ATT Next - more expensive then subsidy.

[DynaFXD]

...
If I can trade my phone in for $260 with no accessories and not worrying much about its condition, with no hassle, that's easily worth an additional $50-100 to me. ....

Watch that. Just like leased vehicles, ATT does have phone condition requirements in the fine print as part of the Next trade in program. These haven't been tested yet, but I fully expect a shed-load of posts when the 6S is released akin to "ATT won't give me full value because I used Apple Care and now I have a re-man!" -or- "ATT won't give me full value because of a slight scratch! I mean, you can barely see in in the glass!"-or-"CONFIRMED! ATT won't honor trade in with Next if you have a dent in the case! You are stuck until the full term "
We'll see how it goes.

 

[aristobrat]

Watch that. Just like leased vehicles, ATT does have phone condition requirements in the fine print as part of the Next trade in program. These haven't been tested yet, but I fully expect a shed-load of posts when the 6S is released akin to "ATT won't give me full value because I used Apple Care and now I have a re-man!" -or- "ATT won't give me full value because of a slight scratch! I mean, you can barely see in in the glass!"-or-"CONFIRMED! ATT won't honor trade in with Next if you have a dent in the case! You are stuck until the full term "
We'll see how it goes.

If it's anything like how AT&T is currently handling the trade-ins now, they seem to be reasonable about it. I had a family member trade in an iPhone 5 that had a few light scratches across the screen, and they gave her the full value they were offering ($200).

Guess we'll see next year.

 

[DotCom2]

Subsidy is better. Next just preys on typical $0 down American mindset

You really shouldn't say that because it depends on everyone's unique setup.
For some it's a great deal, for others it's the same or more.
You just have to do your homework.

 

[maflynn]

Subsidy is better. Next just preys on typical $0 down American mindset

Not really, in my case it doesn't make sense, but I understand one size doesn't fit all and for others it may make more financial sense, especially for families with more then 2 phones and high data quotas

 

[zhenya]

Watch that. Just like leased vehicles, ATT does have phone condition requirements in the fine print as part of the Next trade in program. These haven't been tested yet, but I fully expect a shed-load of posts when the 6S is released akin to "ATT won't give me full value because I used Apple Care and now I have a re-man!" -or- "ATT won't give me full value because of a slight scratch! I mean, you can barely see in in the glass!"-or-"CONFIRMED! ATT won't honor trade in with Next if you have a dent in the case! You are stuck until the full term "
We'll see how it goes.

Indeed. I take very good care of my devices, but if I'm just turning it in vs. selling it I can let a few things slide. I'm a good candidate for leasing vehicles for the same reason.

 

[iMrNiceGuy0023]

dont forget the $100 bill credit for those signing up for NEXT before 10/31

http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/100-dollar-credit.html

 

[moman]

After doing some analysis on a 16GB iPhone 6, i've found that if you have to upgrade every year, over the next two years you're better off going with Next 18. Assuming you can get at least 63% resale value before the next iPhone is released and you want to go through the hassle of selling your phone before the new one is released. However, if looking for the cheapest value over the next two years Next 18 is the way to go if you don't need a new phone every year.

 

[DotCom2]

dont forget the $100 bill credit for those signing up for NEXT before 10/31

http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/100-dollar-credit.html

New lines ONLY!

 

[viewfly]

ATT Next - more expensive then subsidy.

True. I was really only considering the plans as they exist today. Had I recalled the difference on the old mobile share plans I'd probably still have assumed anyone on one would have updated to the newer style since the overall pricing structure improved (as I remember, may be wrong though).







*shrug* It's very easy to estimate "profit" aka net proceeds by using any of the ebay fee calculators and looking at similar Sold auctions. I didn't think I'd mentioned ebay though, it has plenty of pitfalls for sellers and I'm selective on what I will sell there. Plenty of other avenues such as Swappa, Gazelle, Amazon Sellers Marketplace (careful on return policy requirements), Amazon Trade-In, Craigslist, etc. covering the spectrum of risk, effort, and how much you end up with.

Pick any venue you like, paying more for the phone via subsidies cuts into your profit. I've sold 6 iPhones over 3 years on eBay between $425-$475.

----------

When ATT has all these returned iPhones to dump on the markets they will probably wise up and drop the Next program.

----------




I found at the 10gb level and three lines the shared plan saved me money.

 

[iMrNiceGuy0023]

So let's say I have a $300 gift card for an iPhone 6 64GB version. It'll make it $0 plus taxes.

