"iPhone 5" upgrade for iPhone 4S early adopters...

[richlim27]

I pre-ordered the iPhone 4S the first day it was available. I've heard stories in the past that carriers would move up the renewal date for early adopters. I've also read/heard stories that they have not done so. I'm afraid that I'll run into this issue when the new iPhone comes out (probably sometime in September, from the latest rumor mills). Right now, my renewal date is May 2013. Has anyone heard of AT&T helping out early adopters of previous generation iPhone's, to be able to upgrade their phones a little early? Or am I really going to have to wait till the "iPhone 5S" comes out?

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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richlim27 wrote:

I pre-ordered the iPhone 4S the first day it was available. I've heard stories in the past that carriers would move up the renewal date for early adopters. I've also read/heard stories that they have not done so. I'm afraid that I'll run into this issue when the new iPhone comes out (probably sometime in September, from the latest rumor mills). Right now, my renewal date is May 2013. Has anyone heard of AT&T helping out early adopters of previous generation iPhone's, to be able to upgrade their phones a little early? Or am I really going to have to wait till the "iPhone 5S" comes out?

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Dont remeber them doing it when the 4s came out, so suspect you will need to wait for your contract to become eligible for a full disocunt or until you are eligible for the early upgrade discounted price, which is discounted price + 250.00

[youngjm ACE - Professor]

They did this early on but I have not heard of it for the new models.  This was a big issue for those going from the original iphone to the 3G.  A little less with the 3GS, etc....

[dwill05]

They definitely stopped the early full discount upgrade for early adopters with the 4S. Don't see them going back to it for the 5 (or whatever it will be called). Best they are doing now is allowing people to upgrade on the first day of the month that the upgrade comes.

[abavetta]

Hope this makes you feel a bit more optimistic. I was a first day adopter (Via Apple) for the iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4S.  AT&T has always given me the "discounted" price around $200 to 300 for all 4 phones. In addition to that with the exception of the 4S I have been able to sell my old iPhone on Ebay for more than I had to pay for the new phones. My current iPhone 4S is the 64GB model and I think after selling my old 32GB  iPhone 4 on Ebay the upgrade cost me about $100. Currently AT&T also shows my upgrade as May 2013. Who knows AT&T just may continue this policy of rewarding first day adopters.

Andy

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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abavetta wrote:

Hope this makes you feel a bit more optimistic. I was a first day adopter (Via Apple) for the iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4S.  AT&T has always given me the "discounted" price around $200 to 300 for all 4 phones. In addition to that with the exception of the 4S I have been able to sell my old iPhone on Ebay for more than I had to pay for the new phones. My current iPhone 4S is the 64GB model and I think after selling my old 32GB  iPhone 4 on Ebay the upgrade cost me about $100. Currently AT&T also shows my upgrade as May 2013. Who knows AT&T just may continue this policy of rewarding first day adopters.

Andy

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they did not follow the perk when the 4S was released so chances of it being done this time are slim, but hey it just might happen but would suggest that you don;t hold your breath. The phone is not exclusive anymore so there is less of a incentive to take a financial loss by offering peope the new device before they are eligible

[Linkgx1]

Can we get an official rep to confirm this?

I went to a corporate store and the chick there said that they haven't gotten any official word on upgrades this year. But I'm guesing if they do, according to my text, it will be $199+250.

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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Linkgx1 wrote:

Can we get an official rep to confirm this?

I went to a corporate store and the chick there said that they haven't gotten any official word on upgrades this year. But I'm guesing if they do, according to my text, it will be $199+250.

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this is a peer to peer forum, you will not get an official reply

[youngjm ACE - Professor]

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Linkgx1 wrote:

Can we get an official rep to confirm this?

I went to a corporate store and the chick there said that they haven't gotten any official word on upgrades this year. But I'm guesing if they do, according to my text, it will be $199+250.

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Until Apple officially announces their plans on the 12th no one knows and those who do cannot comment.  Even then an official response would mostly likely not be found here.

