If you are looking to upgrade to an iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, or the iPhone X when is available for pre-order, Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program is your best bet. While you can always sell your existing iPhone and pay the difference to upgrade to the latest and greatest iPhone from Apple, the company’s iPhone Upgrade Program makes things easier and hassle free.
If you are not sure what the iPhone Upgrade program is and how it works, worry not as we have you covered. Read this article to know what exactly the program is and how you can upgrade to an iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus.
What is iPhone Upgrade Program?
Instead of buying an iPhone from your carrier or a retailer like Best Buy, you buy your next iPhone from Apple’s online store or one of its retail store. During the purchase process, you enter into a 24-month agreement with Apple where you need to pay off the full price of the phone in monthly installments over 2 years.
Once you have paid 12 monthly installments, you are eligible to upgrade to the next iPhone. As soon as you upgrade, you reset the cycle and you will now again have to pay Apple 24 monthly installments over 2 years. It is only after 2 years of monthly installments that you technically own the device.
Why is the iPhone Upgrade Program worth it?
While many carriers and retailers also offer the latest iPhones on monthly installments, Apple sweetens the deal by bundling AppleCare+ coverage with the program. This means that you are essentially saving the price of AppleCare+, which is around $129 to $149 (and $199 for the iPhone X). With AppleCare+, you are getting two-year of warranty for your new iPhone, screen replacement for $29, and two accidental damage claims for a $99 charge.
How to upgrade to the iPhone 8 using the iPhone Upgrade Program?
If you have not already purchased your existing iPhone through the iPhone Upgrade Program, you will first have to enroll into the program. For this, you can either trade in your existing iPhone or just sign a new contract altogether. Your existing device must not have any cracks or dents, have a fully functional display, and should be fully operational for it to be eligible for a trade-in or an upgrade.
To enroll into the iPhone Upgrade Program, you must have a credit card. The iPhone Upgrade Program is only available in the United States, United Kingdom, and China. You can enroll into the program from Apple’s Online store or one of its retail stores.
If you have already signed up for the iPhone Upgrade Program, you need to ensure that you have paid 12 monthly installments to ensure you are eligible for an upgrade. If that is not the case, you do have another option. If you have paid 6 monthly installments, you pay the additional amount (i.e. the remaining 6 monthly installments at once) to be eligible for the upgrade.
If you are eligible, all you need to do is pre-order the iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus later this week when its pre-orders go live. Apple will also send you a mail-in trade-in kit in which you can send back your existing iPhone to it. Alternatively, you can also go to your nearest Apple store for the upgrade process. You will have to select a carrier of your choice during the order process. If you select T-Mobile or AT&T, your handset will only work on all GSM networks. However, if you select Verizon or Sprint, you’d be able to use the handset on any network since the Verizon/Sprint iPhone models come with a different CDMA radio.
Any iPhone you get through the iPhone Upgrade Program is unlocked and compatible with any carrier you choose.
How much do I need to pay for the iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus? or the iPhone X?
If you are looking to upgrade to an iPhone 8, your monthly installments post the upgrade will jump to $34.50 and $40.75 for the 64GB and 256GB variants. For the iPhone 8 Plus, your monthly installments will come to $39.50 and $45.75. The monthly installments for both handsets are higher than the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus due to an increase in their prices.
And if you want to upgrade to the iPhone X when its pre-orders go live in late October, you will be looking at monthly installments of $49.911 and $56.16 for the 64GB and 256GB variants over 2 years.
Remember that under the iPhone Upgrade Program you are eligible for an upgrade after you have paid 12 monthly installments. So, next year when Apple once again launches a new iPhone, you would be automatically eligible for an upgrade. Also, note that you will technically own the iPhone only after you have paid off its complete 24 monthly installments without upgrading even once. The moment you upgrade, the cycle is reset.
Confused about which iPhone to buy? The iPhone 8 or iPhone X? Worry not, we are here to solve that dilemma of yours as well.
Read: iPhone X vs iPhone 8/iPhone 8 Plus: Which Should You Buy?
If you are someone who upgrades their iPhone on a yearly basis, the iPhone Upgrade Program is a no-brainer. While many carriers also offer similar monthly installment plans, none of them throw in free AppleCare+ coverage which ultimately seals the deal in favor of iPhone Upgrade Program.
