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AT&T will increase monthly bill for standard upgrades vs Next

Okay one final question. For everyone doing the NEXT 12 will Apple be handling those trade-in next year when the next iPhone comes out or will only AT&T handle that? The reason I ask it that I believe you have a MUCH better chance of getting a pre-order in with Apple as they tend to keep most of the stock for themselves. If Apple does not support this Next trade in program the lines and orders at AT&T next year will be to much for them to handle.
 
Sodner said:
Okay one final question. For everyone doing the NEXT 12 will Apple be handling those trade-in next year when the next iPhone comes out or will only AT&T handle that? The reason I ask it that I believe you have a MUCH better chance of getting a pre-order in with Apple as they tend to keep most of the stock for themselves. If Apple does not support this Next trade in program the lines and orders at AT&T next year will be to much for them to handle.
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I personally plan on fully paying off the phone before the 11th month and that way I can be ready to start a new next plan and sell my old phone or pass it on to a family member.
 
Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see the value, it seems a wash either way for me. I lose a $15 discount, but have a $8 discount from my employer (20%).

If I go 2 year contract. (Mobileshare 2GB plan) 64GB iPhone 6
Bill goes from $63.50 to $78.50/month
$300 upfront for the device + $40 upgrade fee breakdown to
($15 lost discount x24) = $360 + $300 (device) + $40 = $700 Paid total toward the device.

AT&T Next:

Bills stays at $63.50 + $37.5 (ATT Next Payment) = $101/month
If I want to upgrade at 12 months:
$0 down + $450 (12 Next payments) + $300 (Remaining balance) = $750

So, if I want to upgrade at 12 months with the two year contract. I can buy a new iPhone at full price and sell my iPhone 6. So, I may go 2 year contract for the lower monthly payment and sell my iPhone 6 in 12 months if I want to upgrade.
 
I actually would save $50 a month moving my three iPhones to Shared plan (removed unlimited data). Going with 18 mo. Next gives me a free loan for the phones for 18 mo. I will most likely upgrade to iPhone 7 so I don't mind "renting" the iPhone from them. If I want to keep the phones then I'll pay the rest after 18 mo.
 
I've read so much about this that my brain is starting to become mush. What is comes down is the phone costs "x" number of dollars. You either pay that up front, over the course of 2 years with a contract or over the amount of time that you pick with the NEXT program.

Many of us are used to the 2 year contract thing. We "think" the base phone costs $199.00 and we have to wait 2 years until we can get another one at that price. Some people don't want another phone after the end of 2 year so they just keep paying their monthly bill and they get one when they want/need to. Now that we're analyzing how all of this works, we can see that your actually paying more than full retail for the phone if you decide to keep it for 3 years.

So what happens with the NEXT program? After you get to the point when the phone is paid off, are you no longer charged that amount on your monthly bill? For me, the answer to that will tell me which way I'm going to go with this. I've been kind of against the NEXT program but after reading some good posts that really spell out how all of this works now, it doesn't seem to be to bad. Especially if the phone payments are taken off of the bill after the phone is paid off. Then I just have my normal monthly bill for usage which should be less than it would be if I signed a 2 year contract. btw - I have an unlimited plan that I will probably hold onto and a 23% FAN discount.
 
iMas70 said:
So what happens with the NEXT program? After you get to the point when the phone is paid off, are you no longer charged that amount on your monthly bill? For me, the answer to that will tell me which way I'm going to go with this. I've been kind of against the NEXT program but after reading some good posts that really spell out how all of this works now, it doesn't seem to be to bad. Especially if the phone payments are taken off of the bill after the phone is paid off. Then I just have my normal monthly bill for usage which should be less than it would be if I signed a 2 year contract. btw - I have an unlimited plan that I will probably hold onto and a 23% FAN discount.
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NEXT is a loan. After you've paid off your principal amount, then you stop paying the monthly for NEXT. That said, if you have an unlimited plan (5GB LTE), Mobile Share Value is probably more expensive. The new plans don't really make sense until you've got multiple lines on 10GB. Also, if you didn't have the unlimited texting plan on the Family Talk plans or still had some dumb phone lines, the old plans were much less expensive.
 
iMas70 said:
I've read so much about this that my brain is starting to become mush. What is comes down is the phone costs "x" number of dollars. You either pay that up front, over the course of 2 years with a contract or over the amount of time that you pick with the NEXT program.

