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

[Knowimagination]

Here is my cost comparison. See image below. I have one iPhone on unlimited plan and a second iPhone on 200MB plan. Its better for me to stay with the contractual agreement. This is assuming that I get corporate discount for second line on Mobile share plans, which I don't for my current plan.

you don't have a texting plan at all currently?

 

[rui no onna]

Not obvious to me.

If you are only using 5gb, you can switch to the 10gb share plan for $160 per month. ($100 + 4 lines at $15 each), plus tethering. You should be saving more than $35.

If he doesn't have a texting plan, he's only paying $210/mo for 4 lines ($220 with dummy line). Assuming he upgrades every 1-2 years and doesn’t plan to change that habit, the old plans are cheaper (assuming he doesn't care for tethering).

 

[GonzagaDynasty]

If he doesn't have a texting plan, he's only paying $210/mo for 4 lines ($220 with dummy line). Assuming he upgrades every 1-2 years and doesn’t plan to change that habit, the old plans are cheaper (assuming he doesn't care for tethering).

This. Once I used my upgrade, I lost the 25 bucks a month discount the family share plan was going to provide. And I have zero interest in the next plans. I'm not financing a phone

 

[pdxmatts]

Question

If you are already on a Mobile Share Value Plan with 4 lines and are out of contract on one line and decide to subsidize a new phone instead of using NEXT for that line, will you lose the discount on just that one line or will it change all the lines to $40 instead of $15?

 

[INKmake]

If thats the case, why not just get a factory unlock iPhone 6 / 6+ at Apple and then sell it on eBay when the 6s / 6s+ comes out? Isn't Next phone still locked to AT&T? And how much are we guarantee to get if we want to trade the phone in when its time for the next one?

 

[pdxmatts]

If thats the case, why not just get a factory unlock iPhone 6 / 6+ at Apple and then sell it on eBay when the 6s / 6s+ comes out? Isn't Next phone still locked to AT&T? And how much are we guarantee to get if we want to trade the phone in when its time for the next one?

You turn in the phone if it is in good condition and they waive the plan you had before when you do another upgrade. If you can afford to buy the unlocked i6 or i6+ up front, than that is the best scenario. It is yours and it won't up your bill monthly and you can stay at the discounted rate with no contract and upgrade or leave whenever you want. But, I don't understand the part where you say buy it outright and then sell it when it comes out? Did you mean buy an unlocked i6 or 6+ and then sell on eBay when the next i6S or 7 comes out?

 

[rui no onna]

If you are already on a Mobile Share Value Plan with 4 lines and are out of contract on one line and decide to subsidize a new phone instead of using NEXT for that line, will you lose the discount on just that one line or will it change all the lines to $40 instead of $15?

Just one line. Why would you not go with Next, though? With Next 18, you only pay $2.09 more per month for iPhone 6 16GB compared to contract, not to mention you only pay tax upfront.

 

[aham23]

If you are already on a Mobile Share Value Plan with 4 lines and are out of contract on one line and decide to subsidize a new phone instead of using NEXT for that line, will you lose the discount on just that one line or will it change all the lines to $40 instead of $15?

that line only. it is a per line charge.

 

[pdxmatts]

Just one line. Why would you not go with Next, though? With Next 18, you only pay $2.09 more per month for iPhone 6 16GB compared to contract, not to mention you only pay tax upfront.

Because technically is not your phone (renting) until you pay off or upgrade again, but if you are doing the subsidy, it is your phone. I know you are on contract for the line for two years, but if you wanted to sell it and use that line for a tablet or something you can do that but you can't on the NEXT plan.

 

[rui no onna]

Because technically is not your phone (renting) until you pay off or upgrade again, but if you are doing the subsidy, it is your phone. I know you are on contract for the line for two years, but if you wanted to sell it and use that line for a tablet or something you can do that but you can't on the NEXT plan.

Technically, you're not renting. The phone is just on lien but I get what you mean about being able to swap with tablets, etc.

