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

[mcfly2]

You are correct and I decided that I am saving more by just upgrading to a standard 2 year contract.
Next plan - $65.52 per month
2 year - $45 per month

Are you also taking into account that with the Next plan, you're paying $0 up front for the phone, but with the contract, you're paying $199+, depending on the phone you choose?

Generally, if you're getting a $15/month discount on your current line, switching to the 2yr contract comes out slightly cheaper. If you're getting a $25/month discount on your current line, switching to the Next plan is alot cheaper.

 

[Kisey]

I'm starting to think that many of you jumped the gun when signing up for the new mobile share plans. You guys saw that it was cheaper monthly, but failed to realize that you will be paying full price for your next phone either up front, utilizing Next, or through the subsidy.

 

[HXGuyAZ]

I'm starting to think that many of you jumped the gun when signing up for the new mobile share plans. You guys saw that it was cheaper monthly, but failed to realize that you will be paying full price for your next phone either up front, utilizing Next, or through the subsidy.

Who's not paying full price? Pretty sure everyone's plan includes a subsidy for whatever phone you get. With the Mobile Share Plan, you actually get a discount off your plan if your contract is over, the other plans, you don't.

Case in point, my sister did not switch to a Mobile Share Plan and has an old 450 Minute plan + Unlimited texting + 2GB ProData and her total is $85+tax per month. If she got on a Mobile Share Plan, it would be $65 per month for Unlimited Everything + 2GB data, so how is that worse?

 

[WilliamG]

I'm starting to think that many of you jumped the gun when signing up for the new mobile share plans. You guys saw that it was cheaper monthly, but failed to realize that you will be paying full price for your next phone either up front, utilizing Next, or through the subsidy.

EXACTLY. I've been posting in numerous threads about this. This NEXT plan is not some good deal. So many people are like, "Oh I'll get the 128GB blah blah because it's only $5 a month more!".

Uh, no. It's the same price as buying it contract-free, unlocked etc. You're just paying it over 18/24 months. And there's NO $25 saving by going with NEXT over a subsidized phone. AT&T is just ADDING $25 to the subsidized plans to make it LOOK like it's a DEAL to go with NEXT/Mobile Share.

It's a crock. AT&T is going to make a fortune with this because they've essentially eliminated subsidized phone! There's no deal anymore!

e.g. you sign up for a 2-year contract with AT&T. You pick the iPhone 6 Plus, 64GB, which is $399, subsidized. Then you have to pay $25 a month PENALTY fee for 24 months, which is $600 overall. That makes your $849 (off contract iPhone 6 Plus 64GB) phone $1,000 overall. Total rip-off.

Of course, I've accepted the days of subsidized phones are over. The smartest decision is to just buy the phone outright, unlocked, for e.g. $849 for that 64GB iPhone 6 Plus. Then you have no contract, and an unlocked device for the EXACT same price as you would get it for through the NEXT program overall.

The NEXT program just takes advantage of weak-minded US residents who don't understand math, and can't figure out that you pay the same amount overall. It also takes advantage of this credit-card generation that is happy to put anything and everything on a credit card so they can have it now.

There's NO deal here, people. Do the math!

 

[HXGuyAZ]

So your argument is to pay $849 out of pocket up front instead of paying the same $849 interest free over 24 months?

How is one a rip off over the other? It's the same either way, it's not costing you any more or any less, so why not use their money for free?

 

[Rob9874]

I'm starting to think that many of you jumped the gun when signing up for the new mobile share plans. You guys saw that it was cheaper monthly, but failed to realize that you will be paying full price for your next phone either up front, utilizing Next, or through the subsidy.

Nope, with the Value Shared Plan, I got a $25/mo per line discount - money I was paying before, to pay that subsidy back. That's what you're paying now, if you didn't switch to the value shared plan. $25/mo for 24 months is $600 that you're paying on top of the "discounted" price of the phone. I'll do Next, keep my $25/mo discount, and only have to pay 12 payments for the phone until I trade it in. In all, I'll pay $570 for the $949 phone. They'll eat the last 8 payments, when I start a new Next. Meanwhile, you'll still have your old phone, paying off that $600 subsidy.

 

[lsh]

I'm starting to think that many of you jumped the gun when signing up for the new mobile share plans. You guys saw that it was cheaper monthly, but failed to realize that you will be paying full price for your next phone either up front, utilizing Next, or through the subsidy.

Yep, but my bill did go down substantially when I changed, so maybe it's still a fair deal. It's just the perception of bill going up $25.
I'm grateful for the thread though. That would have been a painful surprise.

 

[sixxmum]

The NEXT program just takes advantage of weak-minded US residents who don't understand math, and can't figure out that you pay the same amount overall. It also takes advantage of this credit-card generation that is happy to put anything and everything on a credit card so they can have it now.

There's NO deal here, people. Do the math!

Or, since it is free financing, it takes advantage of people who would rather keep their money in their interest bearing accounts a little longer, rather than giving it to AT&T in one lump sum. Because, as you say, it's the same amount of money. There is no interest on Next. It may not be "better" than paying full price up front, but I can't figure out how it is worse.

