Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
This go round a lot of people are going to find out the hard way a brand new iPhone doesn't cost $199. :)

I'd hate to be the rep that has to try and explain this to people.
 
Wow, you are getting a lot more for your older device than I had been getting. Where are you selling it? For example I paid $400 for my 64GB 5S and I think I can get $300 on Amazon, Gazelle, etc.

This guy is getting $180 for his 16GB iPhone 5 ... The easy way though ... No craigslist or eBay
 
So upgrading will increase my monthly bill 25.00 a month? That is insanity, where does it say this in writing?


You got that 25$ off because you probobaly were out of contract I am not AT&T customer but it works same with Verizon.

You get month2month discount , you get 25$ off when you upgrade on contract that discount is removed.
 
This go round a lot of people are going to find out the hard way a brand new iPhone doesn't cost $199. :)

I'd hate to be the rep that has to try and explain this to people.

Yes but it really is only a phone 4-5-6 ... Just like that new model BMW ... If you got the cash it's fine ... If not many folks will need to shop around or just keep driving that old clutter.
 
$575 for a 12 month old iPhone is extremely unusual. The going rate is about $350.

Wow, you are getting a lot more for your older device than I had been getting. Where are you selling it? For example I paid $400 for my 64GB 5S and I think I can get $300 on Amazon, Gazelle, etc.

EVERY year I have sold my year old phone for a great price for me. How? Well, for starters I keep the box and all the accessories in the box are usually unused. I won't use the charging cable, plug or earphones from the 6+ that I get as I already have... I believe selling the phone super complete like this is the key - I also keep the phone in PRISTINE condition, I also have applecare which goes WITH THE PHONE - so people are actually getting a decent deal if you think about it. I sell the phone unlocked as well.

Every single year I have sold the phone and made money - my friends can't believe it either but I do. Most of my phone sales have been via ebay. I will only sell to people in the US and with paypal.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bpeeps
I would expect these threads if this was a Chihuahua forum.

But since it is a Mac/Iphone forum.....


Where have people been?

If you were on a family share plan and ATT reduced your monthly payment or you changed plans ...did you not notice that it is $15 per line with NEXT on the 10GB plan and $40 with an upgrade?
 
  • Like
Reactions: bpeeps
EVERY year I have sold my year old phone for a great price for me. How? Well, for starters I keep the box and all the accessories in the box are usually unused. I won't use the charging cable, plug or earphones from the 6+ that I get as I already have... I believe selling the phone super complete like this is the key - I also keep the phone in PRISTINE condition, I also have applecare which goes WITH THE PHONE - so people are actually getting a decent deal if you think about it. I sell the phone unlocked as well.

Every single year I have sold the phone and made money - my friends can't believe it either but I do. Most of my phone sales have been via ebay. I will only sell to people in the US and with paypal.

I do the same and have never managed better than $400. Market might be different where you are. Either way, keep it up! You're killin' it.
 
I would expect these threads if this was a Chihuahua forum.

But since it is a Mac/Iphone forum.....


Where have people been?

If you were on a family share plan and ATT reduced your monthly payment or you changed plans ...did you not notice that it is $15 per line with NEXT on the 10GB plan and $40 with an upgrade?

They didn't mention this at all when they switched me from two grandfathered unlimited plans (160/month?) to the 10gb shared plan (130/month). I assumed the $130 was my new plan price going forward no matter what I did. I figured I was just paying less to get less data.

It was only until yesterday when I started looking at plans online that I realized something was weird.


Side question: On the next plan, is your phone unlocked from the start? And a dumb question: after the 20 or 24 months the phone is yours, correct?
 
They didn't mention this at all when they switched me from two grandfathered unlimited plans (160/month?) to the 10gb shared plan (130/month). I assumed the $130 was my new plan price going forward no matter what I did. I figured I was just paying less to get less data.

It was only until yesterday when I started looking at plans online that I realized something was weird.


Side question: On the next plan, is your phone unlocked from the start? And a dumb question: after the 20 or 24 months the phone is yours, correct?

