With Verizon, you may still have the option of early upgrading (AT&T and Tmobile are doing away with this in a movement towards the "Upgrade when you want" plans)...an early upgrade cost is slightly less than full retail, but not by much...I think if the full retail (16GB) was $599, the early upgrade cost was $449. You'll have to contact Verizon and ask them directly for assured details.