Sprint's early upgrade program to launch on September 20

[Shawn Knight]

Sprint is reportedly preparing to launch an early upgrade program for smartphones in the wake of similar offerings from AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. Known as Sprint One Up, the glorified handset rental service is expected to debut on September 20. Better late than never, right?

One Up is said to allow customers select a smartphone with no money down and spread the cost of the device over 24 monthly payments. For example, a handset that sells for $649.99 would be around $27 each month on top of the monthly rate plan. After one year, the customer can elect to trade in the original device and start making payments on a new phone.

Sprint will allow existing customers that have been on contract for at least a year to sign up for One UP although they will need to trade in their current phone unless they are eligible for a full upgrade. Prepaid customers aren’t eligible for the program.

Sprint’s plan seems more in line with T-Mobile’s Jump plan in that a break is given in exchange for the monthly installment plan. Programs from AT&T and Verizon continue to charge the same monthly rate plan on top of having to also pay extra for a new device.

Of course, once you do the math, you’ll quickly realize that all of these early upgrade plans are a complete sham. Assuming you take the upgrade as often as possible (either once or twice a year), you’re basically renting a phone at a premium and will never have anything to show for it (a phone you own).

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https://www.techspot.com/news/54010-sprints-early-upgrade-program-to-launch-on-september-20.html

 

[MilwaukeeMike]

Of course, once you do the math, you?ll quickly realize that all of these early upgrade plans are a complete sham. Assuming you take the upgrade as often as possible (either once or twice a year), you?re basically renting a phone at a premium and will never have anything to show for it (a phone you own).

Except for a new phone every 6 months or so. Don't forget, people this week will be standing in line to drop $600 or more on a shiny new iPhone. People buy these things off contract just to have the latest and 'greatest'. Paying $27 a month for an upgrade plan saves those people money.

Also, do you know what Americans hate more than $27/month? Waiting. When you're in your late teens/early 20s two years away is a really long time when you have to be cool now.

 

[psycros]

So T-Mo and Sprint turning the cost of your phone into a line item on your monthly bill and giving you better upgrade options is a "sham". Wow, it must be nice to be so rich you've never needed credit *ever* (not even credit with *zero interest* like T-Mobile and Sprint are effectively offering). Naturally AT&T and Verizon are doing their usual "rape the customer" routine but comparing their ripoffs with the legit deals being offered by the scrappy underdogs just makes the author look stupid.