Spend for 1/2 Subsidy vs iPhone 5S?

**offdahglass** · 09-06-2012, 07:30 AM

** For those who are able to receive an early iPhone upgrade- will you spend for a half subsidy on an iPhone 5 or wait for what I guess will be iPhone 5S (I'm guessing that's what it will be) for next year? I'm torn but hate spending that extra $250. Thoughts?

**rooktdphi** · 09-06-2012, 09:38 AM

my days of going with the subsidized upgrades may be over; i plan on buying phones outright from now on in order to keep my unlimited data through Verizon.

Doesn't exactly answer your query, but that's the situation that I find myself in

**E Pow** · 09-06-2012, 01:24 PM

I'll be spending the extra $250, unless I use my wifes upgrade but she wants the iPhone 5 too. So more than likely I'll be spending the extra $250.

**Premium1** · 09-06-2012, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by rooktdphi

my days of going with the subsidized upgrades may be over; i plan on buying phones outright from now on in order to keep my unlimited data through Verizon.

Doesn't exactly answer your query, but that's the situation that I find myself in

I am doing the same thing. I think it all depends on if you have the $$ to pay full price to get a discounted price next year( that is in regards to the OP's question). My contract is up in June so when that happens I will be exploring other options for carriers maybe switch to at&t since at least with them you dont have to get the share plans as they kept their other old plans also.

**kfreeman_23** · 09-06-2012, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by rooktdphi

my days of going with the subsidized upgrades may be over; i plan on buying phones outright from now on in order to keep my unlimited data through Verizon.

Doesn't exactly answer your query, but that's the situation that I find myself in

you and me both brother. it sucks that they want us to give unlimited data up! its faster than wifi. I think they should do the At&t thing and make upgrade at the end of our contract rather then an early upgrade. Long term greed! i feel like complaining to the FCC!!

**kooch0489** · 09-07-2012, 11:05 AM

What do you mean by extra $250? Won't the phone be somewhere around $750 without a contract?

**SeanHRCC** · 09-07-2012, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by c5250

What do you mean by extra $250? Won't the phone be somewhere around $750 without a contract?

He's describing the extra cost for an "early upgrade", which is the $199 contract price plus a $250 premium (and there's still a $30 service fee if i recall correctly).

The full price of the iPhone without contract should still start at $650.

**kooch0489** · 09-07-2012, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by SeanHRCC

He's describing the extra cost for an "early upgrade", which is the $199 contract price plus a $250 premium (and there's still a $30 service fee if i recall correctly).

The full price of the iPhone without contract should still start at $650.

Sorry if I'm reading this wrong, but you're saying you can pay the contract price, plus the $250 and the service fee, and get a new phone?

**SeanHRCC** · 09-07-2012, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by c5250

Sorry if I'm reading this wrong, but you're saying you can pay the contract price, plus the $250 and the service fee, and get a new phone?

Yes, if you are eligible for an "early upgrade" from your carrier (eligibility is not set in stone amongst carriers so there's no way to guarantee one carriers rules will match another's).

**Gary86** · 09-07-2012, 10:07 PM

Just want to make sure I have this right...I got the following text. So I will be paying $299 (32GB) + $250 for fee for the new iPhone later this month?

**cableguy619** · 09-07-2012, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by Gary86

Just want to make sure I have this right...I got the following text. So I will be paying $299 (32GB) + $250 for fee for the new iPhone later this month?

yes unless you pay the full pricing. They are having the cosumer eat more of the cost of the phone in this case so less of it is on the company.

**Gary86** · 09-08-2012, 01:41 AM

Originally Posted by cableguy619

yes unless you pay the full pricing. They are having the cosumer eat more of the cost of the phone in this case so less of it is on the company.

Ok, thank you! I'll find a way to get the dough.

**rickdo** · 09-08-2012, 04:59 AM

Originally Posted by offdahglass

** For those who are able to receive an early iPhone upgrade- will you spend for a half subsidy on an iPhone 5 or wait for what I guess will be iPhone 5S (I'm guessing that's what it will be) for next year? I'm torn but hate spending that extra $250. Thoughts?

Today I went to AT&T to verify upgrade possibilities since I have 4 numbers with them. To clarify this is how will go guys,
If you are out of contract, pay $199+$36 activation charge for the 16 gb, sign for 2 more years and go to show off.
Then, even if you have more than a year of contract, you still are eligible to upgrade, so you pay $199+$36 activ. + $250 for AT&T's greed.