Many of us are used to the 2 year contract thing. We "think" the base phone costs $199.00 and we have to wait 2 years until we can get another one at that price. Some people don't want another phone after the end of 2 year so they just keep paying their monthly bill and they get one when they want/need to. Now that we're analyzing how all of this works, we can see that your actually paying more than full retail for the phone if you decide to keep it for 3 years.

So what happens with the NEXT program? After you get to the point when the phone is paid off, are you no longer charged that amount on your monthly bill? For me, the answer to that will tell me which way I'm going to go with this. I've been kind of against the NEXT program but after reading some good posts that really spell out how all of this works now, it doesn't seem to be to bad. Especially if the phone payments are taken off of the bill after the phone is paid off. Then I just have my normal monthly bill for usage which should be less than it would be if I signed a 2 year contract. btw - I have an unlimited plan that I will probably hold onto and a 23% FAN discount.
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Correct.....for all these years the phone companies have screwed anyone who keeps their phone longer than 2 years. If you get into a new contract, they will continue to screw you unless after 2 years you contact them and move over to Next (brining your now paid in full phone).

Still, people really need to not focus on the actual cost of the phone, but the overall cost of the plan over the contract term. For my wife and I, because we don't want to upgrade every year, and because we are only on the 2GB data plan, doing a contract vs. Next actually saves us $100 over 2 years. This $100 can go towards dinner out, Applecare for a phone, etc. However, if we were to switch to the 10GB plan, the contract actually costs more than next.

People need to do simple math over the course of the term. Personally, I look at the total amount spent over the 2 years. If I spend $3,000 over 2 years for 2 phones, service and data....I don't care how you classify it. It could be phones for $1 and server for $2,999.....don't care.

-Kevin
 
I'm in a family plan doing the 10gb shared. I just used my upgrade to do the 2 year deal. If I wanted to avoid getting hit with the monthly payment increase, is it too late to change my iPhone 6+ to the Next plan?
 
Sharkey311 said:
I'm in a family plan doing the 10gb shared. I just used my upgrade to do the 2 year deal. If I wanted to avoid getting hit with the monthly payment increase, is it too late to change my iPhone 6+ to the Next plan?
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There have been some reports of people saying that if you take the new phones to an AT&T store BEFORE you do anything, they might be able to switch you.

I'd call AT&T and ask. Maybe they can do it over the phone before you activate.

-Kevin
 
I have unlimited data on my iPhone and a 5GB plan on my iPad. I'm leaning towards keeping the unlimited data plan but am giving the shared plan some consideration. The 10GB plan would be the one for me if I was to switch over.

I'm looking at the AT&T site now. What I would go with is the 64GB phone. It costs $749.99. That's $31.25 per month for 24 months or $37.50 for 18 months.

My plan is -

450 minutes - $39.99
Unlimited data - $30.00 (FAN discount doesn't apply)
Unlimited texting - $20.00
Discount is $16.10
$73.89
Taxes/fees - $6.95
Total for the phone plan is $80.84

5GB Data plan for the iPad is $50.00
Discount is $11.50
$38.50
Surcharges/fees - $1.27
Total - $39.77

$120.61 total

If I add the phone to that for 24 months it adds $31.25 for a total of $151.86.

if I go with the 10GB Shared data. That is -

10GB - $100.00
Phone - $15.00
iPad - $10.00
$125.00
Discount brings that down to $96.25
I'll guess about $8.00 for taxes/fee
$104.25

Adding in the 64GB phone for 24 months brings the total to $135.50.

I'm always skeptical and throughly research everything that is going to cost me money. NEXT really doesn't seem bad if I'm reading all this correctly. It's just an interest free loan for "x" number of months, when the loan is paid off then you own the phone and can do what you like with it. You can also upgrade when you want and not be locked into a 2 year contact and not be able to upgrade if you upgrade date doesn't coincide with the release date of the new phone that you want. Seems pretty simple.
 
I called AT&T a little while after I posted above. Their Next plan doesn't have anything to do with the rate plan unless... you have an Unlimited data plan. Then the bill doesn't change. So with that, you pay full price for the phone with Next and you pay the same for the service/data as you as you would with a 2 year contract.

