iPhone 6 on ATT

[rui no onna]

Well, that would be their decision to turn the phone in place of remaining payments (so it's not really surrendering it just like that, there's money that's being not spent because of that). In the example you provided, the balance is almost $200. And while they can potentially get more by selling the phone, for those who don't sell phones and just put them to the side or something like that, it might be a trade-off that would work better for them. If they decide to do that, that's on them--it's not set up to force them to do it or anything like that. I get that people might do it, but, still, that's their decision.

I agree. What I'm trying to say is it doesn't really matter that the masses don't see a $199 iPhone anymore. The $0 upfront and $20-25 monthly payments actually seems to be a much more successful lure for carriers.

Granted, Next/Edge with trade-in is probably a far better deal than charging to a credit card and only paying the minimum each month.

 

[C DM]

I agree. What I'm trying to say is it doesn't really matter that the masses don't see a $199 iPhone anymore. The $0 upfront and $20-25 monthly payments actually seems to be a much more successful lure for carriers.

Granted, Next/Edge with trade-in is probably a far better deal than charging to a credit card and only paying the minimum each month.

From that aspect of it, yes, I agree, and basically alluded to tha myself in some posts relating to that.

 

[ftaok]

Soon AT&T will stop subsidizing phones.

Once the true cost of an iPhone is revealed it could have a very negative impact on its sales.

On the flip side, getting rid of subsidies may have different affects to phone sales. I'm thinking both of these could be the case

1. Folks used to paying subsidies will go with a Next or Edge plan. They'll pay $0 up front and then pay their monthly rate. In 12/18/24 months, they trade in their phones for a new one and walk out with the same monthly payment. So now AT&T and VZ have gotten people to swap earlier and more net phones are sold.

2. Other folks, now seeing the true cost of a phone may go for a higher end model. After all, going from a 16GB iPhone to the 64GB one is only a 15% price increase, not a 100% increase.

So ultimately with these two scenarios, Apple and other phone manufacturers could see more phone sales at a higher selling price.

 

[bigdaddy223]

Is AT&T a good carrier?

 

[C DM]

On the flip side, getting rid of subsidies may have different affects to phone sales. I'm thinking both of these could be the case

1. Folks used to paying subsidies will go with a Next or Edge plan. They'll pay $0 up front and then pay their monthly rate. In 12/18/24 months, they trade in their phones for a new one and walk out with the same monthly payment. So now AT&T and VZ have gotten people to swap earlier and more net phones are sold.

2. Other folks, now seeing the true cost of a phone may go for a higher end model. After all, going from a 16GB iPhone to the 64GB one is only a 15% price increase, not a 100% increase.

So ultimately with these two scenarios, Apple and other phone manufacturers could see more phone sales at a higher selling price.

Many on Next/Edge will pay off their phones and keep them or sell them themselves as well.

 

[ftaok]

Many on Next/Edge will pay off their phones and keep them or sell them themselves as well.

Perhaps. I don't have any direct knowledge, but speaking from anecdotal evidence, I think more people will just turn their phones into AT&T or VZ when their Next/Wdge eligibility is met. I get questioned by my coworkers and friends all the time asking if they should just turn the phone in.

I tell them that they'll likely save money by paying off the phone and selling it themselves or selling it to Gazzelle or something. They all say "nah, too much hassle." even though they're leaving $50-$100 on the table.

Heck, I've suggrsted to one of my coworkers that he should replace his 3GS with a newer iPhone. He had it for 5 years and had been paying AT&T his full monthly rate he whole time. He didn't even use his subsidy.

Told him that he could keep using his 3GS and just sell the new phone.

His reply, too much hassle. He's a phd too

 

[C DM]

Perhaps. I don't have any direct knowledge, but speaking from anecdotal evidence, I think more people will just turn their phones into AT&T or VZ when their Next/Wdge eligibility is met. I get questioned by my coworkers and friends all the time asking if they should just turn the phone in.

I tell them that they'll likely save money by paying off the phone and selling it themselves or selling it to Gazzelle or something. They all say "nah, too much hassle." even though they're leaving $50-$100 on the table.

Heck, I've suggrsted to one of my coworkers that he should replace his 3G with a newer iPhone. He had it for 5 years and had been paying VZ his full monthly rate he whole time. He didn't even use his subsidy.

Told him that he could keep using his 3G and just sell the new phone.

