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

[nikhsub1]

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.

You fail math. If you do standard upgrade: $199 + $40 +$600 = $839 for a $749 phone. You can not upgrade after year one either. With next, you just pay $749 for the phone spread out over 20 or 24 payments, no interest or fees. Your bill does not change and you can pay off next whenever you like or not and upgrade after 1 year if you choose next 12.

I guess you're right, Next is a bad option

 

[aquickquestion]

You fail math. If you do standard upgrade: $199 + $40 +$600 = $839 for a $749 phone. You can not upgrade after year one either. With next, you just pay $749 for the phone spread out over 20 or 24 payments, no interest or fees. Your bill does not change and you can pay off next whenever you like or not and upgrade after 1 year if you choose next 12.

I guess you're right, Next is a bad option

you are looking at it from a cost of the phone perspective and not how much your bill is going to increase a month by using NEXT. Great you save $90 for the phone how does that help when I am now paying $170 a month on my bill.

 

[e²Studios]

I still have a legacy family plan at like $60 a month with 4 iPhones and 1 feature phone that have grandfathered unlimited data. I debated swapping over to a mobile share plan since we rarely go over 10GB a month but I'm glad I didn't now.

 

[nikhsub1]

you are looking at it from a cost of the phone perspective and not how much your bill is going to increase a month by using NEXT. Great you save $90 for the phone how does that help when I am now paying $170 a month on my bill.

Again, you are missing it. If you go subsidized, you will pay an additional $25/month for 24 months on whatever line you upgrade. With next you will pay $27.05 a month more, or $2.05 more per month on your bill for Next, BUT, you did NOT have to pay $199 or $40 up front... only taxes. Also, you can PAY NEXT OFF ANYTIME and you OWN the phone and your bill no longer has a next payment leaving your bill exactly as it is now.

Anyone on a value mobile share plan with 10GB or higher who says Next isn't a good deal is either dense or just doesn't understand that Next is a FREE loan with no interest and no fees. How is that a bad deal? If you were offered a zero interest no fee mortgage would you say that's a bad deal too?

 

[TJC747]

Please help me figure this out. I owe you guys one!

I want to buy the iPhone 6 64gb

Option 1: Pay $300 for the phone, $40 for the upgrade fee, and the discount of $25/month on my line is removed (resulting in an extra $25 a month on our current bill). Let's say I have the phone for 2 years, that's $340 + $600 = $940

Option 2: ATT Next. Pay $31.21 each month for the phone for the next 24 months = $750. After the $750 is paid I can keep the phone for however long I want.

----

I understand Next is $190 cheaper. HOWEVER, I am so pissed off about this because I am used to just having to pay the $300 and $40.

I bought the iPhone 4 32gb for $300 and paid the $40. I want to do it now with the iphone 6 64gb for $300 and pay the $40, however ATT has decided to add on this $25 charge (get rid of the discount). I don't NEED ATT Next. I have had this iPhone 4 for 4 years. I do not need a new phone after 2 years. Yet I am now forced to pay $750 for this phone when I am used to only paying $340...

Do you guys see what I mean?

 

[nostresshere]

Again, you are missing it. ....

Anyone on a value mobile share plan with 10GB or higher who says Next isn't a good deal is either dense or just doesn't understand that Next is a FREE loan with no interest and no fees. How is that a bad deal? ...

Well put. But, too many people think it is scam, but they are unable to take the time to do the math.

Here are screen prints of the cost

 

[rui no onna]

I bought the iPhone 4 32gb for $300 and paid the $40. I want to do it now with the iphone 6 64gb for $300 and pay the $40, however ATT has decided to add on this $25 charge (get rid of the discount). I don't NEED ATT Next. I have had this iPhone 4 for 4 years. I do not need a new phone after 2 years. Yet I am now forced to pay $750 for this phone when I am used to only paying $340...

Do you guys see what I mean?

That's just psychology though. Before, the subsidy for the iPhone is hidden in the $20-50 per month data plans but you are definitely paying for it over the life of the contract. Now, the cost of the phone and the cost of the service are clearly separated with Next. If you divide the $340 you pay upfront over 20 or 24 months and add that to your monthly bill, it'll probably be similar to your monthly bill with NEXT.

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.

Sure, your monthly bill is slightly higher but you also don't have to pay $239 ($199+40) upfront. If you consider total cost of ownership (TCO), NEXT wins out if you have MSVP 10GB or higher.

 

[krashx7]

I did the standard two year agreement. I just wanna know if my regular bill is going up 20 something dollars just for upgrading? Cause if so wtf?

 

[nikhsub1]

Please help me figure this out. I owe you guys one!

