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Did I buy too early?

blackxacto said:
I’ve been reading up on pre-paid, post-paid, no contract, locked, unlocked. Can it be anymore complex? I bought the SE w 32gb, A9 chip, and 12mpx camera, which is fantastic for my use, and unlocked, no contract which is what I wanted. After paying for the device, all I owe is $35 a month w ATT.

The Best Buy SE is a contract purchase, looks cheap, but it will be paid for one way or another within 2yr contract.

Do I have this correct? There is no way to buy an SE cheap, as one pays full price in a two year contract.
Click to expand...
Nope. Best Buy SE is on prepaid so there's no contract. However, the device is locked to AT&T and you need 6 months service with AT&T before you can get it unlocked.
 
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slooksterPSV said:
Really kind of shocked reading this. While I'm no iPhone guru, I think the SE is quite a marvelous device. The 4, from what I'm reading had an A4 CPU in it with 512MB of RAM. The SE has 2GB and variable sizes from 16GB-128GB. It's a great device. It runs an A9, and works with iOS 11 - soon to be released. I think the SE is a great way to go. At least the device will be supported a while longer.
Click to expand...

I think the iPhone SE offers enough capabilities and performance where it sells itself, but the price point is the most tempting feature. The iPhone SE can be purchased new under $200 in some situations.
 
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MuGeN PoWeR said:
he is already with ATT(i think) so it will work fine.
Click to expand...
I'm just clarifying regarding the AT&T Prepaid iPhone SE 32GB purchased through Best Buy.

He's assuming a 2-year contract will be required. It's not. There's no minimum service requirement.

Only caveat is the device is locked to AT&T so you can't use it with another carrier until you've had 6 months of AT&T service on it. That or pay $50-80 for a 3rd party unlocking service.
 
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rui no onna said:
I'm just clarifying regarding the AT&T Prepaid iPhone SE 32GB purchased through Best Buy.

He's assuming a 2-year contract will be required. It's not. There's no minimum service requirement.

Only caveat is the device is locked to AT&T so you can't use it with another carrier until you've had 6 months of AT&T service on it. That or pay $50-80 for a 3rd party unlocking service.
Click to expand...

yeah in that case yes you are right. but since he is already using ATT so he doesnt need to get it unlocked :)
 
slooksterPSV said:
Unlocked you pay full price
Locked you pay carrier price
Contract you pay monthly which can be either the price of the phone more expensive or cheaper

E.g Xfinity wants $33/mo for two years that's about $792 for the iPhone 7 Plus
Cricket I paid $229 for the 64GB version of the SE
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Are you saying you would pay an additional $33 + monthly service fee + cost of xfinity phone for two years?
 
slooksterPSV said:
No it's monthly $33 contract and $12 per GB so $45 + taxes or for unlimited data it's $33+$45 (those don't include phone protection)
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I'm slow. An unlocked SE w 32gb is $399. Choosing ATT (auto pay draft) I am charged $35 per month.
If I buy the Best Buy ATT PrePaid 32gb SE for $139, what charges will I get for the 2 year contract?

Its confusing, $399 - $139 = who pays the remainder?
 
blackxacto said:
I'm slow. An unlocked SE w 32gb is $399. Choosing ATT (auto pay draft) I am charged $35 per month.
If I buy the Best Buy ATT PrePaid 32gb SE for $139, what charges will I get for the 2 year contract?

Its confusing, $399 - $139 = who pays the remainder?
Click to expand...
AT&T discounts it by $200. Best Buy by another $60. AT&T doesn't pay Apple the full $399 MSRP anyway. They're likely just forgoing profit on the handset in exchange for you signing up with their service for at least 6 months. :)

What is the breakdown of the $35/mo you're currently paying for? Service plus phone? Service only? Is it part of a special promo or something?
 
blackxacto said:
Is there any hope to sell my old iphone 4? Where has anyone actually sold their old cell phone? How much does a 4 go for now? Or just trash it?

I'm slow. An unlocked SE w 32gb is $399. Choosing ATT (auto pay draft) I am charged $35 per month.
If I buy the Best Buy ATT PrePaid 32gb SE for $139, what charges will I get for the 2 year contract?

