Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Will I be able to upgrade to the new iPhone?

AnthonySmith

AnthonySmith

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 25, 2011
469
85
Southern CA
So here's a little back story.

First iPhone (3G) got for Christmas in 2008. It was bought November 2008. I was eligible for upgrade in February of 2010.

Bought iPhone 4 on launch day 2010. I was later eligible for upgrade April of 2011.

Bought iPhone 4S on launch day, October 2011.

So as you can see, AT&T has made me eligible for upgrade much sooner than two-years in each of these occurrences.

So my question is, will I be eligible for upgrade to the new iPhone come October 2012? I remember seeing somewhere on AT&T's website that if I payed over $100/month for their services (which I do), then they allow me to upgrade sooner.

As of now, I am eligible for upgrade on May 07, 2013.
 
AT&T quietly changed their upgrade policy last spring 2011. No more 12 more upgrades.

Yes May 2013 is your upgrade date now as well as other (like me who used to get early upgrades).

Lots of people will be in for rude awakening come LTE iPhone release in September/October 2012 thinking some now magically AT&T will move up their upgrade (this one time again).
 
Just sell you old phone for $300. Almost as good as an upgrade price when all is said and done.
 
AnthonySmith said:
So I'm gonna have to fork out $600+ for the new iPhone then?
Click to expand...

I think the early upgrade price is somewhere between the new contract price of $200 and the full price of $650. Something like $450. What price do you see on AT&T's website when you shop for a new 4S?
 
Last edited:
Dial *639# (*NEW#) into your phone and it'll let you know if you can upgrade with a new two-year agreement or upgrade with a fee ($250) plus a one-time activation fee.
 
AlphaVictor87 said:
do what roessnakhan said.

i checked and mine is $200 (price of phone on contract) + $250 and i got mine november 2011
so yours should be $450 too
Click to expand...

It's $450 plus $36 upgrade fee. So $486 plus taxes for "early upgrade"

And here is real kicker. Depending on your contract. If you use on early upgrade. The next time you will get the "fully subsizdized upgrade pricing of $199 will be another 20 months"


And once you use an early upgrade ($250 plus $200 iPhone subsidized price). You can't use the early upgrade price for 7th generation iPhone. So will have to wait 20 month for subsidized pricing.
 
LostSoul80 said:
One of the reasons why I'd never, ever buy a phone on contract.
Click to expand...

I'm very happy with AT&T/Cingular for past 8.5 years and don't plan to leave anytime soon. So why not use a subsidized (full) upgrade.

But I think "early upgrade $250 plus $200" is not a good idea.
 
All you have to do is log into your AT&T account on their website and check your upgrade price for an iPhone. Or you can download the AT&T upgrader app from the App Store.

You will be eligible for the EARLY upgrade price, which is $449 ($199 one) for a 16GB iPhone.
 
LostSoul80 said:
One of the reasons why I'd never, ever buy a phone on contract.
Click to expand...

If you are happy with the carrier why not? Unless you don't want an iPhone? Or you can buy used, but with such a big discount on a contract phone you can sell it to others for a good price once you want to upgrade.
 
JMG said:
Just sell you old phone for $300. Almost as good as an upgrade price when all is said and done.
Click to expand...
Also, don't forget that AT&T also unlocks out of contract iPhones now, so once you upgrade, they will unlock the old one and you can probably get even more money for unlocked used one.
 
aneftp said:
Lots of people will be in for rude awakening come LTE iPhone release in September/October 2012 thinking some now magically AT&T will move up their upgrade (this one time again).
Click to expand...

They may be under pressure to do it, in order not to lose customers to other carriers. Maybe the new minimum will be $150/month. It'd only apply to the primary account holder (one line out of however many in a family plan) so not that many anyway. We'll find out come September/October.
 
LostSoul80 said:
One of the reasons why I'd never, ever buy a phone on contract.
Click to expand...

If you are happy with the carrier why not? Unless you don't want an iPhone? Or you can buy used, but with such a big discount on a contract phone you can sell it to others for a good price once you want to upgrade.
 
I just scored an early upgrade for my husbands line even though he isn't due until October. She just told me on the phone that it doesn't include iPhones, but he doesn't want one of those anyways so that's whatever.
 
LostSoul80 said:
One of the reasons why I'd never, ever buy a phone on contract.
Click to expand...

Years ago I was in that mode. Then I finally figured out that I and all family members have no trouble keeping the same phone for at least 2 years. And, we have been on AT&T for maybe 15 years now.

My wife's Iphone 3 works just as good as my 4s. If the deal on the next phone is decent, we will upgrade hers. If not, it is still working great.
 
I was one of the people who didn't feel the need to upgrade from a 4 to 4S so I've got an upgrade ready to burn. The only thing I'm questioning is whether AT&T will screw with peoples unlimited plans if they decide to upgrade with a 2 year contract this year.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back