I want to buy the iPhone 6 64gb

Option 1: Pay $300 for the phone, $40 for the upgrade fee, and the discount of $25/month on my line is removed (resulting in an extra $25 a month on our current bill). Let's say I have the phone for 2 years, that's $340 + $600 = $940

Option 2: ATT Next. Pay $31.21 each month for the phone for the next 24 months = $750. After the $750 is paid I can keep the phone for however long I want.

----

I understand Next is $190 cheaper. HOWEVER, I am so pissed off about this because I am used to just having to pay the $300 and $40.

I bought the iPhone 4 32gb for $300 and paid the $40. I want to do it now with the iphone 6 64gb for $300 and pay the $40, however ATT has decided to add on this $25 charge (get rid of the discount). I don't NEED ATT Next. I have had this iPhone 4 for 4 years. I do not need a new phone after 2 years. Yet I am now forced to pay $750 for this phone when I am used to only paying $340...

Do you guys see what I mean?

Sigh. Again, you don't understand. Do you REALLY think you are getting the phone for $340? Well, I have a clue for you. You're not. Before the value mobile share plans, yes you would be correct, you paid $340 for the phone. However, ATT wised up and said, "We will lower every mobile share value plan (10GB or more) by $25 per month per line." I switched as soon as it was available and I have been SAVING about $100/month over what I was paying if you factor taxes in. Why did ATT do this? Because they like us? No, not at all. It's because they are sick of subsidizing phones - and in the end you PAY MORE to subsidize than to buy the phone outright, depending on your plan. The thing about next that NEVER changes is that whether you pay cash for the phone outright on day 1 or you finance with Next it is the SAME PRICE. Next charges no fees and no interest.

 

[steph280]

I agree that NEXT is a better way for most. But if you have premier account and receives discount through your work/school, the discount will apply to your 2 years contract monthly dues, but NOT NEXT monthly dues. For me this makes the 2 years contract a better deal, as the premier discount is also applied to the additional $25 I have to pay each month for each line.

 

[dgno248]

Sigh. Again, you don't understand. Do you REALLY think you are getting the phone for $340? Well, I have a clue for you. You're not. Before the value mobile share plans, yes you would be correct, you paid $340 for the phone. However, ATT wised up and said, "We will lower every mobile share value plan (10GB or more) by $25 per month per line." I switched as soon as it was available and I have been SAVING about $100/month over what I was paying if you factor taxes in. Why did ATT do this? Because they like us? No, not at all. It's because they are sick of subsidizing phones - and in the end you PAY MORE to subsidize than to buy the phone outright, depending on your plan. The thing about next that NEVER changes is that whether you pay cash for the phone outright on day 1 or you finance with Next it is the SAME PRICE. Next charges no fees and no interest.

If with you TJC747. Listen, for those of us that are on Family Plans with Mobile Share at 10GB and are currently only paying $15/line for data, NEXT sucks. What don't you people understand? I used to get a new iPhone for $300, and now you think I want to spend $650??? Don't give me that argument that they hide the subsidized cost into our monthly bill, because for those of us who switched to the 10GB Mobile Share plan at $15/line, this sucks. Bottom line - if you're currently on the Mobile Share plan I'm referring to, you're about to pay some coin if you upgrade.

 

[xcrunner]

Also with Next, no $40 upgrade fee. Be sure you're putting that in your "it's a scam!" calculations

 

[nikhsub1]

If with you TJC747. Listen, for those of us that are on Family Plans with Mobile Share at 10GB and are currently only paying $15/line for data, NEXT sucks. What don't you people understand? I used to get a new iPhone for $300, and now you think I want to spend $650??? Don't give me that argument that they hide the subsidized cost into our monthly bill, because for those of us who switched to the 10GB Mobile Share plan at $15/line, this sucks. Bottom line - if you're currently on the Mobile Share plan I'm referring to, you're about to pay some coin if you upgrade.

I give up. All logic and reason has been abandoned for FUD.

 

[webbuzz]

Next 12 plan on left (6 Plus 64GB), current plan on right.

 

[rui no onna]

If with you TJC747. Listen, for those of us that are on Family Plans with Mobile Share at 10GB and are currently only paying $15/line for data, NEXT sucks. What don't you people understand? I used to get a new iPhone for $300, and now you think I want to spend $650??? Don't give me that argument that they hide the subsidized cost into our monthly bill, because for those of us who switched to the 10GB Mobile Share plan at $15/line, this sucks. Bottom line - if you're currently on the Mobile Share plan I'm referring to, you're about to pay some coin if you upgrade.

