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Other Upgrading Through AT&T Next Trade In

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macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 10, 2018
54
119
NYC
Hello, I have a question that I've been back and fourth through both Apple and AT&T and can't get a straight answer on. It's a little confusing of an explanation, so I'm hoping someone who has done this before can confirm for me.

I have an iPhone XS Max that I preordered through Apple last year. For the first time, I accidentally did the AT&T Next Every Year plan, where you can trade in your iPhone after 12 months of payments to upgrade to a new one. I was fine with that plan and stuck with it, however, I have never upgraded my phone through AT&T as I know generally launch day and preorder day are always a mess with them.

What I am trying to figure out is, can I preorder my iPhone on Apple.com whilst processing a trade in through my plan? From one other forum I read that Apple processes the trade in on behalf of AT&T, so they send you a box with a label, but the iPhone is shipped through Apple themselves which is what I want to do. I just want to confirm if this is true, and if anyone HAS upgraded their phone this way.

Sorry if that was a confusing explanation, if needed I'll be happy to clarify any details, and seriously anyone who gives me a straight answer is a lifesaver for me.
 
Any reason why you don't want to pre-order via AT&T instead?
 
blairh said:
Any reason why you don't want to pre-order via AT&T instead?
Click to expand...

My experiences with AT&T orders have been terrible. One phone was missing, the other was given launch day shipping then changed to 3-4 weeks out, and with one order I was entirely sent the wrong phone. Never mind that every time I have ever called them for anything customer service was mediocre at best. I know not everyone will have a terrible experience every time, but I'll do anything to avoid going through that trouble again.
 
LoadingPleaseWait said:
My experiences with AT&T orders have been terrible. One phone was missing, the other was given launch day shipping then changed to 3-4 weeks out, and with one order I was entirely sent the wrong phone. Never mind that every time I have ever called them for anything customer service was mediocre at best. I know not everyone will have a terrible experience every time, but I'll do anything to avoid going through that trouble again.
Click to expand...
I've been with AT&T for 11 years with zero ordering issues. I strongly suggest you pre-order with them and have it so that you can pick up your new phone at one of their stores. This way you can also trade-in your current phone in person with zero issues.
 
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Yes you can do that. I have been on ATT Next for several years and ordered and traded in through Best Buy and the last two directly through Apple. I’m switching to the Apple Upgrade program this year though to get out from under ATT in case I want to change carriers.
 
blairh said:
I've been with AT&T for 11 years with zero ordering issues. I strongly suggest you pre-order with them and have it so that you can pick up your new phone at one of their stores. This way you can also trade-in your current phone in person with zero issues.
Click to expand...

Well given my experience in the past, that was definitely my last resort plan. I will however be trading in my phone in person for sure. I've never actually traded in a phone before, I've always sold them online.

DianaMR said:
Yes you can do that. I have been on ATT Next for several years and ordered and traded in through Best Buy and the last two directly through Apple. I’m switching to the Apple Upgrade program this year though to get out from under ATT in case I want to change carriers.
Click to expand...

Awesome thank you!! I was just thinking that I should switch to the Apple Upgrade Program myself next year for the same reason.
 
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I'm on the Next program with AT&T and I ordered my phone from Apple directly last year. When my new phone arrived, I put my old phone in the box that my new phone came in and sent it to AT&T. I believe AT&T emailed me a shipping label or one came with my phone. I can't remember. It was pretty easy overall.
 
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Be aware that AT&T has changed their Next program and the 12 month plan has been discontinued. They now only offer a 30 month plan with no early upgrade, or a 30 month plan with upgrade at 50% (15 months) but there is a $5/mo fee that does not go toward the balance of the phone.
 
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Carmenia83 said:
Be aware that AT&T has changed their Next program and the 12 month plan has been discontinued. They now only offer a 30 month plan with no early upgrade, or a 30 month plan with upgrade at 50% (15 months) but there is a $5/mo fee that does not go toward the balance of the phone.
Click to expand...
I just saw that today. It might be time for me to switch to IUP. Paying $5 extra dollars for the "luxury" of upgrading early is crazy to me.
 
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Maybe you’ll get lucky, but every time I mail a trade in phone back to AT&T, they claim they never receive it within the return window, and they end up shipping the phone back, forcing me to pay off the remaining balance. Then I have to unlock the phone, and usually sell it for a little more on eBay than what the AT&T trade in price ended being.
 
So, if you had to choose, AT&T Next or iUP? I’m on the tail end of a NEXT plan (30 payments) and thinking about doing the Apple iUP when the new iPhone comes out. What about the Apple Installments Program?
 