 

[michael31986]

I have a family plan but only my line has unlimited texting and grandfathered data. Will I be paying 25 a month. I'm so lost.

 

[SecretNY]

I have a family plan but only my line has unlimited texting and grandfathered data. Will I be paying 25 a month. I'm so lost.

Me too! Lost, dazed and confused...

Since the iPhone 3 I've had Unlimited data and don't want to lose it. I always pick the 2 year contract and then sell off the phone.

1) If I stay on 2 year with my old plan I'm now paying $25 more a month?
2) If I switch to Next I can keep my plan?

Thanks!!!!

 

[Kisey]

Who's not paying full price? Pretty sure everyone's plan includes a subsidy for whatever phone you get. With the Mobile Share Plan, you actually get a discount off your plan if your contract is over, the other plans, you don't.

Case in point, my sister did not switch to a Mobile Share Plan and has an old 450 Minute plan + Unlimited texting + 2GB ProData and her total is $85+tax per month. If she got on a Mobile Share Plan, it would be $65 per month for Unlimited Everything + 2GB data, so how is that worse?

I'm not saying one is better than the other. Just an observation/assumption that many people did not know what they were getting into when they switched to the new "cheaper" plan.

 

[Diesel350]

Me too! Lost, dazed and confused...

Since the iPhone 3 I've had Unlimited data and don't want to lose it. I always pick the 2 year contract and then sell off the phone.

1) If I stay on 2 year with my old plan I'm now paying $25 more a month?
2) If I switch to Next I can keep my plan?

Thanks!!!!

I think people are confusing themselves. If you are NOT on the Mobile Sharing plan then your plan won't be going up $25. But if you are on the mobile sharing plan and you take the subsidized route your plan will go back up $25 to what it was before you took the discount.

 

[SecretNY]

I think people are confusing themselves. If you are NOT on the Mobile Sharing plan then your plan won't be going up $25. But if you are on the mobile sharing plan and you take the subsidized route your plan will go back up $25 to what it was before you took the discount.

Yeah probably confusing, but this is made to be complicated by ATT. So does the 2 year contract still make sense with the old plans?

Thanks

 

[WilliamG]

Or, since it is free financing, it takes advantage of people who would rather keep their money in their interest bearing accounts a little longer, rather than giving it to AT&T in one lump sum. Because, as you say, it's the same amount of money. There is no interest on Next. It may not be "better" than paying full price up front, but I can't figure out how it is worse.

It's worse because you're paying for a locked phone for 2 years. If you travel at all, it's nice to be able to use your own phone, yes?

 

[nikhsub1]

I'm starting to think that many of you jumped the gun when signing up for the new mobile share plans. You guys saw that it was cheaper monthly, but failed to realize that you will be paying full price for your next phone either up front, utilizing Next, or through the subsidy.

It is you who just don't understand how things work, that is all.

EXACTLY. I've been posting in numerous threads about this. This NEXT plan is not some good deal. So many people are like, "Oh I'll get the 128GB blah blah because it's only $5 a month more!".

Uh, no. It's the same price as buying it contract-free, unlocked etc. You're just paying it over 18/24 months. And there's NO $25 saving by going with NEXT over a subsidized phone. AT&T is just ADDING $25 to the subsidized plans to make it LOOK like it's a DEAL to go with NEXT/Mobile Share.

It's a crock. AT&T is going to make a fortune with this because they've essentially eliminated subsidized phone! There's no deal anymore!

e.g. you sign up for a 2-year contract with AT&T. You pick the iPhone 6 Plus, 64GB, which is $399, subsidized. Then you have to pay $25 a month PENALTY fee for 24 months, which is $600 overall. That makes your $849 (off contract iPhone 6 Plus 64GB) phone $1,000 overall. Total rip-off.

Of course, I've accepted the days of subsidized phones are over. The smartest decision is to just buy the phone outright, unlocked, for e.g. $849 for that 64GB iPhone 6 Plus. Then you have no contract, and an unlocked device for the EXACT same price as you would get it for through the NEXT program overall.

The NEXT program just takes advantage of weak-minded US residents who don't understand math, and can't figure out that you pay the same amount overall. It also takes advantage of this credit-card generation that is happy to put anything and everything on a credit card so they can have it now.

There's NO deal here, people. Do the math!

Clearly you have no clue how next works, what it does and does not do. If you are on a mobile share plan, the next plan is awesome. For me, I have 4 phones that share 10GB of data, so my monthly bill is 100$ for data + $15 for each line for a total of $160 per month not including taxes. If I use my upgrade for the $849 phone, I pay $399 + a $40 upgrade fee. Now, the line that used that upgrade jumps to $40 per month for 2 years from the $15 per month I currently pay. So now I am also paying $25 a month MORE for 2 years, or an additional $600. So let's add that all up. $399 + $40 + $600 = $1039, or $190 MORE than if I used Next or bought the phone outright! Where is your math?