This is where I see it being unfair. I can understand the plan rate being higher to make up for the subsidized price of the phone with a two year contract. But by going with Next, you pay full price for the phone and the additional fee because of the unlimited data. So that is where Next financing and data rates are tied together.
 
iMas70 said:
I called AT&T a little while after I posted above. Their Next plan doesn't have anything to do with the rate plan unless... you have an Unlimited data plan. Then the bill doesn't change. So with that, you pay full price for the phone with Next and you pay the same for the service/data as you as you would with a 2 year contract.

This is where I see it being unfair. I can understand the plan rate being higher to make up for the subsidized price of the phone with a two year contract. But by going with Next, you pay full price for the phone and the additional fee because of the unlimited data. So that is where Next financing and data rates are tied together.
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The Next plan IS NOT DESIGNED FOR ANYONE ON OLD PLANS! If everyone could understand this, we'd all be much better off. If you have unlimited data or any individual plan that is older than say 2 years, next was not designed with you in mind. Next only makes sense with a newer mobile value share plan and perhaps some newer individual plans but I don't know what the individual current plans are like.

Again, all next is is a way to get the consumer into a new phone without having to pay full retail price all at once. It is an interest free, fee free installment loan to pay off the MSRP of a phone.
 
So financially, it's probably better for someone with an Unlimited data plan to go with a two year contract.
 
For family share plans it's a $25 month per line savings (if you have a 10GB+ plan) and you lose any grandfathered unlimited plans if you switch (I switched mine 6 months ago, never used more than 4GB a month since iPhone 1.) The way they word it is you lose the $25 monthly discount per line if they subsidize the phone.

What sucks for me is you can only have a max of 4 phones on next. I have 7 iPhones on my plan with 4 already on next so I can't use next. So I need to pay one of the next plans off early or pay full price for the new phone upfront $650-$950.

If you do the contract it ends up costing between $189-200 extra over 2 years depending on the phone (including activation fee,) with my monthly bill increasing $25.


I still might do this if I can't come up with the full price cash upfront.


I'm keeping at&t anyway so the contract doesn't matter but they should make it equal out to be the same price either way.

I'm also waiting to try the 2 sizes in store because I'm not sure which I'd prefer.
 
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Less than 10 gb of data only saves $15 on Family share

I gave up unlimited data 6 months ago since I rarely use even 1 gb per month. I now have two phones off contract with ATT on the 2 gb mobile share plan. At my data level, the monthly penalty for a subsidized phone is $15 per month, not $25. If I were to buy the iPhone 6 64gb at the subsidized price of $299 plus tax (on $299) plus $40 upgrade fee, it is cheaper over 2 years than the Next plan. However, what happens to my wife's iPhone 5 which is not under contract. Can we still have the Mobile Value share plan and share the 2gb with one subsidized phone and one "bring your own" phone? If that is OK, my bill will only increase $15 per month. I don't trust an ATT rep to give me a correct answer, so I haven't ordered my iPhone 6 yet. Thanks in advance for an answer.
 
I am totally confused! If I purchase iphone from Apple, then will that effect my monthly charge on the mobile share plan vs if I buy using next 18? Sorry if this is a dumb question :(
 
i'm reading this thread and i still cant comprehend what im reading, everytime i think i understand what Next is all about i completely get lost again. This is me after reading every post


96jmdc.gif
 
galafuji said:
I am totally confused! If I purchase iphone from Apple, then will that effect my monthly charge on the mobile share plan vs if I buy using next 18? Sorry if this is a dumb question :(
Click to expand...

cymolia said:
i'm reading this thread and i still cant comprehend what im reading, everytime i think i understand what Next is all about i completely get lost again. This is me after reading every post
Click to expand...


Read this for help http://www.cnet.com/news/contract-or-no-contract-for-iphone-6-which-is-the-better-deal/
 
kungxpao said:
Okay guys, I'm going to see if I got this right. I'm currently on the shared 10 GB plan. Its 15 dollar per line. If I agree to a two year contract for the subby price then my line will increase from 15 to 40 dollars per month. However, if I choose the "next" route, then my line will stay at 15 dollars per month, correct?
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But don't forget the $25/$32 monthly payment that will be tacked on to your bill when you buy a new phone under the NEXT plan. But your numbers for the monthly bill for the mobile share plan is correct.
 
iMas70 said:
I've read so much about this that my brain is starting to become mush. What is comes down is the phone costs "x" number of dollars. You either pay that up front, over the course of 2 years with a contract or over the amount of time that you pick with the NEXT program.

