Do you buy your phone off-contract or with contract?

[Azzin]

Off contract & unlocked from Apple website/online.

Just to add, that I'm in the UK, so it's a little simpler for me than our USA friends.

The unlocked iPhones from Apple will work with ALL of the UK networks, whether direct (3, O2, Vodafone, EE, Orange, T-Mobile), or the various MVNOs (Virgin, Giff Gaff etc).

 

[tiartrop]

The prepaid plans are actually getting better (even if you need to have AT&T or Verizon MVNO). However, we have family plans in the US and depending on your usage, cost of service on postpaid can be around the same or even lower than having a separate prepaid line for each device.

That picture has changed a lot since the beginning of last year. MVNOs like Straight Talk have supported the iPhone for a while, but T-Mobile got the ball rolling last year when they eliminated contracts. That forced GSM carrier AT&T to improve their prepaid and BYOD options. Now, there's a lot of competition with new and improved family plans. If nothing else, the data allowances have greatly improved (provided you don't have a grandfathered unlimited plan).

Does it mean it’s now easier for tourists to procure prepaid plans?
I lived there when prepaid plan basically gave me nothing (and I wasn’t even aware that receiving phone calls would’ve used my minutes) and last time I went there I had to pay $50-$60 to be connected to T-Mobile 2G(!!) network and I thought that was quite embarrassing, also horribly slow when all my friends there were blasting their 4G. I will go there again at the end of this year and am honestly quite dreading the prospect.

I’ve never used the term MVNO but I imagine it’s like a reseller?

 

[recoil80]

I bought my iPhone 5 with contract (30 months).
For about 60$ I have unlimited voice&text and 20GB of data and I had the iPhone 5 for free.
I think I'll get iPhone 6 this fall so I'll have to buy it off-contract. The iPhone 5S is close to 1000$ here, I'll sell my iPhone 5 for about 400$ so I'll have to pay more than 500$ to get the new model.

Prepaid is quite cheap in Italy but is not easy to have a data plan like mine, 20GB are overkill but I need at least 5GB and most prepaid offer only 1 or 2GB of data.

 

[runningtowin]

Always Unlocked and off Contract Verizon iPhone's to use on T-Mobile's network in the US and to travel with.

Will I (theoretically) be able to buy this online on launch day? From Apple.com?

 

[1981d]

2 iPhone 5s's on contract with VWS. All of my previous iPhones were bought on contract at subsidized prices from ATT.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Do you buy your phone off-contract or with contract?

How are you doing the calculations? With a 6 GB AT&T Mobile Share plan, the BYOD rate comes out to $360 less per line, which is less than the total subsidy over two years, assuming the $450 iPhone subsidy per line. However, with a data allowance of 10 GB or more, the price gap increases to $600 per line over two years. So, the contract price can work out less, if you upgrade devices every two years.

However, this all goes out the window though if, for example, I bring along my current phone, and only add one new phone or zero new phones.

I currently use a $30 prepaid plan with a 5 GB soft data cap. No individual on-contract plan that I've looked at even comes close, even after deducting the subsidy value. Because I own the phone outright, I have the flexibility to switch plans at any time. Whether family or individual, prepaid or postpaid, contract-free or on-contract, all options remain open.

I was factoring in the cost of a new phone being purchased outright and the cost over two years.

I can post my calculations but I'd rather not go and find them on my computer.

I am going to be switching off of my parents plan in September and am trying to find the best deal between contract and off contract. I'm also factoring in my 20% FAN discount.

EDIT:

Here are my calculations:

ON CONTRACT (6GB DATA)
Data Package: $64 (20% FAN Discount)
2 Lines: $80

2 Year Cost: $3456 + Cost of 2 64GB iPhones @ $400/each = $4256

OFF CONTRACT (6GB DATA)
Data Package: $64 (20% FAN Discount)
2 Lines: $50

2 Year Cost: $2736 + Cost of 2 64GB iPhones @ $849/each = $4434

On Contract Cheaper in this instance.