 

[GermanSuplex]

The only way it'll become easy to understand for everyone is if all carriers get rid of all the old plans, get rid of all the susidies and financing offers, make people pay full price for unlocked phones and have everyone on month-to-month plans with more reasonable service pricing. There's sure to be a huge outcry if ever that happens. People love their $199 iPhones. This is also why the iPhone has a much larger share of the market in the US compared to other countries where people actually pay cash full price for their devices.

Yeah, I agree. It's a hard nut to crack. But the first carrier to do so will probably make some huge gains, regardless of their current ranking. The problem with the carriers doing away with the typical costs for everyone across the board (regardless of whether their phone is subsidized or not) has so far equaled harder to understand plans. But if they can simplify the plans AND lower the costs, they'll probably have a winning combo. I'm really surprised that with the number of AT&T subscribers, they have raised the upgrade device fee rather than lowered it. Things like that are where I see carriers gaining subscribers.

 

[rui no onna]

Yeah, I agree. It's a hard nut to crack. But the first carrier to do so will probably make some huge gains, regardless of their current ranking. The problem with the carriers doing away with the typical costs for everyone across the board (regardless of whether their phone is subsidized or not) has so far equaled harder to understand plans.

I believe that's what T-Mobile has already done. Well, I'm not so sure about axing grandfathered plans but they don't offer any new plans with subsidized devices anymore. It's either full price or financing so service cost is fixed.

 

[MsGigi]

I just left the At&t store and I inquired as to whether or not I could return to the 2 year contract plan after I've finished with the next plan (either 20 or 24 months) and I was told I could if it is still available. What the sales rep told me was that At&t will be doing away with the 2 year contract plan. I asked what about grandfathered in plans and he told me that after your two years are up, then the contract is up and you will either have to move to a next plan, buy your phone upfront at cost, or keep the phone that you already have. He was absolutely adamant that the 2 year contracts will no longer be available although he couldn't or wouldn't give me a definitive date.

I'm upgrading my phone and i'm going with the next plan. I currently have 5 phones on my mobile share plan... galaxy s5 which just upgraded under 2 year contract, 2 iPhone 4's which most likely will upgrade using next. another iPhone 4 which will stay with the 2 year and a non smart phone, 2yr contract...which is 15 month for unlimited everything.

 

[iMas70]

Interesting... it's cheaper for me to go with the 2 year contract. I have an Unlimited data plan so if I go with NEXT, I'd be paying full price for the phone and wouldn't get the plan discount because of unlimited. I don't want to give that up so it's better for me to take the $450. discount. I wonder if the day will come that they actually do eliminate the 2 year contracts. They've become a way of life for many people when they get a new phone for years.

 

[Rob9874]

Because technically is not your phone (renting) until you pay off or upgrade again, but if you are doing the subsidy, it is your phone. I know you are on contract for the line for two years, but if you wanted to sell it and use that line for a tablet or something you can do that but you can't on the NEXT plan.

It's just as much your phone as the 2-yr agreement is. With both plans, you owe AT&T money for the phone. Either in the rest of the payments on Next, or the remainder of your 2-yr agreement.

 

[mdlooker]

My monthly charge will be the exact same whether I'm on contract or not; with a new phone or not. All immaterial as I have an individual nationwide plan.

In fact, if I get on Next, I'll be paying either 32 or 40+ more in monthly charges depending on the plans.

 

[tgi]

My monthly charge will be the exact same whether I'm on contract or not; with a new phone or not. All immaterial as I have an individual nationwide plan.

In fact, if I get on Next, I'll be paying either 32 or 40+ more in monthly charges depending on the plans.

I'm in the same boat. On a single line contract. So the standard upgrade won't increase my monthly bill correct? Only if I was on a mobile share plan?

 

[mdlooker]

I'm in the same boat. On a single line contract. So the standard upgrade won't increase my monthly bill correct? Only if I was on a mobile share plan?