Many of us are used to the 2 year contract thing. We "think" the base phone costs $199.00 and we have to wait 2 years until we can get another one at that price. Some people don't want another phone after the end of 2 year so they just keep paying their monthly bill and they get one when they want/need to. Now that we're analyzing how all of this works, we can see that your actually paying more than full retail for the phone if you decide to keep it for 3 years.

So what happens with the NEXT program? After you get to the point when the phone is paid off, are you no longer charged that amount on your monthly bill? For me, the answer to that will tell me which way I'm going to go with this. I've been kind of against the NEXT program but after reading some good posts that really spell out how all of this works now, it doesn't seem to be to bad. Especially if the phone payments are taken off of the bill after the phone is paid off. Then I just have my normal monthly bill for usage which should be less than it would be if I signed a 2 year contract. btw - I have an unlimited plan that I will probably hold onto and a 23% FAN discount.
Click to expand...

Yes, your payments will go down after the 18 months and the phone will be yours. Actually, using the NEXT 12 makes the most sense to me, because you can upgrade every year doing it (if so inclined) and keep your phone to sell. Just be sure to pay it off in the 11th month so you can upgrade through the Apple site. If you upgrade through att, chances are great that you won't receive your phone at launch with everyone else that ordered directly from Apple.
I ordered 3 iphone 6's from ATT and my outside date is Oct 31. That really blows because if I'd been able to order through Apple, I'd have my phones next week.
Spilled milk. I'll be ready next time.
 
ron7624 said:
Yes, your payments will go down after the 18 months and the phone will be yours. Actually, using the NEXT 12 makes the most sense to me, because you can upgrade every year doing it (if so inclined) and keep your phone to sell. Just be sure to pay it off in the 11th month so you can upgrade through the Apple site. If you upgrade through att, chances are great that you won't receive your phone at launch with everyone else that ordered directly from Apple.
I ordered 3 iphone 6's from ATT and my outside date is Oct 31. That really blows because if I'd been able to order through Apple, I'd have my phones next week.
Spilled milk. I'll be ready next time.
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Actually, Next 12 payoff is 20 months so your bill goes down after 20 months (or, you know, whenever you pay off your phone).
 
I had to cancel my Pre-order for a 6 once I read all this. I KNEW there was a catch to the new family share plan but the AT&T rep would simply not elaborate on all the details.

I guess I will now wait in line Friday and go with Next 18 in order to not loose my $25 discount.

I was getting particularly screwed by good ol AT&T as I was mid contract so my subsidized price for a 64GB 6 was $549. Add that to $25x24=$600 I would then be paying $1149 for a $749 phone.
 
I'm sorry if it's been addressed but I'm really looking for a yes or no to my situation.

I was planning on just renewing my contract. It's grandfathered unlimited data I've had since 2010. Going into the store and basically saying, "I don't want any changes, just renew my current contract." I'm assuming that's possible (because that's what I've always done) but is it and will I see this $25/mo charge or not?
 
Sodner said:
I had to cancel my Pre-order for a 6 once I read all this. I KNEW there was a catch to the new family share plan but the AT&T rep would simply not elaborate on all the details.

I guess I will now wait in line Friday and go with Next 18 in order to not loose my $25 discount.

I was getting particularly screwed by good ol AT&T as I was mid contract so my subsidized price for a 64GB 6 was $549. Add that to $25x24=$600 I would then be paying $1149 for a $749 phone.
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Not really. You're paying only paying $899 for a $749 phone. The $250 goes towards paying off the subsidy for the older phone whose contract you haven't finished. :rolleyes:

----------
plainwhitetay said:
I'm sorry if it's been addressed but I'm really looking for a yes or no to my situation.

I was planning on just renewing my contract. It's grandfathered unlimited data I've had since 2010. Going into the store and basically saying, "I don't want any changes, just renew my current contract." I'm assuming that's possible (because that's what I've always done) but is it and will I see this $25/mo charge or not?
Click to expand...
No changes. And no, you will not see the $25 charge. It's not actually a $25 charge per se. It's just losing the existing $25 discount for accounts on the new Mobile Share Value Plans.
 
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