Apple's website is up now and I don't see the option for there upgrade program without buying from carrier's upgrade plan
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPhone Upgrade Program [MERGED]
- Thread starter kybldmstr
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I believe this is how it works:
Pay $32/month for 16gb iPhone 6s, trade it in to Apple when the iPhone 7 is released, then continue to pay $32/month for the base iPhone 7.
So you perpetually pay $32/month (or more for a better model) to Apple for the ability to annually upgrade.
I quite like this compared to the carrier's new model. Not a terrible deal at all frankly.
Pay $32/month for 16gb iPhone 6s, trade it in to Apple when the iPhone 7 is released, then continue to pay $32/month for the base iPhone 7.
So you perpetually pay $32/month (or more for a better model) to Apple for the ability to annually upgrade.
I quite like this compared to the carrier's new model. Not a terrible deal at all frankly.
If one gets the option to pay the phone off and own it out right, i am going with this instead of the carrier.
I am guessing they will be doing a credit check for this? The reason I ask is my credit took a hit in the past year or so. I am a full time Grad student and am having trouble paying on old credit cards. I am a current Verizon customer and can even still charge to my account, but I doubt I would pass a new credit check. Any idea how strict the credit check would be?
The site is up now
http://www.apple.com/shop/iphone/iphone-upgrade-program
6S 6S+
16GB $32.41/mo. $36.58/mo.
64GB $36.58/mo. $40.75/mo.
128GB $40.75/mo. $44.91/mo.
It seems a little pricey?
http://www.apple.com/shop/iphone/iphone-upgrade-program
6S 6S+
16GB $32.41/mo. $36.58/mo.
64GB $36.58/mo. $40.75/mo.
128GB $40.75/mo. $44.91/mo.
It seems a little pricey?
I'm guessing you can upgrade the phone at the time of your choosing and have to pay whatever is left on a 24 month period from the date of your last upgrade if you decide to cancel.
Seems like a win for people who don't want the hassle of selling their old phones. Not as clear for people who don't mind doing it themselves.
Seems like a win for people who don't want the hassle of selling their old phones. Not as clear for people who don't mind doing it themselves.
This is going to turn out like the applewathc. You will make a reservation to do the upgrade plan, get to the store, and they direct you to buy the phone online, and it is sold out.
"You can make a reservation online, starting at 12:01 a.m. PDT on September 12, to buy in store. We’ll help you get set up with the iPhone Upgrade Program."
Same as Next program, you pay monthly and if you chose the 12mo plan, you can upgrade, turn in your phone and start over with a new phone. Here is what it says on the Apple site: After 12 installments, you can get a new iPhone and start a new iPhone Upgrade Program. No more waiting for your carrier contract to end. Just trade in your current iPhone for a new one, and your new program begins.
It looks like it's with Citizens bank. I am not sure i am going to want a credit check on a device payment plan when i could do the same through the carrier.
It say on the Apple website that "The iPhone Upgrade Program is financed through Citizens One Personal Loans-Subject to eligibility"......so it might be a credit only program.
Even if you account for that it seems like this is not interest free like the plans from the carriers? Apple Care + is $99 now for the 6S and the phone is $749 (for a 64gb AT&T - perhaps unlocked are more?). That is $848 vs $877.92 for the installment plan from Apple.
Right now I just sell my old phone each year and pay an early upgrade fee to AT&T which makes the net cost each year about $250 but I am constantly locked in a 2 year contract.
It might be a good option but I need to research it some more.
You'll get to keep the phone once 24 monthly installments have been paid. If you keep upgrading every year, you will starting from zero every time you upgrade.
Last edited:
T-Mobile seems to be the way to go. Upgrade 3 times in a year sans the warranty. I bet it's less than this.
16GB $32.41/mo. $36.58/mo.
64GB $36.58/mo. $40.75/mo.
128GB $40.75/mo. $44.91/mo.
16GB $32.41/mo. $36.58/mo.
64GB $36.58/mo. $40.75/mo.
128GB $40.75/mo. $44.91/mo.
Same as Next program, you pay monthly and if you choose the 12mo plan, you can upgrade after 12 mos, turn in your phone and start over with a new phone. Apple's plan includes unlocked phone and AppleCare+.Here is what it says on the Apple site: After 12 installments, you can get a new iPhone and start a new iPhone Upgrade Program. No more waiting for your carrier contract to end. Just trade in your current iPhone for a new one, and your new program begins.
I am talking with apple now but it looks like when we reserve a time to go in and set up upgrade plan we can reserve a model. So we will be able to get phones on launch day
What Apple is basically doing is taking the installment(NEXT, Edge, etc) price and turning it into a service.
I pay $42/month for my 64GB Plus on NEXT over 20 months, which is basically an interest-free loan. So if I'm the person that trades in my phone after the 12th payment and upgrade via NEXT, then this feels no different.
To me it's not worth it, since at least with installments that money is going towards the cost of the phone and you can pay it off and own if you choose. With this, you're just blowing money to Apple. Again, if you are upgrading every year it literally makes no difference to your Wallet.
At first, I thought the Apple plan was better than ATT Next. NOT. Do the math on a 24 month plan. Either outright purchase for me, or Next. Only big advantage of Next is the guaranteed sale/upgrade in 12 months. Outright purchase means I would have to sell my old one. (easy for many of you)
So the iPhone programs I assume you buy an upfront fee then monthly payments over 12 months.
At the end can swap for new and also have to pay another upfront cost?
At the end can swap for new and also have to pay another upfront cost?
People are missing an important piece. You cannot do next, edge, or whatever with prepaid plans. This is made for people on prepaid plans.
I can keep my $45 att plan and just pay apple for the phone monthly. $80 out the door and I will have a new iPhone always and service.
I don't think that is even possible at that price from a carrier.
I can keep my $45 att plan and just pay apple for the phone monthly. $80 out the door and I will have a new iPhone always and service.
I don't think that is even possible at that price from a carrier.