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Thing is these are two separate programs. Verizon's unlikely to "forgive" the remaining EDGE balance on your 6+ if you get a new device from Apple and not from Verizon. You're probably better off selling your 6+ and use the proceeds to pay off the Verizon EDGE balance.

Hmmmm I never thought of that, I thought with the Edge program you had to give the phone back regardless, but that makes sense if I pay it off then its mine to keep. I may wait to enroll into this program until the 7 comes out but I want to check with Verizon to see if I go through Apple to buy the phone, that would affect my plan to much. Thanks!!
 
At first I was intrigued with the apple plan of paying $40 a month for 64gb 6 plus…. But comparing to verizon edge and by doing the math it seems like a loss for sure…. Am I missing something?


With both plans you own the phone outright up payment completion…. Currently verizon is charging 35 for the 64 gb 6 plus which will be the same price when new one is released… so 35x24=$840 but you receive a statement credit of 20/month =$480 so the price of the phone over 2 years is really..$360


With apples plan you pay 40x24=960 and verizon will not give you that $480 credit over 2 years…… with both you can resell your phone when it is paid so if you pay the balance on verizon you can restart edge and sell your original phone for a profit…. What have I missed (i know applecare is included but if you add verizon insurance it is still significantly cheaper)??


This is incorrect. I just went in and talked to verizion. If you are done with your contract and you buy the phone through the apple plan the cost of the phone line is $20 per month not $40. The problem arises if you are still on contract. If you buy new phone outright or through the Apple plan and still have lets say 12 months left on your contract then you continue to pay $40 a month until contract end date then it drops to $20 a month.
 
I just went on Apple.com chat to ask some questions about the upgrade program'
The first question I asked if you will get your phone on release day if you do the reservation and here is the response:
That is a very good question! It is very possible that you’ll receive your iPhone on release day, however, that can vary depending upon demand. Once you make your reservation, you’ll learn at that time when you’ll be able to pick up the new iPhone.
I also asked if a credit check would be done when you make the reservation online:
At this time, there ins’t any indication stating that a credit check will be done during the reservation. Once you make the reservation to purchase at the store, the store assist with setting up the iPhone Upgrade Program at that time.
It seems like when you make the reservation it is like preordering it for instore pickup and your pickup date will be based on how many orders are in front of you for the store that you choose.
 
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If that's what they mean why didn't they say it? The current terms strongly imply you can't use Apple Finance to buy a phone without a postpaid carrier line, which excludes MVNO and prepaid (Cricket, MetroPCS) customers.
I think the key word here is activated. How will that happen unless you do it in store with either a new or existing line of service.
 
I've read through most of this thread, so I'm going to post my understanding and plan. Let me know if any part of this does not check out.

I currently have an iPhone 6 in contract. I can buy 6S with apples plan and not interrupt my service or pay any upgrade fees. ATT doesn't care what phone is being used as long as the bill is paid.

So I can sell my 6 and put a chunk of change in my pocket.

Walk out with my 6S and my monthly fee. After 12 months, if I choose to upgrade, I will check the remaining balance on the loan vs the value of the phone. If the value of the phone is higher, I will pay the full balance and sell it, take a profit, and start apples plan again from scratch. If the amount left to pay is higher than the value, I hand them my 6S (technically getting a higher market value than selling) and walk out with a 7.

If I don't want to upgrade, I continue the full 24 month payment and then own the phone outright and probably sell it and upgrade.

At this point ATT contract is expired and I have carrier freedom.

Thoughts?
 
I've read through most of this thread, so I'm going to post my understanding and plan. Let me know if any part of this does not check out.

I currently have an iPhone 6 in contract. I can buy 6S with apples plan and not interrupt my service or pay any upgrade fees. ATT doesn't care what phone is being used as long as the bill is paid.

So I can sell my 6 and put a chunk of change in my pocket.

Walk out with my 6S and my monthly fee. After 12 months, if I choose to upgrade, I will check the remaining balance on the loan vs the value of the phone. If the value of the phone is higher, I will pay the full balance and sell it, take a profit, and start apples plan again from scratch. If the amount left to pay is higher than the value, I hand them my 6S (technically getting a higher market value than selling) and walk out with a 7.

