iPhone 13 Pro Max iPhone 13 Pro Max through ATT

[seanerin]

Hey folks,

I have had my iPhone X since 2017. It’s such a great phone and I had no real interest in upgrading…until I went to Best Buy and fooled around with the 13. I actually really fell for the Pro Max. That screen! Oh my!

Anyway, I am on an unlimited plan with ATT and am thinking about upgrading using their trade in deal. The only real negative here is that I would have to stay with ATT for 36 months to get the full benefit of the deal, correct? Am I missing something? The deal just sounds too good to be true ($16 a month for a 512 gb pro max).
Thank you.

 

[julit0]

Looks about right on your numbers. The main issue is that you’re locked in for 3 years with no upgrading. If you see the 14 or 15, etc., you’ll probably have to buy out your 13PM up to full cost to get out from under it. Also, you have no AppleCare+ or ATT protection plan on that phone included.

You should look at your data plan, too, as you will need a 5G capable data plan and your X isn’t 5G. So you may have to buy into a more expensive data plan - if you want to take full advantage of 5G.

 

[kanshu]

Careful with the fine print.

If you go with AT&T's Trade-in program you'll be forced to upgrade to their newer Unlimited Plan (Elite, Extra, and Starter). Unless, of course, if you're already in their newer unlimited plan then it's not a problem.

All their previous Unlimited plans (Unlimited &More) include 5G service and you do not have to upgrade to their newer plans.

 

[seanerin]

Thanks for the replies. I am currently on the unlimited elite plan and have been for some time. I have been paying for a 5G plan without a 5G phone; I know, silly.

Another question or two: Suppose the 14 comes out and it is the revolutionary upgrade many are expecting. Could I trade the 13 Pro into Apple, even though I am still paying ATT's installment plan? AND would ATT have a problem with me using a phone other than the 13 Pro on the line?

I have searched up these types of posts here and it seems there has been some uncertainty. Perhaps over the past month there has been some clarity.

Thank you!

 

[titoaida2078]

Thanks for the replies. I am currently on the unlimited elite plan and have been for some time. I have been paying for a 5G plan without a 5G phone; I know, silly.

Another question or two: Suppose the 14 comes out and it is the revolutionary upgrade many are expecting. Could I trade the 13 Pro into Apple, even though I am still paying ATT's installment plan? AND would ATT have a problem with me using a phone other than the 13 Pro on the line?

I have searched up these types of posts here and it seems there has been some uncertainty. Perhaps over the past month there has been some clarity.

Thank you!

No you can’t

 

[Mr. Jenkins]

Careful with the fine print.

If you go with AT&T's Trade-in program you'll be forced to upgrade to their newer Unlimited Plan (Elite, Extra, and Starter). Unless, of course, if you're already in their newer unlimited plan then it's not a problem.

To the OP: Certain older umlimited plans can be applied to the promo. If you have some sort of unlimited plan already, I would advise you talk to AT&T customer service to find out if your current unlimited plan qualifies for the promo.

In the fine print, it also says that certain unlimited plans that AT&T no longer offer may also qualify, which made me ask if my current unlimited plan qualified. I already have an older unlimited plan (not too old, maybe 4 years) which was a qualified unlimited plan under the current promo deal.

 

[Mr. Jenkins]

I also have an iPhone X that I am trading in for an 13 Pro Max. For me, it was only positive. I was looking upgrade my device already. It's not likely that I would be switching carriers and I usually keep my phones for about 3 years anyway. I thought it was the best deal I was gonna find for a nearly-4 year old phone to get a new device.

To get the full benefit of the deal, yes, you have to stay with AT&T for 36 months and you also have to remain on the installment plan the full 36 months. If you decide that you want to pay off the balance of the phone earlier than the 36 months, you will lose the remainder of the bill credits.

 

[seanerin]

Thank you. So, now the question is should I do the ATT trade-in deal through ATT or through Apple? Seems that I would get the phone in a couple of days through ATT, but a few weeks through Apple. Mr. Jenkins, which route did you choose?

 

[BeatCrazy]

Thanks for the replies. I am currently on the unlimited elite plan and have been for some time. I have been paying for a 5G plan without a 5G phone; I know, silly.

Another question or two: Suppose the 14 comes out and it is the revolutionary upgrade many are expecting. Could I trade the 13 Pro into Apple, even though I am still paying ATT's installment plan? AND would ATT have a problem with me using a phone other than the 13 Pro on the line?

I have searched up these types of posts here and it seems there has been some uncertainty. Perhaps over the past month there has been some clarity.

Thank you!

As long as you pay off the remainder of the installment plan (to AT&T) you can trade it into Apple for a 14 (or whatever).

 

[Mr. Jenkins]

Thank you. So, now the question is should I do the ATT trade-in deal through ATT or through Apple? Seems that I would get the phone in a couple of days through ATT, but a few weeks through Apple. Mr. Jenkins, which route did you choose?

I considered both options of getting it through Apple and through AT&T. My original plan was to just buy the phone outright from Apple and trade in my iPhone X for up to $200 off the purchase price. I could have also taken advantage of the AT&T deal when buying through Apple also.

I ultimately went through AT&T because going through Apple's website would have forced me to change my current plan, which I didn't want to do. Without my add-ons, my current plan in its bare-bones offers the same exact thing as AT&T's highest priced unlimited plan cost except mine is slightly cheaper. Also, with my current plan it's significantly cheaper to add more lines to my account over AT&T's current unlimited plan. I didn't want to pay more for what was essentially the same thing. Apple's website did not view my current unlimited plan as one of the qualifying and would required me to change my plan. I spoke to an AT&T rep, and they checked, and told me my current plan qualifies for the promo so I went through AT&T.

Additionally, I think if I ordered through Apple, I'd still be waiting for my phone to be delivered.

Lastly, if I recall correctly, AT&T promo deal ends 10/14 so don't wait too late.

 

[sjperformance]

Hi. AT&T subscriber here for last 10 years. I posted this explanation on another thread last week. I haven't been inside an AT&T store for many years now. All these trade in deals from these carriers is great for those who don't upgrade every year. For those who upgrade every year I suggest apple upgrade (if your credit permits) or for AT&T the next plan. Last year I got my mom an iPhone 12. Traded in her 8 plus. Thing is my mom doesn't care to upgrade every year. I get her a new phone every 2-3 years. I pay for her cell phone bill/phone too. All she cares is that she has great service and a good running phone. I also don't plan on leaving AT&T anytime soon. In Miami AT&T is king. Also with AT&T that iPhone is locked until paid for. Buying from apple they are no sim restrictions (unlocked). To me the cost isn't worth it if you planning to upgrade within a year and I'm sure you will when you see the i14. For situations like my mom is well worth it.

 

[IconIc215]

As long as you pay off the remainder of the installment plan (to AT&T) you can trade it into Apple for a 14 (or whatever).

or if you opt for the additional Next program fee of $5 per month you can upgrade after 18 months have elapsed. So come next September, you would make a one time payment for whatever the amount of 6 months would be to become line eligible vs paying off the full remainder of the installment loan.

 

[yukari]

I don't upgrade often. Maybe every 2-3 years. And I have been with AT&T for the last 15 years or so, and I don't see that changing.

So it was a no brainer for me. I went with AT&T's trade-in program. Before, I use to buy iPhones outright through Apple. But with this trade-in program, I got a new 13 mini 256G free by trading in my XR.