We used to have a much simpler relationship with our cellphone carriers. They’d ask us to sign a 2-year contract. We’d do it, and they’d drastically subsidize the price of the latest and greatest smartphones on the market.
It was a great way to stay up to date with the newest tech. However, the standard upgrade processes for all of our major cellphone carriers have changed a lot in recent years. It’s no longer as lucrative or as straightforward as it once was.
Getting an iPhone upgrade is still possible in various ways if that’s something that interests you, though. Keep reading and we’ll explain some viable ways for you to do it.
What Has Changed with iPhone Upgrade Programs?
These days, your phone carrier will still allow you to “upgrade” your iPhone when your 2-year contract is up, however, the upgrade programs work differently. Carriers are no longer going to offer a subsidy on your phone.
They’ll either offer to sell the phone to you at full price upfront, or they’ll let you pay off the balance as a monthly installment that’s added to your phone bill. You may be scratching your head and asking what you, as the consumer, get from either of these two options.
The reality is that you get nothing beneficial from these kinds of payment structures. You could trade in your old phone and receive a credit, but the sad truth is that carriers no longer have much in the way of incentives when you re-sign your contract.
Do Carriers Offer Promotions?
Once in a while, you can take advantage of a promotion offered by your particular carrier. They may offer a certain type of iPhone (usually not a current-generation model) for a reduced cost.
Truthfully, these phones are usually old stock that’s collecting dust and needs to be moved out for the more recent products. It’s not uncommon to see a 2-generation-old iPhone go for something crazy, like 99 cents. As long as you’re okay with using an outdated phone, it’s a win-win if you can snag one for less than a dollar, right?
Think again. What most carriers won’t make clear to you is that, in order to take advantage of one of their random promotions, they’re want you to commit to a 2-year contract.
You’re probably eligible for a carrier promotion because the current status on your cellphone plan is “out of contract.” That means you’ve had your current phone for longer than 2 years (the length of the average phone contract) and haven’t made any changes since then.
Once you’ve re-upped your contract by accepting the promotion, you can expect to pay higher data and equipment fees due to a counterintuitive byline within your contract renewal. That will quickly nullify any discount you received on that phone.
No matter what carrier you use, renewing an expired contract will typically result in a higher monthly phone bill.
Are There Any Other Options for Reducing the Cost of a New Phone?
In a way, yes. There are a few viable options if you want to reduce the cost of buying a new phone.
The easiest course of action is to use a credible iPhone buyback program like Gazelle, DeCluttr, or Buyback Boss. These services provide an easy and quick way of trading in your phone for its maximum value. With the cash you receive from these services, you can typically pay off a large portion of a new iPhone’s price.
iPhone buyback programs are hassle-free. They’re a lot easier than trying to sell your phone yourself.
Many would-be phone sellers have been burned by no-show buyers from Craigslist. Others have been scammed trying to sell their phones online. Buyback programs offer peace of mind and quick cash.
iPhone Buyback Programs vs. Carrier Upgrade Programs
Your carrier may offer a trade-in service with their upgrade program that’s pretty similar to the traditional standalone buyback programs on the market. However, you may or may not get the best bang for your buck trading your phone directly to your carrier.
Most importantly, carrier upgrade programs will only allow you to use their upgrade services if your contract is up. In order to use their service, you’ll need to re-sign with them, possibly changing the cost of your monthly bill.
They’re pickier about what phones they’ll take. Also, don’t forget that, whether or not you’re trading an old phone in, you’re still essentially “renting” a new phone from a carrier when you upgrade.
The only exception is if you’re willing to pay the full retail price (sometimes well over $1,000) for your phone. That means more monthly fees on top of your standard phone bill.
On the other hand, iPhone buyback programs operate year-round, and you can take advantage of them whenever you like. You’ll also receive actual cash for your phone, allowing you the freedom to shop around across multiple carriers and manufacturers.
In short, buyback program will always offer you a better price and more flexibility when trying to get cash for your phone. You can’t go wrong.
Carriers Have Dropped Upgrade Incentives; You Need to Sell Your Old Phone
The sad truth is that carrier upgrade incentives no longer exist. They’ve seen consumer demand for constant upgrades and have pulled their discounts back, knowing many of us can’t resist the urge of buying a new phone, even when it’s at full price.
The more shortsighted consumers don’t even seem to have any qualms about paying full price on phones through monthly installments that are snuck into their phone bills. They’ve been conditioned to think that’s normal.
Instead of focusing on upgrades, it’s better to come to terms with the fact that iPhone upgrade programs don’t usually have your best interest in mind anymore. Instead, do your research and consider using the services of an iPhone buyback program.
You’ll be surprised by how much money you can get for your phone, especially if it’s from the previous generation and you’ve taken good care of it. With the cash from your old phone in hand, you’ll have many options when it comes to buying your new smartphone, whether or not you’re re-upping your carrier contract.