Exactly.. Your monthly bill will be the same so long as you stay on your individual plan. The "exception" though is if you go onto the Next plan which is the same as it is right now but instead of paying the subsidized charge for your new phone, you will add either the 32 or 40+ bucks to your monthly bill. That way, you'll have the freedom to upgrade in either 12 or 18 months respectively.

The "Mobile Share Plan" is just that... more than one sharing which will change the whole game and take you off of your monthly plan.

 

[RMSko]

I'm currently on the Mobile Share Plan and not the Mobile Share Value Plan (which they keep trying to sell me hah hah). With the Mobile Share Plan each extra line is $30/month, but with my corporate discount it comes to $24/month). I'm pretty sure I'm grandfathered for upgrades (my receipt says that) and so for me this is a better deal than Next or the Mobile Share Value Plan. Yes, with those plans I could save money in the near term, but I'd lose money over time. Anyone else in a similar situation or have info? I just wan to make sure my understanding is correct.

 

[ge0rgieee]

I'm sitting here running all of the options for my upgrade. They cover the cost of a 64GB iPhone along with my service -

Unlimited data with 2 year contract - $120.61 x 24 + $299.99 = $3194.64
Unlimited data with NEXT - $120.61 x 24 + $799.99 = $3644.63

10GB Shared with 2 year contract - $109.50 x 24 + $299.99 = $2927.99
10GB Shared with NEXT - $109.50 x 24 + $749.99 = $3377.99

The total cost is less by switching over to the 10GB plan but... I don't think that saving $11.11 per month is worth giving up my Unlimited data plan. I'd give it much more thought if there was much more of a savings but it's only about 37 cents per day.

So.... I can wait until my current 2 year contract is up on October 18th then try walking into a store to buy a phone. It would be a month after the release so I might have a good chance or, I'd have to order one and wait a few weeks. I just talked to someone that should see his the beginning of November. Forgot to ask which version he's getting. Or, I can upgrade on NEXT Friday morning. That will cost me an extra $450.00 over 24 months. Comes out to 61 cents per day. And no, I'm not a car salesman 🙂

this is wrong, its actually

10GB shared with NEXT - 100+15/line = 115 x 24 + 750 + 0 (activation fee waived) = 3,510
10GB shared with 2 year contract - 100+40/line = 140 x 24 + 300 + 40 one time activation fee = 3,700

For those who are grandfathered in it should be

Unlimited Data with 2 year contract (based on 450minutes/unlimited text) 90 x 24 + 300 + 40 = 2,500

=====================================

Now if you bump the same above to 2 lines it looks like this

10GB shared with NEXT - 100+30/2 lines = 130 x 24 + 1500 + 0 (activation fee waived) = 4,620
10GB shared with 2 year contract - 100+80/line = 180 x 24 + 600 + 80 one time activation fee = 5,000

For those who are grandfathered in it should be

Unlimited Data with 2 year contract (based on 450minutes/unlimited text) 180 x 24 + 600 + 80 = 5,000

 

[whirldy]

This is true if you are on the Mobile Share Value Plan. A subsidized upgrade will remove the $25/mo per line discount that you're current receiving.

...And, if you go with the 10Gb Mobile Share Plan it goes down to 15.00 per device.

🙂

 

[biscuitsxluv]

I just left the At&t store and I inquired as to whether or not I could return to the 2 year contract plan after I've finished with the next plan (either 20 or 24 months) and I was told I could if it is still available. What the sales rep told me was that At&t will be doing away with the 2 year contract plan. I asked what about grandfathered in plans and he told me that after your two years are up, then the contract is up and you will either have to move to a next plan, buy your phone upfront at cost, or keep the phone that you already have. He was absolutely adamant that the 2 year contracts will no longer be available although he couldn't or wouldn't give me a definitive date.

I'm upgrading my phone and i'm going with the next plan. I currently have 5 phones on my mobile share plan... galaxy s5 which just upgraded under 2 year contract, 2 iPhone 4's which most likely will upgrade using next. another iPhone 4 which will stay with the 2 year and a non smart phone, 2yr contract...which is 15 month for unlimited everything.

