T-Mobile Adds Apple Music to Music Freedom, Offers Free 'iPhone 6s' Upgrade With iPhone 6 Trade-In

[DustinLH00]

I said you were wrong, because you are. I'm NOT doing Jump on Demand. I'm NOT leasing the phone. The rep at the T-Mobile said I would be doing a standard installment plan, NOT leasing. What part of this are you not understanding? This is my last post with this thread, as the T-Mobile fandom can not seem to grasp what I'm trying to say.

Also, on their in ads it says in the fine print that a new purchase is required, but they advertise heavily that they will pay off your phone switch. It's just marketing and I fell for it and went to the T-Mobile store. Also, when I first went in, the rep said "you trade in, but we'll give you brand new phone!". It took 20 minutes for the her to tell me I paying $850 in installments again after I had to think about it and ask. All the while hearing "new phone! new phone!" It's not that big of a deal, I'm just weighing my options with the my own money.

You seem like such a nice person. Either you were told about the wrong program or you are looking at it wrong. I can't tell which because of all of the attitude in your posts. Jump On-Demand is a LEASING program, not a standard installment plan. If you were told differently you were misinformed. You are leasing the phone over 18 months, with the option to upgrade up to 3 times a year, once after 18 months, or to purchase the phone at the end. Nobody is forcing you to pay $850 for the phone. Get it?

For example, I got the iPhone 6+ on 7/3. My lease payments are $17.85 a month. I paid $100 down for the 64 GB option. When the new iPhone comes out in September, I will trade this in and end my lease, having only paid $153.54 total max. Then, when I get the iPhone 6s+ in September, I will probably have to pay another $100 down for the larger size and assuming my payments are the same will pay $314.19 over the next 12 months at which point I will upgrade to the iPhone 7. See the math? I got two new iPhones and still have not paid anywhere near $850 yet. In fact, I could get 3 iPhones for $850.

Think of it in terms of cars. If I told you that your favorite car manufacturer was offering a lease special. You can lease an XXX for 24 months at $199 a month. You can lock in that payment for 24 months OR you can trade it in early for a lease on a newer model. You get to walk away from your current lease, but you have to renegotiate a new lease upon trade-in. Or, if you prefer, you can buy the car at the end of the 24 months for an additional cost if you wish to keep it and not start a new lease. Does that make sense? Would you accuse the car dealership of forcing you into paying $40k for the car? Because that is what you are saying of T-Mobile.

I am not expressing "fandom", just sharing the truth. You should quit being a jerk online and have an intelligent conversation. I am just trying to help.

 

[randian]

The 64GB phone costs $100 more than the 16GB phone. Do you want them to pay that for you? Come on. They could offer to let you include that $100 in the lease payments over 18 months, but would that change your mind? You are just paying the $100 upfront instead of in the payments. It's not like it is unfair or something.

The point of contention here is the second phone. Certainly it's fair to pay the extra $100 on the first. When you subsequently upgrade using JOD your trade-in is presumably worth more than the base iPhone since it was $100 more expensive to begin with. Should you have to pay the $100 premium again given that?

 

[techiegirl]

The point of contention here is the second phone. Certainly it's fair to pay the extra $100 on the first. When you subsequently upgrade using JOD your trade-in is presumably worth more than the base iPhone since it was $100 more expensive to begin with. Should you have to pay the $100 premium again given that?

That's my main issue as well. I can trade a phone in now and pay $100 for a 64gb. When the 6+s comes out, I would have to pay another $100 for 64gb upgrade for the new "s" model. I don't have a problem paying $100 for the 64gb "s" model, but not twice.

 

[DustinLH00]

The point of contention here is the second phone. Certainly it's fair to pay the extra $100 on the first. When you subsequently upgrade using JOD your trade-in is presumably worth more than the base iPhone since it was $100 more expensive to begin with. Should you have to pay the $100 premium again given that?

I am not sure what I think about that. Considering I got the iPhone 6+ 64GB on 7/3 and will be upgrading mid September, the most I will have paid toward the phone is $153.54. Will the used iPhone 6+ 64GB that I am trading in be worth at least $696.45? Especially with the new iPhone having been released? If it is worth less, then T-Mobile actually loses out on the deal.

