so AT&T no longer offers discount on phones?

it's really cheaper that way

or at worst the same if you don't always need a new phone

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it's really cheaper that way

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my last upgrade I was able to get a 5 for $199 or $99...can't remember. They charged me the price on my next bill....without an upgrade my phone would have been a few hundred more. How is that cheaper?

Your plan rate goes down if you do it that way. It is actually cheaper. I didn't believe it until recently but it's true. And yes, you can still get a discounted price after your 2 yr contract is up if you want to do it that way and pay more.

They are just cutting prices in one area while jacking them up in another area. Bastards.

If the AT&T program works like the Verizon one does, you pay for your new device over time, but no longer have 2 year contract so you can get new devices more frequently (With Verizon, every 6 months), AND you typically get a discounted price on your data....over time you pay a bit less for phone price than at 2 year contract price (on most newer devices anyway) but you get to upgrade whenever you want, really.

[quote]Company pays my bill, I buy the equipment... I prefer the old way and have an upgrade coming soon... You're saying I can go the old route? [/quote

In a thread the other day someone said you could get discounts at best buy, radio shack etc, but not at actual AT&T store. Just repeating what was said, not sure if true.

You have always paid full price for the phone, it was just better hidden than it is now.

Now they show you exactly where the costs are, and what you're paying for.

With the mobileshare plans, you have the option for subsidized pricing (the contract upgrades, $600 phones for $199, etc) but your monthly bill is increased by about $15 per line.

It's particularly beneficial for people who can go longer than 2 years on the same phone, or those who like to get their phones on the cheap on ebay/craigslist etc.

In some instances, the Next program can actually save you some money. Depends on the outright cost of the phone.

There's good info in this Tech Board thread.

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the prices are installment payments which add up to the actual cost of the phone.

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You've ALWAYS paid the actual cost of the phone unless you upgrade every 18 months. If you upgrade phones regularly then your plan can work the way it's always worked. If you typically hold onto your phones longer, you now have the option of paying less for your plan. Once you're done paying for your phone you don't keep paying them an upgrade fee even if you don't upgrade.

I don't see how its cheaper unless you keep your phone for well over two years and who the he'll wants to do that. After two years my phone is jacked up.

For example why would i not rather pay $49 for a galaxy s4 be locked into a two year agreement than pay $25/month ($300 a year) for the same phone?

Especially knowing a year from know all the carriers plans will have changed and I can just choose from a new carrier or plan if need be.

But Im not gonna pay 200-500 for the latest phone. I would pay 50 for a new but previous generation phone, e.g. S4. I dont need a new phone because I need to be able to transfer photos by tapping phones, I need a new phone because my screen is cracked and my phone runs slower than it use to, etc.