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LaidBack

macrumors member
Original poster
Apr 6, 2011
57
1
I hope someone can clarify this assumption for me, because I have not joined the iPhone Upgrade Program.
I am concerned that upgrading to the next iPhone every year after making 12 payments isn't possible.
The program terms and conditions say that your first payment (taxes + first month's payment) is due when you sign up and receive the iPhone.
https://www.apple.com/legal/sales-support/iphoneupgrade_us/
I am unsure when payments 2 - 24 are due each month.
Assuming you are charged every month on the day you received the iPhone you would have at most 1 year - 1 day's time to upgrade to the next iPhone.
If you waited 1 year would you be charged 13 payments?
 
The rules say you can update 6 months after you start as long as you have made 12 payments. I haven't payed attention on when the payments hit my CC in relation to when I got the phone so unfortunately can't comment on that.

Doesn't matter how many payments you make other than the 12. Unless you pay the phone off, you have to turn in the old one. So timing your upgrade is important. The questioning becomes "how much do I owe" and "what will the street pay for my phone." Getting over $500 at 12 months is pretty good to me so that's why I upgraded to the 7 from my 6S.
 
Looking at my credit card statements, it looks like the Citizens One payments are indeed on the 25th (since the 6S released on the 25th and I got my 6S+ on release day). Since the 7 released earlier in the month, I had made my 12th payment on August 25th, but hadn't yet made my 13th payment. I think you're right though, if next year's phone releases later in the month I'll make 13 payments for the 7+.
 
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If everyone receives an email similar to Mr. Zarniwoop's, you may be refunded that 13th payment when forced to upgrade a couple of days after the previous year's renewal.
 
is it possible to join iUP in the middle of the year and just pay the difference on the spot?

You have to wait 6 months

  1. Early Upgrade Option. At any time six (6) months after the date of enrollment, you can become upgrade eligible by making advance payments so that you have paid the equivalent of at least twelve (12) installment payments under your Installment Loan plus any taxes and fees paid at the time of enrollment.
 
You mean pay full price with iUp without enrolling for the next year's payments?

If you buy a phone outright, you won't be part of IUP. If you buy your phones with cash or whatever you buy the thing with outright, there is no need for a program like IUP or AT&T NEXT or any of the other annual upgrade options. You just keep buying them when you want.

The issue this year is it was the first for Apple's IUP program and they may have messed up with execution. People on the program felt they should be able to upgrade to the iPhone 7 like Apple told them they would be able to in their IUP program. But everyone had to go to an Apple store to do so.
 
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