Since I don't know what they do with the used phones (was told that they are used for refurbs or parts), I cannot say for sure. I do understand your point, but disagree with those calling it a deal-breaker. I don't think they are doing anything shady or unfair.

 

[TechZeke]

You seem like such a nice person. Either you were told about the wrong program or you are looking at it wrong. I can't tell which because of all of the attitude in your posts. Jump On-Demand is a LEASING program, not a standard installment plan. If you were told differently you were misinformed. You are leasing the phone over 18 months, with the option to upgrade up to 3 times a year, once after 18 months, or to purchase the phone at the end. Nobody is forcing you to pay $850 for the phone. Get it?

For example, I got the iPhone 6+ on 7/3. My lease payments are $17.85 a month. I paid $100 down for the 64 GB option. When the new iPhone comes out in September, I will trade this in and end my lease, having only paid $153.54 total max. Then, when I get the iPhone 6s+ in September, I will probably have to pay another $100 down for the larger size and assuming my payments are the same will pay $314.19 over the next 12 months at which point I will upgrade to the iPhone 7. See the math? I got two new iPhones and still have not paid anywhere near $850 yet. In fact, I could get 3 iPhones for $850.

Think of it in terms of cars. If I told you that your favorite car manufacturer was offering a lease special. You can lease an XXX for 24 months at $199 a month. You can lock in that payment for 24 months OR you can trade it in early for a lease on a newer model. You get to walk away from your current lease, but you have to renegotiate a new lease upon trade-in. Or, if you prefer, you can buy the car at the end of the 24 months for an additional cost if you wish to keep it and not start a new lease. Does that make sense? Would you accuse the car dealership of forcing you into paying $40k for the car? Because that is what you are saying of T-Mobile.

I am not expressing "fandom", just sharing the truth. You should quit being a jerk online and have an intelligent conversation. I am just trying to help.

Don't tell me about having an intelligent conversation, I've been trying to explain politely this entire thread. I only have problems when people try to tell me something that's clearly wrong. Look at the site for yourself. I understand that you mean well, but you are bent on this Jump on-demand crap that I'm not even talking about.

http://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phones/apple-iphone-6-plus.html

Look at the bottom right:

$749.76 full retail price

$0 down

+ $31.24/mo. x 24 mos. If you cancel wireless service, remaining balance on phone becomes due. For well-qualified buyers. 0% APR, O.A.C. Qual'g service req'd.

Then look at the middle right:

Want iPhone 6 Plus for $19/mo. ? See How!

*Link then proceeds to show pop for Jump on-demand*

Regular installments and Jump On-demand are completely separate. I'm NOT leasing the phone. I'm paying installments on the full balance of phone, like AT&T NEXT.

 

[_Refurbished_]

There appears to be some dispute on that issue. Some posters have claimed that you only pay the $100 premium for a 64gb model once, not every time you trade in, since you are trading in a more valuable phone for your next 64gb iPhone.

Yea there is a dispute in this forum.

People are quoting my post saying it's justified to have to pay the extra $100 or $200 for the more expensive phones. In a way they are correct, but that's not my point. My point is that their trade-in program for 64/128 phones (or any phone that has an upfront cost) is not a great deal, because it requires you to pay money upfront each time you want to upgrade. The selling point of the promotion is that you don't need to pay any money out the door to get a new device. This is only true if you're trading in for a phone with no upfront cost. It's misleading. One would assume if you purchase a 128GB device and pay the upfront cost of $200, you can switch to a comparable device and walk out the store. This isn't true. You would need to pay the $200 again, and start the lease over.

The trade-in program, as pointed out in my OP, only makes sense for people using 16GB iPhones and other phones with no money down.

If there's still a dispute about whether or not you have to pay the upfront cost each time, you do. I called T-Mobile CS, and then spoke with two well informed sales reps at two separate T-Mobile stores to find out how this works. You pay money each time you want to trade-in your device with devices that have an upfront cost.

