Checking Upgrade Eligibility Ahead of Friday's iPhone 6 and 6 Plus Pre-Orders

[MacRumors]

With pre-orders for the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus happening this Friday, many people who hope to get their hands on one of the new devices are going to be scrambling to find out their upgrade options. TUAW has assembled a helpful guide on to help users check their upgrade eligibility and purchasing options.

Users on all four major networks in the United States can type a quick code into their phones to get an immediate report on their upgrade status via text message. The codes are as follows:

- AT&T: *639#
- Sprint: 1311
- T-Mobile: #874
- Verizon: #874

These codes are a good way to get a quick look at upgrade eligibility, but some of them don't exactly tell the whole story. For example, AT&T's text message is pointing users towards a Next plan, even if they may have other upgrade options available. A second option for getting a clear picture of upgrade eligibility on the four major networks is going through Apple's own site.

Visiting the iPhone 6 pre-order page and choosing a model, carrier, and color will give an option to "Check your upgrade eligibility" with AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon. T-Mobile works somewhat differently as Apple only gives T-Mobile customers the option to buy outright.

Checking upgrade options requires a user to enter a wireless number, billing zip code, and the last four digits of the social security number on the account, after which it displays all of the upgrade options available, including when an account might become eligible for an early or full upgrade.

For example, an AT&T user who purchased an iPhone 5s on release day on a two-year contract would be able to purchase an iPhone 6 for $649 on pre-order day, but would also be eligible for an early upgrade on September 21, which provides a $200 discount. This option also displays what Next monthly fees would be.

Many times, new purchasing fees can be cut by trading a device into an Apple Store, a carrier, or a third party service, all of which offer payouts for old Apple devices.

For those planning to upgrade, it's important to look into options immediately as there are only two days left until the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will be available for pre-order. Though Apple has not yet confirmed what time the two devices will go on sale, AT&T says that its pre-order sales will begin on September 12 at 12:01 AM Pacific Time, and it's likely Apple's own sales will start at the same time.

Article Link: Checking Upgrade Eligibility Ahead of Friday's iPhone 6 and 6 Plus Pre-Orders

 

[farewelwilliams]

probably should check your savings account for eligibility first.

 

[bpeeps]

I think this will be the first time I don't preorder a phone online. Going to have to go into the store on the 19th to play with both sizes of the iPhone 6. Can't make up my mind.

 

[Doctor Q]

Thank you TUAW and MacRumors for helping us sort out our options.

 

[Traverse]

As much as I am looking forward to upgrading my 4S. I'm going to wait until to end of September or start of October. I don't want to risk have any first batch manufacturing defects and I don't like the big rush and back orders.

I'll live until I can casually walk into an Apple Store and pick one up, but I'm glad for all of you who get a launch day device, it must be exciting.

 

[gugy]

I would like to get the iPhone 6 plus 64gb using the AT&T Next but that will make the phone cost $849. That's a lot. I guess, I'll wait until my 5S contract expires.

 

[troop231]

I think this will be the first time I don't preorder a phone online. Going to have to go into the store on the 19th to play with both sizes of the iPhone 6. Can't make up my mind.

This helped me quite a bit actually: Yes, they are slightly oversized with the cardboard so I could theoretically account for the Apple leather case.

 

[tattooedyuppie]

My cost for a 128gb 6+ on AT&T is $749 with a renewal of a 2 year contract or 20 payments $47.45 that totals $949... No brainer.

 

[yadmonkey]

I wish I didn't have to choose between the size I want and the camera I want. Life is so hard for me.

 

[luckydcxx]

I think this will be the first time I don't preorder a phone online. Going to have to go into the store on the 19th to play with both sizes of the iPhone 6. Can't make up my mind.

i'm in the same boat as you! i just know that it will be sold out if i wait till the 19th.

i think i might just go with the 4.7", there will always be the 6S+.

 

[lotzosushi]

Horray! I'm eligible on Verizon. Definitely gonna be in line for this

 

[Bambeezer]

If I buy the contract free version on T-mobile, is that locked? I have an ATT business SIM.

 

[usarioclave]

It looks like contract-free iPhones will be available for preorder/launch day! Although I'm not sure whether to get a Verizon or T-Mobile one; since I can't order, I can't tell if I can get a full-price Verizon one.

 

[phairphan]

Based on the pricing, I think they meant iPhone 5s, not 5, in the example above.

EDIT: Post has been corrected.

 

[iNewbie]

Pricing...

I did this check on 4 phone lines still under 2 yr. commitment. So not eligible for subsidy from AT&T.

My pricing was lower then what the initial post had. Can anyone tell me why that is?

 

[luckydcxx]

This helped me quite a bit actually: Yes, they are slightly oversized with the cardboard so I could theoretically account for the Apple leather case.

this is amazing! thank you so much ... i was going to actually try to cut our cardboard to try to do it

 

[daphuon2]

Attached is for ATT if you are eligible 2 year contract price. I checked the site to confirm.
My original date was for the 15th of this month, so it looks like they backtracked it so I am eligible for preorder on the 12th, and I didn't even have to call and ask.

I'm still on the unlimited data plan.

 

[lewisd25]

AT&T sucks. I just wanted to get that out in the open. I feel better now.

 

[theone09]

how much is the off-contract iphone6 plus 16MB? I believe it's $749??

 

[MI MacGuy]

Really hoping those of us with T-Mobile Jump! can preorder online. I'm due for an upgrade but I know without preordering, it's gonna be a while... And I'm definitely not about to stand in line somewhere.

 

[jclo]

I did this check on 4 phone lines still under 2 yr. commitment. So not eligible for subsidy from AT&T.

My pricing was lower then what the initial post had. Can anyone tell me why that is?

Image

It's giving you the pricing for an early upgrade today. In my post, I'm only eligible for that pricing on September 21, which is why it lists full pricing first. I'm eligible for a full discount in 2015 as listed in your example.

 

[HurtinMinorKey]

I did this check on 4 phone lines still under 2 yr. commitment. So not eligible for subsidy from AT&T.

My pricing was lower then what the initial post had. Can anyone tell me why that is?

Image

Your purchase date is a year later 2015 vs 2014

 

[PowerBook-G5]

I already knew this, but my upgrade is July of next year. That will stink, having an upgrade and having to wait almost three months to get the updated phone!

 

[nlkccom]

You can also check upgrade eligibility through Apple.

Link

 

[penajmz]

Buying contract free T-mobile version and sticking my AT&T sim in it.