Does anyone know if the iPhone Upgrade Program will do anything to existing carrier contracts? I am thinking that, because the iPhone is unlocked, the carrier should not even know that a device change has been done. Here's the reason I'm asking: I have a grandfathered unlimited data plan from Verizon, and I sure don't want to lose that. It seems like I should be able to get the iPhone 6s, pop my sim card in it, and be good to go. Can anyone confirm?
Only your carrier will be able to confirm that. Give them a call to find out. We, as users just like you, only know what's been announced by Apple so far in this article: http://www.apple.com/shop/iphone/iphone-upgrade-program
ChrisJ4203 wrote:
Is that the balance of a Next program? How are they determining the balance of your contract costs? I'll have about 30 days left on mine, and am trying to determine which program is better, the Apple one or using Next. I know that any contract subsidy for the iPhone will result in increased monthly fees for my account, since we currently see a $25 reduction in the standard monthly cost, but that would go away if you get a subsidized phone.
If you go here http://www.apple.com/shop/iphone/iphone-upgrade-program?cid=wwa-us-kwg-iphone scroll down to where you pick your carrier and there is a link to check your account status. The reduction in your monthly cost would only be if you get an iPhone under contract from AT&T. If you go with the Apple Upgrade program then you will still be eligible for that reduced fee.
anypats wrote:
ChrisJ4203 wrote:
Is that the balance of a Next program? How are they determining the balance of your contract costs? I'll have about 30 days left on mine, and am trying to determine which program is better, the Apple one or using Next. I know that any contract subsidy for the iPhone will result in increased monthly fees for my account, since we currently see a $25 reduction in the standard monthly cost, but that would go away if you get a subsidized phone.
If you go here http://www.apple.com/shop/iphone/iphone-upgrade-program?cid=wwa-us-kwg-iphone scroll down to where you pick your carrier and there is a link to check your account status. The reduction in your monthly cost would only be if you get an iPhone under contract from AT&T. If you go with the Apple Upgrade program then you will still be eligible for that reduced fee.
I've looked before I wrote this. I have been researching, and especially since Apple Care is included. If you get a phone under contract and not Next, you lose the $25 plan discount that you have. Although it is made up by the monthly price you are paying for the phone. That is what I need to find out from AT&T before I decide which way to go. But, if my contract is complete, they should allow me to bring my own device (the phone from Apple) without affecting my plan pricing. At least that is my take on it, and I will have to get that verified by AT&T, which I intend to do before the devices are released.
As AmishCake said, only your carrier can answer that for sure. However, carriers in the past haven't canceled the unlimited data plans due to a handset upgrade. It usually requires a plan change for them be able to effectively cancel it.
With Apple you are required to pick your carrier and it is subject to carrier eligibility. If you are currently under contract or haven't paid off your existing phone, you won't be eligible to enroll in Apple's upgrade program. I knew I wasn't eligible but checked anyway and sure enough it actually shows the balance remaining (a little over $218) and says I need to pay the balance with AT&T or at an Apple Store before I can upgrade.
anypats wrote:
I knew I wasn't eligible but checked anyway and sure enough it actually shows the balance remaining (a little over $218) and says I need to pay the balance with AT&T or at an Apple Store before I can upgrade.
Is that the balance of a Next program? How are they determining the balance of your contract costs? I'll have about 30 days left on mine, and am trying to determine which program is better, the Apple one or using Next. I know that any contract subsidy for the iPhone will result in increased monthly fees for my account, since we currently see a $25 reduction in the standard monthly cost, but that would go away if you get a subsidized phone.
You still pay your carrier as usual, and you're just financing the phone through Apple. When the price is broken down, is actually a better deal than using Next because you're basically getting AppleCare+ for free.
I would think that the iPhone upgrade program works just like buying a phone at full price--you just get to finance. If that's the case, then it shouldn't involve the carrier at all.
If you have Verizon you do not have Next (that is AT&T). If you purchase the Verizon iPhone model under the upgrade program then the MEID will be reported to Verizon in order to use your iPhone in areas where there is not LTE coverage. You will need to ask Verizon if this will affect your plan.
CameronLovesApple wrote:
When the price is broken down, is actually a better deal than using Next because you're basically getting AppleCare+ for free.
Check the math:
If you buy an iPhone 6s 64GB under AT&T Next your pay $37.45/mo for 20 months for a total of $749.00. That is the option to upgrade after 12 months. If you go with AT&T Next 18 you pay $31.21/mo for 24 months for the same total of $749.00. With that option though you can't upgrade for 18 months. Either way, the cost is $749.00.
With the Apple Upgrade plan you pay $36.58 per month for 24 months and therefore the cost is $877.92 so you are paying $128.92 for AppleCare+. It is definitely not free.
anypats wrote:
With the Apple Upgrade plan you pay $36.58 per month for 24 months and therefore the cost is $877.92 so you are paying $128.92 for AppleCare+. It is definitely not free.
But, if you trade devices in one year, which is what they are pushing, do they forgive the balance of the 24 month financing like AT&T does? According to the Apple page, it says your program starts over, so you must be trading in the phone and getting the balance forgiven like AT&T's Next program. The only difference is if you decide to pay and not trade the phone and pay for two years.
At the end of 12 months, when the new iPhone comes out, you trade in your current phone for a new one. If you do that, you're only paying somewhere around $500, depending on which model you choose. You also have the option of continuing to pay your balance every month until it is paid off after 24 months. This is a much worse deal.
I called Apple, and spoke with a great support technician, and she assured me that nothing would be done to my plan with Verizon. She said it would be just like buying a phone at full retail, except you're financing it over one year. Since it's unlocked, it does not change anything with the current plan. I hope this helps anyone who had this question as well.
CameronLovesApple wrote:
You also have the option of continuing to pay your balance every month until it is paid off after 24 months. This is a much worse deal.
How is it a much worse deal. Are you paying interest on the device? I know that AT&T's Next program is interest free, not sure about the others. I would say that Apple's program is similar, and it adds the cost of Apple Care Plus. I imagine they are requiring that to protect their investment.
iPhone Upgrade Program and Carrier Contracts