ON CONTRACT (10GB DATA)
Data Package: $80 (20% FAN Discount)
2 Lines: $80

2 Year Cost: $3840 + Cost of 2 64GB iPhones @ $400/each = $4640

OFF CONTRACT (10GB DATA)
Data Package: $64 (20% FAN Discount)
2 Lines: $50

2 Year Cost: $2640 + Cost of 2 64GB iPhones @ $849/each = $4338

OFF Contract is cheaper.

So you were right, and I was mistaken on the 10gb plan. However, the fact that the on contract price is still cheaper for 6gb of data shows that the line price should be $15/line off contract across the board.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

On contract to spread the cost.

 

[Samanosuke]

Will I (theoretically) be able to buy this online on launch day? From Apple.com?

Not that I am aware of, I just walked into the apple store the day after launch and bought a device only iPhone 5s for my mom. For my own device I get it sent to me from Apple. So I have devices pre-release.

 

[rui no onna]

Does it mean it’s now easier for tourists to procure prepaid plans?
I lived there when prepaid plan basically gave me nothing (and I wasn’t even aware that receiving phone calls would’ve used my minutes) and last time I went there I had to pay $50-$60 to be connected to T-Mobile 2G(!!) network and I thought that was quite embarrassing, also horribly slow when all my friends there were blasting their 4G. I will go there again at the end of this year and am honestly quite dreading the prospect.

I’ve never used the term MVNO but I imagine it’s like a reseller?

MVNO: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_virtual_network_operator

If you're not sure what coverage is like in the area you're going to, stick to Verizon or AT&T (or MVNO). Caveat with Verizon, they don't really allow outside devices. Cricket Wireless (AT&T) looks like a good option.

 

[runningtowin]

Not that I am aware of, I just walked into the apple store the day after launch and bought a device only iPhone 5s for my mom. For my own device I get it sent to me from Apple. So I have devices pre-release.

I don't understand; so you can get it from Apple? I bought the iPhone 5 online but I was on-contract with ATT then.

 

[Samanosuke]

I don't know. I don't buy my personal devices through apple.

 

[rui no onna]

I don't understand; so you can get it from Apple? I bought the iPhone 5 online but I was on-contract with ATT then.

You can't buy the Verizon iPhone (device-only) full price on Apple Store online. You'd have to go to an Apple retail store for that. I tried it yesterday and it's asking for my mobile number, billing zip code and last 4 of SSN. Since I don't have a Verizon account, obviously I can't get past that page.

 

[AppleFanatic10]

I typically go on contract, but for the 5C, I paid full price to get off the Edge program. That was a mistake and I regretted it. The upside of it, though allowed me to try out a Nokia (a nice phone but I missed iOS too much).

Now that I'm back on sequence, I can buy the iPhone 6 5.5" if and when that's released. If there is a delay in the larger form factor, no worries, I'm rocking with a great phone

What's was wrong with the Edge program?

 

[runningtowin]

You can't buy the Verizon iPhone (device-only) full price on Apple Store online. You'd have to go to an Apple retail store for that. I tried it yesterday and it's asking for my mobile number, billing zip code and last 4 of SSN. Since I don't have a Verizon account, obviously I can't get past that page.

Ah! But I can buy a T-Mobile one I assume, since I have an account there.

 

[richwoodrocket]

AT&T next.

 

[rui no onna]

Ah! But I can buy a T-Mobile one I assume, since I have an account there.

T-Mobile, you don't even need an account since it's just the same as factory unlocked GSM. Basically, Verizon and Sprint (CDMA) are the only ones that would require you to go to an Apple retail store if you want to buy the device only. Both AT&T and T-Mobile will work on the factory unlocked GSM version.

 

[ET iPhone Home]

1st iPhone 4S - 2 yr. contract w/ Sprint
iPhone 5S - paid full price, no contract, ATT Go Phone Plans
iPhone 6 - will pay full price, will go w/ T-Mobile

NO CONTRACT! FROM THIS POINT ON.

 

[gbkrip]

From the previous comments it looks like I'm the odd one out. I am on contract so I buy a subsidized phone every two years (with renewed contract ofc.) but I also sell and buy the new version every off-year. This actually works really well. I break even at the very least and usually even turn a profit over the course of two years.