 

[DustinLH00]

Don't tell me about having an intelligent conversation, I've been trying to explain politely this entire thread. I only have problems when people try to tell me something that's clearly wrong. Look at the site for yourself. I understand that you mean well, but you are bent on this Jump on-demand crap that I'm not even talking about.

http://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phones/apple-iphone-6-plus.html

Look at the bottom right:

$749.76 full retail price

$0 down

+ $31.24/mo. x 24 mos. If you cancel wireless service, remaining balance on phone becomes due. For well-qualified buyers. 0% APR, O.A.C. Qual'g service req'd.

Then look at the middle right:

Want iPhone 6 Plus for $19/mo. ? See How!

*Link then proceeds to show pop for Jump on-demand*

Regular installments and Jump On-demand are completely separate. I'm NOT leasing the phone. I'm paying installments on the full balance of phone, like AT&T NEXT.

Then why the hell are you commenting on this thread? This whole thread is about the jump on demand program! And you come on here to complain about T-Mobile making you pay for the new phone that you are getting with them. Yes, they will pay your ETF and yes they will pay off your device payments on some plans, but now you want them to not make you pay for the new phone too? I will apologize for not understanding that you were referring to an entirely different plan, but please understand why I was confused.

On a related note, what the heck is wrong with all of the entitlement on here. T-Mobile is saying that they will buy you out of your current contract, pay off your ETFs, pay off device balances, give you cheaper monthly rates. They even say they will let you upgrade your device three times a year (for those doing jump) and let most of your music streaming not count against your data. They will even give you a deal on the next iPhone or awesome deals for multiple/family lines. And people are still finding things to bitch about. I am glad to give my business to a company that is as pro-customer as T-Mobile is.

 

[DustinLH00]

Yea there is a dispute in this forum.

People are quoting my post saying it's justified to have to pay the extra $100 or $200 for the more expensive phones. In a way they are correct, but that's not my point. My point is that their trade-in program for 64/128 phones (or any phone that has an upfront cost) is not a great deal, because it requires you to pay money upfront each time you want to upgrade. The selling point of the promotion is that you don't need to pay any money out the door to get a new device. This is only true if you're trading in for a phone with no upfront cost. It's misleading. One would assume if you purchase a 128GB device and pay the upfront cost of $200, you can switch to a comparable device and walk out the store. This isn't true. You would need to pay the $200 again, and start the lease over.

The trade-in program, as pointed out in my OP, only makes sense for people using 16GB iPhones and other phones with no money down.

If there's still a dispute about whether or not you have to pay the upfront cost each time, you do. I called T-Mobile CS, and then spoke with two well informed sales reps at two separate T-Mobile stores to find out how this works. You pay money each time you want to trade-in your device with devices that have an upfront cost.

I still don't think the statement that this only makes sense for people using 16GB devices is fair. There are a lot of benefits to this program and in the end you will end up with the latest iPhone for less money and hassle. It may not make sense to you, but paying a bit more for the higher capacity device doesn't make the whole program bad or not worth it.

I just want others reading this to not rule it out without evaluating their own situations and math. Plus, I still think if they offered the iPhone 6 for $15 (16), $21 (64), $26 ($128) that people would be less inclined to feel that they were getting ripped off somehow.

 

[_Refurbished_]

I still don't think the statement that this only makes sense for people using 16GB devices is fair. There are a lot of benefits to this program and in the end you will end up with the latest iPhone for less money and hassle. It may not make sense to you, but paying a bit more for the higher capacity device doesn't make the whole program bad or not worth it.

I just want others reading this to not rule it out without evaluating their own situations and math. Plus, I still think if they offered the iPhone 6 for $15 (16), $21 (64), $26 ($128) that people would be less inclined to feel that they were getting ripped off somehow.

People that utilize the 16GB iPhone 6 have it made, everyone else has to suffer a bit. While I still stand by what I said, if you do trade-in "once" every two years and it's $100 upfront, it's not a terrible deal. For people wanting to trade-in to try multiple devices like the S5, the S5 Edge, the iPhone 6+, the LG G5 etc...it's not an ideal situation and defeats the "trade up to six times in two years" portion of the promotion.

