I'm not too concerned. I've always kept my iPhones MINT, so I can sell them for as much as possible. I don't expect that to change with a phone purchased through Next. And I don't plan to upgrade early. I'm going with the 12 month plan (20 month payments), and can't see a situation where I would want to upgrade before 12 months. The 6S won't be out before that.
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Buying iPhone 6 outright -- am I crazy?
- Thread starter InsideTJ
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I think of it as a rental. I paid $750 full price for a verizon 5S 32gb last year. I can turn around and sell it on Ebay for $450 since it is unlocked. So for 12 months of use I paid $300. Not much different from the contract price of $299 for the 32GB model, but without the contract and keeping my unlimited data.
Sold my 5S for $600 cash... so replacing it with a 6 plus won't be bad (though worse than I expected).
Everyone spends money differently. My phone is the most used piece of tech I have, bar none. That includes my macbook, media center pc, other computers, ipad, EVERYTHING.
Everyone spends money differently. My phone is the most used piece of tech I have, bar none. That includes my macbook, media center pc, other computers, ipad, EVERYTHING.
Here's why buying outright & owning is better (if you have the money of course)
Here's the breakdown. I'm using T-Mobile as my example, but you should get the basic idea:
So let's say the iPhone 6 costs $648 total retail (for simple math purposes)
On the T-Mobile JUMP plan, you would pay $27/month for 24 months to pay it off completely ($648). If you choose to stop after 12 months, you will have paid a total of $324... which is half the retail price. However, you will also have paid $120 in JUMP costs ($10 x 12 months). Bringing your total out of pocket expense to $444.
You then give the phone back to T-Mobile assuming it's in good condition... and you're done with the iPhone 6 and can get the iPhone 6s or whatever new phone is out at the time... repeat the entire process above.
The alternative option would be to just buy the phone outright for $648 and OWN it. Then, when the iPhone 6s comes out in a year, you could easily sell the iPhone 6 for at least $400-$450+ on Craigslist/eBay or Swappa... meaning you would be spending around $200-$250 total out of pocket.
The second option sounds a lot better to me...
Here's the breakdown. I'm using T-Mobile as my example, but you should get the basic idea:
So let's say the iPhone 6 costs $648 total retail (for simple math purposes)
On the T-Mobile JUMP plan, you would pay $27/month for 24 months to pay it off completely ($648). If you choose to stop after 12 months, you will have paid a total of $324... which is half the retail price. However, you will also have paid $120 in JUMP costs ($10 x 12 months). Bringing your total out of pocket expense to $444.
You then give the phone back to T-Mobile assuming it's in good condition... and you're done with the iPhone 6 and can get the iPhone 6s or whatever new phone is out at the time... repeat the entire process above.
The alternative option would be to just buy the phone outright for $648 and OWN it. Then, when the iPhone 6s comes out in a year, you could easily sell the iPhone 6 for at least $400-$450+ on Craigslist/eBay or Swappa... meaning you would be spending around $200-$250 total out of pocket.
The second option sounds a lot better to me...
Yes me too. That's why I wish I knew which model would have higher resale value in a year from now 6 or 6 plus. I guess it's a toss up at this point.
Because they sell for more than $300 a year after release.
All these payment plans are a gimmick. You are NOT saving any money.....period. Half the people involved in these gimmicks are leasing their phones and then turning them back in, which is stupid as ****, or just making the full amount of payments. You aren't gaining anything.
Buy the phone outright, and go to straight talk. No contract and no BS customer service agents holding you hostage for two years. Sell your phone and upgrade whenever you want. You only fork over a large amount one time, and every upgrade after is offset by the sale of your old phone. This is the ONLY way to save.
The major providers get your money one way or the other. They know there are more idiots out there than there are people who can sit down and do a few simple calculations in excel to break it down.
Just realized that Cricket uses At&t's LTE network... I might do this as well..
Edit: Apparently they are increasing the data cap to 10gb!