[johnny2tone]

I just checked my upgrade eligibiity and it says that I qualify for an Early Upgrade Price, and that on May 5th 2013 I MAY be eligible for a Full Upgrade Price on "A NEW IPHONE." I bought the 4s the day it came out. I should have stuck with my 3gs and got my money's worth out of it. And when I check my upgrade price for a 4s it is discounted to $449 from the full retail of $649 (correct me if I'm wrong). So it looks like my price for a 5 would be discounted to the same amount, unless I wait until May, which is still 3 months ealier than 21 months.  Since it says I qualify for an Early Upgrade Price on A NEW IPHONE, I infer that the very message I'm getting is the answer to the question that many must be asking. So I bet they're gonna say, ok, you can get it for $450 if you were an early 4s person, but that's it, no other discount. And they will make very few exceptions.  If you can get $350 for your 4s on Ebay, that wouldn't be much out of pocket though. Still speculation, but, I already see the evidence in my account. 

[johnny2tone]

Here is my eligiblilty quote, again I was a 4s early adopter...
"As a valued AT&T customer, you're eligible for a discounted iPhone upgrade at a reduced discount, along with a 2-year service commitment. You may qualify for a full discount on an iPhone upgrade on 5/07/2013."

[youngjm ACE - Professor]

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johnny2tone wrote:

Here is my eligiblilty quote, again I was a 4s early adopter...
"As a valued AT&T customer, you're eligible for a discounted iPhone upgrade at a reduced discount, along with a 2-year service commitment. You may qualify for a full discount on an iPhone upgrade on 5/07/2013."

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With that information, you can make the best decision for you that makes sense for you.

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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johnny2tone wrote:

Here is my eligiblilty quote, again I was a 4s early adopter...
"As a valued AT&T customer, you're eligible for a discounted iPhone upgrade at a reduced discount, along with a 2-year service commitment. You may qualify for a full discount on an iPhone upgrade on 5/07/2013."

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a reduced rate discount is the nrmal subsidized price + 250.00 surcharge so if the prce holds true ay 199.00 your early adoption cost would be 459.00 + 36.00 activation, after 5/13 you would pay only the 199.00 + 36.00 activation

[Linkgx1]

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wingrider01 wrote:

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johnny2tone wrote:

Here is my eligiblilty quote, again I was a 4s early adopter...
"As a valued AT&T customer, you're eligible for a discounted iPhone upgrade at a reduced discount, along with a 2-year service commitment. You may qualify for a full discount on an iPhone upgrade on 5/07/2013."

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a reduced rate discount is the nrmal subsidized price + 250.00 surcharge so if the prce holds true ay 199.00 your early adoption cost would be 459.00 + 36.00 activation, after 5/13 you would pay only the 199.00 + 36.00 activation

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Meaning it'll probaly be over $500 including taxes. So you're not really saving that much...AND you have to restart your two years. I think I'd just open another line. $30/mo I guess with mobile share.

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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Linkgx1 wrote:

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wingrider01 wrote:

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johnny2tone wrote:

Here is my eligiblilty quote, again I was a 4s early adopter...
"As a valued AT&T customer, you're eligible for a discounted iPhone upgrade at a reduced discount, along with a 2-year service commitment. You may qualify for a full discount on an iPhone upgrade on 5/07/2013."

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a reduced rate discount is the nrmal subsidized price + 250.00 surcharge so if the prce holds true ay 199.00 your early adoption cost would be 459.00 + 36.00 activation, after 5/13 you would pay only the 199.00 + 36.00 activation

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Meaning it'll probaly be over $500 including taxes. So you're not really saving that much...AND you have to restart your two years. I think I'd just open another line. $30/mo I guess with mobile share.

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ypur choice if it is that importnt to you to have the lastest iphone when it hits the street. 30.00 a month for the 2 year contract terms is 720.00 plus you are still paying the 30.00 a month on the original phone you want to replace, so depending on the remaining portion of you contract you can be paying almost twice as much for the new phone - not to mention the oroginal cost of 199 or more for the new line just to get the phone. AND have have a full two year commitment in addition to the remaining commitment on the other phone, Just seems a little costly for a new toy

[Linkgx1]

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wingrider01 wrote:

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Linkgx1 wrote:

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wingrider01 wrote:

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johnny2tone wrote:

Here is my eligiblilty quote, again I was a 4s early adopter...
"As a valued AT&T customer, you're eligible for a discounted iPhone upgrade at a reduced discount, along with a 2-year service commitment. You may qualify for a full discount on an iPhone upgrade on 5/07/2013."