If I don't want to upgrade, I continue the full 24 month payment and then own the phone outright and probably sell it and upgrade.

At this point ATT contract is expired and I have carrier freedom.

Thoughts?
In your scenario, if the line you intend to use already has a phone attached under contract or financed....... You are in effect paying double for that line. One phone under contract or financed through AT&T and now one through Apple.
 
I think the key word here is activated. How will that happen unless you do it in store with either a new or existing line of service.
In what sense are unlocked GSM phones "activated"? They just need to have the sim installed, which does not require Apple's input. The CDMA phones are different of course since they require carrier whitelisting.
 
In your scenario, if the line you intend to use already has a phone attached under contract or financed....... You are in effect paying double for that line. One phone under contract or financed through AT&T and now one through Apple.

I see your point, but I paid (with subsidy) for my iPhone 6. The money is already gone.

Since I paid the subsidized price, I can probably sell the 6 for almost what I paid for it. Probably enough for a full year of iPhone payments
 
Yesterday I converted my grandfathered family plan (single line) to a 2gb mobile share plan.

Old Plan:
450 min - $39
2gb Data - $25
Unlimited Text - $10

After taxes - $65 after 26% discount

New Plan -
Unlimited Talk and Text
2gb Data - $25
Smart Phone access charge - $25

After taxes - roughly $45 after 26% discount

Now if I choose Apple's upgrade program I can upgrade every year with the cost of AppleCare+ included and I don't have to deal with selling my old phone. Works out for me
 
In what sense are unlocked GSM phones "activated"? They just need to have the sim installed, which does not require Apple's input. The CDMA phones are different of course since they require carrier whitelisting.
Correct except for Verizon phone. They are GSM unlocked as part of an agreement with the FCC to use 4G/LTE.
I guess what remains to be seen is if Apple is going to make us activate the phone in the store.
 
I just went on Apple.com chat to ask some questions about the upgrade program'
The first question I asked if you will get your phone on release day if you do the reservation and here is the response:
That is a very good question! It is very possible that you’ll receive your iPhone on release day, however, that can vary depending upon demand. Once you make your reservation, you’ll learn at that time when you’ll be able to pick up the new iPhone.
I also asked if a credit check would be done when you make the reservation online:
At this time, there ins’t any indication stating that a credit check will be done during the reservation. Once you make the reservation to purchase at the store, the store assist with setting up the iPhone Upgrade Program at that time.
It seems like when you make the reservation it is like preordering it for instore pickup and your pickup date will be based on how many orders are in front of you for the store that you choose.
I also chatted with them this morning. the specialist said getting the appointment on 9/12 does not reserve the phone.
 
A little help here for a senior citizen. I currently have a iPhone 5s under contract with AT&T until 12/30/15. At that point, as in the past, I would go to Apple and "buy" a new iPhone and be happy for full contract period. The thought being that after the contract ends I continue to pay a "fee" to AT&T hidden in my monthly service charge.

How does Apple offer change my options. In the real unsubsidized world I would prefer to continue with my beloved 5s and wait until it dies a natural death.
 
Correct except for Verizon phone. They are GSM unlocked as part of an agreement with the FCC to use 4G/LTE.
I guess what remains to be seen is if Apple is going to make us activate the phone in the store.
That becomes interesting because even if I'm an AT&T or T-Mobile customer I'd most likely want the Verizon model since it has more resale potential and handles all the LTE bands I need. Will they let me walk out without a Verizon line? If all they want is for me to pop in the sim and make sure the phone downloads its autoconfig that would be great, unless the new CDMA-specific 6S models won't download a GSM-only config. If they require doing something with my account that's another thing entirely.
 
I'd be all over this, but it sounds like...

A: You have to go into an Apple Retail store to take advantage of this program, which doesn't make much sense to me. Why not allow for the credit check online at time of purchase on Apple Online Store? Like more people these days, I make the majority if not all of my electronics purchases online, I really don't want to deal with the hassle of an Apple Retail Store around the launch of an iPhone.

