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Cricketman

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Nov 30, 2008
253
70
Just so I know.

$800 credit for my iPhone 11 Pro Max. 36 month installments.

Is the phone carrier locked? Will I be able to change to a different e-sim abroad? Am I "locked" to ATT in any way? Can anyone please explain the details and the difference between buying it direct from Apple (300 credit). Cheers!
 

zach-coleman

macrumors 6502a
Apr 10, 2022
857
1,341
You’re locked to AT&T until you pay it off. I’m not sure how foreign ESims factor into this.
 

CPTmom2wp

macrumors 6502
Sep 10, 2014
411
473
Ohio
Having just traded in a 12Pro to a 14Pro for a family member, I discovered that the $700 credit is not immediate. You HAVE to keep the monthly payment plan on the new phone on the original phone price. They charge you, for example, $40 on the phone installment and then credit you back $20 on the old phone. So it takes the full installment plan to get the credited amount off the new phone price. I was also told that if I paid for it, I didn't get the credit. Bottom line; the gimmick is to keep you for the full two years as a customer with all the associated monthly expenses. The monthly bill from AT&T is a lot more than $700 over a two year period.
 

tekchic

macrumors 68020
Apr 19, 2010
2,055
1,761
Phoenix, AZ
As someone traveling on a foreign eSim currently, it’ll be interesting to see how this works. I’m on Verizon and was tempted by the offer but I think I’ll just do the usual Citizens Bank and stay unlocked just in case I want to switch carriers in 3 years.
 

zach-coleman

macrumors 6502a
Apr 10, 2022
857
1,341
Having just traded in a 12Pro to a 14Pro for a family member, I discovered that the $700 credit is not immediate. You HAVE to keep the monthly payment plan on the new phone on the original phone price. They charge you, for example, $40 on the phone installment and then credit you back $20 on the old phone. So it takes the full installment plan to get the credited amount off the new phone price. I was also told that if I paid for it, I didn't get the credit. Bottom line; the gimmick is to keep you for the full two years as a customer with all the associated monthly expenses. The monthly bill from AT&T is a lot more than $700 over a two year period.
While this is true, many carriers will buy you out of your contract if you switch. So the point is kind of moot.
 
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schwartzki

macrumors member
Jul 6, 2008
39
7
Is the phone carrier locked? Yes Will I be able to change to a different e-sim abroad? No Am I "locked" to ATT in any way? Yes, you get $800/36 mo worth of monthly billing credits ~ $22.22 off your phone charge a month, if you pay off the device early or upgrade early you forfeit the rest of your monthly trade in credits.
 

phillytim

macrumors 68000
Aug 12, 2011
1,668
1,090
Philadelphia, PA
This is still a great deal, if you have no plans to move from AT&T or if you don't travel with a need to use foreign carriers.

I have moved to a 4-year iPhone upgrade schedule anyways.
 
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dotzero123

macrumors 6502
Sep 3, 2018
382
330
Philadelphia Suburbs
Just previewed my bill for the 1000 iPhone 15 credit - Apple site says my bill will increase $5.53 per month - ATT sent preview of my account changes that will raise my monthly bill for 5 lines by almost 200/month. I've been on hold 30+ minutes trying to resolve. MAKE SURE YOU READ THE FINE PRINT! I'm locked in due to 2 other phones purchased1.5 years ago and very concerned that I'm going to have trouble getting my old rate back. I have unlimited data, which I thought was the criteria, but apparently the devil is in the details. The only blessing here is that I will not pick up the phone and will fight for my old plan or pay off and cancel if need be. Can't believe I got suckered! Considering also cancelling my watch order.
 
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Wags

macrumors 68020
Mar 5, 2006
2,103
1,563
Nebraska, USA
Just previewed my bill for the 1000 iPhone 15 credit - Apple site says my bill will increase $5.53 per month - ATT sent preview of my account changes that will raise my monthly bill for 5 lines by almost 200/month. I've been on hold 30+ minutes trying to resolve. MAKE SURE YOU READ THE FINE PRINT! I'm locked in due to 2 other phones purchased1.5 years ago and very concerned that I'm going to have trouble getting my old rate back. I have unlimited data, which I thought was the criteria, but apparently the devil is in the details. The only blessing here is that I will not pick up the phone and will fight for my old plan or pay off and cancel if need be. Can't believe I got suckered! Considering also cancelling my watch order.
Don’t activate device or open. Just return. Tell them no changes as result of canceled order.
 
