Switch from ATT Next to Apple Upgrade Program

[AustinTXPrgmr]

If I haven't been on AT&T next (I have mobile share, I get the $25/smartphone line discount for converting when they allowed us to do it with already subsidized phones and get the discount. I have a few BYOD devices as well) AT&T is going to charge me a $15/line activation/upgrade fee, right?

I have never upgraded every year, but it sounds like it will be a tempting option at this point.

I think the credit check is going to cinch it for me, but frankly I bought a house last year and already own an investment house, I really don't plan on financing anything more for quite some time.

 

[Joe1602]

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.

And you get the added bonus of:
No store appointment
No credit check
Unlocked phone for any carrier
Ability to upgrade earlier/later than 1 year.

Not saying it's a no-brainer, just another option to consider.

 

[Mlrollin91]

And you get the added bonus of:
No store appointment
No credit check
Unlocked phone for any carrier
Ability to upgrade earlier/later than 1 year.

Not saying it's a no-brainer, just another option to consider.

The phone from the iPhone Upgrade Program is unlocked. So that crosses out that one.

Next, I can upgrade at 1 year, early or later, because I can pay off the phone whenever I want.

Then, we are unsure if it takes a credit check. It could be a soft credit check, which is the more probable. AT&T does a credit check for Next program, but its just a soft check, so it does not hurt your credit score.

The only other one is the in-store appointment. Which, I don't mind because if they are holding units for the iPhone upgrade program, I am more likely to get one on Launch day versus risking the first wave selling out right away for delivery. I have 5 stores within 20 minutes of me, so I have plenty of options. So really, none are a bonus to me.

 

[inkahauts]

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.

So you saved $36 is all....

 

[Mlrollin91]

So you saved $36 is all....

$72.. $6 X 12 months. Which is pretty much the cost of AppleCare+ for a year.

 

[stulaw11]

It's very little difference. But keep in mind the $15/25 per month discount on BYOD devices could change/be taken away at any time; whatever ATT feels that day.

Especially if Apple direct is cannibalizing ATT's iphone sales through it's new installment program.

While unlikely, ATT can change it's policies at will really.

 

[solideliquid]

ATT doesn't gain any money by either selling you a next plan vs you BYOD. In fact, I believe they used to lose money with the $199-299 phones with a 2yr agreement since the phones are $650-750.

I think the Apple Upgrade plan is worth it because I buy  care every time I buy a phone. The other big advantage is now I don't have to play along with whatever silly rules ATT or the carriers set up. I can take my phone to the Apple Store for the iPhone 7 and just exchange. It'll be beautiful.

 

[FredLynn]

Hi,

I'm new here. I am ordering at 3AM. Have always done the two year contract in the past. I am debating between the new Apple upgrade vs Next. My concerns with Apple program, are having to go to the store, and if I understand correctly then to ATT to activate? Also, my credit is OK, and should go thru, but I sure would hate to go to store and it not go through.

I haven't used AppleCare for years, have used Square Trade, luckily no claims. Is AppleCare worth it?

 

[Steve686]

That AT&T price does not include insurance. So that point is irrelevant.

Not really. Point being I would rather pay a little more a month to insure against loss or theft. $949 is no joke to replace a phone.

 

[EnJaNir]

Hi,

I'm new here. I am ordering at 3AM. Have always done the two year contract in the past. I am debating between the new Apple upgrade vs Next. My concerns with Apple program, are having to go to the store, and if I understand correctly then to ATT to activate? Also, my credit is OK, and should go thru, but I sure would hate to go to store and it not go through.

I haven't used AppleCare for years, have used Square Trade, luckily no claims. Is AppleCare worth it?

In my opinion it isn't. You now pay $129 for AppleCare plus $99 per incident (covering two incidents). Assuming you have a credit card check what benefits you get. Amex and Discover both offer a second year warranty for free and I'm sure other cards do as well.

 

[engelke2010]

I had thought about doing the Apple Upgrade program instead of Next, but I can't get a firm answer on the credit check thing from Apple, I'm gonna stay with Next. I don't want to risk getting rejected and not having a phone - I'm selling my 6+.

 

[EnJaNir]

I had thought about doing the Apple Upgrade program instead of Next, but I can't get a firm answer on the credit check thing from Apple, I'm gonna stay with Next. I don't want to risk getting rejected and not having a phone - I'm selling my 6+.

Are you not confident with your credit history/ know your credit score? The carriers must do a credit check as well.

 

[Mlrollin91]

Not really. Point being I would rather pay a little more a month to insure against loss or theft. $949 is no joke to replace a phone.

Again. What does that have to do with the Apple program vs. Next? I'm sure you can still add it if you buy your through Apple and AT&T inspects your phone. It's no different than any AT&T user with insurance buying their phone through Apple.

 

[FredLynn]

I just called Apple. They said it is a soft credit check. I told her credit is OK, we have credit cards and she said shouldn't be a problem. I also asked about having to go to ATT to activate and she said no, we could activate, or the Apple Store could. She also said would have phone that day we go to store.

