Carrier IUP vs AT&T Next

[clsmith]

What are the pros and cons of going with

Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program

vs

AT&T Next?


*Does it mess up my family members on the Next plan?

*AT&T billing implications?

*Activation fee?

*AppleCare?

*???

[My iPhone 7 from 2016 on AT&T Next is completely paid off]

 

[Mike75]

I've always used Next as I don't use apple care and they don't pull your credit.

 

[jtrue28]

-AppleCare+ is included with IUP
-No activation fee with IUP
-Has no effect on anyone else on your AT&T plan
-Your AT&T bill will be only for your phone/data/text plan...whatever that happens to be.

 

[smarks90]

What are the pros and cons of going with

Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program

vs

AT&T Next?


*Does it mess up my family members on the Next plan?

*AT&T billing implications?

*Activation fee?

*AppleCare?

*???

[My iPhone 7 from 2016 on AT&T Next is completely paid off]

I go through this each year and it seems each year sticking with NEXT is the easiest option. both are 0% interest and essentially cost the same in the long run if you purchase AppleCare+. I think Apple has finally worked out the kinks in the IUP issues that caused some to not get launch day phones during the iPhone7/7+ ordering spree two years ago. NEXT upgrade through Apple Store App has always worked smoothly for me <knocks on wood>. The IUP phones previously were the models that could work on any carrier, BUT this isn't really an issue this year as Apple only has 1 model for XS and 1 model for XS Max so that worry isn't really there. NEXT does have an option to spread payments out over 30 months if desired, lowering the price even more. I generally stick to the 24 month plan in the even that I do want to simply trade in my phone the following September. Generally, I pay it off and sell on Craigslist or pass along to a family member but having the option is nice.