Old 3g phone to 4g [ Edited ]

[cellnewbie09]

I have an old 3g non smartphone that has been out of contract for over a year.  I think I want a new phone but I have questions.

Do I have to get a new contract? =/

Do I get a new sim card or can I keep the same one (its a 3g sim card)?

Can I keep my same calling plans and features?

^^ I have "unlimited messaging and unlimited data for non smartphones" for 30$ a month.  Can i keep this?

I don't want a new contract, but I don't mind one.  I just really don't want to loose my unlimited data and unlimited messaging.  

The prices for new data and messaging plans are too much and I can't afford it.  I find that I have to pay for a new phone and more a month than I am now and get less in monthly serivce.  That doesn't sound right.

Please help, I've never upgraded before.  

[Evandela ACE - Warrior]

All really valid questions. Lets get these answered for you!

Do I have to get a new contract? =/

-> If do not want a contract, then no it is not necessary to purchase a device with one. However, you won't get the subsidized price, which means you will have to pay full price for the phone you want.

Do I get a new sim card or can I keep the same one (its a 3g sim card)?

-> It really depends on the device you pick really. However it is likely you might need a new SIM card if yours is 3G only. The newer ones take advantage of LTE and HSPA+. Make sure you select a 4G LTE compatible device if you want LTE.

Can I keep my same calling plans and features?

-> Absolutely! Nothing in your plan has to change!

[cellnewbie09]

Oh I think I should mention that I have a non smartphone (samsung eternity: the original) and I want a smartphone.  I think that I want the Sony Xperia phone.

So what will then happen to my "unlimited messaging and unlimited data for non smartphones"?  Can I still keep that for 30$ a month while upgrading to a smartphone?

Thanks

[Max69 ACE - Wizard]

If you switch to a smartphone, you'll need to also change your data plan to one of the tiered smartphone plans.

[cellnewbie09]

Thanks Evandela and Max!

That's a bummer.  I would like to have a better phone, just can't afford to pay more for less (at least at this time).

One more question:  If I upgrade and get a new contract, does att pull a credit report?  I have perfect credit and I don't mind them pulling a credit check, but I don't want a "Hard Pull."  

A "Hard Pull" credit check stays on your credit report for two years, is shown to everyone who can see your credit report, and reduces your credit score because it is labled as a "credit inquiry."

Whereas, a "Soft Pull" credit check also stays on your credit report for 2 years, but is only viewable by you, the consumer, and not by anyone else.  A "Soft Pull" is labled as an "account review inquiry" and so therefore does not reduce your credit score.

If att does a credit check for upgrades (like they do when you first become a customer), is it a Hard Pull or Soft Pull?

[kdfederer ACE - Wizard]

Usually upgrades do not require credit checks as you have been an AT&T customer for at least a couple of years. I believe, the only reason they would pull a credit check, is if you had several late payments during the contract period.
They would pull a credit check if you would add a line.