Yes 20 or 24 months .... But you do have the option of paying it off after 2 months then it can be unlocked
 
I just got off with a rep as well. im on an older mobile share plan. if i was on the newer mobile share value plan, which it sounds like you guys are, i would lose that $25 per line discount if i chose to not go with the next plan. what they did was give you the per line discount in advance hoping you would use next to upgrade
 
Contract
$199 - discounted device price
$40 - upgrade fee
$960 - two years of $40 a month per line monthly usage fee

$1199 - total spent on upgrade and usage over two years

Next
$0 - No initial payment with Next
$0 - no upgrade fee with Next IIRC
$1032 - two years of $15 a month per line monthly usage + monthly device payment (approx. $28)

$1072 - total spent on upgrade and usage over two years

I think it's actually cheaper to go with Next. $167 cheaper to go with Next if you have Mobile Share Value. Of course taxes aren't factored in, but worst case scenario, you won't be paying more with Next if the math is correct.
Not sure how you are getting your numbers but assuming you are doing less than 10 GB plan calculating it over 2 yrs it is $50 cheaper to do the 2 yr plan. Now if your doing a 12 month comparison then doing Next is the cheaper and better option.
 
Contract
$199 - discounted device price
$40 - upgrade fee
$960 - two years of $40 a month per line monthly usage fee

$1199 - total spent on upgrade and usage over two years

Next
$0 - No initial payment with Next
$0 - no upgrade fee with Next IIRC
$1032 - two years of $15 a month per line monthly usage + monthly device payment (approx. $28)

$1072 - total spent on upgrade and usage over two years

I think it's actually cheaper to go with Next. $167 cheaper to go with Next if you have Mobile Share Value. Of course taxes aren't factored in, but worst case scenario, you won't be paying more with Next if the math is correct.

What we are forgetting is that at&t will take back the device when you upgrade again, using NEXT. Where as, using standard upgrade, you get to keep the phone for yourself and when you sell it ( on craigslist, amazon, etc you will get a min of 250$. Isn't it?
 
They didn't mention this at all when they switched me from two grandfathered unlimited plans (160/month?) to the 10gb shared plan (130/month). I assumed the $130 was my new plan price going forward no matter what I did. I figured I was just paying less to get less data.

It was only until yesterday when I started looking at plans online that I realized something was weird.


Side question: On the next plan, is your phone unlocked from the start? And a dumb question: after the 20 or 24 months the phone is yours, correct?

Yup.. That's how they tricked all of us into switching. Dirty.
 
Contract
$199 - discounted device price
$40 - upgrade fee
$960 - two years of $40 a month per line monthly usage fee

$1199 - total spent on upgrade and usage over two years

Next
$0 - No initial payment with Next
$0 - no upgrade fee with Next IIRC
$1032 - two years of $15 a month per line monthly usage + monthly device payment (approx. $28)

$1072 - total spent on upgrade and usage over two years

I think it's actually cheaper to go with Next. $167 cheaper to go with Next if you have Mobile Share Value. Of course taxes aren't factored in, but worst case scenario, you won't be paying more with Next if the math is correct.

It's easier to compare it without the monthly usage fees and just compare phone vs phone.

Contract
$199 - phone price
$40 - upgrade fee
$600 - $25/month x 24 month contract

$839 total

Next

$0 - phone price
$0 - upgrade fee
$649 - $32.45/month x 20 months or $27.05 x 24 month

$649 total



So the Next costs you $190 less BUT you have to turn your phone in when you get a new one and are essentially getting $190 for it whereas if you sold it yourself, you could get quite a bit more.

Next does also allow you to upgrade more often though, so that's a plus, but the phone is never paid off, you always have this phone payment. It's very similar to a car lease vs car loan and it depends on your habits and how often you change your phone.
 
It's easier to compare it without the monthly usage fees and just compare phone vs phone.

Contract
$199 - phone price
$40 - upgrade fee
$600 - $25/month x 24 month contract

$839 total

Next

$0 - phone price
$0 - upgrade fee
$649 - $32.45/month x 20 months or $27.05 x 24 month

$649 total



So the Next costs you $190 less BUT you have to turn your phone in when you get a new one and are essentially getting $190 for it whereas if you sold it yourself, you could get quite a bit more.

Next does also allow you to upgrade more often though, so that's a plus, but the phone is never paid off, you always have this phone payment. It's very similar to a car lease vs car loan and it depends on your habits and how often you change your phone.

Couple of problems with your explanation. First, with next, once you make the $649 in payments YOU OWN THE PHONE. You don't have to turn it in, ever. If you decide to upgrade again in ONE YEAR, then you give them the phone back and get a new one. This starts a new next plan at whatever price the current phone is, spread out over 20 months.

