Well, after far too much time going back and forth between AT&T and Apple’s site, as well as checking out the other carriers, I finally ordered my iPhone 6 through Apple and decided to stick with AT&T. It’s supposed to be delivered a week from today which is perfect since I’ll be home all day. Joe convinced me to just get the 128GB model for $100 more. I’ve always stuck with the $200 phones with 16GB of space so this will be so awesome. I’ll actually be able to put songs on my phone again and I won’t have to immediately move new photos and videos to Dropbox or uninstall apps temporarily to save space.
I read that AT&T was giving $200 to people trading in their old iPhone (4 and up), but after more research learned it required signing up for their AT&T Next plan which over the course of 24 months ends up costing $850+ for the phone. Check out my Excel comparison:
So unless AT&T tries to change what my Apple conformation is showing, I will have saved approximately $500! I am keeping my fingers crossed that AT&T doesn’t mess with anything. It does kinda suck that I’m still limited to 200 texts per month, but I’d rather save the money. I’m sure at some point I’ll be forced to pay $150+ per month for wireless service like most people I know, but I’m going to try and delay that inevitability for as long as humanly possible.
Now I just need to figure out what I can get for my old phone. I might just trade it into Apple for a gift card that I will use in 2-3 years to get a new iPhone. ;)
I just looked at at&t’s website and it says the $200-$300 rebate is good for Next or a 2 year agreement. If you order from their site they send you a promo code to use to then mail in your phone to apple I assume.
Are you getting the AppleCare plan? Did you buy a case? I’m still trying to decide what I want to do.
I didn’t see any of that on their website, but then again, it said with a 2 year agreement I’d have to pay $40 extra per month for the line but I didn’t see that when I upgraded. I’m guessing all that is geared toward new customers vs. existing. It’s funny how the existing customers tend to get the short end of the stick despite common knowledge that it costs companies far more money to acquire new customers than keep the ones they have. Oh well. I might go to an AT&T store next week when the hoopla dies down and ask if I can retroactively score the trade-in credit. I doubt they will agree to it, but it doesn’t hurt to try.
I never buy the warranty plans because, knock on wood, I never break my electronics. I haven’t purchased a case yet. That’s next on my list. I think I’ll check Groupon as they usually have deals. I’ve also gotten cheap, but surprisingly good, cases at http://www.handhelditems.com/ . I am going to look there now in fact.
And good luck making a decision because I spent way too much time on this whole thing. I’m exhausted!
I wish I would have taken a screen shot of what I read on AT&T’s website. The $40 a month charge is only for the next plan that’s why I don’t understand why anyone goes that route. I guess if you had multiple phones it would be worth it but for me being by myself on my plan it actually costs me more. The 2 year contract plan only charges a one time $40 activation fee.
From AT&T’s website
Trade-in Offer: Ends September 30, 2014. Select locations only. Requires eligible trade-in and purchase of new smartphone on AT&T NextSM, 2-year wireless agreement, or at regular price with no annual contract and qualified service activation. Eligible trade-in: eligible iPhones in good and fully functional condition. Eligible iPhones: iPhone 4, 4s, 5, 5c, and 5s. Upgrades: This is not an early upgrade program. Excludes AT&T NextSM Upgrade program trade-ins. Trade-in: Delete all personal and sensitive information from device’s memory and SIM card. Certain conditions and restrictions apply. Promo Trade-in Value: $300 value for iPhone 5s and $200 value for other eligible iPhones. Promotion Card: In AT&T-owned retail stores will receive instantly value as a private label AT&T Promotion Card (“Card”) issued by MetaBankâ„¢ or CenterState Bank of Florida NA, via license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. If trade-in via att.com, must use emailed promo code received after eligible purchase ships during trade-in process to receive promo trade-in value. Code expires not less than 30 days after receipt. Will receive Card in ~3 weeks after receipt of eligible trade-in & validation of condition. Card may only be used toward purchases of AT&T products & services in AT&T owned retail stores, at att.com, or to pay wireless bill. Card is not redeemable for cash and may not be used for withdrawal at cash-dispensing locations. Expiration date, printed on Card, will not be less than 90 days from receipt. Participating Dealers: provide value as a credit to use instantly or a dealer promotion card. Dealer cards contain additional terms and conditions and may only be used at specified dealer. Smartphones: purchase limit may apply. Return/Restocking: Return within 14 days. Restocking fee up to $35. General Wireless Service Terms: Subject to Wireless Customer Agreement. Credit approval required. Coverage and services not available everywhere. Activation/upgrade fee up to $40, early termination fee up to $325, taxes, other monthly charges and restrictions apply and may result in service termination. Offer subject to change. May be discontinued at any time. See att.com/iphonetradein for promo details.