Like you said, it makes more sense to increase the lease payments each month for phones with upfront costs. I'd rather have my monthly bill slightly higher each month, moreso than having to pay $200 each time I want to upgrade (I use 128GB devices).

 

[TechZeke]

Then why the hell are you commenting on this thread? This whole thread is about the jump on demand program! And you come on here to complain about T-Mobile making you pay for the new phone that you are getting with them. Yes, they will pay your ETF and yes they will pay off your device payments on some plans, but now you want them to not make you pay for the new phone too? I will apologize for not understanding that you were referring to an entirely different plan, but please understand why I was confused.

On a related note, what the heck is wrong with all of the entitlement on here. T-Mobile is saying that they will buy you out of your current contract, pay off your ETFs, pay off device balances, give you cheaper monthly rates. They even say they will let you upgrade your device three times a year (for those doing jump) and let most of your music streaming not count against your data. They will even give you a deal on the next iPhone or awesome deals for multiple/family lines. And people are still finding things to bitch about. I am glad to give my business to a company that is as pro-customer as T-Mobile is.

It's cool, no big deal. My first post was responding to someone talking about upgrading a phone with an installment plans and the installment balance re-starting. I gave my experience trying to upgrade an installment from AT&T to T-Mobile.

If this was back in January, I would have had no problem re-buying the phone through T-Mobile to switch. However, as I expressed in my first post, if I have to re-buy an $850 phone, I'm waiting until the 6S Plus rather paying full-price for year-old hardware.

I also apologize for coming across as an ass. I was frustrated as well.

 

[BeyondtheTech]

They draw you in thinking they are going to pay off your phone for you to switch, but they are really just locking you into another installment for full price again.

I had to search back to find out why a couple of people in this thread are arguing. It appears that TechZeke has a financed phone through AT&T's NEXT, and was initially considering switching to T-Mobile through either their new JUMP! on Demand lease program, their other JUMP! finance program, or their straight 24-month EIP, but the above line seems to be his sticking point.

Because TechZeke is somewhere in the middle of a installment plan, the only two ways to get rid of it is by having T-Mobile pay it off, which requires him to trade that actual phone in, or by selling it off himself and using the funds to satisfy the installment plan. The former is a lot harder to swallow than a traditional two-year contract that only had a $350 ETF, because one could trade in a cheap smartphone in place of the actual phone. In retrospect, these new "contract-free" and "installment plans" could make users like TechZeke more reluctant to switch than contracts did, which is how most wireless carriers would want it to prevent easy defections.

I think that also he feels like he's invested so much money into financing the phone that it wouldn't make sense to move to the "same" phone on a different carrier. However, the JUMP! on Demand, while it is an 18-month lease program in a nutshell, it offers the same final value, or better value (during its promotion) than a 24-month EIP, and definitely a better value than a 24-month EIP with the previous JUMP! feature for an additional $10/month.

The kicker is that T-Mobile is providing an additional incentive for those who do use JUMP! on Demand that they can quickly switch to the 6s (or whatever the next iPhone is) while being prioritized for the upgrade and while keeping the same monthly payment across the board. Given that the next iPhone is anticipated to be released in about two months from now, JUMP! on Demand is a good option.

Now, with all the things that he needs or wants to do, it would be best to visit the store directly and speak to a rep, preferably a manager, to review all his options, especially if he was considering JUMP! on Demand, which can only be done at the store.

The only problem with JUMP! on Demand, according to its fine print, is that it requires a paid-off smartphone to trade in, so I assume that means that a smartphone on an installment plan would not be eligible. Of course, one would again use the "cheap smartphone trade-in" method, but if you're currently in an installment plan, you would have to get rid of it on your own and satisfy the remaining balance.

 

[JustThinkin']

"Paying for what you use isn't"

Netflix paying off the bribe isn't something they will do out of their own pockets...
Where does Netflix's money come from? Ultimately always the customer.

And the US is a socialist state, much like any other "1st world nation" (don't like the term, but for lack of a better one...).

If you stripped the socialism part of these nations things would hardly get any better.
But that's getting too off-topic I assume.