So please, show me where your logic is? Plus, if I use the upgrade NOW I can't upgrade again next year. Please stop spreading misinformation. Thanks

 

[Kisey]

It is you who just don't understand how things work, that is all.

Lol, I know EXACTLY how Next works.

And yes, for you, Next is better. For others, like those who have <10gb plan, they are saving $50 for taking the subsidy. And yes, I know your argument on "extra regulatory fees" so no need to mention that again.

 

[Diesel350]

Yeah probably confusing, but this is made to be complicated by ATT. So does the 2 year contract still make sense with the old plans?

Thanks

Depends if you want to upgrade in a year or not. If you don't care about upgrading then go with the 2 yr contract. At the end of the day over a 24 month period the savings of Next vs 2 yr contract are minimal. Either way AT&T is getting paid.

 

[SecretNY]

Ok last question: just confirming that this is only the cost of the phone and not screwing with unlimited data.

Thx

 

[CrAkD]

For reference I sold my iPhone 5 last year after I got my 5s for $575, I sold my 4S the year before for $565.

holy hell how did you get so much? I always get the biggest capacity available and im pretty sure i got $400 the past 2 years and I keep my box and headphones unopened in pristine condition and I had to fight for the $400 people kept low balling me.

 

[inthecup]

I'm in TX, we pay tax on the subsidized amount, not the full price. I looked back at an old iphone purchase to verify this. So for some people, the tax should be considered. For me, it makes the 2 year contract that much more appealing.

Here in RI I pay tax on the full amount .. The difference in the subsidized price and full price is $38 tax ... But I save $1200 2 phones on family share 10GB with the difference of $40 per phone for subsidized and the $15 I pay with NEXT ... For me Next us definitely cheaper even though I only update every 2 years. Different folks different strokes !!!

 

[rui no onna]

I'm starting to think that many of you jumped the gun when signing up for the new mobile share plans. You guys saw that it was cheaper monthly, but failed to realize that you will be paying full price for your next phone either up front, utilizing Next, or through the subsidy.

I've got a spreadsheet comparing the old style plans, Mobile Share Value contract and NEXT. AT&T really did jack up the prices for 2-year contract with MSV to make Next look better. However, the new MSV plans can save money compared to old grandfathered plans. Sometimes, Mobile Share is cheaper although in most cases, the grandfathered plans are better.

There are also some of us who don't need to have the latest phones every 1-2 years. With MSV, you're not forced to pay subsidy if you don't get a new phone. My bill for 4 lines dropped from $240 on contract to $160 with MSV. That's a $960 savings per year. Factoring in the cost of devices, the savings is only $60 a year but the thing is now, we don't lose subsidy money if we decide not to upgrade.

 

[Zildjian26]

Here's a spreadsheet I put together for myself to see what the difference would be to switch from my traditional family plan to a new mobile share plan. In short, not worth it at all, because I have a FAN discount. The mobile share plans are actually cheaper than the traditional family plans, and you get more minutes/data+tethering, unless you've got a FAN discount. Also, you don't want to get a subsidized phone with the new mobile share plans, NEXT is definitely the way to go.

 

[azentropy]

...

 

[WilliamG]

It is you who just don't understand how things work, that is all.


Clearly you have no clue how next works, what it does and does not do. If you are on a mobile share plan, the next plan is awesome. For me, I have 4 phones that share 10GB of data, so my monthly bill is 100$ for data + $15 for each line for a total of $160 per month not including taxes. If I use my upgrade for the $849 phone, I pay $399 + a $40 upgrade fee. Now, the line that used that upgrade jumps to $40 per month for 2 years from the $15 per month I currently pay. So now I am also paying $25 a month MORE for 2 years, or an additional $600. So let's add that all up. $399 + $40 + $600 = $1039, or $190 MORE than if I used Next or bought the phone outright! Where is your math?

So please, show me where your logic is? Plus, if I use the upgrade NOW I can't upgrade again next year. Please stop spreading misinformation. Thanks

Please don't spread misinformation. I never said using the subsidized upgrade was a good idea. In fact, if you read the post history of mine in this thread, I specifically say not to. All I'm saying is Next results in you spending the same amount of money as buying the phone off contract, and you don't even get an unlocked phone till the contract is up!

AT&T is laughing all the way to the bank.

 

[aquickquestion]

I think the NEXT plan is a rip off

Currently my wife and I are sharing the 10gb plan for $130 a month before taxes. Everyone knows that is $100 for the data and $15 for each line. If you go with the old method of paying, say $199 for a 16gb 6, then you are paying $40 a month for the 6's line. So it would be $100 for the data, $15 for my wife's line and $40 for my line, which makes our bill $155 a month before taxes.

If I get the 6 through NEXT we will still have the $100 for data, $15 for each line, plus the $27.05 a month for the phone, making our bill $157.05 before taxes and that is the for the cheapest phone. Unless I am missing something with NEXT it does not seem like that great of an option.