Cell Phone Upgrade Guide

Cll Phone UPGRADE GUIDE Technology is improving at a quick rate and consumers are always on the lookout for the latest and greatest smartphones. The only thing standing in the way of the upgrade is a cell phone contract. Use this guide to navigate through the many considerations. I want to upgrade to a new smartphone... ...and my contract has ended. ...but my contract isn't up yet. Should I sign a new contract to get a discount on the phone? Should I pay the cancellation fee and sign a new contract to get a discount on the phone? PROS PROS • Up-front discount on a new phone · Up-front discount on a new phone CONS CONS - Locked into a contract with one • Pay an expensive termination fee provider -Stuck in another contract and will have to pay another fee if you want to upgrade again before the eligibility period CONSIDERATIONS CONSIDERATIONS Do you like your current carrier's service? If not, this is a good time to What is the cost of the termination fee? Termination fees vary by carrier but are usually a flat fee that's pro-rated according to the amount of months left on your contract. For example, Both Verizon and AT&T charge $350 minus $10 dollars for find a new carrier. There are several comparable no contract alternatives if you're looking for affordability and flexibility. every month you've fulfilled. Is there any incentive to staying with your current carrier? Ask a representative to see if there are any You might be able to avoid a termination fee if your provider has raised their rates or if you sell the benefits to renewing your contract. remainder of your contract to a willing buyer using sites like cellswapper.com. Should I pay full retail price for the phone and not get locked into a new contract? Should I pay full retail price for the phone and not extend my existing contract? PROS PROS Freedom to switch carriers · Avoid paying expensive termination fees CONS · Avoid having to extend the existing contract • Pay full retail price for the phone, which can cost up to $849 for the latest smartphones CONS • Pay full retail price for the phone, May not be protected from price increases or other rate plan changes as you're no longer in which can cost up to $849 for the latest smartphones contract CONSIDERATIONS CONSIDERATIONS When you get a new smartphone with How many more months until you're a contract, you aren't getting a true eligible for an upgrade? With most discount as the cost of the phone is subsidized in the monthly payments. carriers, you're eligible for an upgrade a few months before the end of the contract. Do you plan on staying with your current carrier after the contract is Many carriers offer good and affordable smartphones that can be purchased without a contract if you're willing to switch. up? If so, signing a new contract to receive a discount may be appropriate if you do not want to pay the full retail price up front. CONTRACT OR NO CONTRACT? The appeal of a cell phone contract is mostly based on the discount you receive on a new phone when you sign up, but no contract alternatives are becoming increasingly popular due to their affordability, flexibility, and improvement in phone selection. A no contract plan is ideal if you want to: Upgrade your phone more than once every two years Lower your monthly bills Have the ability to change carriers without a termination fee TYPES OF NO CONTRACT PLANS PRE-PAID PAY-AS-YOU-GO Flat rate per usage so you only pay for the minutes, text messages, and data that you use. Some carriers provide monthly and daily options, with prices as low as $1 day for unlimited talk, text, and web. Pay up front at the start of the month for a certain amount of minutes and data. brought to you by: Sources: igadgetnews.net | getrichslowly.org | lifehacker.com | news.cnet.com cricket