In your example it would be $32.45 x 12 = $389.40 you would spend if you turn the phone in after a year.
 
Couple of problems with your explanation. First, with next, once you make the $649 in payments YOU OWN THE PHONE. You don't have to turn it in, ever. If you decide to upgrade again in ONE YEAR, then you give them the phone back and get a new one. This starts a new next plan at whatever price the current phone is, spread out over 20 months.

In your example it would be $32.45 x 12 = $389.40 you would spend if you turn the phone in after a year.

Oh for real? Are you sure? That sounds pretty good then...what's the down side?
 
I went from $40/month on family share to $25/month on value shared plan with NEXT.

IF I decide to subsidize a phone off of the next program, yes, I will have my line increased $25/month. NEXT just separates the charges on your bill with no down payment for the phone required except taxes.
 
Oh for real? Are you sure? That sounds pretty good then...what's the down side?

Positive... that is why it's called the Next 12... you can upgrade after 12 months if you turn the phone in. Or, you can pay it off, sell it privately or just keep it. Next is actually the best way to buy the phone - its a FREE loan from AT&T with no fees and no interest - Warren Buffet would approve ;) There is zero downside that I can see since you pay the SAME amount if you buy it outright or if you use next.
 
And we would still get the $25/line "discount" with the Mobile Share Plan we have now?
 
My Use case

My current line(Jan 1, 2013- Jan 1,2015): 40-15=25$(talk)+ 40(2GB)=65$

If I upgrade via Next 12 this week or next week:
For the next 12 months,
50$(tax i.e.,down payment)+[25(talk)+40(2GB)+32.5]*12=1220
Lets say, I dont want to upgrade next year and go for 24 months starting Jan1, 2015,
First 20 months: 50$(down payment-tax)+[25(talk)+40(2GB)+32.5]*20=2000
Next 4 months: [25+40+0]*4=260$
Total = 2000+260=2260$

If I wait till Jan1, 2015 and then do a standard upgrade,
For the next 24 months,
50$(tax)+200(phone)+[40(talk)+40(2gb)]*24 = 2170
The phone is mine too after 24 months, which will give me additional 200$ minimum. So, 2170-200 = 1970

Difference = 2260-1970=290$
NEXT sucks! An intelligent move by at&t though.
Please let me know if I mis-calculated anything above.

Note: The concept of me paying off the whole price to at&t to keep the phone is useless because we used to pay only 200$ and still get to keep the phone.
The 2 year contract to me never was a problem bcoz I never thought of changing the carrier.
 
Last edited:
It's easier to compare it without the monthly usage fees and just compare phone vs phone.

Contract
$199 - phone price
$40 - upgrade fee
$600 - $25/month x 24 month contract

$839 total

Next

$0 - phone price
$0 - upgrade fee
$649 - $32.45/month x 20 months or $27.05 x 24 month

$649 total



So the Next costs you $190 less BUT you have to turn your phone in when you get a new one and are essentially getting $190 for it whereas if you sold it yourself, you could get quite a bit more.

Next does also allow you to upgrade more often though, so that's a plus, but the phone is never paid off, you always have this phone payment. It's very similar to a car lease vs car loan and it depends on your habits and how often you change your phone.
You only have to trade it in if you haven't paid off the phone. Once you pay it off, it is yours to keep and do whatever you wish.
 
So if I switch to Next and pay off the phone completely (in either 20 or 24 months) the phone is then MINE? What about the discount applied to my line, e.g. $15 or $25 dollars, does that continue or does that end once the phone is paid off?
 
For me, it appears a 2 year contract is slightly cheaper than going with a Next plan. I have a 2-line, 2GB data Mobile Share Value Whatever It's Called Plan, with a $15/month discount on each line. I don't care about early upgrades.

So with a 64GB iPhone 6:

Next:
$749 + tax

2 year contract:
$299 + tax
$40 upgrade fee
$15 x 24 loss of discount = $360
Total = $699 + tax

So Next costs me $749 over 2 years, contract costs $699 over 2 years.

I'm also assuming I'll save on tax with the 2 year contract since I'll be paying tax on $299 rather than $749, not sure about that though.

If anyone sees an error with my math let me know, but it looks like I'll be going with a 2 year contract.
 
Last edited:
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.