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I am based in the UK.
  • I take out a Apple finance deal (and AC+) for 24 months.
  • I settle the old financial deal to own to phone outright.
  • I sell the old phone to a tech shop who offers the best cash amount.
  • I always get to keep the box and accessories as the tech shop never ask for these, they only want the phone.
  • I call Apple to seek a refund of the unused portion of the old AC+ plan.
  • Rinse and repeat.
How badly do you want the 13? Can you hold off and finish off your minimum payments before being eligible to upgrade?

If you take it, then you are paying for something that you are not benefiting from (the use of your current phone).

It's why I left the IUP and arranged my own upgrade program hehe, I have that flexible to adapt to early/delayed releases.

Honestly, it’s great that you have the patience to go through all that trouble. However, third party resale value isn’t always guaranteed and that’s why creating my own “upgrade program” isn’t an attractive option for me.

Also, it seems that iPhone updates have been fairly regular with the exception of the iPhone X and the iPhone 12 last year due to COVID… the only real savings I see with your method of upgrading is not being forced to purchase AppleCare+.

Resale value will vary depending on where you and there’s no guarantee that it would even cover half of the phone’s cost. Just for that alone, I’d rather go with the iUP.

Kudos to you though!
 
Honestly, it’s great that you have the patience to go through all that trouble. However, third party resale value isn’t always guaranteed and that’s why creating my own “upgrade program” isn’t an attractive option for me.

Also, it seems that iPhone updates have been fairly regular with the exception of the iPhone X and the iPhone 12 last year due to COVID… the only real savings I see with your method of upgrading is not being forced to purchase AppleCare+.

Resale value will vary depending on where you and there’s no guarantee that it would even cover half of the phone’s cost. Just for that alone, I’d rather go with the iUP.

Kudos to you though!
The program does provide that convenience, hand over your old phone and away you go with the new phone. You don’t need to worry about the value of the old phone.

Pros and cons to everything, but it’s nice to choices.
 
I am based in the UK.
  • I take out a Apple finance deal (and AC+) for 24 months.
  • I settle the old financial deal to own to phone outright.
  • I sell the old phone to a tech shop who offers the best cash amount.
  • I always get to keep the box and accessories as the tech shop never ask for these, they only want the phone.
  • I call Apple to seek a refund of the unused portion of the old AC+ plan.
  • Rinse and repeat.
"I sell the old phone to a tech shop who offers the best cash amount." --> This is key! If I had an easy way to sell my iPhone in person I would do as you do. To get a new iPhone on Launch Day without a reliable place to sell your old iPhone I think iUP is the most convenient.
 
Can you change your device color and size choice after you go through the pre order steps and before the order date?
 
I’m in the same boat as you all. My phone wasn’t actually replace because when the replacement came, it wouldn’t boot up so I sent back the replacement back and kept my original device. Now I’m getting the “this phone is not enrolled” error. If I click trade a phone in and then tap my device it pops up and tells me it’s enrolled but then the next screen same not enrolled error.

I spent an hour and a half on with Apple support yesterday and the last person I spoke too had seen this before and knew how to handle it. The only problem was she needs to submit it as a ticket and it does take 3-5 days but she was going to try and rush it. She said it’s directly related to the AppleCare issue of the phone being “replaced” even though it wasn’t.

I actually also emailed Tim Cook with the case number just to see if it’s possible to get it sped up at all. Sucks!
So it sounds like when you get your iPhone replaced (or almost replaced) too often somebody at Apple didn't follow the correct procedure by also updating information with AppleCare+. I guess double-checking with the AppleCare+ team after you get an iPhone replaced that they have the updated serial number would prevent this problem in the future?
 
Mine is on the 18th, one day after pre-order. Is the Upgrade date based on when we pre-order on when the iPhone ships?
Just went through Pre-approval and it says when iPhone ships, so I shouldn't have to pay another payment since my "Annual Upgrade: 09/18/2021"
 
Can you change your device color and size choice after you go through the pre order steps and before the order date?

Per Apple:

You can change your preferred iPhone model and remove any added accessories when pre-order starts, but you won’t be able to change your AppleCare+ coverage. Keep in mind that changes could affect your delivery estimate.
We’ll remember your preferred iPhone and payment method for three days after pre-order begins. Availability will be determined on a first-come, first-served basis at that time.
 
I got a call back from a supervisor who actually seemed very aware of the problem/resolution. He said when my replacement iPhone serial number was switched over, the AC+ coverage was correctly updated, but the Citizens One info was not (as expected).

He said he sent the correction request to Agreement Administration to fix, but they take 3-5 days. I just checked, and I'm still not able to upgrade. So the patient waiting begins.
so to prevent this potential issue in the future, we need to double-check AC+ and Citizens One that they both have the updated serial number. I almost never log into my Citizens One account, I wonder if it lists the serial number?
 
Here's my plan:

If in 24 hours (i.e. Thursday), I'm unable to do my IUP reservation, I'm going to pay off my Citizens One loan for $741. Then, I'm going to start a "new" IUP agreement tomorrow, with no trade-in. Then, I'll make a reservation at the Apple Store for next week to trade in my iPhone 12 Pro Max for the stated $790, and use that in my Apple balance to buy a Apple Watch Series 7 later this year.
And you end up winning. :)
 
Just got through IUP pre-approval!!! 13 Max Pro 512 Graphite.

