iPhone Upgrade Program [MERGED]

[iPhonic]

I wonder if this will be available in Canada or not ?

 

[nburwell]

This is certainly tempting. I really didn't have much interest in upgrading my 6 to the 6s, but this could potentially convince me otherwise. I could sell my 6 and pay off a good chunk of the 6s right off the bat- if they permit partial lump sum payments that is.

 

[geoff5093]

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.

Did you actually do the math?

$32/mo for 12 months is $384. The 6S 16GB is $549 brand new. Add in $99 for AppleCare+ and the difference is $264. Do you think a 12 month old iPhone is only worth $264? You could sell it for a lot more yourself.

 

[macher]

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.

I'm in the same position with grandfathered unlimited data/2 year subsidy. My take is if we don't take the subsidy we are leaving $400'ish on the table.

 

[MuGeN PoWeR]

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.

yes credit check is required.

 

[yanki01]

more info here.

http://www.apple.com/shop/payment_plan

 

[MuGeN PoWeR]

Did you actually do the math?

$32/mo for 12 months is $384. The 6S 16GB is $549 brand new. Add in $99 for AppleCare+ and the difference is $264. Do you think a 12 month old iPhone is only worth $264? You could sell it for a lot more yourself.

correction it is $649.

 

[gabo864]

The reservation is only for people doing the Upgrade program with apple I believe, you are required to go into the store for a credit check! if you're buying through a carrier or buying outright you can have it delivered then.

 

[mattopotamus]

The reservation is only for people doing the Upgrade program with apple I believe, you are required to go into the store for a credit check! if you're buying through a carrier or buying outright you can have it delivered then.

That is the interesting part. By time people get to the appointment to do the upgrade plan the iPhone will be 8 weeks out for delivery. People had this experience with the apple watch. They thought reservations to try on the watch and buy would be a separate stock. It was not.

 

[EnJaNir]

Here is my quick break down comparing att next vs apple program

att: 849/24 = $35.375/month
apple: $40.75/month

+$5.375/month (+$129 over 24months)

Applecare is $99.00

After 24 months you are paying $30 more with the apple program. Is it worth it to have an unlocked phone on day 1 vs day 730?

 

[kybldmstr]

That is the interesting part. By time people get to the appointment to do the upgrade plan the iPhone will be 8 weeks out for delivery. People had this experience with the apple watch. They thought reservations to try on the watch and buy would be a separate stock. It was not.

If I go to the store and there is no stock I'm just gonna tell Apple they lost a customer and wait for the 7 because if this is the case it is kinda ridiculous

 

[pdxmatts]

Are people just assuming that you can't pay the full balance on the Apple plan and own the phone? I don't see why you can't if you decide not to upgrade in 12 mos.

 

[mattopotamus]

If I go to the store and there is no stock I'm just gonna tell Apple they lost a customer and wait for the 7 because if this is the case it is kinda ridiculous

I am almost certain that is what will happen.

 

[geoff5093]

correction it is $649.

No, it starts at $549.

Are people just assuming that you can't pay the full balance on the Apple plan and own the phone? I don't see why you can't if you decide not to upgrade in 12 mos.

Why would you want to?

24 months x $32 = $768 for a $648 phone with AppleCare.

 

[rui no onna]

I think one of the take-aways here is this appears to be the SIM-free model. You can switch carriers willy-nilly if you like. To me, that's the major appeal.

As for pricing, cost at trade-in is similar to Next 12 (just a wee-bit cheaper) but if you were planning on getting AC+ anyway, Apple's upgrade program is better. The iPhone Upgrade Program is slightly more expensive than Next 12 if you keep the phone for the whole 24 months and pay it off. Compared to MSRP + AC+, the upgrade program costs an extra $30 ($27.84). Of course, for those not interested in AC+, that's an extra $130 over MSRP.

Very smart of Apple to introduce this. It pretty much encourages never ending iPhone upgrades for a continuous revenue stream. Wonder if they plan on doing the same with the iPad. I also wonder if this will pave the way for selling refurb iPhones in the US.

 

[MuGeN PoWeR]

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.

this is what i am interested in. Pay the installment and keep the prepaid plan.

 

[MuGeN PoWeR]

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.

this is what i am interested in. Pay the installment and keep the prepaid plan.

 

[MuGeN PoWeR]

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.

this is what i am interested in. Pay the installment and keep the prepaid plan.

 

[b1scu1t]

One of the fine prints for this is, the phone needs to be with one of the 4 major carriers here in the US, may not work on MVNO's.

 

[rbf1138]

So basically it's still better for me to sell my Verizon, off-contract 6 and then pay full price for a 6S through Verizon, yes? Especially if I don't have/want AppleCare+?

 

[Blujelly]

Are there any upfront costs to pay? Or is it just a credit check then monthly payment for the iPhone.

 

[MuGeN PoWeR]

No, it starts at $549.




Why would you want to?

24 months x $32 = $768 for a $648 phone with AppleCare.

he was talking about iPhone 6s not the 6.

 

[Blujelly]

Are there any upfront costs to pay? Or is it just a credit check then monthly payment for the iPhone.

 

[jamezr]

If I go to the store and there is no stock I'm just gonna tell Apple they lost a customer and wait for the 7 because if this is the case it is kinda ridiculous

My understanding is you make the reservation to come into the store to apply for the Apple financing. I don't think you will walk out with a phone. But you will still need to preorder it. So they will be out of stock by then and shipping times will be 6 to 8 weeks out by then.

 

[rbf1138]

No, there are no upfront costs.