Glassed Silver:mac

Your posts are starting to make less sense to me. Perhaps one of us is misunderstanding.

Nevertheless, I too am concerned about net neutrality. I just don't think this is an example of violating the principle.

 

[ProMod]

I still don't think the statement that this only makes sense for people using 16GB devices is fair. There are a lot of benefits to this program and in the end you will end up with the latest iPhone for less money and hassle. It may not make sense to you, but paying a bit more for the higher capacity device doesn't make the whole program bad or not worth it.

I just want others reading this to not rule it out without evaluating their own situations and math. Plus, I still think if they offered the iPhone 6 for $15 (16), $21 (64), $26 ($128) that people would be less inclined to feel that they were getting ripped off somehow.

What I was referring to as a deal breaker is the fact that the very selling point of this promotion, which is buying a 6 now then trading in for a 6S in a couple months, is only a good deal on the 16GB models. I understand your point about either paying the upfront storage premium costs at each upgrade or having them rolled into your monthly lease. That's not necessarily a terrible deal. What is a terrible deal is shelling out $100 or $200 extra today for a higher capacity 6, then another $100 or $200 for a higher capacity 6S in just a couple months. The quick turnaround and the fact that you receive no additional credit or compensation on the value of your device makes this 6->6S promotion a good deal only for those seeking a 16GB device.

 

[ladycsr]

Everyone knows that free phone = no down payment. If you don't realize that you are paying for the device either via a subsidy or equipment payment plan, then there is no hope for you.

That is complete BS. You are saying they can use the word "free" even though it is NOT and it is up to the consumer to realize they are not free.

Frankly, you have been spanked by corporations so much that there is no hope for you. You now accept being lied to and you admitted knowing you are being lied to, you just think it is up to us to know we are being lied to. Pathetic.

 

[DustinLH00]

That is complete BS. You are saying they can use the word "free" even though it is NOT and it is up to the consumer to realize they are not free.

Frankly, you have been spanked by corporations so much that there is no hope for you. You now accept being lied to and you admitted knowing you are being lied to, you just think it is up to us to know we are being lied to. Pathetic.

Are you new to life? All of the phone providers have been giving you a "free" phone for years! This "free" phone's cost is recouped via something called a subsidy, built into your 2 year contract. When you buy an iPhone for $199 are you under the impression that they are just giving you the other $550 for free? Or do you realize that you are paying the $550 through subsidies in your contract, a device payment plan, or a lease plan.

 

[DustinLH00]

What I was referring to as a deal breaker is the fact that the very selling point of this promotion, which is buying a 6 now then trading in for a 6S in a couple months, is only a good deal on the 16GB models. I understand your point about either paying the upfront storage premium costs at each upgrade or having them rolled into your monthly lease. That's not necessarily a terrible deal. What is a terrible deal is shelling out $100 or $200 extra today for a higher capacity 6, then another $100 or $200 for a higher capacity 6S in just a couple months. The quick turnaround and the fact that you receive no additional credit or compensation on the value of your device makes this 6->6S promotion a good deal only for those seeking a 16GB device.

That makes sense. And I am in the same boat. Just got my 6+ on 7/3 and will be getting a new one in September. I guess for me, my thoughts were if I have to pay $100 a year to always have the latest iPhone (in the size I want) then I am ok with that.

 

[batting1000]

Edit: Nvm

 

[tdar]

The point of contention here is the second phone. Certainly it's fair to pay the extra $100 on the first. When you subsequently upgrade using JOD your trade-in is presumably worth more than the base iPhone since it was $100 more expensive to begin with. Should you have to pay the $100 premium again given that?

The part that I would like more information on is that the wording on the T-Mobile web site about this offer says that you are given an upgrade in the fall (6S) to "your next comparable iPhone this year and get the same great deal." The important word there to me is comparable. If we were expected to pay the memory upgrade fee again there is no need for that word. They could just say your next iPhone. Also in the FAQ there is a question that is about if you decide to upgrade to a + or larger memory phone when you are getting your next phone (again think 6S) and it does say that you will have to pay the memory upgrade fee. ( it actually says you may have to pay it). They do not have a FAQ question about keeping the same size phone other than 16GB.

