iPhone 12 Pro Should I buy iPhone 12 Pro Max through Verizon or Apple?

[badlydrawnboy]

I currently have an iPhone 11 Pro that I purchased through Verizon. I can't recall how I purchased it, but I think it was through the upgrade program. If I go to Verizon's website and start the process of buying a new phone, I'm offered the option of stopping payments on my current phone, returning it, and then paying 50% of the balance (which is $527, so 50% would be ~$264).

If I bought through Apple instead, how would it work? Is there any reason to consider Apple over Verizon?

 

[Bballrob]

I recommend neither. Go with AT&T

 

[Momof2.1107]

I’m buying outright with Apple so that my Verizon bill won’t go any higher than what it is now.

 

[quagmire]

Answer will depend if you want 12 Pro Max in Pacific Blue and 256 GB storage.

If it is, go Verizon so it leaves another unit for me...

If it isn't, go direct.

 

[now i see it]

The cellular providers love making a shell game out of hiding the true cost of buying a phone through them.
My advice: sell back your Verizon phone to Verizon and from now on, buy a new phone directly from Apple. No hidden costs

 

[timeconsumer]

I currently have an iPhone 11 Pro that I purchased through Verizon. I can't recall how I purchased it, but I think it was through the upgrade program. If I go to Verizon's website and start the process of buying a new phone, I'm offered the option of stopping payments on my current phone, returning it, and then paying 50% of the balance (which is $527, so 50% would be ~$264).

If I bought through Apple instead, how would it work? Is there any reason to consider Apple over Verizon?

If you buy from Apple you have the following options:

Buy Verizon model, pay off 50% of the loan trade in the phone for the new phone.

Buy Verizon model, pay full price and continue making payments on your existing phone.

Buy unlocked model, use Apple’s payment plan or buy outright.

I’d recommend getting out of the Verizon monthly payment game because you’re tied to Verizon. Unless Verizon wants to offer you a free iPhone by giving you monthly credits... If you want to make monthly payments switch over to Apple’s IUP: https://www.apple.com/shop/iphone/iphone-upgrade-program

 

[tekchic]

How are carrier orders these days? Every launch year it seems like I see plethora of posts with "I'll never order from a carrier again!"

I've always ordered straight from Apple. Last 4 times doing IUP (but skipped last year).

 

[Joho2078]

Im.buying the mini full retail from Apple.com

 

[archer75]

I always go direct through apple. So I never have any contracts with any carrier, phone is unlocked, and I can switch any time I wish.

 

[naturalstar]

If you bought the 11 Pro on the upgrade plan, Verizon will look for at least 50% paid before you’re upgrade eligible. If you are upgrading before the device is paid off then you will have to send back the 11 Pro or they will charge you the full amount. Basically, you can't get off the Verizon Upgrade Plan until you pay off the phone.

I'm done with monthly Verizon credits for the iPhone that really don't amount to anything being spread over 24 months. I'd rather get the full credit up front and a fairer value, so I paid off my 11 Pro Max with Verizon a few months ago. I'm going to purchase SIM free through Apple and sell the 11 Pro Max.

 

[badlydrawnboy]

Thanks, everyone. Sounds like the best option would be for me to trade in the 11 Pro to Apple and purchase the new 12 Pro Max through Apple with the IUP. Unfortunately, I have a few scratches on the screen of my 11 Pro, and Apple said they'll only give me $115 for it. I've been one of those weird "no case" people, but this time I think I'll get a case with the 12 Pro Max.

 

[tekchic]

Thanks, everyone. Sounds like the best option would be for me to trade in the 11 Pro to Apple and purchase the new 12 Pro Max through Apple with the IUP. Unfortunately, I have a few scratches on the screen of my 11 Pro, and Apple said they'll only give me $115 for it. I've been one of those weird "no case" people, but this time I think I'll get a case with the 12 Pro Max.

$115 for an 11 Pro? Whoa, what does it look like? I don't normally trade in, I prefer to sell outright if I didn't do an annual upgrade. But this year I don't want to deal with Craigslist/Swappa/FB Marketplace/etc due to covid, so I'm trading my XS Max 256gb Gold in to Apple for $370.

 

[badlydrawnboy]

I was surprised too. I’m going to do the IUP and then trade in my 11 Pro after. If that’s all Apple will offer I am pretty sure I can get more selling somewhere else. There are a couple of scratches on the bottom right corner but they aren’t huge cracks.

 

[Apple_Robert]

In my opinion, buying in full from Apple is better.

 

[TyG8]

I've purchased from Verizon in the past but will be doing the Applecard monthly payments through Apple this go around.

 

[4sallypat]

$115 seems very low.
I'd go Offer Up assuming it's paid for in full.

I got $500 for my 11 64GB on OfferUp - met at the carrier store - buyer used his own SIM to test and cash on the table!

 

[7thson]

I bought my XS outright from Verizon, via Target, because it was a better deal than buying from Apple. 10 months later when the mute switch malfunctioned, I didn’t have a local Apple store to take it to and would have had to send it to Apple for repair/replacement, leaving me without a phone while they fixed it. Took it to the Verizon store and they honored the one year warranty. They let me keep my XS until I received my replacement in the mail.

So while I think it’s better to buy from Apple, since I don’t have a local Apple store, it worked out better for me to buy it from Verizon. I don’t care for all the payment plan/upgrade plan shenanigans. I prefer to just buy it outright, although, I now recall Verizon won’t let you buy outright. You have to leave some $ on the balance, even if it’s just $50. Shenanigans...

 

[Greatniss]

I usually go through verizon, it literally takes me round 45 seconds to complete checkout, as I have done it via VZW app, mobile browser, on MacBook.

 

[jettie1767]

I'll return my 11 Pro Max to Verizon and use my $90 device reward I have with them thru the Verizon Up program to get the 12 Pro Max. I'm not sure if I went thru Apple and selected Verizon if it will see that $90 device reward so I'm just going to use the VZW app. I think going Apple or Verizon with the upgrade program doesn't matter since they both offer the same 24-mo no interest plan. If you have an Apple Card, you'll get the 3% cash back upfront but that's like only $30 so it's doesn't really materially affect my decision where to buy it.

 

[vegastime]

I have always gone with whoever goes live first. Usually it is Verizon. Never had a problem with Apple or Verizon until last year. I ordered from Verizon and used Apple Pay, and they had all kinds of problems with Apple Pay. Seems like a lot of other people had issues with Apple Pay, as well. Never got my order, or the second one they created that they claimed would "jump the line" so I would still get it on release day. Ended up getting lucky and finding one at a Best Buy store that was available for pick up on release day.

Hopefully Verizon has their Apple Pay issues sorted out, but not going to take a chance. Sticking with Apple this year.

 

[Momof2.1107]

I have always gone with whoever goes live first. Usually it is Verizon. Never had a problem with Apple or Verizon until last year. I ordered from Verizon and used Apple Pay, and they had all kinds of problems with Apple Pay. Seems like a lot of other people had issues with Apple Pay, as well. Never got my order, or the second one they created that they claimed would "jump the line" so I would still get it on release day. Ended up getting lucky and finding one at a Best Buy store that was available for pick up on release day.

Hopefully Verizon has their Apple Pay issues sorted out, but not going to take a chance. Sticking with Apple this year.

I’ve had a few transactions that I used Apple Pay for that were declined so I had to physically use the card. This year I’m not using Apple Pay but will use the card saved on file.