention of switching.

 

[Gjwilly]

Deleted

 

[rui no onna]

That is one expensive iPad!!
I have 5 phones plus fiber internet and it’s $4200.

For 3 years? My cellphone bill's around $210 per month with tax ($40 x 4 iPhones + $20 iPad + taxes).

I've tried MVNOs (Visible, Mint) but QoS/deprioritization sucks versus postpaid where I use service most.

 

[TonyC28]

You're "locked in" to AT&T for 3 years on an unlimited plan to the tune of at least $1000 per year or $3000 for the contract term.

On a 4-phone + 1-iPad family plan, it's more like $7500 for me.

Best deal here is if you already have an iPhone 8 and have no intention of switching.

I’ve been with AT&T for years so I’m not so worried about switching. But I’m not so sure I want to switch to one of their new plans. Something to consider I guess.

 

[Wags]

View attachment 1831507
What am I missing here? Trading in an iPhone 11 covers nearly the whole cost of a new iPhone 13 Pro?

No. Just takes 36 months to get full credits. Not obligated to keep att but credits stop. Probably a wash after 12-18 months of payments vs trading in iPhone elsewhere.

 

[pcd213]

Now I’m kicking myself that I went with the $700 deal for an iPhone 12 Pro a few months ago when I could have gotten a free iPhone 13 Pro with the latest AT&T deal

 

[Mr. Y]

It will be interesting to see the finer print on this deal. From what I've read so far it appears that AT&T wants you to commit to this phone for three years on an upgraded plan and if you do anything different, you owe the full cost of the phone less what you've paid (which won't be much of a dent in the full cost since its about $0-$2.75/m). I can't see how "prepaying" the full cost and then later buying, say, the iPhone 14 excuses you from this obligation, since I was offered $0 per month (so how do I pre-pay that?). To me, as it reads now. you are stuck with whatever phone you choose and that plan for three years, period. Back to phone contracts (but with the benefit of a "free" phone).

 

[Wags]

It will be interesting to see the finer print on this deal. From what I've read so far it appears that AT&T wants you to commit to this phone for three years on an upgraded plan and if you do anything different, you owe the full cost of the phone less what you've paid (which won't be much of a dent in the full cost since its about $0-$2.75/m). I can't see how "prepaying" the full cost and then later buying, say, the iPhone 14 excuses you from this obligation, since I was offered $0 per month (so how do I pre-pay that?). To me, as it reads now. you are stuck with whatever phone you choose and that plan for three years, period. Back to phone contracts (but with the benefit of a "free" phone).

If you trade in an eligible phone for the $1000 or $0 per month they are applying $27.78 per month towards the device. If quit before the 36 months, you pay the balance.

 

[omizzle]

Which AT&T plans are eligible for the promotion? Any of their Unlimited plans (ie Starter, Extra, Elite)? I am on an old plan (40gb Mobile Share Value) and am not sure I am crazy about these new plans. Video streaming limited to 480p? Data throttling etc.

 

[Wags]

Which AT&T plans are eligible for the promotion? Any of their Unlimited plans (ie Starter, Extra, Elite)? I am on an old plan (40gb Mobile Share Value) and am not sure I am crazy about these new plans. Video streaming limited to 480p? Data throttling etc.

Any unlimited.

 

[quietkaos]

When I did this deal last year and upgraded to an unlimited plan, my actual bill went down from my previous plan. I might be the exception, but its worth looking into. Plus HBOmax is included.

 

[thadoggfather]

well the terms for the equivalent iPhone 13 deal say device must stay on the line to receive credits, not just keep the eligible plan - so I suspect it was the same for the iPhone 12 deal last year

That'll keep me from being tempted by any iPhone 13 this year

if I get the itch for iPhone 14 next year, it will be a $200 buyout. or I can just wait another 6 months and see if I want to get it then or wait for 15.

or this time next year + 3 months to put me around holidays / new year and $100 out of pocket. Not too shabby, considering I usually prefer to dive into a jailbroken device anyways if possible

--

36 months is a whopper! its nice that Verizon offers 24 for at least the mini and regular 13 but even then... you'll be missing that iPhone 14 if the new re-design rumors are true. Unless you're cool with waiting an additional year which I assume VZ people that opt for it will be - unless they dont do their research

I have a feeling lots of people dont do their research and get the itch and pay out of pocket, and barely realized any savings from this deal.

 

[RealSkyDiver]

well the terms for the equivalent iPhone 13 deal say device must stay on the line to receive credits, not just keep the eligible plan - so I suspect it was the same for the iPhone 12 deal last year

That'll keep me from being tempted by any iPhone 13 this year

if I get the itch for iPhone 14 next year, it will be a $200 buyout. or I can just wait another 6 months and see if I want to get it then or wait for 15.

or this time next year + 3 months to put me around holidays / new year and $100 out of pocket. Not too shabby, considering I usually prefer to dive into a jailbroken device anyways if possible

--

36 months is a whopper! its nice that Verizon offers 24 for at least the mini and regular 13 but even then... you'll be missing that iPhone 14 if the new re-design rumors are true. Unless you're cool with waiting an additional year which I assume VZ people that opt for it will be - unless they dont do their research

I have a feeling lots of people dont do their research and get the itch and pay out of pocket, and barely realized any savings from this deal.

Why would you miss out on the 14? If you manage to pay off the 13 in a year you can still get the next one. Doesn’t matter what plan you’re locked into.

 

[thadoggfather]

Why would you miss out on the 14? If you manage to pay off the 13 in a year you can still get the next one. Doesn’t matter what plan you’re locked into.

because getting 1/3 rd (1 of 3 years of subsidy on payment plan, before pulling the plug) of $700 in credits is a wash. $231 on a lesser device 'saved', for something like an iPhone 8 that will cost around that to acquire or forego.

Even 1/2 of $800 with Verizon is $400, ok you saved maybe upper $100 and change over course of all this hassle and being beholden to carrier accepting the trade in and honoring it, etc. -- more tempting admittedly. More money saved and less lengthy term.

--

And trading in an 11 PM in my opinion for the $1000 over 3 years with AT&T is just silly - foggetaboutit when you can get decent trade in or private sale and just buy out of pocket / save more / have more freedom

 

[thadoggfather]

Why would you miss out on the 14? If you manage to pay off the 13 in a year you can still get the next one. Doesn’t matter what plan you’re locked into.

The 12 will have been a better deal last year

with 6 months to go you’d only
Be foregoing $160 in subsidy credits to upgrade to iPhone 14 on day one (or 20%)

if only half way through (with regular/mini 13 and on VZW 2 year) or a third of the 13 deal (all other carriers afaik and more expensive models) that’s a lot more credits foregone (50-66% )

66% of $700 credits is $462. So only $238 in subsidy credits after 1 year of taking advantage of this deal, a wash if you have to buy a device on eBay to trade in in the first place and have the upgrade itch next year.

--
Fun math
round down $160 to 150 for simplicity:
$200 eBay acquired iPhone 8 sacrifice for $800 bill credits as it was $800 briefly for regular 12 and 12 pro on AT&T
$200 remaining to pay phone ($1000 - 800 bill credits)
$150 foregone in bill credits to upgrade to iPhone 14 day one
---
$550 for a 2 year, what it was for iPhone X 64GB in 2017 through AT&T loyalty department. Just structured more wonkily.

considering iPhones were 199 with 2 year until the contract model standard went away for phones retailing at 650, and is now 999 for pro models +$350 from 199 works out to $550. Just like the good old days with “pro materials inflation”

I like doing these number crunching gymnastics