 

[hlfway2anywhere]

The part that I would like more information on is that the wording on the T-Mobile web site about this offer says that you are given an upgrade in the fall (6S) to "your next comparable iPhone this year and get the same great deal." The important word there to me is comparable. If we were expected to pay the memory upgrade fee again there is no need for that word. They could just say your next iPhone. Also in the FAQ there is a question that is about if you decide to upgrade to a + or larger memory phone when you are getting your next phone (again think 6S) and it does say that you will have to pay the memory upgrade fee. ( it actually says you may have to pay it). They do not have a FAQ question about keeping the same size phone other than 16GB.

Here's the conversation with my T-Mobile rep about that.

 

[tdar]

Here's the conversation with my T-Mobile rep about that.

Yes and they still provide no explanation for the comparable wording. Also what does "to keep the cost at $15 mean?" Can I for example add the $100 to my lease and pay a bit more per month?

 

[hlfway2anywhere]

Yes and they still provide no explanation for the comparable wording. Also what does "to keep the cost at $15 mean?" Can I for example add the $100 to my lease and pay a bit more per month?

I don't think you can do that with T-Mobile. What I've been told multiple times by store reps is that you have to pay the difference from the base model up front with every upgrade. Which sadly is still cheaper to upgrade every year on T-Mobile than it is on at$t.

 

[grifftaur]

I'd like to get someones opinion on my situation.

I am currently on AT&T. I am grandfathered on the unlimited data plan. I am on a shared plan with my brother and sister and law currently paying $64 a month. We have an education discount because she's a teacher so it brought down the price. In November 2013 I got a Moto X. I checked and my upgrade isn't available till November of this year. My plan is to upgrade to a 128GB iPhone 6S Plus. As of today I can no longer get an iPhone on contract from the Apple Store. I would have to go through AT&T. Based on research I have seen that AT&T would most likely not let me upgrade 2 months early. That they would force me into doing the NEXT plan if I want to upgrade sooner. I personally have no desire to do the NEXT plan. I would be paying more on NEXT. I would have to tack on $31+ which would be bring me close $100 if my math is correct. Part of me has wondered if I could threaten to cancel my plan to upgrade sooner, but I don't know if that would work.

So I just saw this plan that T-Mobile is offering. $60 3GB data, $10 Jump, and $19 (I assume $19 with the 128gb iphone 6S+). This would come out to be $89 + Tax a month. This way I could get a 6 plus now and then just switch to the 6S in a couple months. The part I am unsure of is if they would take my Moto X. The screen has a crack on it. Still works fine, but I don't think they will consider it in Good condition. In terms of coverage I don't know if it'll be a big deal. I live in Atlanta. I don't normally talk on the phone really and I have Wi-Fi at work and home.

Based on all this info provided, fellow macrumor users, what would be your advice. Do I try to get AT&T to let me upgrade early? Just do the NEXT plan? Or switch to T-Mobile?

 

[hlfway2anywhere]

I'd like to get someones opinion on my situation.

I am currently on AT&T. I am grandfathered on the unlimited data plan. I am on a shared plan with my brother and sister and law currently paying $64 a month. We have an education discount because she's a teacher so it brought down the price. In November 2013 I got a Moto X. I checked and my upgrade isn't available till November of this year. My plan is to upgrade to a 128GB iPhone 6S Plus. As of today I can no longer get an iPhone on contract from the Apple Store. I would have to go through AT&T. Based on research I have seen that AT&T would most likely not let me upgrade 2 months early. That they would force me into doing the NEXT plan if I want to upgrade sooner. I personally have no desire to do the NEXT plan. I would be paying more on NEXT. I would have to tack on $31+ which would be bring me close $100 if my math is correct. Part of me has wondered if I could threaten to cancel my plan to upgrade sooner, but I don't know if that would work.

