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For Most People, Contract Upgrade is Bad, Next is good, Buy it: Why? (AT&T)
- Thread starter nostresshere
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oops, sorry, in my rush of reading, I thought it was the life of the phone in use on ATT...not life of contract
my error.
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if your device is paid off (from a 2-year contract) or BYOD Bring your own device, or NEXT you get the $15-25 discount applied to your bill on each phone matching that criteria.
https://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB423546#fbid=9p5OrRGfVxL
not sure if that link will work or not.
Oh, I agree. The poster I quoted seemed to think that an AT&T employee would be on here pushing people towards contracts, when it's clear AT&T wants people on NEXT.
With my older plan, since I don't need more texts/messages than I currently have. It would be more expensive to change to a mobile share plan and next.
I figured it would add an average $7.70/month for me. I would gain the ability to tether on the MSV plan, but I would lose 1GB/month.
I figured it would add an average $7.70/month for me. I would gain the ability to tether on the MSV plan, but I would lose 1GB/month.
To pay off an next plan, you call or visit at&t store to make the payment and it is applied directly to the installment plan not the service, keyword call or visit store
I confirmed this also, i will be getting likely 3 iphone 6's and will pay all 3 off within about 2 months.
I asked if i could do this through different reps they said yes, i asked if i also would be immediately available for another NEXT installment plan if i pay them off early or do i have to wait the 12/18/24 months or whatever i chose. They both said no, you are able to have another installment plan immediately once paid off.
I'm on old Att family plan (no share) with 2 unlimited internet lines. Not next. Will I get $25 discount per line after contract is fulfilled?
so can someone who's better at math help me figure out what the best deal would be for a current AT&T user looking for a new iphone 6? My 2-year contract is up this month, and I'll be moving out of the country this coming July meaning I'll only be in the US for 9 more months.
What's the best option for me? If I buy it new unlocked, vs AT&T Next (in which case, do i need to sign a new 2-year contract? that is not an option for me); or if i switch to T-mobile, is it true they don't have contracts?
it seems like these non-contract plans will end up making me pay the full retail price for the phone anyway, correct? in which case, is there any cheaper option for me other than buying it unlocked at full retail price?
Thank you in advance
What's the best option for me? If I buy it new unlocked, vs AT&T Next (in which case, do i need to sign a new 2-year contract? that is not an option for me); or if i switch to T-mobile, is it true they don't have contracts?
it seems like these non-contract plans will end up making me pay the full retail price for the phone anyway, correct? in which case, is there any cheaper option for me other than buying it unlocked at full retail price?
Thank you in advance
I'm glad you can pay the Next contract off early. I don't think I'll have the cash (or credit) available by Launch Day (or 3am pre-order) in time, so I may have no other option than Next.
I have an unlocked 64GB AT&T Space Gray iPhone 5s with Applecare +, but I don't have a back-up phone, so I can't sell it until I have a new one in hand.
An unsubsidized 64GB iPhone is over $800, so even if I sell mine for $600, I'd still owe about 7-8 months of Next. Thankfully, I only have one line to upgrade.
I have an unlocked 64GB AT&T Space Gray iPhone 5s with Applecare +, but I don't have a back-up phone, so I can't sell it until I have a new one in hand.
An unsubsidized 64GB iPhone is over $800, so even if I sell mine for $600, I'd still owe about 7-8 months of Next. Thankfully, I only have one line to upgrade.
If you have corporate discount instead of applying to the whole service cost on traditional plan it only applies to the shared data part now. This works out to about $300 over the 24 month timeframe.
Further, the next plan discount on service is only $15 but you are paying like $30 for the next device installments or buying it outright. But the old subsidy model had like $40 built in that was for the phone if you worked out the whole cost.
Every way I cut it I lose unlimmited data, gain unlimitted texting and gain tethering. But costs $600 more over 24 months.
Maybe more data and more lines starts to make sense but I cant find a break even point for my needs.
Further, the next plan discount on service is only $15 but you are paying like $30 for the next device installments or buying it outright. But the old subsidy model had like $40 built in that was for the phone if you worked out the whole cost.
Every way I cut it I lose unlimmited data, gain unlimitted texting and gain tethering. But costs $600 more over 24 months.
Maybe more data and more lines starts to make sense but I cant find a break even point for my needs.
Until you get into at least 10GB with maybe 4 lines, you're not gonna find a break even point with the old plans. Also, corporate discount has never been applied to the whole bill. It's usually applied to the primary line and on select features. Granted, I think tiered data over 2GB is covered by the discount. Back when I still had unlimited, it was never applied to the $30 unlimited data I had on the iPhone line.
I'll be buying unlocked outright rather than using Next for the follwing reasons:
Earn credit card points on the amount I spend
Credit card benefits like extended warranty/purchase protection etc
Can switch carriers any time if I ever want to
Can use SIM card from another country if I travel
Earn credit card points on the amount I spend
Credit card benefits like extended warranty/purchase protection etc
Can switch carriers any time if I ever want to
Can use SIM card from another country if I travel
With Next, as soon as you completely pay off your existing phone, you're eligible for another Next upgrade.
I think you have to make two monthly installment payments minimum before paying in full. Someone correct me on this point if I'm wrong.
Here in the UK, it depends on the network.
