Carrier AT&T upgrade fee

[gabo864]

Hey everyone,

So I’m planning on upgrading to the iPhone 12 in the next couple weeks when it comes out. My question is, based on previous releases, do you think the SIM free iPhone 12 will be available right away? I always pay for my phones upfront and I was hoping to purchase it and just put my own SIM card in once I receive it. Is this a way to avoid the ATT upgrade fee?

Thanks,

 

[compwiz1202]

Hey everyone,

So I’m planning on upgrading to the iPhone 12 in the next couple weeks when it comes out. My question is, based on previous releases, do you think the SIM free iPhone 12 will be available right away? I always pay for my phones upfront and I was hoping to purchase it and just put my own SIM card in once I receive it. Is this a way to avoid the ATT upgrade fee?

Thanks,

I do know that I got SIM free last year on day 2. And yes you avoid the fee that way.

 

[mosesa]

Hey everyone,

So I’m planning on upgrading to the iPhone 12 in the next couple weeks when it comes out. My question is, based on previous releases, do you think the SIM free iPhone 12 will be available right away? I always pay for my phones upfront and I was hoping to purchase it and just put my own SIM card in once I receive it. Is this a way to avoid the ATT upgrade fee?

Thanks,

I have had pretty good luck calling AT&T and arguing the fact that I did not buy the phone from them, switiched the sim card from one phone the other on my own with no contact from them and the phone worked. Nothing done by AT&T, so no need to charge me an upgrade fee. So far, they have always refunded that fee.

 

[Wags]

Sim free phone availability at launch seems to depend on Apple’s inventory if will offer.

 

[donawalt]

I have ordered AT&T-ready iPhones, which come with a SIM. But before I set it up, I take out the new SIM and put my old SIM in the phone. As a result, I have never seen an upgrade charge on my bill.

 

[ripsaw650]

Is the "upgrade" fee the same as an "activation" fee?

I've always been charged a activation fee not matter which device (unlocked or AT&T) I purchased.

I think I did get the fee $30 credited back once.

 

[mosesa]

Is the "upgrade" fee the same as an "activation" fee?

I've always been charged a activation fee not matter which device (unlocked or AT&T) I purchased.

I think I did get the fee $30 credited back once.

Mine said "upgrade fee" but I am thinking that they are the same thing. They probably changed its name from activation to upgrade so they could get away with charging you when you do upgrade. Even though they do nothing. It's a scam if you ask me. And I think they know that, which is why they will refund it if you complain about it.

 

[ripsaw650]

Mine said "upgrade fee" but I am thinking that they are the same thing. They probably changed its name from activation to upgrade so they could get away with charging you when you do upgrade. Even though they do nothing. It's a scam if you ask me. And I think they know that, which is why they will refund it if you complain about it.

Yeah, I totally agree... they do nothing and still charge me for them to do absolutely nothing.

 

[Apple_Robert]

OP, make sure to turn off the new phone before inserting the new SIM.

 

[The1andOnly]

Is the "upgrade" fee the same as an "activation" fee?

I've always been charged a activation fee not matter which device (unlocked or AT&T) I purchased.

I think I did get the fee $30 credited back once.

Mine said "upgrade fee" but I am thinking that they are the same thing. They probably changed its name from activation to upgrade so they could get away with charging you when you do upgrade. Even though they do nothing. It's a scam if you ask me. And I think they know that, which is why they will refund it if you complain about it.

Whichever one they call it, it is the same thing.

Yeah, I totally agree... they do nothing and still charge me for them to do absolutely nothing.

This is the truth. They do nothing to earn it.

 

[crzdcolombian]

if you get the phone on their website and not in person they wave the fee

 

[Lsmachado]

if you get the phone on their website and not in person they wave the fee

When I ordered my XS Max on preorder day in 2018 on the AT&T website, I was charged the activation fee.

 

[The1andOnly]

When I ordered my XS Max on preorder day in 2018 on the AT&T website, I was charged the activation fee.

I believe @crzdcolombian meant that if you call in to have the fee waived, you’ll be successful if you bought the phone on their website.

 

[AZhappyjack]

Hey everyone,

So I’m planning on upgrading to the iPhone 12 in the next couple weeks when it comes out. My question is, based on previous releases, do you think the SIM free iPhone 12 will be available right away? I always pay for my phones upfront and I was hoping to purchase it and just put my own SIM card in once I receive it. Is this a way to avoid the ATT upgrade fee?

Thanks,

I've done this the last few times that I've upgraded iPhone - I have purchased the SIM-free via the Apple website and NEVER was charged any upgrade fee ... with the iPhone 12, there is a bogus $30 higher cost for the 12/12 Pro... wondering if that's to help offset the upgrade fee to the carriers, or if it's just an Apple money-grab...