**Chex313** · 09-08-2012, 05:48 AM

This situation doesn't apply to me...But I still have to buy one. Just sold a 32GB i4 for $290($300 but I shipped) I have another 16GB i4 to sell and I had previously sold a 3GS. So those with a 4S it will compensate nicely for the added upgrade price.

You gotta love the resale value of iphone's!

**jakeless.123** · 09-08-2012, 06:02 AM

I went into the AT&T store and they informed me that if you qualify for an early (partial) upgrade, it will be $250 plus the cost of the phone. If you are 20 months into your contract, you qualify for a full upgrade and will not have to pay the $250 fee.

**iSRS** · 09-08-2012, 06:21 AM

Originally Posted by rooktdphi

my days of going with the subsidized upgrades may be over; i plan on buying phones outright from now on in order to keep my unlimited data through Verizon.

Doesn't exactly answer your query, but that's the situation that I find myself in

Not sure if you have a non data line on your account (that is upgrade eligible), but if you do? You can buy the new iPhone on that line, pay the $30 to activate it, go online and switch it to your line. You keep unlimited data, and then when you reactivate the basic phone you can take the data off that line.

Had this proactively told to me by a Verizon rep, a co-worker was also told by a rep at Costco, and I called Verizon and asked, and they confirmed. YMMV.

**iTwe4k** · 09-08-2012, 06:23 AM

I have an upgrade due so I won't have to pay.
If I didn't have an upgrade, I would pay whatever for the new iPhone cause id want to use the new apps on the extra screen estate.
_____________________ @iTwe4k
iPod nano (watch)
2 iPod touch 16g/32g - black/white
iP 3Gs 32g - white
iP 4 32g - red
New iPad 64g 4G - white
MacBook Air

**wdfly** · 09-08-2012, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by rooktdphi

my days of going with the subsidized upgrades may be over; i plan on buying phones outright from now on in order to keep my unlimited data through Verizon.

Doesn't exactly answer your query, but that's the situation that I find myself in

I am doing the same thing, unlimited data is worth more to me than a discount.

**Fausty82** · 09-08-2012, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by rickdo

Today I went to AT&T to verify upgrade possibilities since I have 4 numbers with them. To clarify this is how will go guys,
If you are out of contract, pay $199+$36 activation charge for the 16 gb, sign for 2 more years and go to show off.
Then, even if you have more than a year of contract, you still are eligible to upgrade, so you pay $199+$36 activ. + $250 for AT&T's greed.

AT&T's greed? In the scenario that you describe, YOU are choosing to not fulfill the contract that you signed when you got your last phone on that account. The requirement for a 2 year contract is there to allow the provider to recoup their investment in your device - given to you in the form of an equipment subsidy. If you upgrade earlier than they allow, you cost them money, and the $250 early upgrade fee is to offset their loss on the first device.

I understand that (1) everyone wants the latest, greatest, shiny new toy, and (2) provider fees are out of control in a lot of cases, but this one is both self-inflicted and legitimate, IMHO.

**I Monarch** · 09-08-2012, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by Fausty82

I understand that (1) everyone wants the latest, greatest, shiny new toy, and (2) provider fees are out of control in a lot of cases, but this one is both self-inflicted and legitimate, IMHO.

This is the Internet. We're hear to complain about AT&T and corporate greed. Don't ruin it with facts.

**ohessyou** · 09-08-2012, 10:56 AM

One other thing to remember. If you do the early upgrade your contract is extended by 2 years not 2 years from the date you get your new phone. So if you had a year left on your old contract you are now tied to AT&T for 3 years.

**evorc** · 09-08-2012, 11:23 AM

Thats incorrect, if you do early upgrade its a new 2 year from that day not 3 years.

**Jeremy** · 09-08-2012, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by EvoRC

Thats incorrect, if you do early upgrade its a new 2 year from that day not 3 years.

You are correct.

**boomhower1820** · 09-08-2012, 12:56 PM

I'm waiting for the 5S. It's a phone, I'm not paying and extra $250. If I had LTE in my area I probably would though.

**phil1995** · 09-08-2012, 01:47 PM

I am 18 months into my Verizon contract, here is what I plan to do.

1. Add additional line to my phone and pay $299 for the 32Gb Iphone5
2. Trade in my current Iphone 4 on the Best Buy buy back program for -$240
3. Cancel my current line and pay the $180 contract buy out from Verizon.
4. Pay $35 new line activation.

Total Cost: $299 -$240 + $180 + $35 = $274 + Iphone4 32Gb on a new 2 year contract