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
175 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
175 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
175 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
175 months ago
WHAT ABOUT NON CONTACT IPHONES! NOT UNLOCKED.. JUST FULL PRICED..

Sry caps
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Akinzo Avatar
175 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
175 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)

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