So I just saw this plan that T-Mobile is offering. $60 3GB data, $10 Jump, and $19 (I assume $19 with the 128gb iphone 6S+). This would come out to be $89 + Tax a month. This way I could get a 6 plus now and then just switch to the 6S in a couple months. The part I am unsure of is if they would take my Moto X. The screen has a crack on it. Still works fine, but I don't think they will consider it in Good condition. In terms of coverage I don't know if it'll be a big deal. I live in Atlanta. I don't normally talk on the phone really and I have Wi-Fi at work and home.

Based on all this info provided, fellow macrumor users, what would be your advice. Do I try to get AT&T to let me upgrade early? Just do the NEXT plan? Or switch to T-Mobile?

When you do NEXT, with a Mobile Share data plan, you recieve a $15 or $25 bill credit on your line depending on how many GB your data plan is. I'm not sure how that works with a grandfathered unlimited plan. After tax, I believe an individual T-Mobile plan will cost you the same or more than just upgrading with AT&T Next.

Trade-ins have to meet the following criteria--
1. Powers on
2. No physical damage / cracks
3. No liquid damage
4. No activation lock (iPhone only)

If you decide to switch to T-Mobile, I recommend you just find some old iPhone 3GS or 4 on eBay with those above criteria to trade in.

 

[JackANSI]

I wish my 1 hour commute wasn't mostly in a T-Mobile blackout... I could cancel satellite radio and be saving $0.86 a month. T-Mobile has my hometown and my work town barely covered with exactly 0 bars the entire distance between them except for 2-3 minutes on either end.

Only Verizon has LTE for the whole trip.

So yes, T-Mobile might be cheaper, but that comes at the larger cost of coverage.

 

[DustinLH00]

When you do NEXT, with a Mobile Share data plan, you recieve a $15 or $25 bill credit on your line depending on how many GB your data plan is. I'm not sure how that works with a grandfathered unlimited plan. After tax, I believe an individual T-Mobile plan will cost you the same or more than just upgrading with AT&T Next.

Trade-ins have to meet the following criteria--
1. Powers on
2. No physical damage / cracks
3. No liquid damage
4. No activation lock (iPhone only)

If you decide to switch to T-Mobile, I recommend you just find some old iPhone 3GS or 4 on eBay with those above criteria to trade in.

When I was researching before switching it looked as if you could keep your grandfathered unlimited data, but that you could not do a mobile share plan and thus cannot get the monthly bill credit. My decision to switch was based on the following:

- in September I will not be able to pre-order the iPhone through Apple and do another 2-year contract as all third parties can only sell on AT&T Next now
- there is no guarantee that I would get to keep my unlimited data when switching to AT&T Next
- there is no guarantee that AT&T will keep unlimited data around, especially after the recent FCC fine for throttling
- if you can keep your unlimited data, then you cannot switch to a mobile share plan, and therefore do not qualify for the monthly bill credit
- the iPhone 6s+ 64GB would cost roughly $45.50/mo on AT&T Next, plus plan ($20 unl text/$30 unl data/$40 voice), bringing my bill to $132.50 before tax
- this would increase my monthly bill by nearly $40 over what I am paying today
- if I dropped unlimited data and switched to mobile share (which sucks for single line customers), with the monthly discount my bill would be at $107.50/mo, which is still about $20 more than I pay today

So, for me, if I want the phone on launch day (pre-order through Apple) and want to keep my unlimited data (not guaranteed), I will have to pay about $40 more per month come September. If I switched to mobile share and dropped unlimited data I would still have to pay about $20 more per month come September. Or, I could pre-order through AT&T and keep my 2-year contract and current rates, but risk their pre-order process and only get a new phone every 2 years.

Switching to T-Mobile, I was able to keep my monthly costs right at where they are today and get the latest iPhone every year. I have 3GB of data, most streaming doesn't count and if I exceed that I just drop to regular speeds. For $20/mo I could get unlimited data and still be better off than staying with AT&T. I am also giving my money to a company that appreciates its customers.

As a side note, I had been with AT&T for 13 years and they never really did anything to show their appreciation for my tenure, nor have they done anything to try to get me back. I suppose you could argue that they let me keep my unlimited data this whole time, but with their latest move on adding activation fees to AT&T Next customers and increasing it for regular customers a month before the new iPhone launches just made me even happier with my decision to switch.