5S 16GB on Three (600 mins, unlimited data):
Unlocked then Sim Only: £549 upfront + 24*£18 = £981
24M Contract: £8 upfront + 24*£38 = £920
So by taking the contract, you save £60, and don't have to shell out £550 in one go.
5S 16GB on Three (600 mins, unlimited data):
Unlocked then Sim Only: £549 upfront + 24*£18 = £981
24M Contract: £8 upfront + 24*£38 = £920
So by taking the contract, you save £60, and don't have to shell out £550 in one go.
Yes. It is the same price as if you went with next. Single line 2gb data unlimited talk and text would be 65/month before taxes. Contract price is 80/month for that plan
My bill went from $238/month down to $158/month when I switched from the subsidized plan to the newer family share plan. We have 4 smartphones on the plan with AT&T.
If you assume 18 months per upgrade (what I normally used to get), then the old plan was a bit cheaper:
18*80/4=$360 per upgrade (valued at $450 each)
But I believe they have tended towards making people wait the full 24 months before getting an upgrade. At THAT rate, the newer plan is a bit cheaper:
24*80/4=$480 per upgrade (valued at $450 each)
Also - if you didn't get your new phone on the exact date you were eligible, then you would pay even more for your upgrade on the old plan. I often found myself waiting a bit longer to get the latest model phone.
Also - we did not have any texting or tethering on our old plan. So the included features are MUCH better now.
So I guess my point is that for me, the new plan is around the same price as the old plan in the long run, but includes many features that we did not have before.
If you assume 18 months per upgrade (what I normally used to get), then the old plan was a bit cheaper:
18*80/4=$360 per upgrade (valued at $450 each)
But I believe they have tended towards making people wait the full 24 months before getting an upgrade. At THAT rate, the newer plan is a bit cheaper:
24*80/4=$480 per upgrade (valued at $450 each)
Also - if you didn't get your new phone on the exact date you were eligible, then you would pay even more for your upgrade on the old plan. I often found myself waiting a bit longer to get the latest model phone.
Also - we did not have any texting or tethering on our old plan. So the included features are MUCH better now.
So I guess my point is that for me, the new plan is around the same price as the old plan in the long run, but includes many features that we did not have before.
I think whether or not Next is a good value really depends on your individual situation and needs. I ran the numbers for my account yesterday (3 iPhones on Family Share 450 + unlimited family texting + grandfathered unlimited data on each) and if we switched to the Mobile Share plan (we'd need 15GB with our current usage), it would be cheaper monthly per person only until we got a new phone on Next. Then the monthly cost would go up due to the price of the device payments and be more than my current monthly plan, and in the end work out to be more after 2 years than paying the $200/etc up front for a contract.
Granted, it's not a HUGE difference, but enough that I'll stay where I am and do a new 2-year contract.
Granted, it's not a HUGE difference, but enough that I'll stay where I am and do a new 2-year contract.
Too bad theres no advantage to not having a contract if you have those types of resources. Its not like you won't be able to pay your phone bill one month...
Why worry about a contract if you're living in a premium income bracket?
Usually a contract is only annoying to people who pay bills month to month and/or might be broke.
I'm in the same situation. Our 5 or 6 year old plan is two lines, 2 gigs of data each, shared 700 min (over 5200 rollover now) unlimited text. This works great for us and depending on the cost upfront for the phone, it's about $50 cheaper for the contract.
I know, I can not change for 2 years, but my iPhone 5 has been great.
I am not ashamed of what I have worked hard for. I had nothing and am now comfortable, in fact very comfortable.
I know that is not approved of by the entitlement society we live in now.
What is sad is there is much less chance that someone can do what I did in today economy.
How do you figure Next is a few hundred more than a contract? The quotes I've got for the Next, assume we switch all 3 phones to the plan, is $140 plus taxes monthly.
We're paying about $140 monthly for our present 3 phones with contracts.
Every year I've been able to sell my old phone for $100-$150 more than I paid for it. With Next, I lose this profit because I have to return the old phone. So, by my math, Next actually would cost me $100-$150. Am I missing something here?
The BIG draw for me to do the Next deal is the 10GB shared data that I might occasionally use tethering while traveling.
The big question is "Does ATT require you to turn in the present phone when you upgrade with the Next plan"?
I'd also like some advice.
I get a 24% discount. I have two lines (a ghost line so I can flip-flop upgrade every year) and am on the mobile share 2GB plan. My bill is $85.
My ghost line's contract expires this week. Should I use it to upgrade, keep the two lines, therefore my current line will be upgradeable next year... or terminate the off contract line and go with Next?
I just want whatever is cheaper MONTHLY and obviously will allow me to upgrade every year. I also don't want to purchase the phone outright up front.
Thanks to anyone who can offer some advice!
I get a 24% discount. I have two lines (a ghost line so I can flip-flop upgrade every year) and am on the mobile share 2GB plan. My bill is $85.
My ghost line's contract expires this week. Should I use it to upgrade, keep the two lines, therefore my current line will be upgradeable next year... or terminate the off contract line and go with Next?
I just want whatever is cheaper MONTHLY and obviously will allow me to upgrade every year. I also don't want to purchase the phone outright up front.
Thanks to anyone who can offer some advice!
No, not immediately. If you have made 12 payments, you can order your next phone without trading in the present phone. I believe you then have 30 days to trade in the present phone.
The current problem is that you have to order your next phone through AT&T, not Apple, if you are not 100% paid off.
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