Unsubsidized IP6. Are you willing to pay MSRP?

[theromz]

iPhone should have a premium price than a Htc One or Galaxy S5 so iPhone 6 need a 100$ add

What kind of none sense is this, are you actually willing to pay extra just to say your phone is more premium or something, if so you really need to re-evulate your life.

Sticking too the OP I currently buy all my phones sim free, I live in London and the market is very different but I would do the same in the US. You get too be much more flexible e.g. I can just change phones whenever and we have really nice 12 months sim only plans so I can change networks if 1 starts to under perform. It is always cheaper, then money saved I can put forward to buying a new phone as and when I please. Much more freedom.

 

[Knowimagination]

I would be pretty surprised if carriers dropped the 2 year contracts. They are getting money through the roof, and I'll gladly stay with a carrier for two years if they are willing to subsidize my phone.

With Next and the Mobile share plans they actually are getting rid of 2 year contracts.

And honestly wouldn't you rather pay less per month and buy your phone full price than be locked in a contract for 2 years to pay less for your phone up front?

 

[mnsportsgeek]

With Next and the Mobile share plans they actually are getting rid of 2 year contracts.



And honestly wouldn't you rather pay less per month and buy your phone full price than be locked in a contract for 2 years to pay less for your phone up front?

Ya but will we really be paying less per month if they get rid of contracts? Then that's just the new regular price. Which they will then slowly raise up to the current prices. It's just a cycle of us getting robbed. Phone companies do it better than anyone.

I'm so against government intervention in almost every way, but I really wish that we had a similar cell phone coverage culture to Europe.

 

[aristobrat]

I'm so against government intervention in almost every way, but I really wish that we had a similar cell phone coverage culture to Europe.

You mean where the phone and the plans are sold separately, like AT&T Next, Verizon EDGE, and T-Mobile Jump?

 

[Knowimagination]

Ya but will we really be paying less per month if they get rid of contracts? Then that's just the new regular price. Which they will then slowly raise up to the current prices. It's just a cycle of us getting robbed. Phone companies do it better than anyone.

I'm so against government intervention in almost every way, but I really wish that we had a similar cell phone coverage culture to Europe.

Well with my current plan if I buy a subsidized phone I pay my base plan price plus $40 dollars per subsidized phone. By using an unlocked phone (or the Next plan) I only pay base price plus $15 per phone.

 

[HKPDW]

We'll, the plot thickens.

I spoke with representatives at Best Buy and Walmart and they said they are considered "dealers" and can work outside of ATT's national service plans.

They both said they expect to have contract plans and subsidized IPhones this fall.

We shall see.

 

[T5BRICK]

Sure, I paid $850 for my 5s.

 

[ET iPhone Home]

I paid a visit to my local ATT store and the sales rep mentioned ATT won't be offering a contract plan / subsidized Iphone by the time the IPhone 6 hits the streets.

So, I have to make a choice; spend $700 for the IPhone 6 and try to sell my IPhone 5 for $350 or, keep my IPhone 5.

Considering there may no longer be a subsidy benefit, I'm starting to think sticking with my IPhone 5 is going to be the best course of action.

What would you do?

I'm ready to upgrade my 4S, so I will pay MSRP for unlocked 6 through Apple.

 

[easy-peasy]

Sure, I paid $850 for my 5s.

It's pretty insane to think that with an 64gb iPhone + AppleCare + Tax, someone will be paying out well over a thousand dollars

Glad you can afford such nice gadgets though

 

[T5BRICK]

It's pretty insane to think that with an 64gb iPhone + AppleCare + Tax, someone will be paying out well over a thousand dollars

It was a necessary evil. My previous (uninsured) phone met an untimely end and I needed a replacement.

Anyway, no sales tax in Oregon, so I walked out go the Apple Store without spending a grand.

 

[aneftp]

You mean where the phone and the plans are sold separately, like AT&T Next, Verizon EDGE, and T-Mobile Jump?

Not exactly. Verizon edge offers zero savings for bringing in your own phone or paying off the phone. Read Verizon's fine print.

The math gets also very complicated for those on ATT mobile sharing value plans vs their older traditional subsdiy plans.

Honestly if you had 1-2 lines you are really better off just going straight pre pay like AIO wireless (att) for $50 a month ($45 with auto pay) and 2.5gb data no over charges. No further taxes. Unlimited talk and text.

 

[aneftp]

You mean where the phone and the plans are sold separately, like AT&T Next, Verizon EDGE, and T-Mobile Jump?

With Next and the Mobile share plans they actually are getting rid of 2 year contracts.

And honestly wouldn't you rather pay less per month and buy your phone full price than be locked in a contract for 2 years to pay less for your phone up front?

These installment plans are a de facto way of keeping the people in "contracts". Don't you think the bean counters at att tmobile verizon have done their math. How many customers pay full price up front for their cell phones? Especially $650 and up iPhones?

We already got some dude complaining on macrumors about his first tmobile bill being $120. Duh. It may be pro rated a little. But he's still having the $27-32 monthly iPhone equipment installment plan added to his normal $50-60 plan.

People see the lowest price and just want to go on installment plans because it sounds cheaper especially at zero percent interest. Just cell phone industry gimmicks to lock people into "contracts". So it's not a contract if you pay in full. But most don't.

 

[ABC5S]

I wouldn't believe the ATT employee.