His reply, too much hassle. He's a phd too

3G? As in iPhone 3G? That doesn't work on Verizon.

 

[rui no onna]

From that aspect of it, yes, I agree, and basically alluded to tha myself in some posts relating to that.

Yup, I know. You'll see my first reply was to whatos' comment implying "casual buyers deep in debt" will suddenly stop buying $199 iPhones once they realize it's actually $649.

However, the instant gratification mentality of such buyers will more than likely cause them to look at the $0 upfront and $22/mo (6 16GB, Next 24) to $32/mo (6+ 128GB, Next 24) installments and decide to buy more expensive models because it's just $10 more per month.

 

[filmbufs]

Thanks to those who replied to this thread, as it helped in formulating opinions or lead me to additional research. We signed up with ATT, doing a 1GB plan- something we will have to be judicious in monitoring, but feel is doable for us. If not, we'll bump up that plan later on. We're going with a 64GB iPhone 6.

Having looked at a myriad of rate/data plans out there, I came to the conclusion that all of the information on the various carrier's websites are purposely convoluted. Upon first glance, the information looks straightforward but there are so many nuances and exclusions that, no matter which way you look at it, it essentially favors the carriers. There just isn't a 'great' plan available from any carrier.

I can see how easy it is for consumers to be enamored with the $0 down/xx per month concepts, mainly because of the way they are expertly marketed. It's a concept that has proven to work in many industries and, if you're on a budget, it's easy to get caught up in the short term. But, as it has been said, once you do the calculations, and think long-term, you can see the true costs. Some will be fine with that, others won't. When the carriers stipulate that you can't pay down the amounts in advance, you soon realize how trapped you are into their scheme. Again, it all favors the carriers.

One day, hopefully, some company will truly simplify the process and create a truly fair rate/data package. How that will happen, I don't have a clue. But, should it ever happen, the industry will change dramatically and that ground-breaking company will be highly successful.

 

[ftaok]

3G? As in iPhone 3G? That doesn't work on Verizon.

Actually you're right. It was a 3GS, and he is on AT&T. You got eagle eyes man. Thank for the correction.

 

[rui no onna]

Thanks to those who replied to this thread, as it helped in formulating opinions or lead me to additional research. We signed up with ATT, doing a 1GB plan- something we will have to be judicious in monitoring, but feel is doable for us. If not, we'll bump up that plan later on. We're going with a 64GB iPhone 6.

Having looked at a myriad of rate/data plans out there, I came to the conclusion that all of the information on the various carrier's websites are purposely convoluted. Upon first glance, the information looks straightforward but there are so many nuances and exclusions that, no matter which way you look at it, it essentially favors the carriers. There just isn't a 'great' plan available from any carrier.

I can see how easy it is for consumers to be enamored with the $0 down/xx per month concepts, mainly because of the way they are expertly marketed. It's a concept that has proven to work in many industries and, if you're on a budget, it's easy to get caught up in the short term. But, as it has been said, once you do the calculations, and think long-term, you can see the true costs. Some will be fine with that, others won't. When the carriers stipulate that you can't pay down the amounts in advance, you soon realize how trapped you are into their scheme. Again, it all favors the carriers.

One day, hopefully, some company will truly simplify the process and create a truly fair rate/data package. How that will happen, I don't have a clue. But, should it ever happen, the industry will change dramatically and that ground-breaking company will be highly successful.

If you ignore the subsidies/installment plans and don't require personal hotspot or international roaming, Cricket Wireless has a $35 plan ($40 - $5 autopay discount) for unlimited talk, unlimited text and 2.5GB data per month. $45 gets you 5GB and $55 gets you 10GB. Technically, the plans are unlimited data. They just throttle you after those limits.

Of course, this does require you to be able to pay for your device in full or arrange for financing yourself if you can't afford the full amount. You used to be able to use Bill Me Later/PayPal Credit for no interest 6-24 month financing on Apple.com purchases. Alas, when I checked just now, there's a 12.99% APR for promotional purchases (regular APR is 19.99%).

Cricket is a subsidiary of AT&T so you get pretty much the same coverage. However, bandwidth is capped at 8Mbps which is plenty good enough unless you're using it for torrents or something. To be honest, AT&T's network is pretty congested where I am so Cricket's 8Mbps is only a mere 2Mbps slower than what I get from AT&T.