I had a feeling they were going to do this. It makes sense. And "probably" a win-win for the companies and customers. I might just do the next and get it over with!

 

[briwil]

I have granddathered unlimited data, I'm not giving that up. My contract is up in Jan, but tempted to go with Next to get phone now.
From what I've read on reddit, you can keep your unlimited data plan when switching to Next, you just don't get the $25 discount you would get with mobile share plan.

Here's my question, and why I assume Next wouldn't be good for someone like me (I would really, really like to be proved wrong)-
If I switch to Next, but keep my current plan, I'm paying the $30+ a month for the phone (through Next), but I'm also still paying the subsidy that is build into my current plan (that all contract plans have). So essentially, I'm paying twice for the phone, yes?
As it is now with my two year contract, I pay $199 to first get the phone, then some unknown fee is calculated into my monthly bill to pay for the rest of the phone.
Switching to Next (and, again, keeping my unlimited data by not switching to mobile share) I keep that subsidy but also pay for the phone monthly through Next prices.

So its a bad choice for someone in my position, no?

 

[EvanHelpme]

My annoyance about this has absolutely nothing to do with an inability to do math. I assure you I am fully capable of doing the math to figure out which plan is the cheapest now. But that's beside the point. I'm pissed because:

1. When I was convinced to switch from my grandfathered unlimited plan to a Mobile Share Value Plan earlier this year, it was explained to me as a pure cost savings, with absolutely no mention of the fact that the price would go up if I bought a new phone.
2. When I bought my iPhone 6 from Apple, I didn't see any notification that it would cause my bill to go up by $25/mo.
3. I'm getting no more service than I was under the old plan (yes, tethering is now enabled, but I never use that, and I don't text enough for the unlimited texts to help me). In fact, technically I'm getting less service because I no longer have unlimited data.
4. No matter which of the current options I choose, I'm paying more per month than I was under the old plan. Yes, the NEXT plan cost plus the phone payment is more than I used to pay. You can argue all you want that the subsidy has always been built into the plans, and is now just explicitly shown. But the fact of the matter is, if I hadn't changed plans, I would have been able to buy an iPhone 6 at exactly the same price as I did, and yet have a monthly bill lower than any of the current options that would allow me to buy it at that price (either the 2 year contract or NEXT). The only way to get a monthly bill lower than I used to have is to pay for the phone up front, which of course more than doubles the amount I'm paying at that point. Any way you cut it, I'm paying more.

In other words, I feel I was tricked into giving up my grandfathered unlimited plan, in exchange for a short term savings, and a long term larger bill. You can blame it on the individual AT&T and Apple employees who didn't inform me of the details. You can certainly blame it on me for not digging up and reading the fine print to see if it contradicted what I was told. But it's still a sleazy business practice.

 

[ssl0408]

I have granddathered unlimited data, I'm not giving that up. My contract is up in Jan, but tempted to go with Next to get phone now.
From what I've read on reddit, you can keep your unlimited data plan when switching to Next, you just don't get the $25 discount you would get with mobile share plan.

Here's my question, and why I assume Next wouldn't be good for someone like me (I would really, really like to be proved wrong)-
If I switch to Next, but keep my current plan, I'm paying the $30+ a month for the phone (through Next), but I'm also still paying the subsidy that is build into my current plan (that all contract plans have). So essentially, I'm paying twice for the phone, yes?
As it is now with my two year contract, I pay $199 to first get the phone, then some unknown fee is calculated into my monthly bill to pay for the rest of the phone.
Switching to Next (and, again, keeping my unlimited data by not switching to mobile share) I keep that subsidy but also pay for the phone monthly through Next prices.

So its a bad choice for someone in my position, no?

Essentially you'd be paying the built in subsidy under the legacy plan and then leasing a new phone; so you're paying twice. I would stick with the legacy plan.