Buying iPhone 6 outright -- am I crazy?

[JawneeWin]

I bought mines outright. Just sell your previous model, and it's only like $200-$300 more. Think of it as an "upgrade fee" lol. That's how I look at it anyways.

 

[techiebug]

If your credit is good apply for a new credit card with 0 APR. I can pay mine in full but I don't want to. I applied for a new credit card with 0 APR for 15 months.

 

[thieverycorp.]

I bought mines outright. Just sell your previous model, and it's only like $200-$300 more. Think of it as an "upgrade fee" lol. That's how I look at it anyways.

Exactly... I couldn't get the T-Mobile contract free version because the website was down (effing killing me here!) so I ended up buying the AT&T Next version, however I'm gonna go down to AT&T and pay upfront. Heh.

 

[ltb7]

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.

really? i'm single line, out of contact, i bought on att next 6+ 64GB as i had to pick one of them so since i had been with att i just did that, i called to unlock some iPhones and she gave me instant $250 credit to stay with ATT when i said i may return phone, just not sure what i will do, which is the TRUTH! i think i can have a check sent to me + still cancel account as it was instant credit as if i had paid - then, i can also sell my 3 unlocked iPhone's for 200 each, not great but easy - would then have $850 credit in account to then just buy the phone..oh yes i have FAN 17% and no charges on anything ever like $40 upgrade, nada

 

[DarkStryder360]

I love how price was advertised for yanks at, initial contract upfront cost, and us Brits see the handset only cost. Very misleading.

 

[ltb7]

I love how price was advertised for yanks at, initial contract upfront cost, and us Brits see the handset only cost. Very misleading.

really? i thought y'all had it better???

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Exactly... I couldn't get the T-Mobile contract free version because the website was down (effing killing me here!) so I ended up buying the AT&T Next version, however I'm gonna go down to AT&T and pay upfront. Heh.

before you do why don't you call up and say you go to another carrier and they might give you credit like they did for me, i was calling to unlock my phones not calling to get credit but it all just happened!

 

[pdxmatts]

I was all set to purchase a 6 for my wife and myself (not sure what I want yet---I'll just wander in on the 19th and fondle a 6 Plus first) and pay full price, but....

We are both grandfathered unlimited. We did renew and upgrade last year with the 5S. I assumed that we couldn't get a phone discounted and subsidized, but I was wrong.

Wife's 64 GB 6 was full price, minus $200 credit. I don't really want to read the fine print why, but $549 for the phone and we still get to get a 6S next year at the $299 price point...plus keep the data and calling plans we have now.

I looked into the Mobile Sharing plan, and $100 + $30 for two phones is slightly cheaper than what we have now for voice, data and texting....really wasn't worth the hassle of switching.

I get the same $200 credit on a 6 Plus, no matter what size, so $200 off the retail cost of the phone...I'll take it.

When the smoke is all clear, we will have two 64GB 5S to either keep or sell off. We will have 2 iPhone 6 models, both 64 GB. And a year from now, have the option to upgrade again...only at the full subsidized price if we choose to. And peddle this year's phones to offset the costs.

Maybe someone will come along and point out where I'm taking it up the rear on this, but meh.

Oh yeah, just finished ordering the wife's phone. It will come when it comes.

If you just subsidized, won't you be under a two year contract? How do you figure you will be eligible for a full upgrade in a year?

 

[GLS]

If you just subsidized, won't you be under a two year contract? How do you figure you will be eligible for a full upgrade in a year?

I can't explain why ATT claimed I was eligible for a upgrade after a year. Maybe has something to do with being a customer for over a decade.

It's not a full subsidy that I qualified for, but it was a subsidy....my wife's phone with a new two year contract was $299. Upgrading after only a year...phone was $549 plus I can do a $299 upgrade next year on iPhone 6S or whatever it's called.

Perhaps my situation is not that unique, but it sure as hell surprised me when it said all of our lines were eligible for upgrades (and they were "upgraded" in September 2013).

This was according to ATT and Apple both.

Granted, ATT has the right to change things between now and then...but I'm just going over what I have read in my account portal & what I was told directly.

 

[nilk]

For both me and my wife, I buy only unlocked models so we have the option of switching carriers or put a sim card in when traveling. This generally means I have to buy new models full price, or buy the a previous generation used.

I'm on AT&T Mobile Value Share (no-contract plan), and my wife is on T-Mobile (she's thinking of jumping ship and joining my plan because of poor coverage in our area).

 

[PandaBrit]

I bought out my contract and upgraded to the 6. Paid £430 to buy it out as I had a year left on my 5s and got the 6 free (after buying out my contract of course) my monthly bill is a bit higher but eh who cares