B: For folks like me on prepaid carriers (i.e. Cricket), it sounds like you need to have service on one of the big 4 in order to be eligible for this program. Once again, doesn't make much sense. Why would Apple or Citizens One care about the service that you're using? As long as your credit worthiness is good you should be able to pay the monthly lease price and do with the phone as you please.
 
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So if I don't have an upgrade, can I still go through this route? I am confused because I am a business user on Verizon and I never have the opportunity to upgrade early since Apple doesn't deal with business customers

I'm AT&T and not Verizon, so YMMV, but I bought my iPhone 6 outright (Not through the NEXT plan) last year, so I have a year left on my two year contract. I stopped into the AT&T store yesterday and asked if there were any restrictions to me buying a new 6s Plus on the new Apple payment plan and switching it with my current phone. He told me no, the only obligation I have is that I finish the contracted time on my plan (because my phone was subsidized based on that two year contract), but I'm free to bring my own new device to the party whenever I wish. The only thing I'm not entitled to at this point is a subsidized price on a new phone.
 
That becomes interesting because even if I'm an AT&T or T-Mobile customer I'd most likely want the Verizon model since it has more resale potential and handles all the LTE bands I need. Will they let me walk out without a Verizon line? If all they want is for me to pop in the sim and make sure the phone downloads its autoconfig that would be great, unless the new CDMA-specific 6S models won't download a GSM-only config. If they require doing something with my account that's another thing entirely.
They went out of their way to say the phone was "unlocked". So to me that means it will work on any carrier. Just pop in a sim and it will get the network settings it needs from the sim that was inserted.
But who knows until people actually get their hands on them with firsthand experience.

But I agree with your logic.....I would get the Verizon model because it will add to the resale next year for the IP7 :) But I already have Verizon so to me the point is moot.
 
I also chatted with them this morning. the specialist said getting the appointment on 9/12 does not reserve the phone.
So you could make the appt on 9/12...show up on the 25th for your appt only to have apple tell you the phone is sold out? Doesn't sound right.
 
I'm AT&T and not Verizon, so YMMV, but I bought my iPhone 6 outright (Not through the NEXT plan) last year, so I have a year left on my two year contract. I stopped into the AT&T store yesterday and asked if there were any restrictions to me buying a new 6s Plus on the new Apple payment plan and switching it with my current phone. He told me no, the only obligation I have is that I finish the contracted time on my plan (because my phone was subsidized based on that two year contract), but I'm free to bring my own new device to the party whenever I wish. The only thing I'm not entitled to at this point is a subsidized price on a new phone.
But in your scenario....you are paying twice for that line on AT&T. Once for the 2 year contract ($40?)....then another fee from Apple for the new iPhone 6s. the amount varies depending on which iphone and what size you get but roughly another $40.
 
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They went out of their way to say the phone was "unlocked". So to me that means it will work on any carrier. Just pop in a sim and it will get the network settings it needs from the sim that was inserted.
But who knows until people actually get their hands on them with firsthand experience.

But I agree with your logic.....I would get the Verizon model because it will add to the resale next year for the IP7 :) But I already have Verizon so to me the point is moot.
My AT&T 6 works fine with Verizon.

Seems the gsm unlocked 6S is the best since it supports one more lte band compared to the Verizon one.
 
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They went out of their way to say the phone was "unlocked". So to me that means it will work on any carrier. Just pop in a sim and it will get the network settings it needs from the sim that was inserted.
The issue is the store procedure not the phone itself. If all they mean by "requires activation" is that I have a working sim I can use my current one and go my merry way. If Apple Upgrade requires an AT&T or T-Mobile account proper, rather than a sim that uses their network but is actually from one of their prepaid divisions or MVNOs, that would be a problem.
 
The issue is the store procedure not the phone itself. If all they mean by "requires activation" is that I have a working sim I can use my current one and go my merry way. If Apple Upgrade requires an AT&T or T-Mobile account proper, rather than a sim that uses their network but is actually from one of their prepaid divisions or MVNOs, that would be a problem.

Agreed!
 
Seems the gsm unlocked 6S is the best since it supports one more lte band compared to the Verizon one.
Yes, but that band is in limited rollout right now, and the Verizon model has better resale potential since it can be sold to both GSM and Verizon customers.
 
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