I would get an increase from $15 to $25 a month for my line access for 2 years? $10 difference x 24 months = $240.

Am I doing the math right here?

 

[goknicks]

So let's say I have a $300 gift card for an iPhone 6 64GB version. It'll make it $0 plus taxes.

I would get an increase from $15 to $25 a month for my line access for 2 years? $10 difference x 24 months = $240.

Am I doing the math right here?

No.... it's plus $25 per month for a 2 yr. contract. you're $15 per line charge becomes $40

 

[aristobrat]

So let's say I have a $300 gift card for an iPhone 6 64GB version. It'll make it $0 plus taxes.

Don't forget that awesome $40 "upgrade fee" that gets tacked on to your next month's bill (when you buy phones using 2-year contracts).

The only time I've seen where a line access fee goes between $15/month and $25/month is when the Share Data plan size changes. Line access on 10GB+ plans is $15/month. Line access on plans smaller than 10GB is $25/month.

 

[Mlrollin91]

If I add in the cost of the 2 iPhones (400 each under the subsidy) with the total 2 year cost of the contract that gets me to the following figure.

160 x 24 months = 3,840 plus 800 is 4640 total cost under subsidy.

Next:
80 (data) + 72 (Next 2 phones ) + 50 (cell plan discounted x 2) = 202
202 x 24 months = 4848

So even with considering the initial purchase price, the cost of owning under the subsidy is less then Next, or is my math wrong?

I know this is a really old thread now but reading over, I noticed that in your calculations you for the Next program you have calculated the 2 year cost with 24 months of payments for your phone, but in reality you only have 20 payments with the Next 12 plan. So the last 4 months are 72 cheaper which is $288. Which would make Next $80 less than the subsidy.

 

[KPOM]

Don't forget that awesome $40 "upgrade fee" that gets tacked on to your next month's bill (when you buy phones using 2-year contracts).

The only time I've seen where a line access fee goes between $15/month and $25/month is when the Share Data plan size changes. Line access on 10GB+ plans is $15/month. Line access on plans smaller than 10GB is $25/month.

AT&T Premier customers can usually get those fees waived.

 

[Truefan31]

So let's say I have a $300 gift card for an iPhone 6 64GB version. It'll make it $0 plus taxes.



I would get an increase from $15 to $25 a month for my line access for 2 years? $10 difference x 24 months = $240.



Am I doing the math right here?

If u got a 300 gc u minus well buy a device full price

 

[deeddawg]

in reality you only have 20 18 payments with the Next 12 plan.

Fixed. Next payment plans are six months longer than the trade-in threshhold. Next 12 = 18 months for full payoff; Next 18 = 24 months for full payoff.

 

[Mlrollin91]

Fixed. Next payment plans are six months longer than the trade-in threshhold. Next 12 = 18 months for full payoff; Next 18 = 24 months for full payoff.

Incorrect. Next 12 is 20 payments. Next 18 is 24 payments and Next 24 is 30 payments.

I'm on the Next 12 program and I have 20 payments of $37.45 for my iPhone 6 64GB. 20X$37.45 = 749.

https://m.att.com/shopmobile/wireless/modals/next-faqs.html

"There are three terms to choose from:
AT&T Next 24: Divided into 30 installments; can trade in and upgrade after 24 installments.
AT&T Next 18: Divided into 24 installments; can trade in and upgrade after 18 installments.
AT&T Next 12: Divided into 20 installments; can trade in and upgrade after 12 installments."

 

[deeddawg]

Interesting. Wonder why they break the sequence in favor of the consumer.

 

[Mlrollin91]

Interesting. Wonder why they break the sequence in favor of the consumer.

There was no sequence. AT&T announced Next 12 and only Next 12. They realized people don't need a new device every 12 months or even want one, so then released Next 18. Then again realized people don't want/need a new device every 18 months and just recently released Next 24 which is essentially like a 2 year contract on upgrades and it keeps monthly pricing down for consumers.

 

[deeddawg]

There was no sequence.

12/20 -> 18/24 -> 24/30 is a sequence.

You misunderstood my comment.

three terms to choose from:
AT&T Next 24: Divided into 30 installments; can trade in and upgrade after 24 installments.
AT&T Next 18: Divided into 24 installments; can trade in and upgrade after 18 installments.
AT&T Next 12: Divided into 20 installments; can trade in and upgrade after 12 installments."