Do you buy your iPhones outright or wait for contract renewal?

Bradley Spence

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Mar 25, 2014
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Hey guys,

I'm just curious to what most of you do. Do you buy your phone from Apple unlocked outright or do you wait until your contract is up for renewal and upgrade? Or pay early upgrade fees?

I find the best way to do it is buy it unlocked from Apple then every time the new iPhone comes out I list mine on eBay and offer (almost) worldwide shipping and find that I usually sell it for around $200 less then I paid for it. Then I line up at the Apple Store on the release date and buy 2 new iPhones, sell one on eBay (for $200 more than it's worth usually), and between selling the new one and the old one I sold on eBay, it usually pays for my new iPhone. It's like I get a free iPhone every time a new one is released. Anyone else do this?

This seems like the best way to upgrade year after year without being stuck in a big contract. It also gives you power to negotiate a better plan with the retention department with your phone carrier ;)
 
Jan 20, 2014
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I've never once had a contract. I go through way too many phones for this to benefit me at all. I have financed one phone, I regret this decision and won't do it again. I don't like having higher bills due to paying off a phone. If I really want it, I'll sell what I have and put money saved to cover the difference.

Though I'll likely not be buying another android that costs $800 again. Unlike the iPhone, these depreciate in mere minutes.


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anon4757448

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I upgrade on contract renewal but next time around I'll probably buy unlocked. It's funny because I used to buy phones every 6 months but when I got an iPhone I thought there was no need to upgrade.


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anon(4698833)

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Almost always buy outright, simply because they tend to hold better value when I get ready to sell it to buy the newest variant. I have, however, used my upgrades a few times just because I've been with AT&T so long and have no real plans to switch. Over the last couple of years, I've given my upgrades to my sisters or brothers since they benefit more from the cheaper cost.
 

iEd

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I haven't bought a phone outright since the original iPhone. My last 3 phones I upgraded early. The first 2 BB to HTC EVO 3-D wasn't satisfied with. Next a 4S to 5S because really wanted the 5S. I plan on keeping the 5S until Sept 2015 to get a potential 6S.
 

ajl

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I use my caniving speech to get myself an upgrade. The last time I waited 2 years for an upgrade was when getting my iPhone 4. After that, I've gotten early upgrades free of charge from AT&T. First the 4S, then the 5, then the Galaxy S4, then the Note 3 and finally the 5s, all for $200. As of now, I'm technically eligible in August of this year :)


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GusHerb94

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My last two phones have been purchased outright and secondhand. I'll be buying on contract for the iPhone 6 this fall if I don't decide to switch to att, otherwise I may buy unlocked.
 

Highrisedrifter

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I buy outright. My next purchase, the iPhone 6 will be bought outright now my contract with Vodafone is in the free cancel period and I can move to a cheaper 30 day rolling contract with another carrier for a third of what I'm currently paying.
 

nikkisharif

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I buy a new device ever year, so every other year I use an upgrade. The iPhones with Verizon are unlocked, so using my upgrade isn't a big deal because I can still use a different sim when I'm out of the country.

I also never sell my phones in order to pay for new ones. I'll either use it on my second line, keep it as a back up or end up passing it down to someone.
 

Premium1

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I buy them outright. I am on verizon and have unlimited data. I usually use Best Buys Credit card so I get 18 month no interest so that I make payments spread out over a couple months. Usually sell my old iPhone as well and what I end up paying is like if I were to renew with a contract anyway.
 

Speedygi

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Mar 31, 2012
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I usually just buy the phones outright, I don't buy many of them anyways and not much of my money goes to non-phones.
 

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