Community Support
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2.7K Messages
How does upgrading every year with AT&T Next work?
Get The Latest And The Greatest With Next!
AT&T is providing new and existing customers with simpler and more flexible ways to upgrade to a new smartphone. We know you want flexibility and choices. With our new plans, we’re giving you the power to decide between lower monthly payments or the ability to upgrade to the latest smartphone sooner.
Want to upgrade using your Next plan? Shop now! Upgrading a device online is super fast and easy!
- Hassle-free returns - Must return w/in 14 days. Restr’s apply. Offer subj. to change. Learn more.
- Free express shipping - Your new phone will ship as early as tomorrow*.
- Pick up at a store - Order online, then skip the lines and get expert help with setup
- Same-day delivery - We’ll bring it to you in person and help with activation and setup.**
How It Works:
| AT&T Next Every Year |
AT&T Next |
|
| Primary Benefit |
New device every year |
Lower monthly device payment |
| Upgrade Eligibility |
12 monthly payments or 50% of retail device cost paid off and trade-in of eligible device |
24 monthly payments or 80% of retail device cost paid off and trade-in of eligible device |
| Pay Off Phone |
24 months |
30 months |
Other Options:
- Device Trade-in: Customers who own their device, can trade it in and apply the value toward the new device cost in AT&T retail stores.
- Down payment: Customers can put money down at the time of purchase to apply towards the new device cost.
Wondering what your upgrade options are?
Dial *NEW# (*639#) to check for upgrade eligibility
Log into your account to see what is available to you!
Commonly Asked Questions
When can I upgrade with AT&T Next or AT&T Next Every Year
After you have been billed and made two monthly installment payments, as long as your account is in good standing, you are eligible to take advantage of our pay-to-upgrade option. For AT&T Next, pay a lump sum amount that fulfills 80% of the retail price in order to upgrade with eligible trade-in. For AT&T Next Every Year, pay a lump sum amount that fulfills 50% of the retail price in order to upgrade with eligible trade-in. Please note that to trade in your smartphone, it must be fully functional and in good physical condition.
Do I own the smartphone? Or is this a leasing offer?
The smartphone is yours, and you're responsible for the monthly installment payments. You're also responsible for any loss, theft, or damage to the smartphone—both during the installment agreement period and afterward. We recommend you purchase the optional mobile insurance to protect your investment.
Can I purchase any smartphone with AT&T Next or AT&T Next Every Year?
Yes, AT&T Next and AT&T Next Every Year are available purchase options with any smartphone.
Can I pay off my smartphone early?
Yes, you have the option to pay off the remaining balance of your installment agreement in full at any time.
What payments are due if I cancel AT&T Next or AT&T Next Every Year?
With AT&T Next and AT&T Next Every Year, if you cancel your wireless service with AT&T, the full outstanding balance on your installment agreement becomes immediately due.
For more answers to your questions, click here.
ChrisZ, AT&T Community Specialist
AT&T Help
Need help with an account specific question? Post a new question here on the forums by clicking the "Ask a Question" button.
For additional support, please visit us at our AT&T services hub.
*I am an AT&T employee, and the postings on this site are my own and don't necessarily represent AT&T's position, strategies or opinions.
Gary L
ACE - Expert
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16.5K Messages
6 years ago
You're losing out on a free year of the iPhone 7 phones (free 10 months).
I would NOT pay them off. Sell them.
Buy the new phones from Apple on their every year plan (same price)
Now you get to keep the $705 that you'd pay out in November AND whatever you can sell them for. You'll get a little less because they are locked to AT&T, but I'd think it'd be a bit more than $705....
Think about it, I think it's what I'd try.
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alpinewhite
Teacher
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13 Messages
6 years ago
@Gary L can you clarify what you mean regarding losing out on free year of 7s?
I cannot sell them until they are paid off... ?
What is the difference?