Agree 100%

I bought a Verizon iPhone 5S and later wanted to switch to ATT. The employee said this was impossible and would have to sell my phone and buy the ATT version. That was only a few months ago. The employee didn't know what he was talking about.

 

[Saileshbreaker]

I always trade my old iPhone and buy new one's at full price

 

[JAT]

We'll, the plot thickens.

I spoke with representatives at Best Buy and Walmart and they said they are considered "dealers" and can work outside of ATT's national service plans.

They both said they expect to have contract plans and subsidized IPhones this fall.

We shall see.

Don't believe those employees, either. They can't make up an ATT plan, they can only offer the same ones if you want ATT, or they can offer plans from other carriers.

 

[EW800]

As other have mentioned, do not listen to that kind of stuff from an AT&T employee, or any other carrier. Such decisions are made at the executive level and rarely let out to the store level much before released to the public. It is not uncommon that we know on sites like this before carrier employees.

My personal opinion is that the carriers would have a pretty tough time getting away from the subsidized option anytime soon.

 

[T5BRICK]

So it's not a contract if you pay in full. But most don't.

But there is an option that can actually save a person money available now. And you can't say that people won't adjust over time, at least not yet.

 

[Serban]

i want a very beautiful device, designed by apple to be unisex (lets dont forget that this design will last for 6s as well, so for 2 years). 4.7" bezel free with sapphire probably will be the first quad core 64bit and for all these i will pay 1000$ and i want Apple to add that price to get over Samsung S5 and Htc One price. And lets see if them are willing again to copy the premium prices again for a plastic android phone

 

[patt2k]

Yes.

I paid the full $649+tax for my unlocked iPhone 5 and I prefer the freedom of not being under contract for 2 years. I've been on prepaid for several years now, and if I suddenly need to save money I can go to a less expensive prepaid plan with minimal hassle.

Valid point but I like being on post paid because of Asurion , so far 2 of my lines used it and without they would have to find a way to get a new phone.

Squaretrade also is not an option because that were 2 lost phones for 2 lines at 2 different times.

Prepaid does look good on some carriers but no lost/theft which matters to me a lot.

 

[aristobrat]

Not exactly. Verizon edge offers zero savings for bringing in your own phone or paying off the phone. Read Verizon's fine print.

I had already mentioned that in post #18. But if afurry13's comment about wishing US carriers were more like European carriers is in reference to the separation of the price of the phone from the monthly service fee, then in that sense, US carriers have never as much "like" European carriers as they are now.

These installment plans are a de facto way of keeping the people in "contracts".

Oh no doubt, but at least they don't penalize customers that wish to switch carriers. Most folks in months 12+ of their "subsidy contract" will end up having paid more for their phone (sometimes $100 more) than MSRP when the Early Termination Fee is applied.

 

[aneftp]

I had already mentioned that in post #18. But if afurry13's comment about wishing US carriers were more like European carriers is in reference to the separation of the price of the phone from the monthly service fee, then in that sense, US carriers have never as much "like" European carriers as they are now.


Oh no doubt, but at least they don't penalize customers that wish to switch carriers. Most folks in months 12+ of their "subsidy contract" will end up having paid more for their phone (sometimes $100 more) than MSRP when the Early Termination Fee is applied.

Probably true. It's cheaper to pay the ETF the earlier u are in a contract. iPhone $199 plus $30-36 upgrade plus $325-350 ETF. So around $550-580 for iPhone if you immediately cancel which.

But the carriers only decrease the etf $10/month instead of $18.75 each month while on subsidy contract.

 

[mac.cali]

Sure, I paid $850 for my 5s.

Did the same thing with my Verizon iPhone 5s. I'm not in a contract and will gladly do it again for the next iPhone. I don't like contracts and it's the only way to keep my unlimited data. Yes the cost is a lot up front, but once I sell my iPhone 5s it will offset the cost. The price after sale will be very similar to what people pay on contract.

 

[zorinlynx]

I don't care. I can either pay the money up front or pay it over two years. I'd rather pay it up front because it's easier to feel the pain of spending a lot of money in one go than to get bill after bill $20 higher than it needs to be.

However, I have some savings in the bank so making a larger purchase isn't a problem for me. For people living paycheck to paycheck, the lack of a subsidized phone will reduce their options somewhat. So I think AT&T should keep both options available and not kill subsidized phones.

Or at least provide financing like T-Mobile does.

 

[617aircav]

I had already mentioned that in post #18. But if afurry13's comment about wishing US carriers were more like European carriers is in reference to the separation of the price of the phone from the monthly service fee, then in that sense, US carriers have never as much "like" European carriers as they are now.





Oh no doubt, but at least they don't penalize customers that wish to switch carriers. Most folks in months 12+ of their "subsidy contract" will end up having paid more for their phone (sometimes $100 more) than MSRP when the Early Termination Fee is applied.

The do penalize you. If you leave you have to pay up the balance of your phone immediately. Similar to an etf. Also buying a phone on contract for a month and paying the etf is cheaper than buying the phone at full price.

 

[aristobrat]

The do penalize you. If you leave you have to pay up the balance of your phone immediately. Similar to an etf. Also buying a phone on contract for a month and paying the etf is cheaper than buying the phone at full price.

To each their own, but if you're not in a subsidized contract, having to pay off what you owe on the phone (and not a penny more) isn't a penalty to me.

I consider the Early Termination Fee a penalty because if you want to switch carriers after month #11 in your contract, in many cases you will end up paying more than what you owe on the phone.