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Can I get some guidance on this--I'm a bit confused. We have an ATT Family Share plan 550 minutes, with two lines (both iphones) and grandfathered unlimited data for both. Because of a FAN discount, our total bill is $100/mo (or $50 per iphone per month). We are currently out-of-contract.
Assuming I don't care about whether I'm locked in for another 2 year contract, is there ANY cost advantage to buying a full-price unlocked iPhone 6 or 6+? What I mean is, will I receive any reduction in my monthly bill if I buy a full-price iphone 6/6+ vs. a subsidized one? My understanding is that I wont receive any reduction in my monthly cost, thus it makes more sense to buy the subsidized phone. Is this correct?
Since I don't care about being locked in to another 2 years, the only thing I'm losing is the factory unlock, right? Is it still possible to use a third party unlocker for $50 bucks to unlock from ATT immediately?
Assuming I don't care about whether I'm locked in for another 2 year contract, is there ANY cost advantage to buying a full-price unlocked iPhone 6 or 6+? What I mean is, will I receive any reduction in my monthly bill if I buy a full-price iphone 6/6+ vs. a subsidized one? My understanding is that I wont receive any reduction in my monthly cost, thus it makes more sense to buy the subsidized phone. Is this correct?
Since I don't care about being locked in to another 2 years, the only thing I'm losing is the factory unlock, right? Is it still possible to use a third party unlocker for $50 bucks to unlock from ATT immediately?
There's clearly an ignorant "always buy the phone outright" crowd here, with no thought whatsoever. If you don't plan on leaving your carrier, or if you have some stability in your life, the 2-year contract subsidized price will save you money. Every couple of years I sell my iPhone on eBay to some idiot that pays me more than what I paid for the phone 2 years ago because they want the freedom to.... pay more money? 
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No. You just have the "freedom" to carelessly jump from one carrier to another when you stop paying your bill.
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No. You just have the "freedom" to carelessly jump from one carrier to another when you stop paying your bill.
So people who buy unlocked phones have unstable lives? Get real. Am I unstable because I like to pay for my homes outright? I don't want to be locked into a mortgage for 10-30 years. I would think I am actually more stable and debt free.
Most of us have dealt with the problems and hassles of being locked into a contract. When you see other companies offering better rates 6 months from now and you are stuck in your contract, you might wake up. The industry is changing and being stuck in a contract is being left in the past. Even Verizon is dropping rates due to increased competition. The game is changing.
The subsidized price does NOT save you money. Period. You are paying for your phone one way or the other. You can be locked into a contract and pay a higher monthly rate, or you can pay less monthly and pay for your phone up front without being locked into a contract.
But in my case, given the monthly rate I'm currently paying ($50 per iphone, incl taxes and fees, for unlimited data and voice), it is my understanding that my monthly rate wouldn't change regardless of whether I buy subsidized or full price. Am I correct: there would be no reduction in my monthly rate by buying the phone outright because I am on a grandfathered unlimited data plan?
And frankly, is there any month-to-month plan at ATT or Verizon that is less than $50 all-in and includes unlimited data (or even >4gb)? If not, and if I don't mind another 2 year contract, is there ANY advantage (other than unlock) to buying the phone for full price?
I actually have the same train of thought as you. I don't see anywhere on my bill where I'm paying a subsidized fee for my two IPhones on our grandfathered unlimited plan. I think for us its just a matter of gaining the freedom to move to another carrier and not any cost savings.
Do you happen to have a source / link for this information? Thanks very much in advance!
All things being equal, except for those on old grandfathered AT&T Unlimited Plans, buying the phone outright will better.
Even if the price points were the same over time, it's worth it just to avoid the hassle of unlocking when your contract runs its course.
Even if the price points were the same over time, it's worth it just to avoid the hassle of unlocking when your contract runs its course.
