AT&T's "Early Upgrade" pricing

[PatriotInvasion]

So, I'm the primary line on a family plan with 2 iPhones. Every year, AT&T provides me with "Early Upgrade" pricing where the 16GB iPhone costs $399 on a 2 year contract. I usually just pay that and sell my old one to recoup most of the cost which is great, but I'm still not sure why/how AT&T offers this.

I remember reading something about AT&T providing this if you spend >$100/month on your line or something but not sure. Anyone know the logic behind this?

Oh, and leave me your vote --- black, white, or gold?

 

[iSaxon]

You are eligible after 6 months of your service contract, or after 12 months if your last upgrade was a partial discount.

 

[nikhsub1]

So, I'm the primary line on a family plan with 2 iPhones. Every year, AT&T provides me with "Early Upgrade" pricing where the 16GB iPhone costs $399 on a 2 year contract. I usually just pay that and sell my old one to recoup most of the cost which is great, but I'm still not sure why/how AT&T offers this.

I remember reading something about AT&T providing this if you spend >$100/month on your line or something but not sure. Anyone know the logic behind this?

Oh, and leave me your vote --- black, white, or gold?

I think that if you spend < $100 / month then after 1 year, you get the early discount... it is essentially full subsidized price PLUS $250. So the 16GB 5s would be $449 ($199 + $250).

----------

You are eligible after 6 months of your service contract, or after 12 months if your last upgrade was a partial discount.

That isn't how it works for me... I only got the early iphone upgrade after 12 months... and I got that last year too, this year same, no full upgrade.

 

[iSaxon]

I think that if you spend < $100 / month then after 1 year, you get the early discount... it is essentially full subsidized price PLUS $250. So the 16GB 5s would be $449 ($199 + $250).

----------


That isn't how it works for me... I only got the early iphone upgrade after 12 months... and I got that last year too, this year same, no full upgrade.

My bill is >$300 and my line is over $100 but I got the partial discount after 12 months because my last upgrade was an early upgrade

 

[PatriotInvasion]

I think that if you spend < $100 / month then after 1 year, you get the early discount... it is essentially full subsidized price PLUS $250. So the 16GB 5s would be $449 ($199 + $250).

----------


That isn't how it works for me... I only got the early iphone upgrade after 12 months... and I got that last year too, this year same, no full upgrade.

Weird, it used to be $399, not $449. Still no pricing yet on AT&T's site because the 5S isn't available for order yet, but we'll see. Either way, I know I can get $350-$375 for my iPhone 5 via Craigslist within a day or 2. So if I can net out under $199 for the upgrade, not so bad. Been doing it every year since the 3GS

 

[Givmeabrek]

It's cheaper to pay full price than to take the early upgrade price. Early upgrade is $250 extra every year, $500 for two years. Full price adds $450 for one year, no extra the next year. You save $50 by paying full price every other year.