Last week, Android Central posted a screenshot that showed smartphone price changes coming to AT&T. Based on the screenshot, AT&T was (and has) increased “early upgrade” pricing by $50 for all iPhone models.
An early upgrade in this case means a customer who is on-contract and has not yet reached their eligibility point to get a new device at full discount. Based on the new pricing for AT&T, an early upgrade iPhone 3GS now costs $299 (was $249), an iPhone 4 16 GB costs $449 (was $399) and an iPhone 4 32 GB costs $549 (was $499).
It is good to note the change made by AT&T, as AT&T policy updates sometimes have an effect on the Canadian carriers. At this time, Rogers/Bell/Virgin Mobile/Fido have not increased early upgrade pricing for any iPhone devices. These carriers simply do not allow customers to renew their contract early to get a new device until they have reached their eligibility date (unless there is a promotion).
In the last few years however, Rogers/Fido have allowed customers to upgrade early, in most cases at full promotional pricing, whenever a new iPhone was released.
For a review of the standard eligibility dates, see below (does not reflect occasional upgrade promotions):
Telus on the other hand has recently introduced a type of price increase for early upgrades, but it is not a flat $50 fee like with AT&T. With Telus, customers pay a monthly fee for every month they are upgrading early before their eligible date plus the promotional cost of the iPhone device.
For example, a Telus customer wanting to get an iPhone device early:
It will be interesting to see if the other Canadian carriers adopt a similar pricing strategy to Telus, go the way of AT&T by increasing early upgrade prices, or do nothing. Let’s hope for the latter, especially in terms of price.
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To be honest I’ve always been extremely surprised at Rogers’ early upgrade for existing iPhone customers every time a new iPhone comes out. Going from a 3G to a 3GS, then 3GS to iPhone 4, I’ve gotten the new contract price each time when I re-sign my contract. Yeah, re-signing sucks but its better than having to pay a ridiculous upgrade fee, or buying it unlocked!
To be honest I’ve always been extremely surprised at Rogers’ early upgrade for existing iPhone customers every time a new iPhone comes out. Going from a 3G to a 3GS, then 3GS to iPhone 4, I’ve gotten the new contract price each time when I re-sign my contract. Yeah, re-signing sucks but its better than having to pay a ridiculous upgrade fee, or buying it unlocked!
I say no effect up here.
If an iPhone comes out this year then the partial upgrades will be the same as before for Rogers/Fido
I think it will trickle down to us as well.
Canada normally follows suit in most cases. Also a chance for companies to get more money? of course they will make it happen 😛
Buying it unlocked is cheaper though.
It may be cheaper in the long run, but if I was going to buy an unlocked phone, I still need some sort of cell service for it, and the pay as you go plans don’t really fit my needs as it is (I’ve got My5 Nationwide).
Bell’s standard upgrade eligibility is definitely less than 36 months (usually on par at 24months…in Ontario anyways). Recently upgraded a relative’s phone at approximately 25 months.