Thinking of getting the new iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro, but wondering if you should wait for next year's iPhone 17 instead? Get both.
Apple makes it easy to get an updated iPhone every year with its iPhone Upgrade program, which lets you choose the carrier you want. Apple also throws in AppleCare+, which will protect your new phone.
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But carriers have been offering early upgrade plans for years now, and sometimes at a lower price than Apple. You might've heard wireless carriers are offering some of the best iPhone 16 deals, making it more affordable than ever to upgrade to the latest smartphone tech.
Is Apple's iPhone upgrade program worth it? Prices have stayed the same this year in respect to the storage options. So if you're considering getting your new phone through Apple's program, here's what you need to know — and how it compares to other options.
What is the iPhone Upgrade Program?
Introduced in 2015, Apple’s upgrade program lets you pay off a new iPhone in 12 monthly installments starting at $39.50 per month for the 128GB iPhone 16. The 256GB version is $43.66 per month, and the 512GB model is $52.00 per month.
The larger iPhone 16 Plus starts at $44.91 per month for 128GB, $49.08 per month for 256GB and $57.41 per month for 512GB.
The 128GB iPhone 16 Pro is $49.91 per month instead of $999 in one shot. The 256GB model is $54.08 per month, and the 512GB is $62.41 per month. The 1T iPhone 16 Pro option is $70.75 per month.
You can pay $58.25 a month for the 256GB iPhone 16 Pro Max, rather than $1199 upfront. While the 512GB version will cost $66.58 per month. The 1T iPhone 16 Pro Max option is $74.91 per month.
If you own an Apple Card, you can use it as your monthly payment method. You'll get 3% Daily Cash each time you use it for a payment.
You'll be able to pick your carrier since the device you get will be unlocked and supports 25 LTE bands.
That's a great solution for those who want an unlocked phone but can't afford to plunk down hundreds of dollars at once.
More importantly, the iPhone Upgrade program lets you get a new iPhone every year (after 12 installments) without being tied to one carrier. Apple also throws in its AppleCare+ warranty, which includes up to two years of hardware repairs, software support and up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage (subject to an additional service fee).
I already enrolled in the iPhone Upgrade Program. Now what?
Generally speaking, you can upgrade your phone once you’ve paid 12 monthly installments. You bring your iPhone into an Apple Store, request a mail-in kit and then upgrade to whatever you’d like. Apple also allows iPhone Upgrade Program participants to upgrade after six months or longer, if they’re willing to make all payments due by the 12-month mark early.
If you enrolled in the iPhone Upgrade Program last year, watch your email because Apple will let you know when you’re eligible for an upgrade. If you haven’t gotten an email or want to check manually, you can pop over to a page on Apple’s website where you can answer a few questions and check your eligibility status.
How is Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program different from other options?
In general, Apple's offering varies from what you might get from a wireless carrier by offering better protection for your iPhone with AppleCare+, and the freedom to stick to your carrier of choice.
But with the Apple iPhone Upgrade Program, you're at the mercy of the company's price changes. For example, while the iPhone 16 prices per month generally stayed the same this year compared to the iPhone 15's. But the iPhone 15 Pro saw a price increase with the loss of the 128GB version. Also, Apple doesn't usually run external promotions when you upgrade.
T-Mobile's iPhone Upgrade Plan
T-Mobile's Go5G Next program lets you upgrade to a new phone after 12 months worth of payments on a 12-month installment. You do need to return your current phone in good condition, but it includes damage coverage in the monthly fee.
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Coming in second on a network performance test in major American cities and offering unlimited data plans, T-Mobile's 4G LTE footprint will serve data sharks well.
AT&T's iPhone upgrade plan
AT&T offers a major upgrade plan option called Next Up. With the Next Up plan, you can trade in your phone when 50% of the full retail price is paid off (typically after about 12 months.) AT&T also a few other upgrade plan options for you to peruse, but Next Up is most like Apple's iPhone Upgrade program.
They also offer Next Up Anytime, which lets you upgrade after one installment payment and 33% of the phone is paid off. It does cost an extra $10 a month compared to Next Up.
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This variety of options allows you to choose between paying less each month or settling your debt more quickly. With AT&T, you'll own your device after making all payments and are not tied to iPhones as your only upgrade option.
Verizon's iPhone upgrade plan
Verizon's Annual iPhone Upgrade program similarly requires you to pay off at least 50% of the phone, typically 12 months. You do need to return your smartphone in "good working condition."
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Those looking for high-speed and reliable 5G coverage should opt for Verizon. Big Red blazed into first place on our carrier speed tests with its zippy network and wide-ranging coverage.
How do I sign up for Apple iPhone Upgrade Program?
iPhone Upgrade is available at Apple Retail stores in the U.S. and online through the company's website. When you go to Apple.com and try to buy an iPhone, you'll see the option to buy via the "iPhone Upgrade Program" after you've selected your phone's model, color, capacity and carrier.
Is Apple iPhone Upgrade Program a good deal?
Because of its higher price tag, getting an iPhone 16 Pro or 16 Pro Max on iPhone Upgrade is not for the budget-conscious. Sure, it comes with AppleCare+ (a $199 value) but not all people need that type of protection. You can find a cheaper option on nearly any other carrier, and won't be limited to just upgrading to iPhones in the future.
Overall, the best value is at T-Mobile, with its combo of low price, speedy network, flexibility and extra features, making it a good all-round deal. Verizon is offering great trade-in values towards your upgrade program, too, so we'd recommend using this carrier if you have a phone to give back.
Apple's program is best for those who are tough on their phones and need extra peace of mind. The perks of AppleCare+ come in handy for all sorts of damage.