I can get them unlocked but not sure how I would sell phones without paying them off... I still owe AT&T for 13 payments.0
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Gary L
ACE - Expert
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16.5K Messages
6 years ago
Why can't you sell them? They are your phones.
Your Next "loan" paid for them, they are paid for (you just owe for the loan, NOT the phones).
There isn't a title or anything. It's just like you bought a TV on a credit card, you can sell that TV even though you still owe the credit card company. I wouldn't even worry about unlocking them, I'd sell them as "iPhone 7 locked to AT&T".
AT&T will continue to bill you for them and you'll continue to get the credits for them. (This is the free year I reference)
You can't do another Next payment on that line (can't have two loans for the same line), so buy it from Apple instead.
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alpinewhite
Teacher
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13 Messages
6 years ago
@garylapointe OK I see what you are saying:
1. Continue to pay installments with ATT then purchase new devices via Apple once X becomes available
2. Sell old phones (collect $1200-1300)
3. Payoff ATT $705.64 once phones sold for the remaining balance
Is that accurate?
What is the benefit of buying via apple vs ATT?
I dont understand what you mean by 'credits'? I spoke to ATT yesterday and I am not getting any service discount for being on Next plan
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Gary L
ACE - Expert
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16.5K Messages
6 years ago
I get billed for the iPhone 7 each month on Next, plus I get a $27.09 credit each month for the "free" part.
($27.09 times 24 = $650)
Aren't you getting monthly credits for trading in your 6s? How is your 7 "free" if you aren't getting monthly credits?
That might be a little optimistic. Especially since the market will get an influx of iPhone 7 phones in Sept. when people get the 8.
NO!!! Do NOT pay off. If you pay off, you're giving away $705.64. Keep getting billed and keep getting the credits. You make $705.64 extra if you do NOT pay off.
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alpinewhite
Teacher
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13 Messages
6 years ago
My 7 Pluses are not free.... I am paying $32.09 per device (2 total) per month.
I am on the Next Year upgrade plan, meaning I traded in my devices for upgrade eligibility. You must be referring to the upgrade plan that was offered in 2016 where you gave AT&T your devices and they applied a credit.
No news yet if ATT will offer a buy back promotion for 2017.
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Gary L
ACE - Expert
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16.5K Messages
6 years ago
I see the confusion now!!! Back in post #28 you said
I thought you were saying you did the free upgrade swap a year ago. Those were the credits I was referring to. Sorry for the confusion.
Info on the offer last year:
The offer required that you paid off an iPhone 6 or 6s (if not already paid off), turn it in and they gave you $650 in monthly credits towards an iPhone 7. Some people have been regretting that they took this offer as they are 12 months in and if they leave the offer they don't get the rest of the credits (some consider this "foolish"). I did this last year and got the iPhone 7 Plus, they've been crediting me $27.09 every month since.
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Gary L
ACE - Expert
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16.5K Messages
6 years ago
Now you're back-editing your post. That's not really what the post said when I responded a few minutes ago as you can see by the text that I copied in the previous post...
Yes, that's what I was referring to when I answered a few minutes ago.
I think some people still paid off a 6s in in your case (and might consider it "foolish", especially if they wanted to upgrade this year). Paying off the second year of a 6s for a free 7 would have gotten them two years of payments (up to $650) on the 7 covered (getting them 3 years worth of iPhones for the cost of 2).
If you had done that I (incorrectly) thought you had done, you'd have been able to purchase new phones elsewhere and continued to receive the $27.09 credits that I was referring to. I see now that the foolish thing you were referring to was to not take the offer last year. (Sorry for misunderstanding).
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merlina-thalia
Tutor
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7 Messages
6 years ago
If it takes a long time (I've heard January) won't you still have to pay the next payments during those months until it comes in or is it frozen?
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Gary L
ACE - Expert
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16.5K Messages
6 years ago
I would think that would be the case (I've only ever paid it off completely).
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