I've been on 2 years contracts with grandfathered unlimited data. Before I could just get my iPhone (and cell plan) through Apple, but I hear things have changed, so that's not the case. Will AT&T continue to offer 2 years contracts with grandfathered unlimited data or are they pushing people to these Next plans. Will I have to get my iPhone through AT&T now? I'm unclear as to what has changed?
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How will getting an AT&T cell plan differ this year?
- Thread starter wlow3
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C DM pretty much answered this exactly right. Now, if getting the new phone every year is important to you, you are able to do NEXT on your grandfathered plan. We won't make anyone give that plan up. It just really makes more sense to do a 2-year on the plan you currently have.
You (and I) are lucky we held on to our grandfathered unlimited plan as you can buy the iPhone at the subsidized price by just signing a new contract. You monthly bill will not change and you do not have to be locked into the NEXT program. You will save some serious money and get to eat your cake, too!
Sounds good to me.
Unfortunately, though, it looks like I will have to buy it from AT&T to upgrade (2 year subsidized).
Typically, AT&T Stores' iPhone launch selection is rather slim compared to the Apple Store.
It's been my experience that the higher end (64 gb+) are in short supply there (AT&T).
If someone has a current/different experience (mine was 2 years ago) I'm sure they will post.
I'm in your same situation. I usually pre-order through AT&T's website, and I haven't had a problem. I stay up and start trying as soon as the open up the site, but I would rather do that then wait in line. I'm an S model girl, so my last iPhone purchase was 2 years ago, but I plan to do the same thing again this time.
Has anyone had a good experience (getting a 64gb+ iphone on launch day) preordering an iPhone and receiving the phone on launch day?
Can you share more about your experience ordering via AT&T? How many times have you done it? How long did it usually take for the order to go through? It'll be my first time ordering via AT&T this year because I'm trying to keep my 2yr unlimited contract.
I don't know where you guys are but on Long Island I've had nothing but luck getting higher gb iPhones on release day. The lower gb seem to be in short supply and go quickly. I'm wondering how this will go this year considering I think the higher gb phones lasted longer because of the $100 intervals in between models. People may have been more comfortable paying $199 for a phone with a 2 year contract as opposed $399. Now with the Next plans being shoved down everyone's throats and the difference between specs is like $5-$10 I'm curious to see if more of the higher gb phones go quicker...
Long ago I tried to use ATT for my upgrades but their site was overwhelmed the minute they went on sale. Apple is a better bet as they buy massive amount of 3rd party server time to handle their sales and are still very busy. If you are wanting to get the subsidy, ATT is your only choice and you will have to be patient. This year will be really bad for ATT as they have a lot of people looking for a subsidy that can only be had at their site.
I'm on a month-to-month premier plan through AT&T and I just did a test run on Apple's site and to see if I could upgrade and it says I have to go through AT&T...
Guess I either bite the bullet and try and see how AT&T's premier site is on preorder day or call and cancel my premier discount so I can order through Apple.
Guess I either bite the bullet and try and see how AT&T's premier site is on preorder day or call and cancel my premier discount so I can order through Apple.
I'm still on the 2 year plan with Unlimited data. Thinking of moving to NEXT and keeping my unlimited data. Just not sure which way benefits me or are they the same. Its difficult to work the numbers as it is so confusing to me.
I've never pre ordered through AT&T's web site. Do you recall if the pre orders started about the same time they opened up on the Apple Store online?
No problems here getting the higher gb phones at the Apple Store but at the AT&T stores they seem to be in short supply and have a smaller choice of colors.
I'm sure there are those who will disagree with what I'm about to say but . . .
Under the NEXT plan you are paying full price for your phone in installments. And I think (could be wrong on this) that you are obligated to turn it in before getting the next new model.
Under the 2 year contract you pay a reduced price, upfront, for your phone. There are those that claim that the 2 year subsidized plan have "hidden costs" that bring the total cost of the phone to full price but I don't believe that is true. I've, actually, been to the AT&T store and the monthly costs they quoted to me were the same whether I was under the NEXT plan or under a 2 year contract.
Or if you want a new phone every year,I took the advise of an AT&T agent and got a dummy line for $10 per month,which enables me to upgrade every year.That was 3 years ago.
How so? If it's just an add-on line to your account that you are paying for, where's something that's fraudulent there?
It's just for the reps. If you personally request it that's fine, but adding a line to an account pays commission the that representative. They want to make sure that reps aren't doing this for self gain. That's all =]
How are you upgrading. If you pay $10 month for the line? You still have to pay the monthly fee on the iPhone.
Listen, at this point I'm done explaining how it works. It clearly does not translate through a message board. I work for the company, I know what I'm talking about. Bottom line, period, if you understand the new plans great, if not, you don't. Regardless though, heads up... By next year no matter what plan you have, NEXT will be your only option. All the carriers are moving that direction. Hate to be the bearer of bad news. Might as well just do it while you still can choose rather than being forced into only one option.
I pay $10 per month for the line,period.So over 2 years,$240 + a small tax every month. It allows me to add a phone on that line just as I would add a phone on the line I use. There are no minutes or data on the dummy line.
So then why have we already been warned that they are taking away two year options? Everyone has a choice now. Yes. All I said was that if you understand how next works that's great, if you don't, fine. But I am telling you, we have already received internal communication that two year contracts will be going away. That's just a fact. I'm not predicting the future lol
Hi, since you work for the company maybe you can explain this. I went to the Apple website and saw the "Next" plan as the only offer. I'm not understanding how this saves money, compared to getting a substantially reduced price on the phone up front, compared to an extra $35 a month for 24 months (counter-intuititively labeled an 18 month plan). Is the phone mine at the conclusion of the 24 months, or am I required to turn it in for a replacement when the iPhone 7S comes out?
The at&t rep I spoke with on the phone said my grandfathered unlimited data would still be available, regardless of which plan I go with, but I needed to get the phone from at&t to get the 2 year contract I'm accustomed to. If I have to turn in the phone with the "Next" plan, I don't think that's as desirable.
Also, I've always bought the phone from Apple, is the at&t store getting the same colors and storage capacities?
Thank you for your response.