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The new iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus smartphones are to be released by Apple on Sept. 19, and AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless have just announced their plans on how customers can obtain the larger, more fully featured phones.
The offerings are similar, but vary by company and smartphone plans. All four have also set up pre-ordering processes for the new devices starting today so that customers can reserve their new iPhones.
The basic device prices for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus handsets are the same for all four companies and from Apple as well, but each vendor offers differences, including monthly payment plans that allow users to spread the cost of the phones over a longer period, making them more affordable.
The new iPhones include the iPhone 6 with its 4.7-inch Retina HD display and an even larger iPhone 6 Plus with its 5.5-inch Retina HD screen, according to a recent eWEEK report. The new devices, which come in 16, 64 and 128GB storage capacities, will also come with many other new features and capabilities, making them popular before they’ve even hit store shelves.
AT&T will offer the phones through its retail stores, starting Sept. 19, under multiple plans, including two-year contracts or through the AT&T Next program, which lets customers update their devices more often, according to the company. The phone purchase fees are in addition to the carrier’s calling, data and texting plans. Customers will also be able to receive up to $300 in trade value on their older iPhones. Several of the AT&T promotions for iPhones are limited to offers that will expire Sept. 30.
Under its two-year contract pricing plans, AT&T will charge iPhone 6 buyers $199.99 for a 16GB version, $299.99 for a 64GB version or $399 for a 128GB version. Contract buyers of iPhone 6 Plus devices will pay $299.99 for a 16GB model, $399.99 for a 64GB model or $499.99 for a 128GB model.
Under the AT&T Next plans, customers will pay monthly payments toward their devices and won’t have to make any down payments, according to AT&T. A 16GB iPhone 6 buyer on a 12-month Next plan will pay $32.50 per month for their new device, while a 64GB iPhone 6 buyer will pay $37.50 per month under the 12-month plan. Payments for the 128GB iPhone 6 are $42.50 per month. For 18-month Next plan buyers, the 16GB iPhone 6 is $27.09 monthly, while the 64GB model is $31.25 monthly. The 128GB model is $35.42 monthly.
For two-year contract buyers, prices for the larger iPhone 6 Plus phones are $299 for the 16GB models, $399.99 for the 64GB models and $499 for the 128GB models. For buyers through the 12-month Next program, a 16GB iPhone Plus is $37.50 per month, while the 64GB Plus phone is $42.50 per month. The 128GB model is $47.50 per month. On the 18-month Next plan, the 16GB iPhone Plus is $31.25 monthly, while a 64GB model is $35.42 monthly. The 128GB model is $39.59 monthly under the plan.
How to Get an iPhone 6 From the Big 4 Wireless Carriers
AT&T is taking pre-orders on all six models on its Website. New AT&T customers buying any iPhone can also get a $100 credit on a future bill, as well as a $200 discount or any iPad with the purchase of any iPhone.
Sprint’s iPhone 6 offers begin with pre-orders starting today and a new iPhone for Life Plan that allows customers to make monthly payments on their new iPhone devices, starting at $20 per month for 24 months for a 16GB iPhone 6 16GB or $25 per month for an 16GB iPhone 6 Plus. Under the plan, customers can get a new device in two years or continue to lease their existing devices, according to Sprint.
Sprint customers can also get their new iPhone 6 devices through traditional two-year agreements. Those plans provide prices at $199.99 for the 16GB iPhone 6, $299.99 for the 64GB model and $399.99 for the 128GB model. Buyers of the iPhone 6 Plus will pay $299.99 for the 16GB model, $399.99 for the 64GB model and $499.99 for the 128GB model. Customers purchasing under these offers can activate on an unlimited plan for $85 per month or on a Sprint Family Share Pack Plan, according to Sprint.
Sprint is also offering a limited-time special for a free 16GB iPhone 6 to any customer who trades in any used, working iPhone and who signs up for a two-year agreement. Sprint will also reward customers who switch from another carrier and activate a new iPhone with a pre-paid Visa card worth up to $350 per line to buy out competitor’s contracts. The trade-in offer expires Sept. 30, while the switching offer is good through Oct. 31.
T-Mobile customers will also be able to get their new iPhone 6 models using monthly payment plans, according to the company. Customers can pre-order the devices starting today. The 16GB iPhone 6 will be available for 24 monthly payments of $27.08, and the 16GB iPhone 6 Plus will be available for 24 monthly payments of $31.24, both with no money down under a T-Mobile Simple Choice plan. Buyers of 64GB iPhone 6 or iPhone6 Plus devices will have to make down payments of $99.99 for their devices, while iPhone 6 Plus buyers will have down payments of $199.99. The monthly payments for 64 and 128GB iPhone 6 Plus phones will be $31.25 each.
Verizon Wireless customers will be able to get the new iPhone 6—starting at $199.99 for the 16GB model, $299.99 for the 64GB model and $399.99 for the 128GB model with a new, two-year customer agreement. The larger iPhone 6 Plus will be available starting at $299.99 for the 16GB model, $399.99 for the 64GB model and $499.99 for the 128GB model, according to Verizon.
Verizon customers can pre-order the phones starting today, or they can get the devices through upgrades via the Verizon Edge program. Verizon is also offering a $100 bill credit with any new smartphone activation on Edge for a limited time. Customers are also eligible to trade in a working, used iPhone for a gift card valued at $200 for an old iPhone 4, iPhone 4s, iPhone 5 or iPhone 5c model, or $300 for any used iPhone 5S.
New for Verizon iPhone customers is the ability to make and receive calls while still using their devices to peruse the Internet or use another application, according to Verizon.
Customers will also receive 1GB of sharable data when a new smartphone is added to the MORE Everything plan through Verizon, according to the company, through a limited time offer. In addition, customers who buy an iPhone can also get $200 off an iPad, which can be added to a MORE Everything plan for $10 monthly access.
The new iPhones can also be pre-ordered from Apple starting today. They will go on sale in Apple stores starting Sept. 19.