Its confusing, $399 - $139 = who pays the remainder?
Click to expand...
rui no onna said:
AT&T discounts it by $200. Best Buy by another $60. AT&T doesn't pay Apple the full $399 MSRP anyway. They're likely just forgoing profit on the handset in exchange for you signing up with their service for at least 6 months. :)

What is the breakdown of the $35/mo you're currently paying for? Service plus phone? Service only? Is it part of a special promo or something?
Click to expand...
I get unlimited text and calling, plus 1gb data for $35 a month (collected in advance auto draft). Anyone can have this. It isn't a special promo. I do not use data much on the phone. I use an iPad Pro w wifi.

So you are saying that Apple sells Best Buy the phone for $200 less than I can buy it?
 
blackxacto said:
I get unlimited text and calling, plus 1gb data for $35 a month (collected in advance auto draft). Anyone can have this. It isn't a special promo. I do not use data much on the phone. I use an iPad Pro w wifi.

So you are saying that Apple sells Best Buy the phone for $200 less than I can buy it?
Click to expand...
The prepaid kit locked to AT&T (for 6 months), yep. After 6 months of AT&T service, you can request an unlock. There is no minimum contract/service agreement requirement. You just won't be able to use the phone with another carrier until after you've had 6 months service with AT&T.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/at-t-p...cell-phone-space-gray/5792701.p?skuId=5792701

The iPhone SE prepaid kit is also discounted when you get it direct from AT&T website and you can use it with the $35/mo AT&T prepaid plan.

https://www.att.com/cellphones/iphone/iphone-se-prepaid.html#sku=sku8360246
 
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bufffilm said:
There's not going to be a price reduction to the SE after next week's press event.

If you think that, you are due for disappointment.
Click to expand...

Hmm... Apple dropped the price of the SE 32GB model by $50! You need a new crystal ball!

As to the Best Buy iPhone SE deal... it was even down to $140 this past week (OK, the nonsensical $139.99!). Now back to to $150.

Questions about that, though.

Can it be used as a GoPhone?!

Does it come with a Nano-SIM?!

Where's a link saying that it's locked for 6 months?!​
 
Saturn007 said:
Hmm... Apple dropped the price of the SE 32GB model by $50! You need a new crystal ball!

As to the Best Buy iPhone SE deal... it was even down to $140 this past week (OK, the nonsensical $139.99!). Now back to to $150.

Questions about that, though.

Can it be used as a GoPhone?!

Does it come with a Nano-SIM?!

Where's a link saying that it's locked for 6 months?!​
Click to expand...

Yeah, that was unexpected.

Just makes a more compelling argument to buy the SE over the other iPhone models.
 
Saturn007 said:
Hmm... Apple dropped the price of the SE 32GB model by $50! You need a new crystal ball!

As to the Best Buy iPhone SE deal... it was even down to $140 this past week (OK, the nonsensical $139.99!). Now back to to $150.

Questions about that, though.

Can it be used as a GoPhone?!

Does it come with a Nano-SIM?!

Where's a link saying that it's locked for 6 months?!​
Click to expand...
It is GoPhone/Prepaid.

Yes, it comes with a Nano-SIM.

https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/request/#/unlockstep1

Wireless, business & non-AT&T customers

Requirements for unlocking AT&T phones, tablets, and mobile hotspots.

  • Your device isn’t reported lost or stolen, or involved with fraud.
  • You must complete your contract or installment plan (including early termination fees). Or, pay off an installment plan early and then make another unlock request in 24 hours.
  • Your device isn’t active on another AT&T account.
  • If you upgraded early, wait 14 days to unlock your old device. Business customers wait 30 days.
  • Your service must be active for at least 60 days with no past due or unpaid balance.
  • AT&T PREPAID℠ (formerly GoPhone®) devices must have at least 6 months of active service.
  • If you’re military, we’ll ask you to email your TCS or PCS (Temporary / permanent change of station) documents for eligibility. You won’t have to complete installment plans or contracts.
  • If you have a business-owned device, your company must authorize you to unlock it.
 
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