Carrier iPhone upgrade program - different carrier?

[kwandrews]

When I first did my upgrade program, I was with T-Mobile, no big deal. Now I am not with one of the major carriers (I am using Mint Mobile on the T-mobile network). When I look at getting pre-approved for this round, I have to choose one of the major 4 and then apparently have to have my number setup / transferred? I am confused on this. Can anyone shed light on this for me? I don't see anything in the FAQ on Apple's webpage. I Know I can just put my SIM in and be good to go, but I am still confused with having to choose one of the 4. Anyone else in this boat or run into it last year????

 

[kwandrews]

Well, I was finally able to get through via chat to Apple and ask directly. The conversation is below and I'm a bit frustrated to say the least. Any suggestions? It looks like for anyone using a carrier beyond ATT, Verizon or T Mobile (Sprint), the only options are:

1. Skip this upgrade and keep the phone you have in the upgrade program and wait until next year and leave the upgrade program (unless they change the carrier rules in 2021).
2. Pay off the phone you have on the upgrade program and then sell it for what you can get, then buy a new one outright. No upgrade program available.

Yes, I can just buy it but what I loved about the upgrade program has been not having to trade in, etc. and deal with that and the overall convenience of it. What a pain, it's a nice program, but this carrier limitation is crazy. I'm not paying T Mobile $70 a month for unlimited data when I get pretty much the same thing for $30 unlimited on Mint with 5G available now. That's almost a $500/year savings by not going with a big carrier.

TRANSCRIPT

• How may I assist you today?
• 
  Your Message: I have been using there iPhone upgrade program and it's time to upgrade again. In the past I was with T Mobile. However, earlier this year I switch to Mint Mobile (on the T mobile network). When I look at getting pre-approved for the upgrade, I can only choose one of the big 4 carriers OR leave the upgrade program carrier free? Do I have to switch back to one of the 4 carriers for 1 day to activate my phone with the upgrade program, then stop service and go back to Mint Mobile?
• 
  Your Message: if I do that, I loose 8 months of pre-paid service with them, not appealing
  
  
• 
  Agent's Message: Well The iUp Program does WorkOnly with the 4 Carriers at this time so It is your Personal Choice to Consider One of them.
• 
  Your Message: Argh. I understand you have no control over that. That is a real pain though and will lose customers as more and more people ditch the big 4
• 
  Agent's Message: The Other Option is to perhaps apply for the Apple Card and Purchase the iPhone with that and get it SIM Free. You get 3% cash back. Is that of interest to you?
• 
  Your Message: I have the Apple Card, but it doesn't' offer the upgradability or convenience of the upgrade program
• 
  Agent's Message: In your Situation this is correct.
• 
  Your Message: maybe next year, Apple will lose that crazy requirement to be with one of the big 4 (well really 3 since Sprint is no more) and open it to just activate with a US based carrier.
• 
  Agent's Message: I paid Full Price for My iPhone and the 3% cash back helped to pay for the Phone.
• 
  Your Message: yes. It's an option, but upgrading is a pain then and then I can't trade in this phone as easily without paying off the balance on the upgrade program...that's a mess
• 
  Your Message: that's the whole point of the program
• 
  Agent's Message: I Personally use one of the Big 3 due to the fact that my Hearing is a challenge and I Love the consistency of the quality of the Network.
• 
  Your Message: ok, thank you for the options, I understand you can't do anything about it, but maybe share this with whomever the more people you about this from.
• 
  Your Message: I liked T Mobile, but mint unlimited 5G for $30 is a bargain compared and the quality is the same as T Mobile as it's on the same network and towers. Oh well, thank you