iPhone 11 Why wouldn’t you upgrade if you are eligible?

[dlc1022]

One of the reasons I entered into the iPhone Upgrade Program was so that every year I could just upgrade with no hassle and the same payments for a new phone.

So why would people not do this if they are in the program and have at least a year under their belt?

 

[DevinNj]

Some people think there’s not enough of a difference with the newest model to justify the upgrade. I have a Max now and can’t wait to get the Pro Max. But that’s just me.

 

[lsutigerfan1976]

One of the reasons I entered into the iPhone Upgrade Program was so that every year I could just upgrade with no hassle and the same payments for a new phone.

So why would people not do this if they are in the program and have at least a year under their belt?

This is assuming that every person is on some annual upgrade person. I don’t know many ppl that are really. Most ppl i know think a phone is a phone. And won’t upgrade just cause they have a new phone. And like others have said. The ppl in some upgrade program may not see enough to upgrade now.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Isn't the upgrade program designed to for the consumer to be at a loss if they don't upgrade?

 

[dstew201]

Isn't the upgrade program designed to for the consumer to be at a loss if they don't upgrade?

You’re correct. Essentially Paying the same price for older tech.

Since I’m paying 60.33 for the next 12 months why not get the latest!

 

[icemantx]

Essentially Paying the same price for older tech.

But after 2 years or paying it off early, you own the phone and now have equity to put towards a new phone.

 

[magbarn]

But after 2 years or paying it off early, you own the phone and now have equity to put towards a new phone.

Unfortunately you’re 2 year old iPhone at that point will also be worth significantly less so you also have to factor that into account. Of course you’ve also paid for the other half the 2nd year. So there’s that to consider also.

 

[dstew201]

But after 2 years or paying it off early, you own the phone and now have equity to put towards a new phone.

yea and the hassle of selling the old phone (low balled) or Apple’s insult of a trade in.

 

[MattMJB0188]

NOT upgrading until they ditch the notch and bring back the iPhone 6/7/8 design. I hate this new design with no home button.

 

[markyr17]

NOT upgrading until they ditch the notch and bring back the iPhone 6/7/8 design. I hate this new design with no home button.

Guess you’re never upgrading then

 

[mattopotamus]

If you’re in the IUP there is no reason not to upgrade. Otherwise, why else did you sign up for it? The point is to be able to yearly upgrade.

 

[icemantx]

yea and the hassle of selling the old phone (low balled) or Apple’s insult of a trade in.

Either way you pay less for a phone every 2 years by trading in or selling than if you upgrade every year.

 

[zhenya]

Because you end up paying way more to own a phone over the long term. If you keep your phone for 4 years, that's 2+ years where you aren't paying anything for a phone at all. And most of the carriers have moved to the incentive model to get you to switch, so you don't lose much in trade in value, because most of the value is in the switching promotions now.

Most people are perfectly happy with devices that are not the newest model, and they save a lot of money by doing so.

 

[ckurt25]

Last year I upgraded from the X Max to the XS Max. My wife kept her X. This year we both upgraded. She didn't feel it was worth it and this year we can trade her phone in for $ towards a Series 5 watch.

 

[dstew201]

Either way you pay less for a phone every 2 years by trading in or selling than if you upgrade every year.

Ok, I really dont have time to explain ...

If that works for you .. awesome!!
[automerge]1568983637[/automerge]

If you’re in the IUP there is no reason not to upgrade. Otherwise, why else did you sign up for it? The point is to be able to yearly upgrade.

Exactly! And without the BS of trying to sell on eBay or dealing with low trade in value. I’m guaranteed to get the exact fair $$ value when I send my Xs Max back to Apple.

 

[dstew201]

Double post

 

[d.steve]

The IUP payment is just the price of the phone + AppleCare divided by 24. So the question you’re asking is the same as “why wouldn't you always upgrade every year?”

If you don't upgrade it amounts to an interest free loan. Nothing lost. If you do upgrade, you basically forfeit the residual trade in value for the flexibility to do so.

You could also pay off the device and sell it, and start a new IUP for the new model, and not lose the trade in value.

