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Best time to buy cellular iPad

M

macguy360

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 23, 2011
836
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I know WWDC is coming up and some rumors are suggesting a new iPad might launch.

Would it be best to wait until WWDC to see if there is a launch in order to buy the current gen iPad Pro? Right now Verizon is doing $200 off if you sign up for a 2 year contract, but I am thinking that if a new pro launches next month, the current gen will be even cheaper.

What do you all think?
 
Agree on wait and see. Verizon frequently offers discounts if you commit to a two year contract. I got $250 off my 9.7 pro two years ago with that deal. I have had Verizon for last 15 years, so I have no problem committing to another 2 years again which would save $200 on price of 10.5 right now, plus trade in on my 9.7 pro, but it’s worth it to me to wait for a month and see if anything is announced at WWDC.
 
F1_addict said:
Agree on wait and see. Verizon frequently offers discounts if you commit to a two year contract. I got $250 off my 9.7 pro two years ago with that deal. I have had Verizon for last 15 years, so I have no problem committing to another 2 years again which would save $200 on price of 10.5 right now, plus trade in on my 9.7 pro, but it’s worth it to me to wait for a month and see if anything is announced at WWDC.
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Thank you. I'll wait and see what happens at WWDC. It seems crazy to invest $1000 when theres only a 2 week return period and a new iPad might launch either offering something much better for same price or dropping the price of the current iPads significantly.
 
From what I’ve seen the cellular ones are rarely discounted at the manufacturers level.

I got my iPad Pro last October with a $200 off offer from a carrier on a 24 month all you can eat data plan.

They didn’t actually discount the hardware, ie I couldn’t just write a check and own it, but they discounted the service $8 something a month for 24 months.

I realize that’s a value perception thing as opposed to $200 off but seemingly every carrier offers money off tablets like that at some point throughout the year. Mostly because the amount of tablets being sold is stagnant to shrinking and the amount on the typical network is pretty low.
 
macguy360 said:
I know WWDC is coming up and some rumors are suggesting a new iPad might launch.

Would it be best to wait until WWDC to see if there is a launch in order to buy the current gen iPad Pro? Right now Verizon is doing $200 off if you sign up for a 2 year contract, but I am thinking that if a new pro launches next month, the current gen will be even cheaper.

What do you all think?
Click to expand...
That $200 off with contract deal is pretty much available year-round even for just released models. Carriers will make it back with service cost particularly now that monthly fee for iPads is $20 (or $480 for 2 years). Either that or ETF if you cancel service.
 
rui no onna said:
That $200 off with contract deal is pretty much available year-round even for just released models. Carriers will make it back with service cost particularly now that monthly fee for iPads is $20 (or $480 for 2 years). Either that or ETF if you cancel service.
Click to expand...
If the tablet is going to be he only device service could then cost as little as $15 per month for 1GB of data or $10 with autopay with data overages priced at $10 per GB so 4 GB would cost as little as $40 with auto pay.
 
borgranta said:
If the tablet is going to be he only device service could then cost as little as $15 per month for 1GB of data or $10 with autopay with data overages priced at $10 per GB so 4 GB would cost as little as $40 with auto pay.
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My point was since the $200 with 2-year contract offer is pretty much available year round, might as well use it when new models are just released. Carriers will make it back on service cost anyway. Granted, almost break-even if one only uses 1GB or less. Mind, if one uses 4GB per month, then that's already $480/yr or $960 for the contract duration.
 
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rui no onna said:
My point was since the $200 with 2-year contract offer is pretty much available year round, might as well use it when new models are just released. Carriers will make it back on service cost anyway. Granted, almost break-even if one only uses 1GB or less. Mind, if one uses 4GB per month, then that's already $480/yr or $960 for the contract duration.
Click to expand...
Unlike other plans there is no connection charge in addition to the data cost.
 
You're stuck in the weeds arguing details when the point rui no onna is making is that the $200 discount effectively offsets the cost of service. Whether or not the break even point comes sooner or later while not completely irrelevant is subjective based upon the data plan the user signs up for. Overall when considering the $200 discount the OP referred to it makes no difference whether they buy a current model or wait for a new model - they'll sign up for a 2-year commitment on an eligible data plan and they're committed to carry through with that contract or pay an ETF. Sure, at time of purchase one gets an immediate discount but the 2-year commitment is made nonetheless.
 
borgranta said:
The $200 discount is with iPhone purchase it is $150 without iPhone purchase
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Currently . . it isn't always . . Up to the OP if they want to wait until it's $200 again w/out iPhone purchase. I'm not sure if at the time OP pointed out the $200 discount there was the iphone purchase requirement. What I am sure of is that I purchased my 256gb 12.9" in February with a $200 discount from Verizon without having to purchase any devices along with it.
 
muzzy996 said:
Currently . . it isn't always . . Up to the OP if they want to wait until it's $200 again w/out iPhone purchase. I'm not sure if at the time OP pointed out the $200 discount there was the iphone purchase requirement. What I am sure of is that I purchased my 256gb 12.9" in February with a $200 discount from Verizon without having to purchase any devices along with it.
Click to expand...
Honestly, it seems like I get emails with tablet deals at least once a month.

I did get a pretty good deal on the iPad Pro 9.7 a couple years ago (Mother's Day?). Iirc, it was $150-200 discount if purchased via installment plan. Nice thing with that is there's no contract/ETF or other purchase requirements. You can just pay off the remaining balance and you're good to go.
 
I went with the deal at ATT 2018 iPad for $99 plus $10 per month (24 Month) for 1gig with the purchase of an iPhone. I got the iPhone SE which they are offering $5 per month. The key for me is that WWDC is now in the 14 day return window. I would have to be really WOWed by what WWDC unveils (iPhone X SE or some ridiculous deal that emerges on iPads) to back out. $15 + $20 (unlimited family) = $35 per month....I like this.
 
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