Full Unlocked price vs Early upgrade At&t to save $100

[curtoise]

Yes you can buy at full retail price and not extend your contract

Thanks, the questions is if they are going to allow us to buy full price or they will going to sell only upgrades on day one.

 

[karmatourer]

Plus of course,your unlocked phone and be used abroad which is a big plus for me.Simply insert the local SIM and you're good to go.I got tired of buying $35 phones in every country I visited.Bought a 3GS for that purpose and AT&T unlocked it for me.
Also,since I decided to sell my 5 2 months ago for good money,I am currently using the 3GS until the 5s arrives.

I was considering this route too, but just for a single phone, for the reasons you mentioned: To save a few bucks if I stayed with AT&T but also be off-contract in a year and have the option to switch to T-Mobile.

I'd also add the $36/phone savings this year of not upgrading through AT&T. I think that would make your total savings $172 + as you mentioned, selling 2 unlocked phones in a year vs selling locked phones.

 

[Carlanga]

The reason unlock phones don't cost way more than the ones locked to AT&T is because unlock services are cheap and dime a dozen now.

When the 5S comes out I will do w outside unlocks instead of dealing w AT&T since I can get att to unlock my iPhone under my contract but too much hassle and wait.

 

[mdmt619]

i think this is a really good point, especially since at&t isn't giving early upgrade discounts anymore (to my understanding)

so, it's either use the early upgrade this year and pay full, unlocked price this year, or pay for unlocked price this year and get full upgrade price next year

seems like it makes more sense to get the unlocked version this year in anticipation of a full upgrade next year- you'll save $250

 

[curtoise]

i think this is a really good point, especially since at&t isn't giving early upgrade discounts anymore (to my understanding)

so, it's either use the early upgrade this year and pay full, unlocked price this year, or pay for unlocked price this year and get full upgrade price next year

seems like it makes more sense to get the unlocked version this year in anticipation of a full upgrade next year- you'll save $250

Where do you get the 250? I'm with you on using a full upgrade next year but curious about your math.