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a reduced rate discount is the nrmal subsidized price + 250.00 surcharge so if the prce holds true ay 199.00 your early adoption cost would be 459.00 + 36.00 activation, after 5/13 you would pay only the 199.00 + 36.00 activation

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Meaning it'll probaly be over $500 including taxes. So you're not really saving that much...AND you have to restart your two years. I think I'd just open another line. $30/mo I guess with mobile share.

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ypur choice if it is that importnt to you to have the lastest iphone when it hits the street. 30.00 a month for the 2 year contract terms is 720.00 plus you are still paying the 30.00 a month on the original phone you want to replace, so depending on the remaining portion of you contract you can be paying almost twice as much for the new phone - not to mention the oroginal cost of 199 or more for the new line just to get the phone. AND have have a full two year commitment in addition to the remaining commitment on the other phone, Just seems a little costly for a new toy

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Oh, thank you so much. I never thought about that. I might just buy onother phone off contract. It would be cheaper to get a Galaxy Nexus @ 349 at this point. Definitely want to keep my bill @ 150 for 3 lines. $720 could go to something much more productive. Thanks.

[rap2ue]

If you did open a new line...you would pay the 199 plus activation plus 30 per mth....and continue paying the 30 per month for the 4s until May 2013. At that point you can cancel that line....that's 240 or close to the 250 they want now.

[Linkgx1]

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rap2ue wrote:

If you did open a new line...you would pay the 199 plus activation plus 30 per mth....and continue paying the 30 per month for the 4s until May 2013. At that point you can cancel that line....that's 240 or close to the 250 they want now.

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But I'd lose my number. And wouldn't canceling the line at that point enable the activation fee?

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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Linkgx1 wrote:

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rap2ue wrote:

If you did open a new line...you would pay the 199 plus activation plus 30 per mth....and continue paying the 30 per month for the 4s until May 2013. At that point you can cancel that line....that's 240 or close to the 250 they want now.

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But I'd lose my number. And wouldn't canceling the line at that point enable the activation fee?

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tou are going to pay a 36.00 fee if activation or upgrade, if you are talking about etf, then yes if you cancel the line before end of commitment you are liable for the balance of the etf

[mr1581]

Yeah..ive talked to 4 different reps over the phone..explaining that I have been able to upgrade every year with no issues... now all of a sudden I'm not allowed to... my ETF would be less than the extra i would spend to upgrade.... definitely worth a debate

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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mr1581 wrote:
Yeah..ive talked to 4 different reps over the phone..explaining that I have been able to upgrade every year with no issues... now all of a sudden I'm not allowed to... my ETF would be less than the extra i would spend to upgrade.... definitely worth a debate

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If I recall right the 4 was the last one that they allowed that to happen on, there is no money in the phone for them, it is the contract if they allow you an early upgrade they are losing the cash coming in from the remainder of your previous contract, no ROI there. As a matter of point - verizon is giving their grandfathered unlimited plan holders a rough choice - you want to keep the grandfathered unlimited plan - pay full retail for the phone, you want subsidized price then drop your unlimited and get one of the new shared plans, no compromise

[mr1581]

Yeah... but if I got the share plan..its unlimited minutes,messaging and we can split 6GB of data between two lines for $120 + tax.(without corporate discount) I currently spend 165 (with FAN) for 3 lines.. 2 have iphones with unlimited data and family text plan

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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mr1581 wrote:
Yeah... but if I got the share plan..its unlimited minutes,messaging and we can split 6GB of data between two lines for $120 + tax.(without corporate discount) I currently spend 165 (with FAN) for 3 lines.. 2 have iphones with unlimited data and family text plan

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shared data plan is not worth for everyone, it si situated for a specific market share, None of the family plans I currenlty have will save me money at all even with a fan discount applied

[rugbydevildog]

What is so interesting is how the AT&T states that your eligible for an early upgrade discount.  Now let's do the math.

New iPhone 5 64GB =$399

Term Cancellation Fee = $325 - $10 per fullfilled month ($120 for me) bring my fee to $205

With my early upgrade discount the iPhone 5 64GB will cost $649

Upgrade Discount = $649

or

New iPhone Contract/Term + Cancellation Fee = $604

Early upgrade discount = I don't think so.