Then why did you switch to Mobile Share? What was your monthly service fee before you switched?

 

[TJC747]

Sigh. Again, you don't understand. Do you REALLY think you are getting the phone for $340? Well, I have a clue for you. You're not. Before the value mobile share plans, yes you would be correct, you paid $340 for the phone. However, ATT wised up and said, "We will lower every mobile share value plan (10GB or more) by $25 per month per line." I switched as soon as it was available and I have been SAVING about $100/month over what I was paying if you factor taxes in. Why did ATT do this? Because they like us? No, not at all. It's because they are sick of subsidizing phones - and in the end you PAY MORE to subsidize than to buy the phone outright, depending on your plan. The thing about next that NEVER changes is that whether you pay cash for the phone outright on day 1 or you finance with Next it is the SAME PRICE. Next charges no fees and no interest.

I now understand how Next is cheaper. However, I am just mad that ATT is doing this. Why can't I just get the phone on 2 year contract for $340 and keep the discount? I don't care for the benefits of Next (getting a new phone every year).

I know I can't get the phone for $340 - I get it for $340 + $25/month. It just sucks that I have to pay $750 for this phone when if this were ATT a few years ago, it would just be $340...

 

[xcrunner]

Because they are not subsidizing (building in that cost of the phone into the plan) anymore. You're essentially asking for $750 phone for $300.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

This year is different. Firstly, I have to pay the $40 upgrade fee, but I also found out today that if you do not choose the Next option, your bill will automatically increase an additional $25/month per line that you upgrade.

False.

When I agreed to my new 2 yr contract this AM when I pre-ordered all fees were exactly as I've been paying for years w/ unlimited data. That is my contract. If ATT were to increase fees at this point I could break it w/o penalty -- and I would. The CSR was blowing smoke up your you know what. He/she probably got some sort of incentive for pushing people off a contract onto Next b/c Next is a rip off if you have an original iPhone rate contract.

 

[Shockwave78]

This is not old news..It has been out there since 2/1/2014

 

[HXGuyAZ]

I now understand how Next is cheaper. However, I am just mad that ATT is doing this. Why can't I just get the phone on 2 year contract for $340 and keep the discount? I don't care for the benefits of Next (getting a new phone every year).

I know I can't get the phone for $340 - I get it for $340 + $25/month. It just sucks that I have to pay $750 for this phone when if this were ATT a few years ago, it would just be $340...

No it wouldn't because years ago they didn't give you a $25 discount every month, they just charged you a higher amount regardless if you were on a contract or not.

I sweat people are blind to these things...it's like when there is a temporary tax cut and then it goes back up after 2 years and people bitch that taxes went up. No, they just went back to what they were.

Or it's like people who get mad that they don't get a tax refund on their income taxes...do they not understand that the only reason they got a refund is because they overpaid? If you don't get anything back, that's actually good, means you didn't loan the government money for free all year.

Anyway, back on topic...

 

[Jtern]

Theory

Correct me if I'm wrong, it might only work if you have multiple lines and one is about to expire, but if you add a line, AT&T has a promotion for $5 off a new line to your account. $40 - $5 = $35.

Add iphone 6 say 64gb

$299 + $40 upgrade + $840 ($35 * 24 months) = $1179

Still pricier than ATT Next & the line might need to get a new number but I think it is $5 off the increase

 

[xcrunner]

Or you can add a line with AT&T Next and get $100 credit...

 

[JRoDDz]

I've been able to sell my old iphone on the open market for at least the cost of my new phone.

Wow! You were getting $650 for a used old phone? That's incredible.

 

[USF813]

NEXT plans don't qualify for corporate discounts? Am I reading that right? Right now I'm on an old family plan, four of us - and I'm the only one with a data plan (old 3gb for $30/mo). I get 21% off the entire $170 bill each month. I'm guessing I'm better off keeping what I have? I've never gone over the 3gb.

 

[dgno248]

I give up. All logic and reason has been abandoned for FUD.

Explain to me this logic… My current plan: Mobile Share Value Plan 10GB, six lines, $100 for primary line, $15/data for each of the six lines. Besides taxes and fees, let’s just say my bill is $175/month. In the past I could buy a subsidized phone, and my bill would not change. If I were to buy a subsidized iPhone 6, my bill would increase $25/month. I would love for you to explain the logic to me, and I’m being serious. Where, in my previous $175/month bill, am I making up the cost of a previous subsidized phone? Previously, AT&T would be happy to sell me a subsidized phone as long as I sign the contract to be with them for two years. Now, they’d be happy to sell me a subsidized phone, but they want to increase my bill, too.