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walds11 said:
So, if you had to choose, AT&T Next or iUP? I’m on the tail end of a NEXT plan (30 payments) and thinking about doing the Apple iUP when the new iPhone comes out. What about the Apple Installments Program?
Click to expand...
Easily iUP now that AT&T has that garbage $5 surcharge to be able to trade in to upgrade. Plus if you get AC+, you only pay monthly instead of paying the whole thing and having to keep paying the entire amount every time you upgrade if you do yearly.

Only snag is you will have to pay off your installments in advance so you are fully eligible to upgrade with Apple. Then you just trade in your old device when you upgrade to your new one or keep as a backup or whatever you want to do with it.
 
compwiz1202 said:
Easily iUP now that AT&T has that garbage $5 surcharge to be able to trade in to upgrade. Plus if you get AC+, you only pay monthly instead of paying the whole thing and having to keep paying the entire amount every time you upgrade if you do yearly.

Only snag is you will have to pay off your installments in advance so you are fully eligible to upgrade with Apple. Then you just trade in your old device when you upgrade to your new one or keep as a backup or whatever you want to do with it.
Click to expand...

Thanks man!

Snag as in you need to pay off the installments in advance or the system won’t let upgrade with Apple iUP?
 
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walds11 said:
Thanks man!

Snag as in you need to pay off the installments in advance or the system won’t let upgrade with Apple iUP?
Click to expand...
It might be ok but I've never paid it off on the same day I ordered through Apple. Would rather do it early just in case. I don't know if it was a glitch with Apple or Verizon or if you can't pay to trade in upgrade through the Apple App. It wouldn't give me the option to pay up to 50%; I kept getting Full Retail Pricing, so I had to order through Verizon instead.
 
Carmenia83 said:
Be aware that AT&T has changed their Next program and the 12 month plan has been discontinued. They now only offer a 30 month plan with no early upgrade, or a 30 month plan with upgrade at 50% (15 months) but there is a $5/mo fee that does not go toward the balance of the phone.
Click to expand...
Wow, I'm glad I saw this. I've been planning to switch from Apple to ATT Next since I get 7.5% back in rewards from ATT via CC points, and I wouldn't have to pay extra for Apple Care. Phone's always in a case with a screen protector anyway.

But a new $5 a month fee just to be on that program are you @#$@# kidding me?!?!?!?

Staying on the Apple Upgrade Program.
 
compwiz1202 said:
It might be ok but I've never paid it off on the same day I ordered through Apple. Would rather do it early just in case. I don't know if it was a glitch with Apple or Verizon or if you can't pay to trade in upgrade through the Apple App. It wouldn't give me the option to pay up to 50%; I kept getting Full Retail Pricing, so I had to order through Verizon instead.
Click to expand...

Got it. Better to be safe than sorry!
 
Yeah, I’m most likely be doing the Apple iUP and trade in my X. And obviously get out of my NEXT plan (only handful of payments left).
 
AT&T making you pay $5 a month for the 'privilege' to upgrade in 12 months is just spitting in the consumers face.
 
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Have used the ATT Next when upgrading for the past few years but this extra fee just seems like a waste. I may have to look into the Apple program. Is there a way to enroll prior to the pre-order to expedite the checkout process or does all that have to be done at the same time?
 
IconIc215 said:
Have used the ATT Next when upgrading for the past few years but this extra fee just seems like a waste. I may have to look into the Apple program. Is there a way to enroll prior to the pre-order to expedite the checkout process or does all that have to be done at the same time?
Click to expand...

As far as I know, it all has to be done at the same time for new members of iUP. Here is some good info on iUP:

https://www.apple.com/shop/iphone/iphone-upgrade-program/join

For current members, your application will be autofilled, which will save time.
 
LoadingPleaseWait said:
Hello, I have a question that I've been back and fourth through both Apple and AT&T and can't get a straight answer on. It's a little confusing of an explanation, so I'm hoping someone who has done this before can confirm for me.

I have an iPhone XS Max that I preordered through Apple last year. For the first time, I accidentally did the AT&T Next Every Year plan, where you can trade in your iPhone after 12 months of payments to upgrade to a new one. I was fine with that plan and stuck with it, however, I have never upgraded my phone through AT&T as I know generally launch day and preorder day are always a mess with them.

What I am trying to figure out is, can I preorder my iPhone on Apple.com whilst processing a trade in through my plan? From one other forum I read that Apple processes the trade in on behalf of AT&T, so they send you a box with a label, but the iPhone is shipped through Apple themselves which is what I want to do. I just want to confirm if this is true, and if anyone HAS upgraded their phone this way.

Sorry if that was a confusing explanation, if needed I'll be happy to clarify any details, and seriously anyone who gives me a straight answer is a lifesaver for me.
Click to expand...


ordering at apple is still the same it hasnt changed the next program. still has 24 month contract with 12 monthy upgrade no fee. might change once new iphone gets released though
 
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