iP6S upgrade: AT&T Next or Apple 12 months?

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@akoxeno wrote:

I just returned from an AT&T store. AT&T actually charges $2 more per month for the iP6S 128 GB than Apple would for 12 months which is bundled with Apple Care.

 

 

The ATT charge might be $2 more but the Next 12 plan is 20 installments vs Apple's plan which is 24 installments. If you actually pay the phone off completely and don't trade it in, Next would be less. Don't forget the AppleCare+ cost is factored into Apple's price.

Thanks.

If I order through AT&T, the other option available to me is to transfer my second line that is upgrade elgible because it is well past the 2 year contract. That would allow me to go with a 2 year contract on the iP6S  but I don't remember all the fees AT&T charges for using the 2 year contract versus Next when upgrading.

Depending on your plan and data pool, a 2 year contract may cost you about $200 more than Next or full retail.

full retail. $649 plus sales tax

Next $649 

upgrade fee $15

sales tax is due up front.

2 year contract on Mobile share plans with 10 GBS or more data pool 

$45 upgrade fee

$199 discounted price.

$600 loss of discount for contract period. $25 for 24 months)

These numbers are very helpful however I remain confused about the fees for simply extending my current Next contract. Is this also $15 or something else?

I only have a 5 GB data plan as I utilize Wifi much especially due to international travel.

BTW, I think the 2 year contract price for the iP6S 128 is $399.

I am comparing upgrade paths on the new iPhone 6s and I wonder if I have this correct. 

Apple iPhone Upgrade program announced on this week looks a lot like the AT&T Next.
However, the Apple program includes AppleCare+ and Next doesn't. You would have to add AT&T Mobile Insurance to your ATT plan to get equivalent coverage.  

Device for comparison: iPhone 6s 64Gb

ATT Next 12 $37.45/mo (+ $9.99 Mobile Insurance) * 20 months = $948.80

iPhone Upgrade program $36.58/mo * 24 months = $877.92

Apple deal is better by $70 over the 2 year span. 

Mobile Insurance vs. AppleCare+ looks comparable assuming you stay accident free for 6 consecutive months. Both will cost you $99 to replace the phone as a "deductable". If you don't stay accident free for 6 months, ATT will double the deductible cost to $199 (ouch).

You can walk in to an Apple Store and replace the phone. AT&T site says, usually within 1-day. Advantage Apple.

It looks like the iPhone Upgrade program from Apple is better than the AT&T Next plan. What am I missing?

You can get some data from https://forums.att.com/t5/Apple/ATT-Next-or-iPhone-Upgrade-program/m-p/4307854#M236016