How is AT&T Next a Good Deal? You End Up Paying More

[spinedoc77]

Next is nice IMO also if you want a new phone every year. I can have a new $850 phone once a year by paying $35/month forever. So I'm paying about $420 per year for a $850 phone which would probably sell for $350 a year later. If you just look at that then you are fairly even. But add the $40 activation fee every 2 years, the $299 up front cost and the $25/month extra you are going to pay and the fact you are getting a new phone every 1 year instead of every 2.

Next:
$0 up front
$35/month x 12. Months = $420, or $840 for 2 years with TWO (2) new phones.

Contract:
$299 up front
$40 activation fee / 2 = $20
$25/month for 12 months = $300
Total for 1 year = $620, or total for 2 years = $1240 - $300 (optimistic after 2 years) resale value = $940 for ONLY one phone. If you wanted a new phone once a year add $850 - $350 resale value = $500 + $940 = $1440.

That's a pretty big difference, with another advantage is that I don't have to mess with Ebay fees, or getting mugged off of Craigslist. I just choose my new phone every year and enjoy it.

 

[Shockwave78]

Basically this

Price to have subsidized phone on plan = $40 per month

Price to have next plan phone on plan. = $15 a month.


With me its a no brainer, I will pay the 6+ off in a coue weeks. I will be paying $15 a month instead of $40 for the line access fee then.

 

[Phonesurfer]

Next is nice IMO also if you want a new phone every year. I can have a new $850 phone once a year by paying $35/month forever. So I'm paying about $420 per year for a $850 phone which would probably sell for $350 a year later. If you just look at that then you are fairly even. But add the $40 activation fee every 2 years, the $299 up front cost and the $25/month extra you are going to pay and the fact you are getting a new phone every 1 year instead of every 2.

Next:
$0 up front
$35/month x 12. Months = $420, or $840 for 2 years with TWO (2) new phones.

Contract:
$299 up front
$40 activation fee / 2 = $20
$25/month for 12 months = $300
Total for 1 year = $620, or total for 2 years = $1240 - $300 (optimistic after 2 years) resale value = $940 for ONLY one phone. If you wanted a new phone once a year add $850 - $350 resale value = $500 + $940 = $1440.

That's a pretty big difference, with another advantage is that I don't have to mess with Ebay fees, or getting mugged off of Craigslist. I just choose my new phone every year and enjoy it.

You assume that when it's time to trade in your phone the new phone will cost "$35/mo forever"... But is this the case? PER ATT "Important Note
Monthly installment charges are determined by the full retail price of the smartphone divided by 20 monthly payments (AT&T Next 12) or 24 monthly payments (AT&T Next 18)." " Upgrade Option: Req's payment of 12 installments on 20 mth agmt/ 18 installments on 24 mth agmt, acct in good standing, trade-in of your financed device in good condition, & purchase of new elig. device w/qual. wireless svc. After upgrade, unbilled installments are waived. Coverage & svcs not avail. everywhere. Other restr's apply & may result in svc termination. ..". Sounds good, but what the terms/price are of the new contract is whatever they want it to be... so, you can upgrade early, with the old fees waived, but then you either accept whatever new price/ terms on the new contract they have, or what? Hang in there with your old phone and continue the final payments.... ??? So naturally as someone who wants early upgrades, you will be inclined to accept whatever terms/price they put in front of you for the new phone... They got ya by the kahonas, don,t they? As opposed to having a contract free phone with the freedom to switch....

 

[spinedoc77]

You assume that when it's time to trade in your phone the new phone will cost "$35/mo forever"... But is this the case? PER ATT "Important Note
Monthly installment charges are determined by the full retail price of the smartphone divided by 20 monthly payments (AT&T Next 12) or 24 monthly payments (AT&T Next 18)." " Upgrade Option: Req's payment of 12 installments on 20 mth agmt/ 18 installments on 24 mth agmt, acct in good standing, trade-in of your financed device in good condition, & purchase of new elig. device w/qual. wireless svc. After upgrade, unbilled installments are waived. Coverage & svcs not avail. everywhere. Other restr's apply & may result in svc termination. ..". Sounds good, but what the terms/price are of the new contract is whatever they want it to be... so, you can upgrade early, with the old fees waived, but then you either accept whatever new price/ terms on the new contract they have, or what? Hang in there with your old phone and continue the final payments.... ??? So naturally as someone who wants early upgrades, you will be inclined to accept whatever terms/price they put in front of you for the new phone... They got ya by the kahonas, don,t they? As opposed to having a contract free phone with the freedom to switch....

You just continue your current plan. At least with ATT I've never known them to force you off your plan once you get it. You aren't guaranteed anything after a 2 year subsidized contract either.

 

[Knowimagination]

You assume that when it's time to trade in your phone the new phone will cost "$35/mo forever"... But is this the case? PER ATT "Important Note
Monthly installment charges are determined by the full retail price of the smartphone divided by 20 monthly payments (AT&T Next 12) or 24 monthly payments (AT&T Next 18)." " Upgrade Option: Req's payment of 12 installments on 20 mth agmt/ 18 installments on 24 mth agmt, acct in good standing, trade-in of your financed device in good condition, & purchase of new elig. device w/qual. wireless svc. After upgrade, unbilled installments are waived. Coverage & svcs not avail. everywhere. Other restr's apply & may result in svc termination. ..". Sounds good, but what the terms/price are of the new contract is whatever they want it to be... so, you can upgrade early, with the old fees waived, but then you either accept whatever new price/ terms on the new contract they have, or what? Hang in there with your old phone and continue the final payments.... ??? So naturally as someone who wants early upgrades, you will be inclined to accept whatever terms/price they put in front of you for the new phone... They got ya by the kahonas, don,t they? As opposed to having a contract free phone with the freedom to switch....

If you are doing next on a mobile share plan you don't have a contract and you can leave at any time.