Great program overall - you can choose whatever path you want after the new model is announced every year.

 

[mattopotamus]

yea and the hassle of selling the old phone (low balled) or Apple’s insult of a trade in.

They use to be really low ball trade in offers. I think $400 for a 2 year old X is pretty damn fair, especially when you factor in the hassle free aspect. Doing quick look on eBay they are $550 for the 256gb on the high end and as low as $350.

 

[MrAperture]

Most people get suckered into iUP are not huge iPhone enthusiasts that post here on MR. My own gf, sister and brother-in-law all joined iUP for the X but forgot to upgrade last year to the XS or Max.

They only remembered they were on iUP yesterday when I asked if they were upgrading to new phones this year.

So who knows when they will get their new iPhones; it doesn’t matter to them either way and they don’t care when they get them.

Apple definitely made a ton of money just off these 3.

 

[4sallypat]

Forewarning:
I am the own a phone type of person - not a lease / rent for a year.

So I had my trusty 3 year old iPhone 7+ which I financed thru Apple Citizen's one loan for 0% 24months.
This year I wanted to upgrade my work phone 7+ with an 11.
Looked all over trade in, online resellers, eBay, etc and found it's worth about $200 if it's in excellent condition.

Then T Mobile came in this year and offered $350 for my 3 year old 7+ with all it's scratches & signs of use for a hassle free mail in trade. And voila - my iPhone 11 became half price !

IMO this is one lucky deal that comes along in a great while.....

 

[dstew201]

They use to be really low ball trade in offers. I think $400 for a 2 year old X is pretty damn fair, especially when you factor in the hassle free aspect. Doing quick look on eBay they are $550 for the 256gb on the high end and as low as $350.

And that’s fine.. I rather just send it back then having to deal with listing the device (fees, bad buyers/scammers, ...) or encountering a bad trade in year (ie applewatch $110 trade in for a $1200 Hermès AW... I know I know...)

 

[MisterSavage]

The IUP payment is just the price of the phone + AppleCare divided by 24. So the question you’re asking is the same as “why wouldn't you always upgrade every year?”

If you don't upgrade it amounts to an interest free loan. Nothing lost. If you do upgrade, you basically forfeit the residual trade in value for the flexibility to do so.

You could also pay off the device and sell it, and start a new IUP for the new model, and not lose the trade in value.

Great program overall - you can choose whatever path you want after the new model is announced every year.

If people keep their phones for a long time that's fine. If people upgrade yearly that's fine. I don't get the people that are appalled at the yearly upgraders. If the iPhone upgrade program charged interest I could understand it. $60 a month to be able to enjoy the latest phone each year and not have to deal with the hassle of selling the old phone is more than worth it to me.

 

[Beemers916]

With ATT’s new “creative” pricing, this would actually be a valid question next year as some people will be paying $5/month extra.

As for now 2 main reasons:

1) you don’t HAVE to upgrade, like someone said it amounts to a 0 % loan with an option to upgrade. i upgraded every year since the 3g until the X/Xs upgrade, as i just didnt think it was worth it, even though i was upgrade eligible. Didnt cost me any extra NOT to upgrade. Did just get an 11 pro though.

2) hidden upgrade costs. over $100 in tax, $30 BS “upgrade fee” and also replacing cases And whatnot the actual cost of going to a new phone can be a lot more than it looks at first glance

 

[archer75]

I'm on the IUP. So if I didn't upgrade and waited 2 years I would upgrade then and still have the payment. So may as well upgrade every year. Either way, payment.
Only reason not to is if I kept my phone for longer than 2 years which I never have, not since smartphones became a thing.

 

[i hate phones]

I'm on the IUP. So if I didn't upgrade and waited 2 years I would upgrade then and still have the payment. So may as well upgrade every year. Either way, payment.
Only reason not to is if I kept my phone for longer than 2 years which I never have, not since smartphones became a thing.

After the two years if you upgrade, yes you'll still have the payment but you'll also have your old phone to sell. So the two aren't exactly equal. So either way you'll have the payment but if you wait two years you might have an extra $400 give or take in your pocket (depending on what phone you have)