iPhone X Your advice: Upgrading 2x iPhone 6s to 2x iPhone XS via Apple Upgrade Plan?

[FocusAndEarnIt]

Hi all,

My wife and I currently both have an iPhone 6s (not a plus, so 4.5” screens). We had been talking about upgrading both of our phones next year (so iPhone 11 or whatever it’ll be), so we started putting money away each month to be able to foot the bill for both of us to upgrade at the same or near the same time, all in one payment. We have been doing this to try and spread out the sting of such an expensive bill all at once.

However, both our phones have started to go downhill. My phone’s battery was replaced but my work (really, medical school) has me on it nearly all day looking things up and contacting people, so I am usually at about 25% and sometimes lower battery remaining at the end of the day WITH having charged it with a bulky battery pack throughout the day. Not sure how much longer it’s going to last. Her speaker piece has gone out and her battery sucks too (also replaced), so the writing is on the wall. Maybe we should upgrade this year.

I could see us both getting an iPhone XS - her definitely the 5.8”. I am considering the 6.5”, but unsure if it’s too big. Not totally sure how to figure out the size bit before buying. Would hate to find a week or so in that it was too big.

Here’s the thing. While we could technically afford to shell out $2.5k-ish for two phones with AppleCare+, i would really like to avoid that if possible and spread the burden out over time. I see us getting a new phone every 2 (max 3) years - doesn’t have to be every year.

What are people’s experiences with the Apple upgrade program? Is it a good deal? Is it worth upgrading every year to get most bang for your buck for the program (I realize you have to start a new contract...). I am wondering this because if we stuck with the upgrade program for the long haul and get an iPhone every 2 years, it seems we would perpetually be in a contract - so if we switched to upgrade every year, it wouldn’t change much. Am I right in thinking that way, from trying to be financially sound? Maybe this is obvious, but if we do decide to upgrade, we give back the old phone in tact and start a new plan, and we wash our hands of the cost of the old phone we are trading in, correct? What happens if we get a phone stolen? It only makes sense we’d still be responsible, but wondering if Apple offers any assistance in this situation?

A lot of questions. Appreciate your guys input!

 

[puma1552]

Can also do carrier financing which is the same as the Apple program minus AppleCare and the hard credit pull and loan that end up on your credit report.

 

[tonybarnaby]

Can also do carrier financing which is the same as the Apple program minus AppleCare and the hard credit pull and loan that end up on your credit report.

I don’t believe the carrier will buy back your phone like the upgrade program, but correct me if I’m wrong.

 

[appleguy123]

I don’t believe the carrier will buy back your phone like the upgrade program, but correct me if I’m wrong.

The carriers in the US will buy your phone back after a certain amount of months too. But I think they usually do a credit check as well.

 

[puma1552]

The carriers in the US will buy your phone back after a certain amount of months too. But I think they usually do a credit check as well.

Correct, trade it back in after paying off half, or pay it off and keep it, same as Apple. Not sure if they do a credit check but if they do it's a soft pull and the carrier financing doesn't add a loan (let alone every year) to your credit report.

Honestly not sure why the carrier options aren't more popular. Seems like it's a lot better than dealing with some random third party (Citizen's One) for the Apple program; for me it would be better if Apple just handled it in-house themselves and offered the phones with or without AppleCare. I've had to problems with Verizon but given the choice of dealing with a carrier or Apple, I would naturally choose Apple.

 

[Pipper99]

Regarding you concern about the size of the phones, it’s easy to return or exchange the device for another model within 14 days. You’ll have a much better handle on your preference if you live with it for a couple of weeks. I’ve had the Plus models since they were introduced, and I love the extra screen space: the six doesn’t bother me at all, it YMMV.

Apple’s upgrade program has worked well for me. I used to pay full price and sell my old phone, but I like spreading the cost over time without interest. You have the choice of upgrading after a year or just keeping the phone and paying it off over two years, and you can pay it off early if you desire, so you’re not locked in for the two years if you want out.

I can’t speak to issues of theft, but Apple has been very responsive in handling any issues that I’ve had. I feel more confidence in dealing with Apple than I do the carriers.

 

[FocusAndEarnIt]

Thanks all. Does anyone know how the Apple upgrade plan would work if I start a contract, then decide to switch to a different phone within the first 2 weeks? I think I would go with the Apple Upgrade program instead of carriers.

Good to know that essentially it's a loan and at least the first contract will require a hard pull of my credit. It seems it will probably (but not definitively) be a soft pull if I were to renew it / upgrade.

 

[puma1552]

Thanks all. Does anyone know how the Apple upgrade plan would work if I start a contract, then decide to switch to a different phone within the first 2 weeks? I think I would go with the Apple Upgrade program instead of carriers.

Good to know that essentially it's a loan and at least the first contract will require a hard pull of my credit. It seems it will probably (but not definitively) be a soft pull if I were to renew it / upgrade.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe with Citizen's One it's a hard pull every year.

 

[Pipper99]

I wish I’d remembered this earlier, but Imore’s FAQ is very informative. Yes, you can easily switch to another phone within the two week return/exchange period. I’m not sure of the details about whether they cancel the loan on the first phone and start a new one or just continue the replacement on the same loan, though.

Also, you’re not under a two year contract with a carrier under Apple’s program although you do choose a carrier when you sign up, so that’s a plus.

https://m.imore.com/iphone-upgrade-...90.455422449.1535919127-1547536403.1515161164

 

[now i see it]

Don't expect magical battery life from the new phones either. If you can't make it through half the day with the new battery in your 6S without charging, the new phone will likely behave much the same. You're still going to have to carry around a big battery brick toget you through the day regardless of what phone you're using- if you're using it a lot.

By every estimation (so far) the next big iPhone 6.5 will dimensionally be almost exactly the same size as the current Plus phones. Just the screen will be longer because the bezels will be gone.

 

[FocusAndEarnIt]

@Pipper99 , thank you - iMore very helpful!

@now i see it, thanks.

Does anyone have experience on battery life of say, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8+ - the difference between the two? I've heard they are longer, but not sure how much in real life. I know that my iPhone 6s used to have much greater battery life, and I suspect that the original iOS, which I believe was iOS 9, was less power hungry and required less than did say the behemoth of iOS 11. So, my new battery in my current 6s running the very latest iOS on older hardware may still be somewhat less than newer, hopefully significantly more energy efficient hardware sported in the iPhone X/XS. That's my hope anyway...

 

[Pipper99]

@Pipper99 , thank you - iMore very helpful!

@now i see it, thanks.

Does anyone have experience on battery life of say, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8+ - the difference between the two? I've heard they are longer, but not sure how much in real life. I know that my iPhone 6s used to have much greater battery life, and I suspect that the original iOS, which I believe was iOS 9, was less power hungry and required less than did say the behemoth of iOS 11. So, my new battery in my current 6s running the very latest iOS on older hardware may still be somewhat less than newer, hopefully significantly more energy efficient hardware sported in the iPhone X/XS. That's my hope anyway...

I had an 8 Plus and returned it for an X, and battery life was similar for both as well as similar to my 7 Plus and 6S Plus before that. I can run it from 7 am to about 3 pm without connecting it to any charger, and I use it to stream radio a lot during that time. The new iPhones support wireless charging, so I often let it sit on the charger during the day, and I keep lightning cables handy. I have a Note 8, too, and I get similar battery usage times. I doubt you'll see much change in battery life.