Larger postpaid group plans are the only ones I really see saving money with the high trade-in credits. Over 2-3 years. For single lines, you generally are paying enough extra to cover the credits vs an appropriate for you prepaid plan.
Right now, I have both ATT Prepaid for my main line, and a Verizon MVNO for a backup line ($13/month, 1gb data). And when I can, I will get them both on my same phone. ATT Prepaid is giving me issues converting to eSIM.
Larger postpaid group plans are the only ones I really see saving money with the high trade-in credits. Over 2-3 years. For single lines, you generally are paying enough extra to cover the credits vs an appropriate for you prepaid plan.
Right now, I have both ATT Prepaid for my main line, and a Verizon MVNO for a backup line ($13/month, 1gb data). And when I can, I will get them both on my same phone. ATT Prepaid is giving me issues converting to eSIM.
Best deal I found is a Credit card signup bonus of 200 off of 500 spend and 5% off paypal for using that credit card. Apple accepts paypal for purchases. All the other apple resellers most if not all accept paypal as well. Card also comes with warranty protection. Apple shipping time is running one month or when stores get their next shipments as most inventory has sold out. The apple card only offers 3% discount and no bonus or added warranty protection.
I have an Iphone 6S with only 30 tradein value as per Apple on last check so I will keep it as spare and I have an existing Verizon plan I want to use with my existing sim. For cellphone protection you need to charge plan to the card and since I won’t be using the Verizon plan on this card, I am assuming I can activate a cheap MVNO plan to qualify for the insurance and also add additional data and a second line.
All I know is Apple store sells unlocked devices so you can use either dual esim or insert a nano and use another esim with any carrier without restriction without having to wait for an unlock.
People can get those locked devices more easily and sometimes with greater subsidies but in the long run it is cheaper to just buy an unlocked device at Apple. If you travel internationally you will save a lot of money and you can also increase domestic coverage by using two different carriers. You can also get lower cost MVNO rates and swap at will between them. Some MVNO plans also include free international calling to some countries as well.
Subsidized phones work to the carriers and retailers advantage.
That's not what I was referring to. Somebody mentioned purchasing a phone outright & once a SIM is inserted it becomes locked.
That's not what I was referring to. Somebody mentioned purchasing a phone outright & once a SIM is inserted it becomes locked.
It seems that is how resellers are setup unfortunately so they don’t have to stock individual phone versions. Carriers always seem to lock to their own networks but some have different locking policies
In the past, phones were different bands based on carriers. Now the Iphones are not made differently based on carrier. Even inventory at apple store appears to be the same on the website no matter what carrier you choose, but the difference is that all Apple’s phones are unlocked with one exception for AT&T’s upgrade plan bought through Apple. I don’t believe Apple’s own upgrade plan locks devices but it does charge a 35 activation fee with Verizon even if you swap sim yourself.
I understand why resellers have the lock on first sim. It seems as though even if you paid full price without activation, the sim locking policy is still there on the phone and resellers make money from the contracts so they don’t have an interest in unlocking the device for you.
Looks like my theory of getting cheap MVNO plan and using the credit card cell phone insurance doesn’t qualify. Device can only be replaced if its purchased from a Carrieds retail or internet store and they allow activations of that plan.
I take this to mean only plans that can be activated at Apple store for instance if I buy from there would qualify. No minimum plan restrictions but would likely need to activate a postpaid plan.
It seems that is how resellers are setup unfortunately so they don’t have to stock individual phone versions. Carriers always seem to lock to their own networks but some have different locking policies
In the past, phones were different bands based on carriers. Now the Iphones are not made differently based on carrier. Even inventory at apple store appears to be the same on the website no matter what carrier you choose, but the difference is that all Apple’s phones are unlocked with one exception for AT&T’s upgrade plan bought through Apple. I don’t believe Apple’s own upgrade plan locks devices but it does charge a 35 activation fee with Verizon even if you swap sim yourself.
I understand why resellers have the lock on first sim. It seems as though even if you paid full price without activation, the sim locking policy is still there on the phone and resellers make money from the contracts so they don’t have an interest in unlocking the device for you.
Verizon a few years ago started to lock phones sold at full price for 60 days. Their argument was that it would reduce dangers of theft since a stolen phone would be locked. And I guess to make sure that a new customer was past the first bill. Maybe there is a bit in that, but most people thought of it as an excuse.
I think ATT won't allow international use for 60 days after purchase too. To reduce the risk that a new customer will go overseas and charge up high fees and not come back. Make at least 1 payment.
The money for 3rd party sellers is in postpaid phones with a DPP. They get commission. They are supposed to report phones sold for full price, but that can be forgotten or mis handled.
I'm not familiar. I understand the activate now for a discount (& be locked to that carrier) or pay full price for an unlocked phone.
So is flexpay payments instead of just 1 payment? And then you're locked to the underlying carrier you 1st activate on?
from what i understand is that the phone was advertised as being unlocked, (which it probably was) then he got a phone plan deal
that locked the phone to that plan.
There were $200 worth of "subsidy" on the purchase - an MSRP discount and an additional $100 added to my trade-in value. I have no urgent need to activate the phone - only bought it because my out-of-pocket after trade-in was $75 for a 13 mini that is currently "unlocked" because I have yet to put in a SIM card.
Iphone 13 pro models have all sold out by me at the Apple stores. I wasn’t looking to buy yet as I could have gotten any color and configuration I wanted on release day from store pickup or courier. Will check store inventory when I am ready to purchase and buy in store if I can which seems to be quicker than having it shipped from factory. The longer I wait the less I will pay or I will be able to get tne iphone 14 pro models on same day of release from the stores. Hardware gets outdated fast.
Subsidizes deals seem to all have catches but there is definitely more supply and inventory of these readily available in closer proximity.
Reply With QuoteOriginally Posted by kevink1
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