As far as I'm concerned, AT&T you suck.  Not only is this not a discount, but you try to strong arm iPhone users into other data plans versus our existing data plans to enable features such as HotSpot.  If I pay for data - leave it alone and let me use my data how I want to use it.  If I hit 3GB on my "unlimited plan - NOT unlimited plan" then throttled it.  I should be able to use my data for HotSpot, FaceTime or whatever I see fit for the data I pay for.  I hope Congress moves forward on their investigation about this matter.

[pdm777]

AT&T is making the decision easy...since I need to wait until May to get a discounted iPhone...I will just wait until the iPhone 5s or 6 and since my contract will be up, move over to Verizon.   Since the iPhone 3G I have been able to get a discounted iPhone! Usually becacontra what I spend on my contract. So I guess this is it for my relationship with AT&T...it was fun while it lasted.  I feel this is a stupid move on their part, because a lot of people will be doing the same thing.

[Excalibur18]

I also tried and was denied. I have upgraded every year since the first iPhone without any problem...until today. I even contacted Customer Retention at AT&T and they told me that not enough time has elapsed since my upgrade to the 4S which I purchased on the first day it came out. I spoke with three different people and was told three different dates for my eligibility, April 2013, May 2013 and June 2013. Typical AT&T...left hand does not know what the right hand is doing.

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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rugbydevildog wrote:

What is so interesting is how the AT&T states that your eligible for an early upgrade discount.  Now let's do the math.

New iPhone 5 64GB =$399

Term Cancellation Fee = $325 - $10 per fullfilled month ($120 for me) bring my fee to $205

With my early upgrade discount the iPhone 5 64GB will cost $649

Upgrade Discount = $649

or

New iPhone Contract/Term + Cancellation Fee = $604

Early upgrade discount = I don't think so.

As far as I'm concerned, AT&T you suck.  Not only is this not a discount, but you try to strong arm iPhone users into other data plans versus our existing data plans to enable features such as HotSpot.  If I pay for data - leave it alone and let me use my data how I want to use it.  If I hit 3GB on my "unlimited plan - NOT unlimited plan" then throttled it.  I should be able to use my data for HotSpot, FaceTime or whatever I see fit for the data I pay for.  I hope Congress moves forward on their investigation about this matter.

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If you are basing your numebrs of "New iPhone 5 64GB =$399" as a full retail price you are off on this cost by a hug margin - about 500.00, the full retail price of a Iphone is around 899.00 Not the 399.00 that you are quoting

your early upgrade price would be 399.00 + 250.00 = 649.00 or a discount off of 250.00. You make the mistake of basing your calculations off the discounted price of the device and not the full retail cost of the device you would be required to pay if you where not eligible.

As far as data goes, you never where allowed to use the old unlimited plan with the features you list, why should it be any different now since the plan is discountued? You could be utilizing verizon with a grandfathered unlimited plan and have to play by their upgrade rules - want subsidized upgrade price for the phone, then change off your grandfathered unlimited plan, want to keep the subsidized plan, then pay full retail

[raidersfan_4_LI…]

iT SIMPLY ISNT RIGHT.....Whats sad in att not allowing those who have been longtime faithful customers who have always paid their bills on time and who have continued to keep faith in investing with their new products etc. YET NOW as they stand to make billions of $$$$ on this new phonme release they hold us/me hostage by not allowing an 8-month waiver for full upgrade discount..so not only do I have to be held captive they make my current phone worthless because if I could sell my iphone 4s NOW I could recupe most if not all the price of upgrade..yet their way I'll get nothing...its greed I tell ya GREED and none caring what a proud att customer I am TODAY !!!

[kdfederer ACE - Wizard]

So if Apple came out with a new model every 6 months, you think that because you are a long time customer, you are entitled.
You signed a contract and must live up to the contract. Period.
I think that Apple makes more money on the release of the iPhone than AT&T does. AT&T subsidizes the cost of the phone .
If you think that you should get a new phone every time one comes out, pay the FULL UNSUBSIDIZED price and then you would realize just how much AT&T subsidizes.

[raidersfan_4_LI…]

WHY SHOULD THEY HAVE A NEW PHONE DESIGN WITH ONLY MINOR CHANGES EVERY FEW MONTHS "WHERES THE LOYALITY" IN THAT COME ON MAN GET REAL.....PLEASE