Good point. I'll be curious about this too.
An unlocked phone is very tempting, but going to the store and (probably) waiting in a long line again on launch day is absolutely not even remotely appealing to me.
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Switch from ATT Next to Apple Upgrade Program
- Thread starter redman042
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Good point. I'll be curious about this too.
An unlocked phone is very tempting, but going to the store and (probably) waiting in a long line again on launch day is absolutely not even remotely appealing to me.
If you plan on trading in every 12 months with the iPhone Upgrade Program through Apple, then overall it is cheaper than Next 12. If you do not trade in after 12 months and plan on riding out the entire contract with Apple, then its more expensive because you have the additional AppleCare+ cost. For a 64GB 6s, Apple is charging $36.58, AT&T is charging $37.45. So after 12 months you save about $12 on that particular model. It isn't till month 20 that you start paying more on the Apple program (AppleCare+).
I was going to do another Next 12 program, but Apple Upgrade is a better option for me, because I do upgrade yearly and I like the idea that I get AppleCare+ for $12 cheaper that just AT&T Next alone.
I was going to do another Next 12 program, but Apple Upgrade is a better option for me, because I do upgrade yearly and I like the idea that I get AppleCare+ for $12 cheaper that just AT&T Next alone.
I was wrong - as others mentioned, you get the $25 discount as long as you aren't on a 2 year contract. That means you get it if you're on a next plan or buy a phone off contract
There's no way a hard inquiry would increase your score. What probably happened is that your score was about to go up anyway due to other factors. Without that inquiry, it probably would have gone up more than 15 points by the time you checked it again.
I'm also curious how many credit checks it will take if you're buying more than one iPhone from Apple using the upgrade program. I would hope they don't check your credit 4 times to get 4 phones for your family members.
I would say that if you're buying multiple phones and already have a well-established AT&T account, it's probably safer to go with NEXT 12.
I was thinking of switching from Next to the Upgrade Program but going to stay with Next. My concern is that there is not enough information for the Upgrade Program and I don't want to have to "hope" that there is a reservation open on launch day, and then go find a parking spot, stand in line, get checked in with an employee, start the purchase, run a credit check, hope that all works out and finally walk out with a 6s. I will order Next via apple.com and have it delivered on launch day. Very simple for me!!!
Or if you don't have unlimited data. Im not on contract, but I have unlimited. Therefore, I get no discount.
I would imagine that after 2 years in the program you are going to be charged for another AppleCare+. Or if you trade yearly, they will tack on 1/2 the cost to the balance due.
I doubt its pay once and have AppleCare as long as you want.
Update....nevermind. If you are paying the same and they tack on a year then you are paying for one more year of Applecare.
I doubt its pay once and have AppleCare as long as you want.
Update....nevermind. If you are paying the same and they tack on a year then you are paying for one more year of Applecare.
I'm missing something here.
Besides the reasons of 1) not wanting to deal with a retail store, 2) not wanting to deal with 2 bills every month, 3) worried about a credit check, why would you NOT switch to the Apple Upgrade program?
I always get the newest iPhone when it's released. I'm currently on AT&T Next 12 with a 64 GB iPhone 6 Plus. I just paid off the device by making a one-time payment that covers the last 8 payments ($339.60). The unlocked 64 GB iPhone 6 Plus appears to be worth at least $600 on eBay.
My options for pre-order are:
Apple Upgrade Program: $40.75 per month for 12 months = $489.00
AT&T Next 12: $42.45 per month for 12 months = $509.40
The Apple program gives me the benefit of an unlocked phone and AppleCare+.
I understand that the Apple Upgrade program is 20 payments and AT&T Next 12 is 18 payments, but that doesn't matter if you plan to always upgrade to the newest phone (which I do).
So by switching to Apple Upgrade, I'm saving $20.40 and gaining an unlocked phone and AppleCare+.
Right?!
Besides the reasons of 1) not wanting to deal with a retail store, 2) not wanting to deal with 2 bills every month, 3) worried about a credit check, why would you NOT switch to the Apple Upgrade program?
I always get the newest iPhone when it's released. I'm currently on AT&T Next 12 with a 64 GB iPhone 6 Plus. I just paid off the device by making a one-time payment that covers the last 8 payments ($339.60). The unlocked 64 GB iPhone 6 Plus appears to be worth at least $600 on eBay.
My options for pre-order are:
Apple Upgrade Program: $40.75 per month for 12 months = $489.00
AT&T Next 12: $42.45 per month for 12 months = $509.40
The Apple program gives me the benefit of an unlocked phone and AppleCare+.
I understand that the Apple Upgrade program is 20 payments and AT&T Next 12 is 18 payments, but that doesn't matter if you plan to always upgrade to the newest phone (which I do).
So by switching to Apple Upgrade, I'm saving $20.40 and gaining an unlocked phone and AppleCare+.
Right?!
You are not missing anything. Apple upgrade program is cheaper for the cost of one year and you gain an unlocked phone with AppleCare+. Only if you upgrade yearly. If you wait the 24 months then it's more expensive cause of AppleCare+.
Pretty much what I am doing too. I just wish we knew about in store pickup for the program. Is it first come first serve? Do we get a scheduled time? Do we have to fight the lines? I've contacted Apple but haven't gotten anything out of them. They said we will find out at midnight.
Lost or stolen phone without ATT monthly insurance?
Good luck with AppleCare on that note.
For those that are on NEXT, you will still get the discount on your bill since you are really bringing your own device. EDIT: Only on mobile share.
Also, the payments are financed through Citizens Bank so a credit check will be required and you can't use a debit card to pay for the initial payment.
EDIT: If you plan on going from NEXT to Apple, you will have to pay off your device in full, if you want to since that may be the most economical decision.
Also, the payments are financed through Citizens Bank so a credit check will be required and you can't use a debit card to pay for the initial payment.
EDIT: If you plan on going from NEXT to Apple, you will have to pay off your device in full, if you want to since that may be the most economical decision.
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Not if you have unlimited data or part of a 2 year contract family plan. You must be on a Mobile Share plan to get the discount.
This is a huge point that we don't have an answer to either way right now. I was speaking to an apple rep in the store yesterday who told me it doesn't matter what contracts you have. You can still get on the Apple upgrade plan because it's considered separate. You are basically getting an unlocked phone, not associated with any carrier at the time of purchase. What you do with your other phone, on Next, Edge, 2 year contract, etc is up to you.
Then again she also said they are all getting a special training on Apple upgrade this Sunday. So who really knows.
This. Online even mentions its carrier independent. No waiting for your current contract to end.
Shoot. That does make sense since you are really financing the phone through Apple and it's unlocked anyway. Will edit my post.
However....
If you don't want AppleCare+, it is probably cheaper to buy the phone outright.
iPhone 6s+ 64GB contract-free: $849
Estimated resale value of said iPhone, unlocked, after 12 months: $500-$600
Cost per month: $20.75 - $29.08
Cost of Apple Upgrade per month: $37.45
So the question is, do you take good care of your phone, so that you can get $500-$600 at resale? And do you want AppleCare+?
I have not once been able to get $500-$600 on resale after the announcement AND release of the new phone. The most I have gotten is $450 for the middle storage level, perfect condition, not a scratch and all accessories. There are some markets that are better than others but still.
So based on a 64GB 6s ($749), if you sell it for $400 after one year, your monthly payment would be about $30 a month, so roughly $6 less a month for removing AppleCare+, but you have to pay for the phone up front.