For those customers looking to confirm whether they are eligible for fully-subsidized or early upgrade pricing for the iPhone 5 or interested in comparing service plans across carriers, Apple is offering a pair of tools through its online store to assist with finding such information.

iphone 5 upgrade eligibility
Featured on the iPhone 5 store page, the eligibility tool allows current iPhone owners to select their current carrier from among AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon, and enter some information to retrieve personalized information on pricing for the iPhone 5. Given that the iPhone 4S debuted just eleven months ago, many iPhone 4S customers are not yet eligible for full or even partial subsidy on the iPhone 5, so they may want to confirm launch day pricing on their accounts and see the dates when they will qualify for improved pricing.

A second tool available through the iPhone 5 store page allows users to quickly and easily view service plans from among the three major U.S. carriers in order to help customers decide which carrier and plan will best meet their needs.

iphone 5 plan comparison
AT&T offers the greatest number of basic options, with customers able to choose from individual and family plans, as well as the carrier's new Mobile Share plans. Sprint provides several options for both individual and family plans, while Verizon is now offering only Share Everything plans with unlimited voice and text.

Customers can select one option from each of the three carriers and then view their details side-by-side to help compare each company's offerings.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

TonyC28 Avatar
173 months ago
Don't forget the $36 upgrade fee. You know, the fee they charge you to allow you to buy something from them.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
oneMadRssn Avatar
173 months ago
What about Canada?
I think it's ridiculous that Rogers has a 3 year upgrade period.

Yea. But you guys have to a competent healthcare system, so we're even! :D


Sprint? $10 more, but data is “unlimited” (to use THAT term loosely). IF their coverage matches AT&T and Verizon, I’d consider it.

It's worth noting that Sprint phones can roam on Verizon for free, 3G data included. In Boston, Sprint's coverage is good. However when I go up north to camp or ski, I often roam on Verizon just fine without incurring any additional charges. In essence, you get Sprint's affordable pricing with the benefit of Verizon's network.

Also, ALL mobile-to-mobile calls are free, regardless of carrier, all the time. Not just to a select few phone numbers like with other carriers. Nights and weekends start at 7pm, not 9pm like other carriers. So your monthly block of minutes is only for calls with landline numbers on weekdays before 7pm. My family talks a lot and we barely use any minutes (we talk approximately 3000 minutes total; but our plan is for 700 minutes, of which we use about 300).

Not sure about LTE roaming; probably no roaming agreements with LTE on any carrier until it's very widespread.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GeekLawyer Avatar
173 months ago
Nice, useful tools. Especially the second one, on pricing. I've had essentially the same plan since the launch of the original iPhone. Don't think I'm going to be making any changes anytime soon. :)

Can't wait to pre-order!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
unknownperson Avatar
173 months ago
WHAT ABOUT NON CONTACT IPHONES! NOT UNLOCKED.. JUST FULL PRICED..

Sry caps
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Akinzo Avatar
173 months ago
Yes plus tax on the $649 amount and a $36 fee.

I'm wondering if it would be possible to buy an AT&T at full price off contract? Like we were able to for the 4s last year.?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
imwoblin Avatar
173 months ago
AT&T executives must be using reverse psychology when executing their business model. Let see, we have all these loyal Apple iPhone customers even with expanding competition. Let's see how much pain we can inflict ( no FaceTime without WiFi & 20 month upgrade discount cycles) and see who leaves and who stays with us, then grudgingly give in at the last minute. Sounds like Russian Roulette to me.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 26

When Will Apple Release iOS 26.2?

Monday December 1, 2025 4:37 pm PST by
We're getting closer to the launch of the final major iOS update of the year, with Apple set to release iOS 26.2 in December. We've had three betas so far and are expecting a fourth beta or a release candidate this week, so a launch could follow as soon as next week. Past Launch Dates Apple's past iOS x.2 updates from the last few years have all happened right around the middle of the...
maxresdefault

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Monday December 1, 2025 3:00 am PST by
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that ...
Sad Siri Feature

Apple AI Chief John Giannandrea Retiring After Siri Delays

Monday December 1, 2025 2:16 pm PST by
Apple AI chief John Giannandrea is stepping down from his position and retiring in spring 2026, Apple announced today. Giannandrea will serve as an advisor between now and 2026, with former Microsoft AI researcher Amar Subramanya set to take over as vice president of AI. Subramanya will report to Apple engineering chief Craig Federighi, and will lead Apple Foundation Models, ML research, and ...
Netflix Smaller 4

Netflix Kills Casting From Its Mobile App to Most Modern TVs

Monday December 1, 2025 4:36 am PST by
Netflix has quietly removed the ability to cast content from its mobile apps to most modern TVs and streaming devices, including newer Chromecast models and the Google TV Streamer. The change was first spotted by users on Reddit and confirmed in an updated Netflix support page (via Android Authority), which now states that the streaming service no longer supports casting from mobile devices...
ios 18 to ios 26 upgrade

Apple Pushes iPhone Users Still on iOS 18 to Upgrade to iOS 26

Tuesday December 2, 2025 11:09 am PST by
Apple is encouraging iPhone users who are still running iOS 18 to upgrade to iOS 26 by making the iOS 26 software upgrade option more prominent. Since iOS 26 launched in September, it has been displayed as an optional upgrade at the bottom of the Software Update interface in the Settings app. iOS 18 has been the default operating system option, and users running iOS 18 have seen iOS 18...
Cyber Week Deals 2025

Best Cyber Week Apple Deals Include Big Discounts on AirPods, Apple Watch, and More

Sunday November 30, 2025 7:33 am PST by
Cyber Week is here, and you can find popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more at all-time low prices. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Specifically,...
Touchscreen MacBook Feature

Here Are the Four MacBooks Apple Is Expected to Launch Next Year

Monday December 1, 2025 5:00 am PST by
2026 could be a bumper year for Apple's Mac lineup, with the company expected to announce as many as four separate MacBook launches. Rumors suggest Apple will court both ends of the consumer spectrum, with more affordable options for students and feature-rich premium lines for users that seek the highest specifications from a laptop. Below is a breakdown of what we're expecting over the next ...
studio display purple february

M5 iPad Pro Could Hint at New Studio Display Feature

Sunday November 30, 2025 10:30 am PST by
The updated specs of the M5 iPad Pro may point toward a major new feature for Apple's next-generation Studio Display expected in early 2026. Apple's latest iPad Pro debuted last month and contains one display-related change that stands out: it can now drive external monitors at up to 120Hz with Adaptive Sync. The feature should deliver lower latency, smoother motion, and fewer visual...
iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
iphone 17 cyber

iPhone 17 Demand Is Breaking Apple's Sales Records

Tuesday December 2, 2025 9:44 am PST by
Apple's iPhone 17 lineup is selling well enough that Apple is on track to ship more than 247.4 million total iPhones in 2025, according to a new report from IDC. Total 2025 shipments are forecast to grow 6.1 percent year over year due to iPhone 17 demand and increased sales in China, a major market for Apple. Overall worldwide smartphone shipments across Android and iOS are forecast to...