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eldo33

macrumors regular
Mar 24, 2010
179
37
As a long time AT&T customer (i've tried Tmobile in the past), this is another 2 years upgrade deal. We have the IP12 for 2 lines and it would be direct swap for one and one with bump to 256gb. The locked/unlocked thing is bit annoying but I came to find out, I haven't switch my carrier for years and I don't travel as much international anyway so it does't bother me.

The fine print for months has been increased compared to the past, 2 years ago it was 30 months which I have another line that is on it, but carrier is getting greedy in expanding to 36months now.
 
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dotzero123

macrumors 6502
Sep 3, 2018
382
330
Philadelphia Suburbs
I (sadly) cancelled but got confirmation that no changes were made to my existing account. Wasn't meant to be this year - hopefully next year will be able to have an easier time upgrading or something different will come out. 12PM still ok for a bit.
 

Ameer_1

macrumors regular
Jul 29, 2023
181
345
Boca Raton, Florida
That is the thing with all these main cellular companies they want you to get the highest tier plan and make you think you getting $ 1,000 when you trade your phone in but most don't know that you basically paying for the phone with the plan since the plan is usually $70+a month
 

Wags

macrumors 68020
Mar 5, 2006
2,103
1,563
Nebraska, USA
Just previewed my bill for the 1000 iPhone 15 credit - Apple site says my bill will increase $5.53 per month - ATT sent preview of my account changes that will raise my monthly bill for 5 lines by almost 200/month. I've been on hold 30+ minutes trying to resolve. MAKE SURE YOU READ THE FINE PRINT! I'm locked in due to 2 other phones purchased1.5 years ago and very concerned that I'm going to have trouble getting my old rate back. I have unlimited data, which I thought was the criteria, but apparently the devil is in the details. The only blessing here is that I will not pick up the phone and will fight for my old plan or pay off and cancel if need be. Can't believe I got suckered! Considering also cancelling my watch order.
 

sjperformance

macrumors 68000
Oct 7, 2013
1,885
2,027
Miami 305
This is the way I get my mom’s new iPhones every 2-3 years. I have no need to leave AT&T. She doesn’t require a new iPhone every year. To me this is the best deal for me for my mom’s device.
 

rysmtihaz

macrumors regular
Jul 12, 2008
235
154
That is the thing with all these main cellular companies they want you to get the highest tier plan and make you think you getting $ 1,000 when you trade your phone in but most don't know that you basically paying for the phone with the plan since the plan is usually $70+a month
I only pay $35 a month per line on a family plan. Kids phones are on the 36 month swap and each phone is about $3 per month. Don't pay the $6 AT&T Next program. It's a waste.
 

htnt7919

macrumors member
Sep 22, 2014
56
29
is the iphone locked to ATT for full 36 months ? I know on Verizon side, the phone will be unlock after 60 days .
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,127
12,039
is the iphone locked to ATT for full 36 months ? I know on Verizon side, the phone will be unlock after 60 days .

Yes or until it’s paid off in which case you forfeit the credits if paying off early.

The trade in deal is pretty good on Verizon. Their new Unlimited Ultimate plan now includes free roaming which is nice when traveling and you haven’t gotten a local SIM yet. Useful for calls back to US and 2FA codes as well.

On AT&T, 3 years is a long time for the phone to be locked. We usually go on an overseas trip every 2 years so the old “contract” length was OK but the new one’s too long.
 
Last edited:

dave006

macrumors 68040
Jul 3, 2008
3,562
888
Just West of East
On AT&T, 3 years is a long time for the phone to be locked. We usually go on an overseas trip every 2 years so the old “contract” length was OK but the new one’s too long.
You can request an unlock after 60 days if you have an international trip where your AT&T eSIM is not compatible. You can have 2 active eSIMS and a max of 8 eSims on the iPhone 15 units.

Dave
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,127
12,039
You can request an unlock after 60 days if you have an international trip where your AT&T eSIM is not compatible. You can have 2 active eSIMS and a max of 8 eSims on the iPhone 15 units.

Dave

I expect there's AT&T roaming available in most countries that support eSIM. I doubt they’ll approve the unlock unless you’re military.

However, I'll need a local number to contact friends and family, and access local ride share services (Grab). Plus the data rates via local SIM are much cheaper as well: $18 for 30 days unlimited vs $10/day with AT&T.
 
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