 

[FredLynn]

In my opinion it isn't. You now pay $129 for AppleCare plus $99 per incident (covering two incidents). Assuming you have a credit card check what benefits you get. Amex and Discover both offer a second year warranty for free and I'm sure other cards do as well.

I would think if I use Next there wouldn't be a credit card involved?

 

[EnJaNir]

I would think if I use Next there wouldn't be a credit card involved?

how are you paying your wireless bill?

Kinda grey, I use a cc to autopay my wireless bill so while convoluted I think you could still get the second year warranty.

 

[FredLynn]

how are you paying your wireless bill?

Kinda grey, I use a cc to autopay my wireless bill so while convoluted I think you could still get the second year warranty.

We pay using checking account.

 

[Skyone22]

I had thought about doing the Apple Upgrade program instead of Next, but I can't get a firm answer on the credit check thing from Apple, I'm gonna stay with Next. I don't want to risk getting rejected and not having a phone - I'm selling my 6+.

I talked to Apple and they told me that a bank (already set up with apple) has to approve you (meaning credit check) and approval is immediate. However, with experience ordering every year - when other companies get involved - especially their first year being involved in this process of a such high volume - there are some bugs to be worked out. meaning that this third party credit check for the iPhone upgrade program might not be as smooth this first year and may cause delays with ordering. So it might delay the order online tonight and one may not get their phone on launch day and fall to the second wave. Now if that does not bother you. Then go for it. I asked the apple person what she saw as a real difference between NEXT and the apple program - she could really only see the apple care + difference. And you could just buy it outright within the first 90 days. so I think what it boils down to is preference. I am going to go with ATT next but order on the apple site. good luck to you!

 

[nrvna76]

AppleCare and the fact that if you upgrade every year on NEXT you pay %60 of the phone and with Apple you pay %50, so it's slightly cheaper for yearly upgrades.

 

[LAS22]

I had thought about doing the Apple Upgrade program instead of Next, but I can't get a firm answer on the credit check thing from Apple, I'm gonna stay with Next. I don't want to risk getting rejected and not having a phone - I'm selling my 6+.

Thinking the same thing. However, it may be possible to choose then NEXT if one can get on Apple program.

 

[supersalo]

I have always voted against the Next program. Basically we have 5 lines and stagger the upgrades. It ends up being cheaper because we sell our current phones and recoup the money and sometimes even more (with the iPhones).

The only thing I wonder is.....I am super careful with my phone and it's always in perfect shape. Therefore my phones are easy to sell. My husband on the other hand is a little more "rough" with it. So selling the phones is always a thought, being we need to make sure they are flawless (to get most money out of them)

Being on the Next program basically we would turn them in and get our upgrades.... we also wouldn't have to deal with the hassle with selling them. With the Next, what kind of shape do they expect them to be in? Like could you rock it with no case and it would have normal wear and tear? Or do they expect a phone in super condition that was like kept in a case it's whole life??

You can do both. Get on the Next plan and then sell the phone yourself when the payments are done. Or you can pay it off early, sell it yourself and upgrade to the newest iPhone.

 

[GizmoDVD]

Can you only get the Apple plan at a store? not even online? How silly.

 

[Steve686]

Again. What does that have to do with the Apple program vs. Next? I'm sure you can still add it if you buy your through Apple and AT&T inspects your phone. It's no different than any AT&T user with insurance buying their phone through Apple.

Also remember that AT&T offers declining deductibles as time goes on without a claim. I also go from paying $15/month for my NEXT line, to paying $40/month on Apple Upgrade. So there actually is a pretty significant difference.

 

[DribbleCastle]

Last year, I ordered 2 iPhone 6 models (64GBs). I opted for AT&T's NEXT 12 (20 monthly payments). I've made 12 payments thus far @ $37.45/piece.

Over the course of 12 months, I've paid $449.40 ($37.45 x 12 months) per phone. After 12 payments, I owed $299.60 per phone.

I just sold both phones on nextworth.com for $390 a piece (promo code GETNEWIPHONE). So, I owed $299.60 but sold them for $390. So instead of giving my phones back to AT&T after 12 months to upgrade, I just paid them off and sold them to Nextworth and pocketed the $180 ($90 per phone).

Another way to look at it. I paid $449.40 over the course of 1 year to use each phone. I got $390 back for each phone. So I basically spent $59.40 to use each phone for 1 year!

Right, but your your $59.40 number is assuming you don't use that money to go out and buy another phone. Can you sign up for a new Next Plan at that point? I'm guessing you can but never looked into that.

 

[Mlrollin91]

Also remember that AT&T offers declining deductibles as time goes on without a claim. I also go from paying $15/month for my NEXT line, to paying $40/month on Apple Upgrade. So there actually is a pretty significant difference.

I'm assuming you are on a Mobile Share Plan. I still have unlimited data, therefore I do not get the $15/$25 a month discount. Apple is cheaper than AT&T Next for me.