There's clearly an ignorant "always buy the phone outright" crowd here, with no thought whatsoever. If you don't plan on leaving your carrier, or if you have some stability in your life, the 2-year contract subsidized price will save you money. Every couple of years I sell my iPhone on eBay to some idiot that pays me more than what I paid for the phone 2 years ago because they want the freedom to.... pay more money?
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No. You just have the "freedom" to carelessly jump from one carrier to another when you stop paying your bill.
Lol you make switching carriers sound like some childish act
The T-Mobile iPhone is an unlocked phone and is only labeled as "T-Mobile" because it comes with a T-Mobile branded nano-SIM. It will work with AT&T as long as you slap a nano-SIM in there.
This whole thing is deeply confusing to me.
I am grandfathered on a family plan with unlimited data. Will my monthly rates go up when I get the 6? I keep hearing that they'll go up by $25/month for my line. Is that the case? Sorry to hijack the thread for my own question, but I'm just looking for a straight answer.
I am grandfathered on a family plan with unlimited data. Will my monthly rates go up when I get the 6? I keep hearing that they'll go up by $25/month for my line. Is that the case? Sorry to hijack the thread for my own question, but I'm just looking for a straight answer.
Not crazy at all. I prefer to not be locked into a plan.
Though, will we have the option to buy the phone outright on the preorder?
Not sure if that's clear. If we do not, I just may choose Next (likely on at&t website since that also will nto be an option on apple) and then pay the phone off as soon as they allow.
Though, will we have the option to buy the phone outright on the preorder?
Not sure if that's clear. If we do not, I just may choose Next (likely on at&t website since that also will nto be an option on apple) and then pay the phone off as soon as they allow.
You are never really locked in. Check out this scenario with Verizon.
Initial Outlay of Cash with 2 Year Contract (8.25% tax) - $256.75
Activation Charge - $35
Early Termination Fee Just 2 Months after Contract - $330
Total = $621.75
Cost of phone to buy outright now (8.25% tax) = $706.75
You actually make out pretty well.
Isn't monthly service on a contract a bit higher? Plus I'm 99% positive that the ETF Fee is taxed. I've paid taxes on them at sprint and At&T. You'll end up coming close to the same thing.
Same. They are called bring your own phone contracts here. I'm not very fond of getting bent over by my carrier every month because they gave me a "free" phone.
It's the way to go for single line users
You're NOT crazy, there are 3 advantages to a single line user buying unlocked phones:
1) Cost: Using AT&T go plan (Full LTE, I've seen no difference in AT&T service using this plan), $50/month, no taxes, no fees. Compare to a similar post paid plan, $90/month, SAVE $40/month x 24 months = $960 savings, add $200 for initial SUBSIDIZED phone cost --> $1,160. Compare that to $650 for unlocked phone.
Note: I think my $50/month plan is no longer offered, they've switched to $40 or $60/mo plans so the math can change based on whatever pre-paid plan or carrier you choose.
2) Flexibility: Put any GSM SIM in, such as Asia (Philippines, Malaysia I've used) and you're good to go. Dislike AT&T, move to another carrier. Freedom.
3) Resale Value: Don't need to wait for any contract to expire, can sell at any time.
You're NOT crazy, there are 3 advantages to a single line user buying unlocked phones:
1) Cost: Using AT&T go plan (Full LTE, I've seen no difference in AT&T service using this plan), $50/month, no taxes, no fees. Compare to a similar post paid plan, $90/month, SAVE $40/month x 24 months = $960 savings, add $200 for initial SUBSIDIZED phone cost --> $1,160. Compare that to $650 for unlocked phone.
Note: I think my $50/month plan is no longer offered, they've switched to $40 or $60/mo plans so the math can change based on whatever pre-paid plan or carrier you choose.
2) Flexibility: Put any GSM SIM in, such as Asia (Philippines, Malaysia I've used) and you're good to go. Dislike AT&T, move to another carrier. Freedom.
3) Resale Value: Don't need to wait for any contract to expire, can sell at any time.