Carrier iPhone upgrade program/AT&T question

[Tallgntlmn]

I've had AT&T since the old days of BellSouth Mobility. Switching carriers is not a real option. I was looking at my bill before the announcement yesterday. I think I am paying too much by a lot. I saw the following and that leads to my question.
Now: Talk (450 mins) $39; Data: $25 (2gb); Text: $20; Smartphone off contract: $0 Total: $84
Change: Talk (unl), Data (2gb), Text (unl): $30; Smartphone: $25 Total: $55.

Now the change plan smartphone thing for $25 has a footnote of: †If you upgrade a smartphone to a 2-year wireless contract, you will no longer be eligible for a monthly discount. To continue to receive a discount, upgrade with AT&T NextSM, bring your own smartphone or pay full price for a new smartphone.

That brings me to my question. If I use Apple's iPhone upgrade plan, will my bill stay as it would be if I change the plan? Would I lose the discount? I've read the debates about whether the Apple program is worth it. I've read the things about Next. I am still rocking a 4S and it is getting long in the tooth (3 years). I much prefer my work-issued 6. I just want to know would I lose that discount from having an owned phone if I used Apple's upgrade program.

 

[Oridus]

I've had AT&T since the old days of BellSouth Mobility. Switching carriers is not a real option. I was looking at my bill before the announcement yesterday. I think I am paying too much by a lot. I saw the following and that leads to my question.
Now: Talk (450 mins) $39; Data: $25 (2gb); Text: $20; Smartphone off contract: $0 Total: $84
Change: Talk (unl), Data (2gb), Text (unl): $30; Smartphone: $25 Total: $55.

Now the change plan smartphone thing for $25 has a footnote of: †If you upgrade a smartphone to a 2-year wireless contract, you will no longer be eligible for a monthly discount. To continue to receive a discount, upgrade with AT&T NextSM, bring your own smartphone or pay full price for a new smartphone.

That brings me to my question. If I use Apple's iPhone upgrade plan, will my bill stay as it would be if I change the plan? Would I lose the discount? I've read the debates about whether the Apple program is worth it. I've read the things about Next. I am still rocking a 4S and it is getting long in the tooth (3 years). I much prefer my work-issued 6. I just want to know would I lose that discount from having an owned phone if I used Apple's upgrade program.

You'll stay at $55/mo if you go through the Apple Upgrade program. You only lose that discount if you sign a 2-yr to get a discounted price on a phone through at&t, or an at&t authorized dealer.

With Apple, you're buying your phone at a third party, so at&t sees that as a "byod" type system, in which you will not lose the discount.

 

[Tallgntlmn]

You'll stay at $55/mo if you go through the Apple Upgrade program. You only lose that discount if you sign a 2-yr to get a discounted price on a phone through at&t, or an at&t authorized dealer.

With Apple, you're buying your phone at a third party, so at&t sees that as a "byod" type system, in which you will not lose the discount.

Cool. Thanks man. That pretty much means I'll be part of the zoo known as the Apple Store.

 

[Tammster]

Cool. Thanks man. That pretty much means I'll be part of the zoo known as the Apple Store.

I just confirmed this with AT&T. Purchasing the phone through apple's payment plan is the same as bringing your own phone, and is eligible for AT&T's "discount". I believe the discount would not be available only if you purchase from AT&T under a contract.

 

[realeric]

2 year contract is still cheaper for you. 2 year contract values $18.75/m (= ($650 - $200 down) / 24 month).

2 year contract = $71.88 ($30 data + $40/line + $45/24 activation fee) (-$200 downpayment)
off-contract or next = $74.50 ($30 data + $25/line + $18.75/line + $18/24 activation fee) (-$200 downpayment)

 

[Tallgntlmn]

2 year contract is still cheaper for you. 2 year contract values $18.75/m (= ($650 - $200 down) / 24 month).

2 year contract = $71.88 ($30 data + $40/line + $45/24 activation fee) (-$200 downpayment)
off-contract or next = $74.50 ($30 data + $25/line + $18.75/line + $18/24 activation fee) (-$200 downpayment)

Are you including unlimited text for 20 bucks in the on contract scenario or does AT&T not charge that anymore? I don't come close to 200 regular texts but don't ever want to pay a nickel per text if I do become good friends with someone without an iPhone.