Best iPhone deal (ATT)

[Keishag]

We are looking to get my son an iphone for his birthday. What/where is the current best deal to add a line to my already existing ATT plan? I wasn't sure if it was best to do it with ATT, go to Apple directly, Best Buy, Walmart or somewhere else?

 

[capegirl]

If you are with ATT, under their Nextplan, you will probably have to pay for the additional line, plus the cost of the phone.
As it stands now, you can either pay for the phone upfront, which can be very pricey, or you can make monthly payments on the phone until it is paid off. Depending on the iPhone you choose, it will add another $20-25, more or less, to your monthly bill above the cost of the additional line. If you do not want the cost of the iPhone on your bill every month, you also have the option of buying a good used unlocked iPhone that you could bring to AT&T or any carrier. If you buy an iPhone directly from Apple, you will still need a provider, such as AT&T.
You used to be able to go to Walmart and pay $100 for an iPhone, but those days are over. Most cell phone providers no longer subsidize the cost of phones.

 

[havaneselover]

If you are with ATT, under their Nextplan, you will probably have to pay for the additional line, plus the cost of the phone.
As it stands now, you can either pay for the phone upfront, which can be very pricey, or you can make monthly payments on the phone until it is paid off. Depending on the iPhone you choose, it will add another $20-25, more or less, to your monthly bill above the cost of the additional line. If you do not want the cost of the iPhone on your bill every month, you also have the option of buying a good used unlocked iPhone that you could bring to AT&T or any carrier. If you buy an iPhone directly from Apple, you will still need a provider, such as AT&T.
You used to be able to go to Walmart and pay $100 for an iPhone, but those days are over. Most cell phone providers no longer subsidize the cost of phones.

I bought a six-month old iPhone 6 64 gb for $450 off eBay last Fall. Phone was in mint condition. Going forward this is how I plan to upgrade (every three or four years).

 

[capegirl]

I bought a six-month old iPhone 6 64 gb for $450 off eBay last Fall. Phone was in mint condition. Going forward this is how I plan to upgrade (every three or four years).

I totally think that if you can afford the upfront cost, it is definitely the way to go. I need to do some iPhone shopping, so I'm happy to hear eBay worked out for you. I read a report recently that new iPhone sales were down; no wonder! I am not too happy with AT&T, but we have a grandfathered unlimited data plan that I do not want to give up.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We did the financing thing through AT&T. It didn't add much to our monthly bill.

 

[CoP Luv]

I totally think that if you can afford the upfront cost, it is definitely the way to go. I need to do some iPhone shopping, so I'm happy to hear eBay worked out for you. I read a report recently that new iPhone sales were down; no wonder! I am not too happy with AT&T, but we have a grandfathered unlimited data plan that I do not want to give up.

Bolding mine.

We aren't too happy with AT&T either lately after our plan was changed to something much higher than was quoted and "cannot be changed". I have a Samsung S4 that will probably need to get replaced in the next year or so, and was thinking of buying a new phone on eBay and taking it to tracphone. Is this even possible?

 

[havaneselover]

Bolding mine.

We aren't too happy with AT&T either lately after our plan was changed to something much higher than was quoted and "cannot be changed". I have a Samsung S4 that will probably need to get replaced in the next year or so, and was thinking of buying a new phone on eBay and taking it to tracphone. Is this even possible?

I use mine on Straight Talk (partly owned by Tracfone). I think I paid $450 for a year of service (they were running a special). I've used straight talk for years with no complaints. But it's not as good of a deal if you are on a family plan. Then Cricket might be a better option.

 

[CoP Luv]

I use mine on Straight Talk (partly owned by Tracfone). I think I paid $450 for a year of service (they were running a special). I've used straight talk for years with no complaints. But it's not as good of a deal if you are on a family plan. Then Cricket might be a better option.

Thanks for the info. It will be for a single line only as I currently share a family plan with my sister and she can go at it alone if need be.

 

[capegirl]

Bolding mine.

We aren't too happy with AT&T either lately after our plan was changed to something much higher than was quoted and "cannot be changed". I have a Samsung S4 that will probably need to get replaced in the next year or so, and was thinking of buying a new phone on eBay and taking it to tracphone. Is this even possible?

I believe it is possible, I think you just need to get the Tracphone SIM card, and buy minutes and data. My dad recently cancelled his AT&T plan, and he bought a Tracphone that came with double minutes for the life of the phone. I helped him to activate the phone online, and it was super easy. You can port your own phone number, or a local number will be assigned. Granted, my Dad's phone is just a basic model, but he is very happy with it...and no more AT&T bill. Just make sure that Tracphone has cell service in your area.

 

[Albort]

If your on an unlimited plan, they give u the 4th line free. Then id just buy a phone and carry over the monthly with that.

Alternatively(but not a popular idea) but is to open a new credit card with ATT. ATT has a card where you buy an iPhone($650) + send another $1350($2k in total) in 3 months, then they will refund you the $650. If your personal expense is that much, its pretty easy to obtain.