Did not ask me for the remaining 12th payment but I assume it will on preorder Friday! Can’t wait!
I applied not approved but the damn Citizens scam artists took my $57 still 😡!!!!!
 
Here's my plan:

If in 24 hours (i.e. Thursday), I'm unable to do my IUP reservation, I'm going to pay off my Citizens One loan for $741. Then, I'm going to start a "new" IUP agreement tomorrow, with no trade-in. Then, I'll make a reservation at the Apple Store for next week to trade in my iPhone 12 Pro Max for the stated $790, and use that in my Apple balance to buy a Apple Watch Series 7 later this year.
This is actually the correct way to handle IUP phone after 12 months of payment instead of just sending it back to Apple. Also don't forget to cancel your AppleCare+ once you pay off the loan to get additional $100 back. So you will be getting $790 + tax + $100 back total, minus $741, so you will be ahead about $200 vs just returning the phone. Everyone who's on IUP should be following this...
 
New to IUP and have a question. Can I trade in my old phone and get that taken off the balance or a gift card or something? Or should I just sell my phone outside the IUP program since it's paid off and not part of IUP?
 
"I sell the old phone to a tech shop who offers the best cash amount." --> This is key! If I had an easy way to sell my iPhone in person I would do as you do. To get a new iPhone on Launch Day without a reliable place to sell your old iPhone I think iUP is the most convenient.
Guess I am a bit more fortunate in the UK.

We have many online shops who will buy old tech at decent cash prices. I always use Apple’s trade in offer as the back up option, so any third party who can beat Apple’s trade in offer is a winner for me.

But I do agree, the program is very convenient for some people.
 
This is actually the correct way to handle IUP phone after 12 months of payment instead of just sending it back to Apple. Also don't forget to cancel your AppleCare+ once you pay off the loan to get additional $100 back. So you will be getting $790 + tax + $100 back total, minus $741, so you will be ahead about $200 vs just returning the phone. Everyone who's on IUP should be following this...

how does the Apple trade in work? Is it like a gift card? Or is it a credit on my bill? Like if I use my Apple Card to pay off my IUP citizens loan for $600 and then trade my 12 Pro in for $640, will it cover the balance that’s on my card or is it just a gift card?
 
how does the Apple trade in work? Is it like a gift card? Or is it a credit on my bill? Like if I use my Apple Card to pay off my IUP citizens loan for $600 and then trade my 12 Pro in for $640, will it cover the balance that’s on my card or is it just a gift card?
Even better. If you do in store trade in the amount + tax can be given back in cash or back to your credit card.
 
so to prevent this potential issue in the future, we need to double-check AC+ and Citizens One that they both have the updated serial number. I almost never log into my Citizens One account, I wonder if it lists the serial number?
Citizens One not only doesn't show the serial number on your loan, their reps don't even have access to it! It must be stored in some back-end system.

I think to prevent this in the future, you'd have to call Apple and talk to an IUP Agreement specialist.
 
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This is actually the correct way to handle IUP phone after 12 months of payment instead of just sending it back to Apple. Also don't forget to cancel your AppleCare+ once you pay off the loan to get additional $100 back. So you will be getting $790 + tax + $100 back total, minus $741, so you will be ahead about $200 vs just returning the phone. Everyone who's on IUP should be following this...

I think you're right. I'm going to start the process today and let everyone know how it turns out. But I think it's closer to $150 ahead, because you're not getting the tax on the $790, because that's your "store credit" amount. EDIT: but if you pay off your phone loan with your Apple Card, you'll get the 3% back on the payoff amount (that you normally wouldn't have gotten via IUP because you would have sent it back) so that's an extra $22 right there. So yeah, it's all a bit of a hassle, but I'm coming out ahead, without messing with selling via second-hand market.

Also, you can't use that $790 towards a new IUP loan. You can use it toward paying full price for a new phone, or 'monthly payments', but for IUP you have to start with a full-priced/new phone.
 
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I am all pre approved and ready, I am thankful that T-Mobile glitch didn’t affect me. Got the 256 GB Pro in Midnight. It was a Toss up between that and the blue, but since I am coming from the green iPhone 11, I figure I would change it up.
Looks like the blue is a popular option.
 
So we were finally able to get through to the pre-approval process (T-Mobile). However, with all the fraud going on, we put fraud alert on our credit reports (February 2021). Citizens One noticed that and haven't completely approved the loans. The message says they will call us within 24 hours. Should we wait for the call, or just call them to get it sorted out? TIA.
 
i'm getting charged an early upgrade payment. am i better off waiting?

Here's the dates it's telling me:
Enrolled: 10/24/2020
Annual Upgrade: 09/24/2021

Mine is on the 18th, one day after pre-order. Is the Upgrade date based on when we pre-order on when the iPhone ships?

How badly do you want the 13? Can you hold off and finish off your minimum payments before being eligible to upgrade?

If you take it, then you are paying for something that you are not benefiting from (the use of your current phone).

It's why I left the IUP and arranged my own upgrade program hehe, I have that flexible to adapt to early/delayed releases.

Well, I don't want to pay the extra payment so I guess if I apply on 9/24 I should be able to save the $49 extra
 
Ugh! It’s not prorated or applied to new phone? My 12th month is 10/13
There is a minimum term you need to pay, or you can upgrade earlier by paying off the minimum term.

It’s not applied to the new phone as that is brand new separate contract.
 
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