 

[Kisey]

In the past, I bought subsidized, on contract. Now that we're on the AT&T's mobile share plan, I plan to purchase off contract for the 6. May go with the Verizon version since it's considered "better".

 

[Woochifer]

Does it mean it’s now easier for tourists to procure prepaid plans?
I lived there when prepaid plan basically gave me nothing (and I wasn’t even aware that receiving phone calls would’ve used my minutes) and last time I went there I had to pay $50-$60 to be connected to T-Mobile 2G(!!) network and I thought that was quite embarrassing, also horribly slow when all my friends there were blasting their 4G. I will go there again at the end of this year and am honestly quite dreading the prospect.

I’ve never used the term MVNO but I imagine it’s like a reseller?

MVNOs are regional or other providers that piggyback onto the national carriers' networks. Straight Talk is one of the more popular MVNO options now for simply popping a SIM card into an unlocked GSM phone. I believe that they use AT&T's network. You can find their SIM cards at Walmart, and I've also seen them sold at airport and shopping mall vending machines.

Not sure when the last time you were in the US, but T-Mobile has greatly improved its network. You still get spotty coverage in outlying and rural areas. But, in most metro areas I've visited since going with T-Mobile, the coverage has been solid with mostly 4G/HSPA+ or LTE coverage. If you're using an older iPhone 5, your phone might not support one of T-Mobile's LTE bands, which could leave you stuck with 2G/EDGE in some areas.

They have a lot of prepaid options available, depending on your length of stay.

Also, Apple Stores now offer assistance with prepaid T-Mobile and AT&T service. They sell the prepaid add-on and SIM cards, and they can help activate the service. Both T-Mobile and AT&T offer pay-by-the-day prepaid plans, and monthly plans.

 

[HarryWild]

Always off-contract! I want to save my dollars! I read many articles saying that you pay more then double the cost of the service if you go on contract basics.

I spend $40 a month for unlimited talk, text and data! If I had a 2 year contract it would be around $80 plus the installment for the phone I purchased.

 

[AppleFanatic10]

If I had the money, I'd buy all my devices unlocked. But since I can't shell out $600+ every year, I have to do the 2yr contract or one of the new upgrade programs.

 

[Lamarak]

Well we do the 160 month plan, my phone, wife's, and my mom( she's retired and help her) two iPads


Been with ATT almost 12 yrs. Buy one new phone a year, wife gets year old phone ( her choice because of accessories like mophie) , I get new phone on contract, and mom gets wife's old phone, and donate the oldest phone to military over seas families. We get a great govt discount , service has always been good and never a billing issue. Coverage meets our needs. Not a fan if next, just rather just sign contract and pay the big sum upfront

 

[tiartrop]

MVNOs are regional or other providers that piggyback onto the national carriers' networks. Straight Talk is one of the more popular MVNO options now for simply popping a SIM card into an unlocked GSM phone. I believe that they use AT&T's network. You can find their SIM cards at Walmart, and I've also seen them sold at airport and shopping mall vending machines.

Not sure when the last time you were in the US, but T-Mobile has greatly improved its network. You still get spotty coverage in outlying and rural areas. But, in most metro areas I've visited since going with T-Mobile, the coverage has been solid with mostly 4G/HSPA+ or LTE coverage. If you're using an older iPhone 5, your phone might not support one of T-Mobile's LTE bands, which could leave you stuck with 2G/EDGE in some areas.

They have a lot of prepaid options available, depending on your length of stay.

Also, Apple Stores now offer assistance with prepaid T-Mobile and AT&T service. They sell the prepaid add-on and SIM cards, and they can help activate the service. Both T-Mobile and AT&T offer pay-by-the-day prepaid plans, and monthly plans.

MVNO: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_virtual_network_operator

If you're not sure what coverage is like in the area you're going to, stick to Verizon or AT&T (or MVNO). Caveat with Verizon, they don't really allow outside devices. Cricket Wireless (AT&T) looks like a good option.

Thanks for the info guys! I'll look into these services.
Last time I went there was 2012, I'd imagine a lot has changed since then.