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What is the downside to ATT Next
- Thread starter robjulo
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Only if you don't make all the payments. You're paying off the phone over your 2 year contract; It's no different with Next.
You can turn in your phone after 12 months (or 18 months if on AT&T Next 18) and receive a trade-in credit towards a new phone. Alternatively, you can continue making payments until it's paid off and it's all yours.
What added fee do you mean?
Also, you don't have to turn in the phone if you pay if off.
I'm confused over NEXT, maybe someone can clue me in.
If I'm going to essentially pay $650 for a phone, why would I pay it to AT&T to keep their service over 18 months when I can just buy a in-contract phone for $199? If I decided to pay $650 for a phone, it would be unlocked so I could use it on another carrier.
The only advantage I'm seeing so far is the ability to upgrade early, but I only upgrade once every 2 years anyway. Or maybe for those that can't afford to put out the money up front, but it just doesn't seem like a wise financial decision to pay another $450 just so you can have longer to pay for it.
Is there something I'm missing here?
If I'm going to essentially pay $650 for a phone, why would I pay it to AT&T to keep their service over 18 months when I can just buy a in-contract phone for $199? If I decided to pay $650 for a phone, it would be unlocked so I could use it on another carrier.
The only advantage I'm seeing so far is the ability to upgrade early, but I only upgrade once every 2 years anyway. Or maybe for those that can't afford to put out the money up front, but it just doesn't seem like a wise financial decision to pay another $450 just so you can have longer to pay for it.
Is there something I'm missing here?
Because if you buy for $199 you'll be paying more for monthly service so that AT&T gets its money from you.
I just mean the monthly payment for the phone versus just paying 2-300 upfront for a subsidized phone. Like for example I bought the Galaxy S5 in April and right now if I want to get the iPhone 6 I have to either pay 240 plus return my galaxy or pay 560 total and keep the phone. I will most likely sell my S5 for $400 and add the rest to keep my out of pocket price down.
+1. Keep in mind that $40 upgrade fee as well.
Anyone in their right mind should not "lease" the phone. Pay it off before upgrading next year and sell the phone personally.
Convenience, ATT (as well as the other carriers) are making it easy and I think a lot of people don't want to go through the hassle of selling the phone
You're still going to have an ETF if you buy on contract in April and want to buy again in September.
Thats true. ATT is banking on the average consumer I'm sure. On MR i tend to think the average poster is a bit more tech savvy
I would buy Next but i have gift cards so ill buy the phone outright instead.
I paid $749 outright for a 32GB 5S.
If I was on NEXT 12 then I would owe $300 if I wanted to continue or keep it.
Trade in value is between $270-$325 on sites now.
Sure selling on Craigslist or Ebay would be higher than that but most will not want to have the hassle.
So it seems like a wash.
NEXT may not be for those on old unlimited plans and can cost more for people with 1 or 2 lines vs subsidy. But if you do the subsidy and want to trade every year... NEXT will still save you money.
If I was on NEXT 12 then I would owe $300 if I wanted to continue or keep it.
Trade in value is between $270-$325 on sites now.
Sure selling on Craigslist or Ebay would be higher than that but most will not want to have the hassle.
So it seems like a wash.
NEXT may not be for those on old unlimited plans and can cost more for people with 1 or 2 lines vs subsidy. But if you do the subsidy and want to trade every year... NEXT will still save you money.
I did the math based on what my wife and I do every year (buy new phone on one line, I get the new one, she gets my old one, rinse and repeat). I'm doing Next for this phone and subsequent. Monthly, my cost will be roughly the same, and yearly, my cost will be roughly the same (I'll owe about $300 left on the payments at 12 months, of which I'll sell the old phone and pay off the previous contract so we're only financing one phone at a time).
The difference for me? This year, I get the iPhone 6 for 'free' upfront instead of spending $300, and we'll just get to pocket the $200 from my wife's iPhone 5 sale. So for me, it's a wash after this, but a $300 benefit immediately. Nice!
The difference for me? This year, I get the iPhone 6 for 'free' upfront instead of spending $300, and we'll just get to pocket the $200 from my wife's iPhone 5 sale. So for me, it's a wash after this, but a $300 benefit immediately. Nice!
Thats true. ATT is banking on the average consumer I'm sure. On MR i tend to think the average poster is a bit more tech savvy
I would buy Next but i have gift cards so ill buy the phone outright instead.
I sold a phone on swappa last July, and I'm still dealing with the buyer, while I recommend that service, I got a buyer who was a little more high maintenance. Since I had to tread lightly due to Paypals 45 day window to dispute a sales, I bent over backwards.
I think in a sense that's what a lot people are afraid, selling it, then dealing with disputes.
add a line to your account get the 2yr pricing for whatever phone you want cancel that new line pay the early termination fee of $325 and you will still come out cheaper than doing the Next upgrade
Depends on your situation.
For me, moving my family to NEXT will save me about $350 per year.
And yes, I'll still own the phones at the end of 2 years, exactly like now.
Your mileage may vary, don't make your decisions based on anyone else's situation. Work it out using your own situation.
For me, moving my family to NEXT will save me about $350 per year.
And yes, I'll still own the phones at the end of 2 years, exactly like now.
Your mileage may vary, don't make your decisions based on anyone else's situation. Work it out using your own situation.
Thanks! I wasn't aware the plans were cheaper, but now that I look at it, I can see a savings of $38 a month fro my family plan if I go with NEXT!
A follow-up question then if anyone can answer. The monthly costs for the NEXT phones on Apple are for the 16GB only. Is there anywhere online, or does anyone know what kind of monthly cost we would be looking at for a 64GB?
Not quite, just because on the subsidy plan you are also paying an upgrade fee, so the difference is more like $400. So, at just over 2 years, it's the same.
But, I agree that if your plan is under 10G and you will generally keep your phone 2 years, it may make more sense to go with the subsidy.
For people who have a shared plan over 10G, it's the other direction. There isn't a huge savings, but there is a savings of Next over the subsidy.