Do you have to pay upgrade fee with ATT regardless if you pay in full/buy unlocked?

[uptempos]

the 35$ upgrade fee...if i buy an unlocked 8+ and just put in my current 6s sim card..do I still need to pay the upgrade fee? Does upgrade fee only apply to NEXT?

 

[matty.p]

It was only $25 on my account when I added via Next but yes I believe you have to pay an upgrade fee even when you buy a full/unlocked phone. It may not be the $35 though. Someone else may have done this though, I did some searching and found contradictory results.

 

[Rigby]

the 35$ upgrade fee...if i buy an unlocked 8+ and just put in my current 6s sim card..do I still need to pay the upgrade fee?

No.

Does upgrade fee only apply to NEXT?

The upgrade fee always applies if you buy the AT&T version of the phone (i.e. the one that comes with a pre-installed AT&T SIM), even if you pay in full.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I do not use the ATT sim that comes in the phone and have never paid a penny in upgrade fees. ATT should not be charging period. I am not sure if using your old sim is the reason or not.

Be aware if you ordered an ATT phone from Apple that when you turn it on it will kill your current SIM card and move you phone and data service to the new sim.
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No.
The upgrade fee always applies if you buy the AT&T version of the phone (i.e. the one that comes with a pre-installed AT&T SIM), even if you pay in full.

I have always bought ATT phones directly from Apple and paid full price and there was NO activation fee.

 

[Rigby]

I do not use the ATT sim that comes in the phone and have never paid a penny in upgrade fees. ATT should not be charging period. I am not sure if using your old sim is the reason or not.

Interesting. It seems the upgrade fee is triggered by the activation of the new SIM that comes with the carrier-specific models. I have bought an AT&T iPhone at full price in the past, used the pre-installed SIM, and was charged the upgrade fee. So what you are doing (i.e. not use the pre-installed SIM) might be another way to avoid the fee.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Interesting. It seems the upgrade fee is triggered by the activation of the new SIM that comes with the carrier-specific models. I have bought an AT&T iPhone at full price in the past, used the pre-installed SIM, and was charged the upgrade fee. So what you are doing (i.e. not use the new SIM) might be another way to avoid the fee.

I am careful to remove the included SIM card before starting the phone. ATT make enough money. My 7+ SIM card will work just fine. Have not paid any activation fee for the last three phones.

 

[javisan]

I am careful to remove the included SIM card before starting the phone. ATT make enough money. My 7+ SIM card will work just fine. Have not paid any activation fee for the last three phones.

I am bumping this thread as it is relevant due to the release of the new iPhones next month.

Can anyone else attest that if you buy an ATT iPhone at an Apple Store, pay in full (therefore unlocked), and you swap out the new SIM and replace it with your old SIM before turning it on, you won't be charged the upgrade fee?

It would be ideal if Apple released the unlocked 2018 iPhone X (not tied to any carrier) at the same time as the carrier versions, but I don't think that will happen.

 

[now i see it]

If you use your old sim, there's no fee.

 

[bruinsrme]

If you use your old sim, there's no fee.

There’s the correct answer.

If you go through the upgrade process, even with iPhone upgrade program, the carriers will charge you for the privilege of getting a new phone.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I have bought new iPhone every year and never paid an upgrade fee. Never visit a ATT store!